Advent

a few more sleeps

Dec 14, 2015

It's only a few more sleeps until Christmas. You might find this three minute Food For Faith Youtube clip encouraging in the midst of pre-Christmas busyness.

Advent Angelus

Dec 20, 2014

You might recognise the Collect or Opening Prayer from this Sunday's Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. It is the prayer of the Angelus: Listen carefully to...

the “O” antiphons

Dec 18, 2014

Perhaps the most popular Advent hymn is the antiphon O Come O Come Emmanuel. This great hymn is formed from the "O Antiphons" that guide us through the last seven days...

Traces in December

Dec 16, 2014

One of the highlights of my monthly reading is the Traces magazine of the Communion & Liberation community. A couple of months ago the decision was taken to no...

Advent @ school

Dec 4, 2014

Every day in the life of a priest has unexpected highlights. Today I was invited to lead an Advent service for Years 9 & 10 students with staff at St. Bede's...

a new beginning

Dec 1, 2014

Happy New Year! With the season of Advent a new church year begins. For a month now we will prepare for Christmas with scriptures of anticipation yearning for a deeper...

Advent I

Nov 29, 2014

There is a story told of the holy French priest Jean Vianney (Ćure d’Ars d.1859). He noticed an elderly man who would spend hours in the church before the Blessed...

you did know this

Dec 19, 2013

After my post about the Advent "O Antiphons" a couple of days ago, some have comment that they had never heard about the "O Antiphons". But most Christians know the...

seven more sleeps

Dec 18, 2013

In the Prayer of the Church, prayed through the hours of each day by many Christians, and which priests and many Religious communities pray on behalf of all people, the...

Advent encouragement

Dec 6, 2013

This is Pope Francis' first Advent so we have not yet heard much from him about the mission of these pre-Christmas days. This gives us the opportunity to savour some of...