On Monday we celebrate the feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists. A gifted writer, he penned the following prayer during his extraordinary life.
Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Read More »
The story is told of a rich industrialist who was disturbed to find a fisherman sitting lazily beside his boat. “Why aren’t you out there fishing?” he asked.
What’s important in life Read More »
Humanity can no longer ignore the cries of the earth that is suffering due to greed and the excessive consumption of its resources, Pope Francis said.
World Day of Prayer for Creation Read More »
My iPhone buzzed. I looked down at the text message on the glowing blue screen. The words took a moment to sink in. It was like being back in primary school and discovering you hadn’t been invited to your friend’s sleepover, only worse.
The federal government has announced new federal environment laws in response to the grim state of native animal populations and declining ecosystems revealed in a report released earlier this week.
New laws to protect our environment Read More »
Dear Friends,
“In old age they will still bear fruit” (Ps 92:15). These words of the Psalmist are glad tidings, a true “gospel” that we can proclaim to all on this second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. They run counter to what the world thinks about this stage of life, but also to the attitude of grim resignation shown by some of us elderly people, who harbour few expectations for the future.
Pope’s message to the elderly Read More »
A disciple says, “Lord, teach us to pray.” In reply, Jesus offers a four-point lesson in prayer.
The promise of God’s grace Read More »
When I was a mother, I was often busy and frustrated. I would often be yelling at my children not to do something. That’s not the way you should do things.
In the human religious imagination, a tree is often understood to be a symbol of the connection between heaven and earth: branches, spread out and covering all beneath them, are joined by a trunk to roots plunged deep into the ground. The foliage above gives shade and protection from the harsh heat of the day, and fruit for our nourishment. Besides water (which like fruit ‘falls’ from above) human survival depends on shelter and food, both of which the tree provides.
Sacred quality of trees Read More »
The Fifth Plenary Council of Australia has concluded with agreement on all motions including (Part 4.5) ‘that should the universal law of the Church be modified to authorise the diaconate for women, the Plenary Council recommends the Australian Bishops receive this possibility with openness and examine how best to implement it in the context of the of the Church in Australia’.
Plenary Council Outcomes Read More »