We are in strange times. Who would have thought that COVID would take the shine of Christmas away. But has it? The challenges of a pandemic and all the restrictions because of it, are compelling Christians to identify the fundamentals of Christmas. Different Gospels for the Masses on this day offer pointers to meditate on different aspects of the mystery of Incarnation of the Lord. The Birth of Jesus is a good news.

“You don’t like me” is a tactic children use to gain favour from their parents. The words may not always be exactly the same, but some variant of this expression, in words or in gestures, is a powerful tool that can bend the hearts of the loving parents. The caring parent soon works on showing the unhappy child that he or she is their favourite one. There is nothing more uplifting in life than knowing how favoured you are.

Archbishop Anthony is launching Parish 2020, an Evangelisation Plan, this weekend. ‘Go and Make Disciples’ is the theme of the program. Who is a disciple and whom should the disciples be following are questions to be considered.

ack came to see me, all confused. His family and friends had disappointed him. His prayer life was far from perfect. The Sacraments of the Church had not appeared in the horizon of his mind for a long time. Having listened to him I made some suggestions on how to move forward and where to find some help.

Who among you doesn’t want to be remembered? In your memory who are the people you cherish? Aren’t they the people who went out of their way to show compassion to you when you were feeling miserable? You remember the people who helped you in need.

A response to this image on Anthony Fisher’s Facebook said, “I don’t like that image of Jesus the King, he said he wasn’t king himself.” That is a fair comment because the image of the king in ordinary usage suggests power and glory.

Who among you doesn’t want to be remembered? In your memory who are the people you cherish? Aren’t they the people who went out of their way to show compassion to you when you were feeling miserable? You remember the people who helped you in need.

Human life is very advanced now. With the help of science our generation can predict what to expect. Accordingly, we plan our life and secure the best outcome for life. That is what most people think at least most of the time. Are we really in control of our life?

How many Australian saints are there? You may be thinking of Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop as the only one. She is not the only one; there are many more Aussie saints. Till her canonisation in 2010 Mary Mackillop also was not known as a saint. Does that mean she became a saint only ten years ago? No. She lived an exemplary Christian life. Therefore, she was a saint always, even before her death. The Church, by canonising Mary Mackillop, has added her name to the official list of saintly people for others to learn how to make their life flourish through of faith.

“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God.” These words of Pope Francis and more were covered in the media all over the world last Thursday, 22 October. The Holy Father went on to say, “You can’t kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”