A few weeks ago, on July 6th to be precise, it was the Feast of St. Maria Goretti. I associate it with summer and I often revisit Maria’s story around this time of year. As I am sure you know she was only twelve when she was brutally raped by a farmhand who was six years older than her. Alessandro had been sexually harassing the young Maria for quite a while and she had successfully managed to evade him. Read more…
‘I’ve been thinking for a long time about getting a tattoo. I’m not really sure what I want, I mean what kind of a tattoo. To tell you the truth I’m not really sure where I am going to get it, I mean where on my body. I think probably on my chest.’ ‘Well I am telling you there will be no tattoos in this house. When we were growing up it was only soldiers Read more…
( Women and Men who have helped me on the Pilgrim Path) This week I offer a reflection, noting people who have modeled God’s love for me in the hope that it may help you to prayerfully reflect and identify similar people in your own life. Inevitably such a reflection inspires a prayer of deep gratitude. Joseph, son of Jacob: one of my favorite biblical stories, the least of the brothers, his dream coat, his relationship with Jacob, his Read more…
Glendalough: beauty, ancient tradition, vibrant heritage, sacred silence, Holy Spirit whispering… Pro Cathedral: holy space, Palestrina, rhythmic praying people, statues, paintings, ambiance… Incense: rising, wafting filled with childlike faith, rich, lingering, reminding us of God… Gospel Choir: joy, beat, dance, gives God glory, attracts all ages and group, stirring, enlivening…. Religious Orders: rich tapestry of service, including monasteries, faithful and inspiring…. St. Matthews: grounds, stain glass, seating, shrines, Joy and Sorrow, heroic virtue of people…. Mass: Read more…
‘How come God does not listen?’I hear this phrase pretty often. People point out that they have prayed and prayed and to no avail. Oftentimes they are regular Mass goers, if not daily communicants. ‘Not only does he not listen but I do not even feel him close’. The apparent lack of answer to prayer can often lead to other questions. These can range from does God care to is God there at all? Once we move this direction Read more…
‘And you know Annie they were lovely, so happy and so friendly….and their colors! It really was a nice occasion.’ ‘It sounds great Mags, but tell me what are they so proud of?’ ‘To tell you the truth I never thought of asking them, I was just happy for them being so happy and as they were saying, so gay and free. I think a lot of them were just so happy to be Irish. I thought it Read more…
The truth is the Church has apologised on a number of occasions. They have been significant apologies and have indeed been offered by successive pontiffs. Many would find it hard to believe that John Paul II made over a hundred apologies to a whole range of people. The groups that he said sorry to included the Jewish community, Galileo, women and Muslims killed by Crusaders. In fact one of the first apologies in terms of Read more…
The truth is the Church has apologised on a number of occasions. They have been significant apologies and have indeed been offered by successive pontiffs. Many would find it hard to believe that John Paul II made over a hundred apologies to a whole range of people. The groups that he said sorry to included the Jewish community, Galileo, women and Muslims killed by Crusaders. In fact one of the first apologies in terms of child abuse was given Read more…
‘They are neither in the Church, nor out of it. Neither fish nor flesh. These are the modern curse of the Church, these a la carte Catholics. They tick the box. They pick and choose. They use us when they need us, and don’t bother with us the rest of the time. We need to tell them to shape up or ship out. They need to be told that Jesus said you are either for Read more…
‘They are neither in the Church, nor out of it. Neither fish nor flesh. These are the modern curse of the Church, these a la carte Catholics. They tick the box. They pick and choose. They use us when they need us, and don’t bother with us the rest of the time. We need to tell them to shape up or ship out. They need to be told that Jesus said you are either for us or against us. Read more…