Family Matters

September 24. Sunday 25A.  One Sunday they visited a suburban parish in a country town that traditionally had been white but like many suburban churches was becoming much more mixed. Fr George used the opportunity of the gospel story to pose a question around...

September 23.  As they drove along Dad couldn’t help wondering, “Why is it that family members can turn out so differently?  They come from the same background, have some different genes, or is there something in the environment that affects them. Maybe they had a bad...

September 22.  On their eco-safari the family had spent a couple of weeks travelling and sleeping in many different places.  Sometimes it had been more or less rough than at other times. One night they shared on where they had felt closest to God.  Michael had loved...

September 21. Mr Moshoeshoe continued, “Every culture has traditions and rituals as part of its heritage.  Performing these correctly shows respect.   We often do not understand one another’s culture well and may be offended by certain actions that are foreign to our...

September 19.  It doesn’t often happen that people are literally brought back to life.  These are miraculous occurrences as actions by some of the prophets,  Jesus, later the apostles and from time to time still today, there are spiritual and physical miracles. Modern...

September 18.   Worth and self-worth or self-esteem are big issues these days and need serious consideration.  Families and sharing groups were asked to discuss the issue of self-worth across age groups.  Interesting points emerged. Sometimes the...

September 17. Sunday 24A.  Fr Joseph reminded the congregation that there are lots of aspects to reconciliation and forgiveness.  “What are the most famous family feuds in history, or clan or tribal feuds?  Isn't that how wars have been started? ...

September 16.  Skills building.  This is a common activity in secular life but possibly not taken seriously enough in our spiritual and relational lives. What skills are needed for a successful marriage and a happy family?   Communication in...

September 15. Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Homelessness.  At one town where they stopped for the night they sat down for a meal and as usual started with grace. The woman who served them had been watching and they soon all started up a conversation. She, Agnes...