Dec 31

Signs of church life
Seven signs of life at St John's Anglican Church, Melbourne.
Your church display these 7 signs??

c.f. Signs of Emergence

& Vital signs - urban churches

& Signs of life in a Catholic St John's !

Joseph Girzone's suggestion for 2013:
I suggest we try at least once every hour to stop what we are doing for a brief moment, and think of Jesus, and realize that he is with us, and just say "hello" to him. Maybe share something with him - a joy or something you may be working on, or anything. If we can do that at least once every hour of our waking day, we will be letting him know that we want him to be part of our life and our partner. As time goes on, we will find what a wonderful experience it is, knowing how intimate God has become with us. Our life then will gradually change
 Balance of the year Fr M. Menapace OSB
A special reflection for  this last day of 2012

Most US companies  pay no federal tax

Former head of Caritas Intl now CEO of "The Elders"

Last Friday night at a cousin's house, I met someone who once spent several months in Calcutta working with Dr Jack Preger MBE.
See this YouTube report re Preger's work which has often been compared with that of Mother Teresa, with whom he worked at one stage. Preger's work also seems to have inpsired the movie City of Joy

Dec 28

Pope v. Pell (J. Sleven)

Dec 27

Celebrating the Prince of Peace in the Land of Guns
Michael Moore
3 reasons for America's high propensity to gun violence

Hans Kung and the Roman Inqisition
"Benedict has medieval idea of the papacy"

Yesterday in Melbourne I saw Les Misérables and agree strongly with these two comments: I have seen the play 3 times in 3 different countries but had been indifferent to it. But the movie was so different, it sent a message of Christianity, that God is Love and that we should forgive others who hurt us, not once but "seventy-seven" times. c.f. these words from NCR's review 'Les Misérables' a fusion of heaven and earth, sight and sound: "Les Misérables" is moving and inspiring. It is a prayer, the Gospels brought to life; it is the Creed and sacraments lived. Mercy and truth meet. The screenplay by William Nicholson is faithful to the story (as told and developed by at least five others); it is deeply Christian and points to a world that can be if we so choose. It is a heartbreaking, deeply felt tale of human anguish, brought about

Shepherds discuss new baby Joseph Girzone

OMI bishop taking on Planned Parenthood in Texas

Dec 26

In honor of St Stephen who forgave those who were killing him:
A simple but beautiful Christmas story about forgiveness
The great gifts of this season can’t be put under the tree; you can’t wear them or eat them or drive them or play with them. We spend so much time on the lesser gifts – toys, sweaters, jewelry, the mint, anise and dill of Christmas
 – and so little on the great gifts – understanding, grace, peace and forgiveness

Is there a Santa Claus? Joseph Girzone
How to answer a five year old!

 

From Vincentian website Sydney: Your prayers are requested for Fr John Halloran CM who died Dec 22. Funeral Mass 11am Dec 28 at St Vincent's, Ashfield. Fr John worked in China as an English teacher for several years and was a great friend of the OMIs in HK.  Photos: Guangzhou 1989   HK 1989     HK 1991

Dec 25

One Drover's Christmas Lovely poem by Bruce Prewer
with the words "He did something he hadn't done for years. 
He fell down on his knees in that stable, and shed unaccustomed tears"

White Christmas?! (YouTube)
c.f. Dec 23 was Melbourne's hottest Dec night on record
...and last night was HK's coldest Dec 24  for 12 years!

Christmas reflection Joseph Girzone
The best (Christmas) preparation
 we can offer Jesus is to be thrilled at his coming and although we have nothing to give him but a heart with a little space in it for him to feel welcome, we can then at least let him know that we are finally realizing what he means to us and that, from this day, we will try to make more room for him in our lives and hearts

Christmas banquets:
See last 2 para of this article

Christmas classic:
Bing's recording of  'The Small One"

Famous WWI Christmas truce

100th Anniversary today of  Lottie Moon, one of the bravest Christian women to walk this earth.
Every couple of years I love to read this simple but moving book

One group of Muslims against wishing anyone Merry Christmas
But note comments by higher leaders
....And an even higher message!

Celibacy and the Catholic Church

55 children killed by guns each week in the US - see comment at 
The last time I will write about this?
May Christmas give leaders the courage to oppose the gun lobby

A Christmas gift worth gold
Giving your time and presence to another is more precious than gold.

40th Anniversary:
On Christmas Day 1972, Fr Rick Thomas SJ and his USA El Paso prayer group went across the border to Juarex in Mexico, taking enough food for 150 people who eked out a living at the local rubbish dump. 300 people showed up, but the food didn't run out, and even plenty left over. Google "miracle of the rubbish dump" for this beautiful true story

Dec 22

 

Christmas in a broken world Christmas is not a time to pretend as if everything's right with the world. This is tempting, but ultimately self-defeating and contrary to the Christian gospel. Christmas rituals help us hold together These traditions provide a celebration of continuity, comfort, company, family and community....In these times of fast-paced change, the observance of time-worn and adapted ..traditions has become more important and powerful. All of us, including the dislocated and the grieving may find comfort in some form of celebration

Swiss abbot makes fiery appeal  for church reform c.f. ACP report

Review of a year of religious upheaval  (ABC)
Barney Zwartz & Michael Mullins

Bishop Geoffrey Robinson  in a "must watch" video (Catholica)

Terrorism in Pakistan: will we be alive tomorrow?
Let's keep Pakistan in our prayers

Dec 21
 
Jesus revolutionized our understand- ing of religion.  It was no longer empty customs and rituals focusing on the worship of God only.  True religion pleasing to God was caring for one another, looking upon each other as members of God’s family.
  Joseph Girzone Daily Posting 1218 
Gun violence: a moral challenge for "pro-life" Christians
John Gehring (Faith in Public Life)

 Pope accepts Patriarch's resignation
c.f. Why Pope should retire

Recommended by Stephen K:
Morbid Symptoms - the Catholic Right's False Nostalgia

Dec 20

Recommended by reader: One of the cleverest emails ever!

The Spirit is still on the job Bishop Luigi Bettazzi (C'weal)
Amazing interview with Italian bishop who was at Vatican II 

From link in above article:
The Catacomb's Pact of the  Poor and Servant Church
First time I've heard of this.
Full text of document - signed by 540 bishops who were at Vatican II, promising to live simply,
avoid banquets, wear simple clothes. Where has this document been? It is mind-blowing!

A new Inquisition: the Vatican targets US nuns

Dec 19

Say Merry Christmas (YouTube) - really beautiful
Helping keep "Christ' in Christmas"

Connecticut shootings:
1: "Bug-Splats" (George Monbiot)
It must follow that what applies to the children murdered by a deranged young man 
also applies to the children murdered in Pakistan by a sombre American president

2: Global perspective on US deaths Donna Mulhearn (Eureka Street)
The US killings are considered an act of someone who is 'sick' or 'mad', and are universally condemned. 
But the Pakistan children are killed at the hands of an intelligent, sophisticated, technologically advanced society
which is fully aware of what it is doing. These deaths receive little attention, let alone condemnation.

The new translation - surveys
See important distinctions made in comments. And see also file at top of this page The New Translation

Dec 18

J. Girzone re Connecticut shootings
A beautiful reflection

It's Time for Women Deacons (at Commonweal main menu)
Phyllis Zagano 
The bishop of Porto, Portugal, probably still has in his archives an eleventh-century letter from Pope Benedict VIII granting him permission in perpetuity to ordain bishops, priests, and male or female deacons—a right renewed by Pope John XIX  and Pope Leo IX 

The Asian Bishops meeting in Vietnam was closed to the media 
 but now some info is available  at the FABC site.
Warning: please do not expect anything earth-shattering or inspiring or different from the Rome Synod

Dec 17

Connecticut shootings:
Do we have the courage to stop this? Nicholas D. Kristof (NY Times)
The best anti-gun article I've seen jw

And:  US should get rid of guns John Howard - also excellent

  p147-148 from The Wisdom of His Compassion  by Joseph Girzone  (No. 16 at this list)
If we substitute the doctrines of an institution, we are teaching the medium instead of the message. 
Jesus is the message

Unity in gesture Elizabeth Harrington (Leader) Bow head B4 receiving Communion

Why do we build churches?   
The very act of putting up a "church building" says "let the people come to us". 
It directs our faith away from God and puts it on a building

Dec 16

David recommends: Sisters ask for prayer & fasting to support dialogue
with the comment: a genuine example of seeking conversation & dialogue

Connecticut shootings - 5 items:
1: Tribute from Chris McDonnell

2: What Howard could teach US re guns   and see: 3: US gun culture

(4. today's RRP)

John W:  Daily Blog - Dec 16
5: Connecticut shootings

Church cover up admission praised
Words from Peter Johnstone

Pope Paul VI to be beatified
Miracle? He promoted the Council & countered Ottaviani  - reader

Dec 15

Our religion is Jesus Joseph Girzone
The thrust of religious leaders is to bind people to their churches by making the church the focus of faith and loyalty and evangelization. It seems we have lost our sense of intimacy with Jesus, so we call him by his title, rather than by his name

Abuse crisis: Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI On carrying a scandal biblically
Excellent article - "must read" 

Power behind papal throne Robert Mickens (Tablet)
(A Vatican Rasputin? - jw)
And see tomorrow's menu for  David T's article on another new member of Team Vatican....groan!

Saddening MSF Sudan report

Climate change: 1. An island drowning 2. Sun's rays & climate change

Time to accept olive branch? Bejing's orchestrated Japan-bashing

France monitoring traditionalist RCs

Dec 14

Catholica has a great display of the books of Joseph Girzone. 
I have read all of these. Hope you can too. 
See 3 Catholica posts re Girzone

Dwarfs...short-statured people Stella Young (ABC)

Practical solutions to climate despair Stop exporting coal!

Dec 13

Judaism, Christiany, Islam:  exploring their common family tree (ABC)

Married priests petition Tony Hoey
See also Tony's Letter to ACP

Report from Afghanistan Fr John Dear SJ (NCR)
The morning session with Muslim women was one of the greatest experiences of my life

The gift of death (Georeg Monbiot)
 Of the materials flowing through the consumer economy, only 1% remain in use six months after sale.
People in eastern Congo are massacred to facilitate smart phone upgrades of ever diminishing marginal utility

Catholic leadership for 21st Century  Leonard Swidler  (ACC)
The Church has lurched back toward pre-Enlightenment Ultramontanism

The Church & human rights (Tablet)
John Paul II"s words would  make Pius VI turn in his grave!

A most important article: 1962 Mass a condemnation of Vat II Fr Ron Schmit (NCR)
Dynamite quote from Pope Paul VI:
 "(The 1962 Mass is a) symbol of the condemnation of the council. I will not accept, under any circumstances, the condemnation of the council through a symbol. Should this exception to the liturgy of Vatican II have its way, the entire council would be shaken. And, as a consequence, the apostolic authority of the council would be shaken"(Pope John Paul II also refused to allow the 1962 Mass ...yet Pope Ben XVI has gone and allowed it ?!?)

Rise of American power in the Curia
Reader: Phoenix gets a Christmas present, the USCCB gets rid of an embarrassment and the Curia gets another museum piece

Philippines: 500 dead, 400 missing

Don't just complain. Do something! Joseph Girzone
It is the lay people who influence the Vatican. Rather than walk away, stand firm and speak your mind

Dec 8

Recommended by reader: "Crime of dissent" letter (Age)

Statement of support for Fr Roy Burgeois (ACP)

Sydney Chinese Charismatic group  - Dec 16 HK healing service

This website is now listed at Catholic Blog Directory

Mini-reflection - John W
For a long time people have been saying that the parable of  "The Prodigal Son" should be known as "The Loving Father".  Joseph Girzone reflects that very few fathers would react like that loving father....that usually only a mother will so react to such a "worthless" son. And the point of the whole story is to understand better the love and mercy of God. So...maybe the parable could well be called "The Parable of the Loving Mother" showing the maternal love of God 

Dec 7

Tunisia: Islamist intimidation (Der Spiegel)

Can anything rival climate change?
Climate change: anyone care?
Bushfires at North Pole?!

Australia abuse Royal Commission
Stephen Crittenden's summary in NCR for international readers

In simple words:  US fiscal cliff

Dec 6

Churches asked to open doors
Philippines hit by typhoon
More than 200 dead

Sydney Chinese Charismatic group  - Dec 16 HK healing service 

50 years of Ecumenism Several interesting videos (America)

Advent-Christmas-Lent
My annual voice-in-the-wilderness appeal for improving the Liturgy!

Globalization's Consequences: a pluralist Church must cast off defunct Eurocentrism  Fr Mick Kelly SJ  (Ucanews)Lessons from other parts of the world for a Church bogged down in a defunct European Christendom

Pope Benedict  re employment
Reader: timely moral leadership

Asian bishops meeting closed-door media policy
Fr William Grims (Ucanews)  And see NCR report

92 year old Jesuit fired for  supporting ordination of women - see comment by John W Ordination of women would correct an injustice (NCR)

Confession: a sacrament in decline
John Cornwell  c.f.r. 1st letter here

Sydney Chinese Charismatic Group

Dec 4:

Working too hard  Ron Rolheiser

If you think True story from Mexico
(on yesterday's menu) was an exaggeration, please check 
Witness to violence and death in Mexico Thomas Fox  (NCR) and the second half of this video

Good mediators are good at conversation 
Brian Fahey (ACP)
In these later years of my life, I have trained to be a mediator.  May I share some of these skills with you?

Lost in translation - after one year of new translation in Japan (Ucanews)

Philippines: priest lives with poor

Three letters re celibacy (Tablet)
 As one who has been a celibate priest for 61 years I have learned that celibacy does not guarantee sanctity. Sadly, it can become an escape from personal responsibility. Marriage is the way most men become mature, caring human beings. As Haldane points out, the best way for the church to counter the damage done by the scandal of priestly child abuse is by example. An obvious contribution to the rehabilitation of the priesthood's image can be made by a large number of responsible married priests serving alongside their dedicated celibate brothers.
From this flawed perspective the Church has led many to undertake celibacy who could not or cannot bear it, with recurrent hypocritical, tragic and scandalous outcomes, for individuals, for communities, and for the whole Church. 

Australian bishops statement re abuse Royal Commission

Vatican disciplines Austrian priest