Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Follow me

Just a few thoughts

·        "You may not be a Picasso or Mozart but you don't have to be. Just create to create. Create to remind yourself you're still alive. Make stuff to inspire others to make something too. Create to learn a bit more about yourself." -- Frederick Terral

·        Advent is a time for waiting, for discarding old and tired ways of living and for pondering new possibilities.

·        May the hopes of both the Palestinian and Israeli people for justice and peace be fulfilled.

·        Day of Remembrance for all the Victims of Chemical Warfare – so many have died from such evil weapons; let us pray for them and for those who live with the effects.

Reflections

ü Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

ü Invited Into Jesus’ Mission

ü Arts & Faith: Week 1 of Advent, Cycle A

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Indigenous cultural fishing should be supported, not criminalised

Ø Two meetings: Frascati and the Vatican

Musical Reflection

¯ Awake To The Day

¯ Come, Emmanuel

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Happy the eyes that see what you see.

Just a few thoughts

·        "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -- Melody Beattie

·        May the Church be an instrument for peace, so that during these weeks of Advent she can show the love of Christ to all people.

·        Let us pray for all people stricken by the brutality of war, especially in Ethiopia and Eritrea. May the weapons of war be replaced everywhere by instruments of peace.

Reflections

ü The things that were hidden from “the wise and the intelligent of this world” – hidden by their very wisdom and intelligence – were being made visible through these simple men, these “little ones.”

ü Jesus Rejoices

ü Sunday Homily - Not Just for Christmas

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Exploitation of migrant workers happening across Australia

Ø Advent

Musical Reflection

¯ Awake To The Day

¯ Come, Emmanuel

Monday, November 28, 2022

Journeying towards the Lord

Just a few thoughts

·        "Advent invites us to a commitment to vigilance, looking beyond ourselves, expanding our mind and heart in order to open ourselves up to the needs of people, of brothers and sisters, and to the desire for a new world. – Pope Francis

·        Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -- Mary Oliver

·        May the Church be an instrument for peace, so that during these weeks of Advent she can show the love of Christ to all people.

Reflections

ü Responding with Full Faith

ü Sober reading for our times

ü Sunday Homily - The unimaginable days to come

The Signs Of The Times

Ø An adult Advent calendar

Ø First Sunday of Advent

Ø Vinnies Women’s Crisis Centre Marks 5 years

Musical Reflection

¯ Voice of God

¯ Come To Set Us Free

Sunday, November 27, 2022

The Son of Man is coming

Just a few thoughts

·        "Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumblebee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams." – Ashley Smith

·        "May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right." -- Peter Marshall

·        We are invited to walk in the light of the Lord

Reflections

ü Australian Women Preach

ü Sunday Homily – Frank Brennan

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Good for the economy

Ø Part of One Body

Musical Reflection

¯ We Shall Prepare

¯ A Trusting Psalm

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Our earthly existence is fragile and only temporary

Greetings!
Technology failed us at Steaky Bay and Elliston accommodation. Promised internet failed and our hotspot phone had difficulties as well.

Just a few thoughts

·        Be humble for you are made of earth. Be noble for you are made of stars. -- Serbian Proverb

·        The words of kindness are more healing to a drooping heart than balm or honey. -- Sarah Fielding

Reflections

ü Be on guard

ü Advent Alert

ü Voices of Our Female Ancestors

The Signs Of The Times

Ø International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Ø Ending violence against women and children

Ø Pope Francis: peace between Russia and Ukraine is possible, don’t forget the poor

Musical Reflection

¯ Waiting in Silence

¯ My Soul in Stillness Waits

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Your endurance will win you your lives

Just a few thoughts

·       How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and keeping that picture in mind, we manage ourselves each day to be and to do what really matters. -- Stephen Covey

·       Let God guide you in all your ways. -- Mary MacKillop

·       May there be a greater respect for religious belief and practice here in Australia as we move towards Christmas, so that Jesus remains at the heart of the celebrations.

Reflections

ü Nunc dimittis

ü Relying On God’s Defence

ü Sunday Homily -- Remember that love reigns

The Signs Of The Times

Ø You Have Less Love In You Now Than When You Were Young

Ø Warriors for Peace

Musical Reflection

¯  Steal Away

¯  Let My People Go

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

The time will come

Just a few thoughts

·       "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back." -- Maya Angelou

·       For all who are in need today, that God will be close to them, and that friend and neighbour will help them.

Reflections

ü Be Not Afraid

ü Sunday Homily -- The Communion of Saints

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Modern conversation dominated by ‘tribalism and incendiary rhetoric’

Musical Reflection

¯  Steal Away

¯  Steal Away

Monday, November 21, 2022

Joachim and Anne

Yikes! Ferry cancelled today. Bad weather on the water! 2.5 extra hours of driving

Just a few thoughts

·       "It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

·       “It is the faith communities that drive the leadership. When change happens, it is important not to leave behind any of our community members, which is why it takes time to bring about change -- Project Coordinator Pastoral Ministries - Alyson Segrott

·       World Television Day – TV – also known as The Idiot Box! May we truly appreciate/understand its power to inform us of world news, the wonder of creation and science, the diversity of faith and culture and entertain us in respectful ways.

Reflections

ü The poor widow

ü Sunday Homily -- Between the Two

ü Sunday Homily -- Spiritual Revolutions

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Social Justice Trends

Musical Reflection

¯  Lift Up Your Hearts

¯  The Seed

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Remember me when you come into your kingdom

Just a few thoughts

·       Earth is but a speck of dust in the Milky Way – Population: 8,000,000,000

·       "Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity." -- Simone Weil

·       The Universal King has revealed himself to us as the Crucified One, full of mercy

Reflections

ü Sunday Homily – Australian Women Preach

ü Sunday Homily – Frank Brennan

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Pope Francis: ‘Priests must be close to the people’

Ø World Children's Day

Ø Children deserve better

Musical Reflection

¯  The King shall come when morning dawns

¯  Jesus the Lord

Saturday, November 19, 2022

A different life

Just a few thoughts

·       "We are not on this earth to accumulate victories, things, and experiences, but to be whittled and sandpapered until what's left is who we truly are." -- Arianna Huffington

·       World Toilet Day! - adequate toilets in poor villages, refugee camps and outback settlements are must for the health of all communities.

Reflections

ü Life beyond death

ü Christ the King

ü  Jesus Studied The Scriptures

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Cost-of-living pressures not being felt equally

Ø Catholic political leaders: Does faith matter?

Musical Reflection

¯  Make Me A Chariot Of Fire

¯  One Body Many Parts

Friday, November 18, 2022

Commercial distractions

Just a few thoughts

·       We are all called to ‘direct society to the pursuit of the common good’, and voting thoughtfully is part of this duty.

·       Let us keep in mind all those who care for our churches; cleaners and maintenance   workers, decorators and artists, gardeners and sacristans. May they experience the closeness of God.

Reflections

ü A den of robbers

ü Captivated By Every Word

ü Warriors for Peace

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Fordham report finds poverty growing globally, reversing recent gains

Ø In praise of tolerance

Musical Reflection

¯  Go To the World!

¯  Fallen People

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Politics, Ego & War

J  Dear readers, during the next 2 weeks my posts may not happen every day. We will be on the road and internet access may not be available.

 

Just a few thoughts

·        "Go and love someone exactly as they are. And then watch how quickly they transform into the greatest, truest version of themselves. When one feels seen and appreciated in their own essence, one is instantly empowered." -- Wes Angelozzi

·        A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. -- Amelia Earhart

·        20th World Philosophy Day – Let us support sincere questioning of life’s issues, good logic in finding solutions, and openness to share ideas among peoples.

Reflections

ü Dominus flevit

ü Weeping For What Could Have Been

ü Sunday Reflection - Entrusting ourselves and our lives to God's providence

ü Nonviolence: A Continual Practice

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Assembly commits to local mission

Ø Report says prison population could be safely reduced by one-third

Ø COP 27 - UN Climate talks in Egypt – Caritas reports

Musical Reflection

¯ Breath of Creator -- This song was inspired by the work of the Australian theologian, Denis Edwards.

¯ Little Things With Great Love

¯ Mr Blue Sky

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Eleven of the forty gospel parables are about money

Just a few thoughts

·        We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. -- Ronald Regan

·        Good leadership is not possible without consulting the people it impacts.

·        How can the Church improve on its mission of working for the good and salvation of all, especially the poor and struggling, the lost and faithless?

Reflections

ü It is by using what is given to us that we become capable of more.

ü Today we are asked to reflect on the special gifts that God has given to each one of us and how we are using them for the benefit of brothers and sisters in need.

ü He Is Lord

The Signs Of The Times

Ø God Is a Peacemaker

Ø International Day for Tolerance

Ø International Day of Tolerance 2022

Ø Conflicting thoughts on peace

Musical Reflection

¯ Put A Little Love In Your Heart

¯ Let It Grow

¯ Dona Nobis Pacem