Sunday, December 31, 2023

In the humblest of circumstances

Just a few thoughts

·       You don't always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens. -- Mandy Hale

·       For the family of the Church: that faith in Jesus Christ will be ever stronger and more generous in charity and intent on justice.

·       When there is anxiety or poor communication in our families may we learn from the example of Joseph, Mary and Jesus how to make new beginnings.

Reflections

ü Australian Women Preach

ü The Good of the Family

ü Family Holiness

The Signs Of The Times

Ø The Privilege of Life Itself

Ø The first and largest terrorist state

Musical Reflection

¯  Gloria in excelsis Deo

¯  Go Tell It On The Mountain

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Embracing Salvation

Just a few thoughts

·       "Real heroes are people who fall and fail and are flawed but win out in the end because they've stayed true to their ideals and beliefs and commitments."

·       We pray, that being anointed in the Holy Spirit, all Christians will work for justice and peace, show respect for the poor and be sincere in prayer.

Reflections

ü The Presentation in the Temple

ü Significant ordinary people

ü Redeeming Family Life – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø The Spiritual Practice of Awe

Ø The Family as Church and Religious Community

Musical Reflection

¯  Silent Night

¯  Love Has Come

Friday, December 29, 2023

May we hear your voice

Just a few thoughts

·       In a gentle way, you can shake the world. -- Mahatma Gandhi

·       May the Holy Spirit bring comfort to all who are in pain of body, heart and mind because to the wars in the Holy Land, Ukraine and around the world.

Reflections

ü Let us never stray from your flock

ü The anticipation of Kingdom

ü The Good of the Family

The Signs Of The Times

Ø The Family as Church and Religious Community

Ø A celebration 800 years in the making

Ø The only possible peace recognizes each person's dignity and the rights of all

Musical Reflection

¯  Glory to God

¯  Do You Hear What I Hear?

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Linking the innocent victim-children of today to the ‘Holy Innocents' of 2,000 years ago

Just a few thoughts

·       It is never too late to be what you might have been. -- George Eliot

·       May everyone in distress and pain across the Holy Land be our concern in prayer today, especially the children who have been orphaned, traumatized, injured and left homeless and starving.

·       May our Australian society strengthen its appreciation for life, so that there is respect for everyone regardless of nationality, culture, religion, appearance, ability or disability.

Reflections

ü Bullies are cowards.

ü An uncaring world

ü Choosing the Good

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Being in wonder, in radical amazement.

Ø These 5 things can help you live longer

Musical Reflection

¯  Mary Did You Know?

¯  A Weary Couple

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Fully human and fully divine.

Just a few thoughts

·       All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination. -- Earl Nightingale

·       May the Word of God, Jesus Christ, always be our life.

·       We pray for the many whose entire lives have been spent in refugee camps with no prospect of resettlement, that they will persist in claiming their fundamental human rights.

Reflections

ü He saw and he believed

ü Giving Birth to God

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Merry Christmas Or Season’s Greetings?

Ø Pope urges Vatican bureaucrats to resist ‘rigid ideological positions’

Musical Reflection

¯  For the Beauty of the Earth

¯  Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Whatever trials and tribulations life throws at us.

Just a few thoughts

·       If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one! -- Dolly Parton

·       In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present. -- Sir Francis Bacon

·       May the courage of St Stephen inspire everyone who is persecuted or ridiculed for their Christian faith in so many countries.

Reflections

ü It was no perfect world that Jesus was born into

ü Christ is Sacrifice

ü Christmas Day 2023 – Frank Brennan

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Tidings of joy in an ebb tide

Ø Transcendence: Searching for light amidst horrors in Ukraine and Gaza

Musical Reflection

¯  Silent Night

¯  What Child Is This

Monday, December 25, 2023

Jesus, the Word, is the light that enlightens all people.

Just a few thoughts

·       "Minds are like parachutes. They only function when open." -- -- Thomas Dewar

·       Celebrating the birth of a Jewish Palestinian/Palestinian Jew?

·       We pray for the Church, that in communion with Pope Francis, all may rejoice with deeper faith in the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and so witness to his mercy and charity.

Reflections

ü God showed us how we must live

ü Love's Child

ü Christ in the Rubble

ü The Nativity of the Lord: The God who dwells among us

The Signs Of The Times

Ø A Christmas message from the heavens

Ø An Awe That Connects

Ø Bishops offer invitation to experience the peace of Christmas

Musical Reflection

¯  Silent Night

¯  Light of the Stable

¯  Mary's Boy Child

Sunday, December 24, 2023

We too have been called to say ‘Yes’

Just a few thoughts

·       Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect. – Anon

·       "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." -- Albert Einstein

·       May the land where Jesus lived be delivered from the present war and all who suffer from its effects, there and beyond, come to experience the mercy, compassion and peace of Jesus.

Reflections

ü How do we embrace God’s outreach in our lives?

ü Australian Women Preach

ü She Knew

The Signs Of The Times

Ø 2023 Christmas message – Archbishop O’Regan

Ø Caritas and Catholic community ‘offer a beacon of light and hope’

Musical Reflection

¯  Hark! the herald angels sing

¯  For Unto Us a Child is Born

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Preparing the way for the Lord

Just a few thoughts

·       "You can't have everything. Where would you put it?" -- Stephen Wright

·       "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." -- Edward Everett Hale

·       May we be filled with awe and rejoice in the gift of every new life.

Reflections

ü What then am I called to be?

ü Are we focused on bringing others to Christ?

ü The Building is God’s – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

ü Secure accommodation ‘a human right, not a privilege’

ü Passion for social justice drives Mercy Sister

Musical Reflection

¯  I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve

¯  Were You There on That Christmas Night?

Friday, December 22, 2023

Recognising God’s gifts in our lives

Just a few thoughts

·       "The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." -- Michael Altshuler

·       May we imitate Mary, and stay alongside, for as long as needed, all who have a right to our care and help.

·       We pray for ourselves in this last week of the Advent season, that we will heed Paul’s advice and be happy, pray constantly, and for all things give thanks to God.

Reflections

ü Humility has a puzzle built into it

ü Singing With a Grateful Heart

ü Full of Grace – Next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Joseph and the Christmas Story

Ø Christmas Message 2023 – Sisters of St Joseph

Musical Reflection

¯  Immaculate Mary

¯  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Recognising the good in each other

Just a few thoughts

·       Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around -- Henry David Thoreau

·       We pray for the children of the Holy Land and Ukraine whose lives are traumatized by war, that there will be people around to love and protect them and sustain their faith in God.

·       Can you imagine a world where truth doesn't exist? Where lies are spread without consequences? Where we have to argue about what is a fact, and what isn't? Well, it's increasingly becoming the reality. -- L. Baldwin-Roberts

Reflections

ü Drinking from the Well of Friendship

ü Elizabeth and Mary

ü How John the Baptist shows that magnanimity and humility belong together – Last Sunday reflection

ü The Joy of Liberation – Next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Let’s put Christ back into our Christmas greetings

Ø We Are What We See

Musical Reflection

¯  Hail Mary - Gentle Woman

¯  Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming