The Holy Irritant

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Blessing of the Rivers Ritual

on February 14, 2019

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Bonding time the Nativity in Townsville. Artist Jan Hynes.

Bonding time: the Nativity in Townsville. Artist: Jan Hynes. The location of this picture is a service station, as stables are no longer found in our urban environment. Garage workers replace the shepherds as they tend the newly born baby Jesus. One carries a light (the light that Jesus is to bring to the world); the second carries a tool of his trade, hinting at the instruments of the birthing process; and the third mechanic carries oil (a reference to the handmaiden oil lamps, the good oil spiritual grace, illumination and benediction, the anointing of kings and the perfumed oils mentioned in the New Testament on several occasions). Oil is a symbol in many cultures of consecration, dedication and wisdom. The golden Shell logo, symbolic of birth (Botticelli's Birth of Venus, 1482) is commonly used in religious paintings. In many cultures it is linked with conception, regeneration and baptism. It is also a reference to Christian pilgrimage (St Christopher's attribute)....

Singing My Way Through Catholicism

Friday March 8th this year marks the 71st anniversary of my baptism at the Church of St John the Evangelist in 1953. Part of Catholic culture at the time of my birth was to name children after great saints This was my parents choice rather than dedicate me to Troy Donahue or even " Bing Crosby " one of my father's idols. Family lore tells that I was entitled to be called "Alexander" in the custom of my father and grandfather as a first born son. However, Irish Catholicism won the day and I was named in honour of St Anthony (of Padua) and St Gerard Majella. Both these men have been associated with working among the poor and being pretty passionate about most things in life except sex. Pity most of the popular images of such men portray them as insipid blokes with total disinterest in the world around them. My parents initiated me into a Catholicism that continues to be a core community of faith and ch...

Shameful Statement from Archbishop Anthony Fisher on January 26

From the Facebook Page of Archbishop Anthony Fisher 26 January 2022 Image used on the Archbishop's Post without credit Friends, I am looking forward to celebrating an Australia Day Mass later today at Domus Australia in Rome. During the Mass, we will include what is sometimes called a lost verse of our national anthem, Advance Australia Fair. It is the only openly religious verse and I share it with you today as we pray that our nation might imitate the Christian values of truth, goodness and beauty, fidelity, sacrifice and love: With Christ our head and cornerstone, We'll build our Nation's might. Whose way and truth and light alone Can guide our path aright. Our lives, a sacrifice of love, reflect our Master's care. With faces turned to heaven above, Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair. As a Catholic I find this post from Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP offensive in the extreme. He fails to acknowledge the F...

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