SeasonsDecember 15, 2019Third Sunday of Advent 2019 – Let Nothing Disturb You
"So many threats to our security can cause us anxiety. I could be anxious about having to perform or prove myself in some way."
SeasonsDecember 14, 2019“Someone told me it’s all happening at the Zoo. I do believe it. I do believe it’s true.”
" I was thinking of them as I used Magi stamps on some of my Christmas cards, remembering the creche under the tree in my boyhood home was never complete without all the animals, sheep, oxen, donkey, AND camels! "
SeasonsDecember 12, 2019The Real Spirit of Christmas
"Thomas Merton, noted that although Jesus was born in a stable far removed from the hub of power and influence, he is still more easily recognised by the culturally marginalised and the poor. Merton said: “His peace is with those others for whom there is no room.”"
SeasonsDecember 11, 2019Advent Reflection – “Sight”
"Let’s ask him for new sight of radical trust, so that we may cast out fear and anxiety from our lives."
SeasonsDecember 08, 2019Second Sunday of Advent 2019 – Prepare the Way of the Lord …
"How are we challenged on the Second Sunday of Advent? A good starting point is to ask ourselves if we are in need of the kind of repentance that John speaks of."
SeasonsDecember 05, 2019Advent Reflection – “Repent”
"Being baptized by fire and the Holy Spirit is to be met with the consummate fire of God’s love."
SeasonsDecember 01, 2019First Sunday of Advent 2019 – Stay Awake!
" Keep awake, you must be ready. The time has come for us to rise from a spiritual slumber."
SeasonsNovember 30, 2019Advent Reflection – “Awaken”
" . . . it is sometimes necessary to awaken ourselves from the dreamy stupors we may have permitted to take hold in us."
SeasonsNovember 24, 2019Christ the King – The Leadership of Jesus
"Jesus the leader is not afraid to challenge those whom he senses need that challenge. But he also knows how to affirm the ones who are bent over and living with fear, bondage and physical infirmity."
SeasonsNovember 19, 2019Thoughts Adrift
The poet's thoughts like the autumn colours drift and settle.
SeasonsNovember 17, 2019World Day of the Poor – Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"Pope Francis issued a letter for this day. He points out that The centuries pass, but the condition of rich and poor remains constant, as if history has taught us nothing."
SeasonsNovember 10, 2019A Grieving Mother of Strength – Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
"What would it take you to stick to your principles and refuse to renounce your faith and its traditions?"
SeasonsNovember 05, 2019Elkhorn, Manitoba – October 9, 2019
The end of summer is announced by an unexpected storm.
SeasonsNovember 03, 2019What’s Up Zak? Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time
"Jesus can’t exactly walk up to your front door and ring the bell. It would take a LONG time for Jesus to walk up to every house in the world! You’d be all old and wrinkly by the time he finally got to yours... and he wouldn’t be able to stay very long."
SeasonsNovember 02, 2019The Faithful Departed – All Souls Day 2019
"We pray that the faithful departed may enter the full beatific vision of union with God, thus seeing God face to face.."
SeasonsNovember 01, 2019All Saints 2019
"This is a day to celebrate all holy men and women, and ask for their prayers and intercession. We honour those who are known and recognized as enlightened souls, but also the unknowns and the misfits."
SeasonsOctober 31, 2019Halloween Memories
"We are about to enter into a month of remembering: the faithful departed, saints, martyrs, and veterans of wars. On Halloween, we are basically telling death that it has no lasting power over us"
SeasonsOctober 27, 2019Does God Listen to our Pleas? Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"What is needed is a listener who empathizes and helps the sufferer to know that they are not alone. Miracles have been performed at the kitchen table when two friends sit over mugs of coffee and commiserate."
SeasonsOctober 20, 2019World Mission Sunday: Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"Pope Francis sees that our missionary spirit means that we press forward to the farthest frontiers. He speaks of how each of us is a mission. This means that we never stand still."
SeasonsOctober 14, 2019Thanksgiving 2019
"Whatever this holiday includes for us, let’s make room in our day to pause and give thanks for all the good we have received."
SeasonsOctober 13, 2019Offering Gratitude: Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"My experience is that it is often the foreigner, outsider or person on the margins and fringes who is spontaneous in offering gratitude. It may not always be words or prostration. It could be in simple, but heartfelt, action such as offering food or other gifts."
SeasonsSeptember 30, 2019Rosh Hashanah : Shanah Tovah (Have a good year)
"To all Jews throughout the world, have a sweet and peaceful New Year.!"
SeasonsSeptember 22, 2019Mind the Gap – Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
"Whether John Paul II, Benedict XVI or Francis, recent popes agree very strongly on the need for economic justice and a narrowing of the gap between rich and poor."
SeasonsSeptember 15, 2019Golden Calves – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
" I like a principle stated by Saint Ignatius of Loyola: "The other things on the face of the earth are created for the human beings, to help them in the pursuit of the end for which they are created [the praise, reverence and service of God]. … We ought to use things to the extent they help us tow
SeasonsSeptember 08, 2019Practical Wisdom and Financial Planning – Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"Jesus’ words and actions often reveal a sort of practical wisdom. That comes across today in his reminder about the need for planning and preparation. He offers two illustrations."
SeasonsSeptember 05, 2019The Blessed Virgin’s Birthday
""Our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, Most Gracious Advocate thine eyes of Mercy towards us and after this our exile, show unto us the fruit of Thy Womb, Jesus.”"
SeasonsSeptember 02, 2019The Vocation to Work: Contributing to the Fabric of the World
"Laudato Si is an amazing document. There are few significant topics in life that he doesn't cover. It even speaks of architecture and urban life. He has a wonderfully broad notion of integral ecology."
SeasonsSeptember 01, 2019Knowing Our Place in The World – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"The Book of Sirach cautions us to perform our tasks with humility. As is his habit, Jesus uses a parable to drive home the point: Whoever exalts self will be humbled, and whoever humbles self will be exalted."
SeasonsAugust 25, 2019Self-Discipline – Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"The value of discipline is highlighted in today’s selection from the Letter to the Hebrews. “Endure trials for the sake of discipline.” "
SeasonsAugust 18, 2019Hearts on Fire – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"The image of fire is a reference to the purifying actions of Jesus, whereby he is helping his followers to distinguish between dross and the real thing. He refers to division, basically stating that he will be resolute in the face of opposition, setting his sights for Jerusalem and what awaits him.
SeasonsAugust 11, 2019Where is my treasure? Where is my heart? – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"Today’s Gospel from Luke includes the reminder to seek an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” "
SeasonsAugust 04, 2019“Shrouds don’t have pockets”- Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"We know that anything has the potential to become an idol, even something seemingly good and appropriate. Personal fitness or being attractive are examples. Even spiritual activities such as retreats and significant experiences can be the object of greed"
SeasonsJuly 21, 2019Martha or Mary? Mary and Martha? – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"What if we could put our heart and mind into our daily chores? What would it mean to cook and clean and garden with love? Can I bring out the garbage or wash the dishes with love?"
SeasonsJuly 14, 2019A Good Samaritan – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"People who witness a crime or dangerous situation and jump in to rescue someone in danger are generally referred to as Good Samaritans. How often have you read of someone who rushes into a burning house or a fast-moving river, hoping to rescue someone in need?"
SeasonsJuly 11, 2019Born Again
Sorrow t urns to joy as the poet reflects on that first Easter morning.
SeasonsJuly 09, 2019Easter Triduum
On this second day of igNation's poetry week, the poe t takes us back to the start of the Easter Triduum.
SeasonsJuly 07, 2019Walk in a Relaxed – and Light – Manner: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
"There are many advantages to walking in relaxation, lightness and peace through our days and upon the earth. But that is not easy. How do we get to that place of peace and freedom?"
SeasonsJuly 01, 2019Canada Day – 2019
“Eternal God, whose reign extends from sea to sea, and whose care endures throughout the ages, hear our prayers for our country: grant wisdom to those who govern it and respect for human life and dignity to every citizen, so that justice may flourish and all peoples live in unity and in peace.”
SeasonsJune 21, 2019Beginning of Summer
"The great novelist Henry James said of summer, "Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.""
SeasonsJune 16, 2019A Father’s Impact – Father’s Day 2019
"As we celebrate Father's Day, let's be grateful for all of our fathers and for those who've filled in for them."