I don’t know if it is true, but someone said to me recently that children who play the roles of Mary or Joseph in nativity plays possess better than average outcomes later in life. As I say, the evidence may not be cast in iron. Nonetheless, children the world over are playing these roles in community and school plays in the lead up to Christmas.
Advent begins on Sunday 1st December, which is convenient for remembering.
But what should we be remembering for a fruitful commemoration of Advent? What is Advent for? Here are five things to remember about Advent.
By naming his top-of-the-chart album Jesus is King, patron saint of the present moment, Kanye West, was making a personal statement about authority.
In Kanye’s life, there is one ruler, Jesus.
In Solidarity with the Holy Souls
When I was 10 years old, my family befriended a retired gentleman. An early retiree, he volunteered virtually full time at his parish where my mum was housekeeper.
Salt of the earth, he wore a jacket and tie every day, and one of those hats you see civilian men wearing in World War II-era photos.
The Narrow Gate Post: Kanye Follow Jesus? Is Kanye West the most powerful Christian voice in the world right now? I never thought I’d ask that!
Cultural hegemony probably wasn’t the first thing most people thought of when they heard about the dismissal of Cardinal Pell’s appeal. But we’ve got to think about it now.
Recently, I heard a priest addressing a large audience composed almost entirely of priests on the topic of the sacrament of Penance. He began his presentation, saying, ‘Sin is our (priests’) business.’
‘Our job,’ to lightly paraphrase, ‘is to reconcile sinners to God.’
A friend once made a pilgrimage to Ars in France, home of the fabled Curé d’Ars, St John Mary Vianney.
What fascinated me at the time, as a young adult, wasn’t so much his priestly ministry, which was impressive enough
The first priest I ever knew was Fr John Scarborough. He had already left deep impressions prior to this meeting. At this time he was on the verge of retirement and, though a towering figure, at least to me, he was always ready with a warm laugh, forever smiling, and the truest of gentle men.
