Category Archives: Newsletters

  The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (B) As an example for us to follow, the Holy Family can seem a little too perfect: when we consider the more “dramatic events of the Christmas and Easter story, it … Continue reading →

“Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son.” Here we enter a new stage of Advent: having spent so much time on the Second Coming, now we look back, to remember the details of the Lord’s First Coming. Today … Continue reading →

  “There stands among you, unknown to you, the one who is coming after me.” So who is coming? This Sunday’s readings help to answer that question. John the Baptist is asked about the coming of the Messiah – is … Continue reading →

Make his paths straight Throughout the first three weeks of Advent our focus is very clearly on the Second Coming of the Lord – not so much on the run up to Christmas (until the last week). If we view … Continue reading →

  Stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming Advent opens with a great cry, and a great promise: “Oh that you would tear the heavens open and come down!” is the cry, of … Continue reading →

  Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King Shepherd-King o’er mountain steep, homeward guide thy wand’ring sheep.” This hymn which we will probably sing today captures the readings perfectly: our King is not a cruel tyrant or despot, but a shepherd … Continue reading →

  You have been faithful in small things; come and join in your master’s happiness We must be very careful that the real point of today’s first reading is not washed away in genuine concerns over what one can and … Continue reading →

The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him Watch early for wisdom”: wise words, and ones that the foolish bridesmaids of the Gospel should have taken to heart. This is the ultimate in ‘putting off till tomorrow…’, since the … Continue reading →

They do not practise what they preach An awkward set of readings to sit through as a priest today! The more responsibility we have for the flock of God, the more is demanded of us. But for all God’s people, … Continue reading →

  You must love the Lord your God, and your neighbour as yourself When you look at something like the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and see its 691 pages, or look at the 2,000 pages of the big Jerusalem … Continue reading →