After a year of disruptions with severe social and economic impacts for us individually and collectively, we need to hold on to hope. We are all dealing with Covid—no one is excluded from this experience. We know the grief of these times; those with secure incomes have had greater security, while those without this have Read more
When we read the Gospels as a parable, they bring new meaning to us, and this is especially so in the holy seasons of Advent and Easter. In prayer, we are now with Mary and the angel. Gabriel does not appear to us like something from a medieval painting, but we are aware of a Read more
25th of December has become a holiday loved by both Christian and as well as those who are not Christians. Advent, the time of preparation is, however, a much lesser-known aspect of this season. We all know of Lent, but what is Advent? What is its history? Here are seven facts you might have known Read more
It seems that at any time in our lives, we are waiting for something. The child is waiting for her birthday. The young man waits for his exam results while the girl who sits next to him, waits for him to notice her. The family sit around an injured cyclist, waiting for him to regain Read more
Timothy O’Malley, director of the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Liturgy and author of the recently released book Bored Again Catholic: How the Mass Could Save Your Life, believes good liturgy is the key to new evangelization. In an interview with Crux, O’Malley offers his take on how Catholics should seize the many opportunities for the renewal Read more
We can trace the origins of the Advent wreath back to pagan tradition. Pre-Christian Germanic people lit candles and placed them in wreaths during the darkest days of winter as a sign of hope for the light that would come with Springtime. Read more Related Posts:Ireland: Archbishop Martin launches digital Advent CalendarA Pagan and a Read more
What’s missing? Many Catholic churches appear almost stark in comparison with almost everywhere else in the lead up to Christmas. That is, apart from for Advent wreaths and maybe some greenery or white lights. “The chance for us to be a little out of sync or a little countercultural is not a bad thing,” said Read more
A few weeks ago, my sister sent me a Facebook message asking me if I wanted to take a look at a new Advent devotional that some of her friends had put together. Now, I’m not usually one for women’s devotionals (or devotionals of any sort, for that matter). But my sister knows this, so Read more
Online interactive Advent calendar fun is one way to get the world involved in a project. Christians across the world are being invited to celebrate the season of Advent through an interactive, multi-lingual online calendar. The website adventword.org goes live on Advent Sunday (27 November) in nine languages including, for the first time, Arabic. It Read more
There’s a commercial that I see everywhere lately. A little girl and her dad are working on a volcano for her science fair. But something goes wrong and at the last minute the volcano doesn’t explode (as a fellow procrastinator, I feel her pain). Her dad’s solution: a $1,000 flat screen television! She can just Read more