A Catholic Monthly Magazine

Nativity in Stained Glass (Comments Off)

These three windows in St Benedict’s Church, Newton, Auckland, tell the nativity sequence beautifully. The birth of Jesus in the stable, the angels pointing the way so the shepherds could adore Him, and the Magi coming with their gifts - the Epiphany.… More

Bishop John Doaninoel SM (Comments Off)

Born 1 March 1950 in Tinputz, Bougainville
Professed 2 February 1976
Ordained Priest 20 December 1980
Ordained Bishop 8 March 2008
Died 7 August 2018, at Holy Cross Residence, Honiara

Bishop John Doaninoel was described as an important and a powerful Marist figure in the Church in Oceania.… More

The Light of the World (Comments Off)

In ancient times, many people regarded the sun as the most important god. The sun gave the world warmth and light. Fires were lit during winter to boost the weakening strength of the sun. Sol, the sun-god, was the principal deity of the Roman Empire, and 25 December, by which day the sun had begun to come back to the skies of the northern hemisphere, was Sol’s birthday.… More

Recognising the Child Jesus in the faces of little children (Comments Off)

In Bethlehem, Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. He was born, not by the will of man, but by the gift of the love of God our Father, who so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).… More

New Year Resolutions (Comments Off)

Emmet McHardy knew and understood the Bible’s teachings and put his prayer into action.

A ‘Gate of Heaven’ in Australia (Comments Off)

St Patrick's Sydney a 'Gate of Heaven'

Christmas: a Time of Joy and of Loss (Comments Off)

There is a season for everything,
a time for every occupation under heaven.

A time for embracing
and a time to refrain from embracing.

A time for losing
and for keeping, a time for letting go.

There is a season for everything. … More

The Gift of a Child (Comments Off)

In the chapel of the Retreat House at Manresa in Dublin there is a beautiful sculpture of the Madonna and Child. Mary is clasping the infant to her shoulder in a gentle embrace. As my Director pointed out, it is very unusual for the Child to be facing His mother, rather than looking out at us.… More

The Growth Struggle (Comments Off)

The life journey on this earth is also one of spiritual growth, and we know that tension is a requirement.

Growth through the tension of opposite states is a condition of nature.

Let us think about that for a moment.

At this time of the year, we see trees bursting into leaf.… More

Soul-Making (Comments Off)

“Some say the world is a ‘vale of tears’, I say it is a place of soul-making.” John Keats

When we are young, much of life experience seems unplanned and random. Our dear little hearts are torn by both love and disappointment, one as painful as the other, and without warning, days open up under our feet, hurtling us into some new happening.… More

January Saints (0)

Blessed Candelaria de San Jose
(1863-1940)

Susana Paz-Castillo Ramírez was born in Altagracia de Orituco, Venezuela. Her father died when Susana was seven. Her mother was a pious woman, and a hard and honest worker. Till her death in 1887, she dedicated her life to giving her children the best education she could afford and instilled in them Christian faith and values.… More