On the “portal for education information in New Zealand, maintained by the Ministry of Education” it is eye-catching that, while celebrations of other spirituality and world religions are explicitly mentioned in the Awareness days/weeks to celebrate in Early Childhood Education in our country, there is no referring to the well-known Christian celebrations. Chinese New Year
Government Evades Christianity? Read More »
The “Canon of St Vincent” is often quoted (especially the part I have put in bold italics): in the Catholic Church itself, all possible care must be taken, that we hold that faith which has been believed everywhere, always, by all (Quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus creditum est). For that is truly and
Believed Everywhere, Always, and by All? Read More »
In the most recent edition of the Roman Missal (2002), the ancient “Prayer over the People” at the end of the Eucharist was restored – optional on weekdays of Lent, required on Sundays of Lent. For most people the challenge is to reduce the wordiness of our liturgies, to increase silence, and to emphasise the
Prayer Over The People Read More »
The irony of going to the Coen Brothers’ movie Hail, Caesar! was that it was preceded by a trailer for a “religious” film coming out by Easter, Risen. The religiously-motivate Risen is about a Roman soldier, at the time of Christ, coming to terms with who Jesus is. I have been sorely disappointed with recent
[Udate 21 March 2016 in red (further updating 23 April in green and 29 April in maroon) : Thank you to all who have been part of the discussion here – both online, in private messages, and IRL “In Real Life”. These discussions have clarified that a formulary expresses a doctrine. We have a process, with careful
An Improved Way Forward? Read More »
Let us pray (in silence) [that through this week we may share in Christ’s dying and rising] pause Almighty everliving God, [or God of transcendence] as an example of humility for the human race, you sent our saviour to become incarnate and to submit to the cross, grant us the grace to learn from this
Palm Sunday and Holy Week Read More »
We are drawing near to that time of year again (Good Friday) which traditionally has Christians praying for the (conversion of the) Jews. If you think that Pope Francis is radical in some of what he does in the liturgy, picture this: Pope John XXIII, at the first Good Friday service (one of the most
Praying for Jews and Muslims Read More »
In a recent comment, someone referred to Christian vestments as “playing dress up”. As is so often the case with digital comments, I cannot judge the tone of this comment, nor the attitude of it’s author. But comments like that are often made with a tone of denigration. As if dressing up is somehow wrong.
