THE HEART OF A MOTHER
Recently I was at a doctor’s appointment on what turned out to be the former maternity floor of the local hospital – the place where my son was born many years ago. I was instantly whisked back in time to…
ST. JOSEPH, THE WORKER
St. Joseph is the Swiss army knife of saints. Over the centuries he has accumulated many duties as patron of various people and things: Canada, unborn children, fathers, travellers, immigrants, even real estate agents, and the Universal Church, to name…
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA: A SIMPLE LIFE THAT STILL SPEAKS TO US TODAY
St. Catherine of Siena is one of my favourite saints. She was born in 1347, in a world shaken by war, plague and deep division. Yet from this uncertain beginning came a woman whose life still speaks to us in…
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” These long-treasured words were penned in the 1800s by Alfred Lord Tennyson. They might guide us as we celebrate this day of prayer. Why bother? Does prayer really have…
EASTER LIGHT
On this morningthis glorious morning,the earth is transfigured.Resurrection light shines over the land.Earth anew in divine light.Each other anew in divine light.Our deepest selves anew in divine light. Little Easter poems bloom in the Church garden:Lily and daffodil,Paschal lamb,Sprinkling water,Rising…
GOOD FRIDAY
“By his bruises, we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).” This verse affirms the reality of incarnation. The death of Jesus reveals our humanity. There are so many layers to the meaning of the crucifixion. It reflects our human condition in a deep and mysterious…
HOLY THURSDAY
This day marks the start of the Triduum – the three-day journey as we transition from the 40 days of Lent to Easter Sunday. On Holy Thursday we read about Jesus at the Passover meal and the washing of the…
PASSION (PALM) SUNDAY
In the 1970 rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, Simon Zealotes exhorts Jesus Christ to grasp the moment afforded by the huge, enthusiastic crowd of 50,000 people that has cheered him on his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Simon’s hope is that…
BEYOND THE SHAMROCK – MORE LESSONS FROM ST. PATRICK
St. Patrick, though the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Britain when the Roman rule of the land was coming to an end – around the end of the 4th century. At the age of 16 he was captured…
MAKING WAY FOR NEW LIFE THIS LENT
I recently watched a poignant interview of a 50-something celebrity who is living with a terminal illness. He spoke about his career, his life choices, and his relationships with friends and family, especially his children. His life before his diagnosis…