SeasonsJanuary 19, 2020Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 2020 – The Messiah
"Our belief is that the messianic prophecies in the Old Testament were fulfilled in the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth."
SeasonsJanuary 12, 2020Baptism of the Lord 2020
"Baptism is a major life event. It opens us up to a changed way of engaging with the world, a way that is marked by life in Christ."
SeasonsJanuary 08, 2020Mary, Did you Know?
As we end the 2019 Christmas season, a modern Christmas song invites controversy.
SeasonsJanuary 06, 2020The Journey of the Magi
T.S. Eliot's famous poem marks the Feast of the Epiphany.
SeasonsJanuary 05, 2020Epiphany of the Lord 2020 – What Gift Will I Bring to Bethlehem?
"“We have seen the Christ …and like the wise ones of old we can no longer go home by the familiar route. A new way is ours today.”"
SeasonsJanuary 04, 2020The Huron Carol.
With lyrics by St. Jean de Brebeuf, SJ, The Huron Carol is Canada's oldest Christmas song.
SeasonsJanuary 03, 2020A Bit of Fun – The Digital Nativity
And now for something completely different. Enjoy!
SeasonsJanuary 01, 2020New Year’s Day 2020: Mary the Mother of God + World Day of Peace
"Francis urged political leaders to accept that true peace and international security cannot be built in a climate of distrust."
SeasonsDecember 31, 2019New Year’s Eve in the Anthropocene
On this New Year's eve, the poet offers - for your consideration - a pledge you might want to consider.
SeasonsDecember 30, 2019A Christmas Carol
The simplicity belies its profound wisdom. The last two lines could easily be an Advent theme.
SeasonsDecember 29, 2019Feast of the Holy Family 2019 – The Protection of a Parent
"The separation of children from their parents is an indescribable cruelty. It goes to the heart of what is the most sacred bond that can exist, that between parents and their children."
Daily LifeSeasonsDecember 27, 2019“These are a few .. . “
"And since I control the choice of music and the amount of time listening, I can savour the words/music and spirit of the Holy seasons."
SeasonsDecember 26, 2019A PARTRIDGE FOR DINNER
"Well, I have wonderful memories of many partridges; actually, the proper name is ruffed grouse, and my late husband, Jack Earle, was a very good grouse hunter. In fact, we bought 110 acres in the middle of nowhere in 1996 because this was one of his favourite grouse hunting spots."
SeasonsDecember 25, 2019Christmas Day 2019 – Speaking some words to the close and holy darkness
"It remains always essential to continue speaking to the close and holy. In these days leading to Christmas, let’s take time to deepen that conversation, .. ."
SeasonsDecember 24, 2019Away in a Manger
How did the shepherds that wondrous night manage the words of the angels?
SeasonsDecember 22, 2019Fourth Sunday of Advent 2019 – The Righteous Man (or Woman)
"What is it to be righteous? Merriam-Webster suggests that righteousness is connected with acting in accord with divine or moral law, as morally right or justifiable"
SeasonsDecember 19, 2019Believing in love, goodness and hope
It makes my heart beat faster to think that there is mystery that we don’t fully understand. Now I think of Santa as a comforting father figure, kindly, friendly, caring: like God."
SeasonsDecember 18, 2019Advent Reflection – “God is With Us”
"We don’t listen to our dreams much today, but for the ancient people, they were legitimate channels through which the supernatural could speak"
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.!"