In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses offers a beautiful image: our Lord carrying the Israelites all along the way of their 40-year journey through the desert. On this feast day celebrating and honouring the Holy Family, we might review our…
My son was four years old when, on the morning of December 25, far too early after the short night before, he finished unwrapping the last of his gifts. Then he turned to me, an anxious look in his eyes:…
Have you ever wondered about the O Antiphons? These chants and prayers show up during the week before Christmas. They are part of the Acclamation prayers in the weekday masses. What might be most familiar to us about the O…
I recently suffered from a nasty eye infection. I couldn’t see properly and suffered from acute photo sensitivity. This experience led me to a deeper appreciation of healthy vision. St Lucy, patron saint of eyesight, became a welcome prayer companion.…
The time of waiting for a child to be born is full of excitement and wonder. What will he/she be like? How much will the baby weigh? Will the baby’s eyes be blue or brown? My grandson was born on December 24…
Who are the poor?The one who is without shelter through no fault of their own.The one who is dependent on alcohol or pain medication.The one who visits food banks in order to provide nourishment for their children.The one who fears…
Advent has a way of sneaking up on us. Just when we’re feeling like the fall routines are in place and we’re adjusting to the time change and the cooler weather, the liturgical calendar shifts into a new season. We’re…
Every year on November 11, we pause in silence. The world remembers the men and women who gave their lives in wars past and present. Their sacrifice is not an abstract idea; it is the reason we are free to…
Last weekend, I happened to be driving in the country at sunrise. It was the first frost of the year and the fields were stunning. I had to stop the car and just gaze for a few moments. The green…
What does it mean to be a saint? An appropriate question, don’t you think, for the solemnity of All Saints, celebrated by the Catholic Church this year on Nov. 1. If asked, most people would refer to the official saints,…