Second Sunday of Advent: The season that invites us to change
Posted: Wed, 2 Dec 2020 16:50
Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB reflects on the role of John the Baptist in the Gospel for 2nd Sunday of Advent, Mark 1: 1-18.
Image: ©Bernadette Lopez, https://www.evangile-et-peinture.org/
Today, our gospel from Mark introduces the one who prepares the way for Jesus; he is presented as one who is different—something that we are not always happy with, but difference is important. The world would... Read More »
Serving a wounded world in inter-religious solidarity
Posted: Tue, 1 Dec 2020 17:15
Our Province Delegate for Justice and Peace, Fr Marco Villani SDB, attended a virtual meeting last weekend hosted by the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, to explore the issues raised in 'Serving A Wounded World In Interreligous Solidarity: a Christian call to reflection and action during COVID 19 and beyond', a document issued by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the World Council... Read More »
'Giraffe-ter': COVID and us ...
Posted: Thu, 26 Nov 2020 16:15
Hazel Fort, from the Chaplaincy team at Savio Salesian College, Bootle, finds the sparks of joy and humour in the 'COVID months' of school, and rediscovers a legendary Liverpool animal. (Image: Gerd Altmann on Pixabay)
What a strange world we live in!
Since March, we have had to adapt all aspects of our lives to the intransigencies of the new world we live in. At first, our only contact with our pupils... Read More »
Ancient Wisdom
Posted: Thu, 26 Nov 2020 13:15
In this week's Catholic Teacher Article, Mike uses the teachings of Aristotle to explore the duty of a teacher.
Many years ago, when head of RE in Chorley, I came across the following quote by the Hellenistic thinker Aristotle:
Teachers, who educate children, deserve more honour than parents, who merely gave them birth; for the latter provided mere life, while the former ensure a good life.
It made me... Read More »
Ending modern slavery and human trafficking
Posted: Thu, 26 Nov 2020 13:06
In late 2020, most of us would hope that the evil of slavery was history, a warning from a dark past that everyone is determined never to relive. But that is not the case, and 'modern slavery' is part of our 21st century world, and our own society. The UK even has an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner – a role most of us would have thought was no longer needed.
In 1839, a group of English abolitionists... Read More »
Thanksgiving - the universal value of gratitude
Posted: Thu, 26 Nov 2020 10:51
Today, Thursday 26th November, 2020 is a huge holiday in the United States: in a land made up of varying nationalities, languages and traditions, Thanksgiving Day is a national day of unity. Now, as Americans, divided by a harsh and bitter general election, come together with family and friends, we pray that they gather today in unity and put their ideal of 'one nation under God' to the fore and party... Read More »
First Sunday of Advent: Hope will see us through
Posted: Wed, 25 Nov 2020 16:23
As we begin Advent, Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB welcomes us to the season of hope, and a new beginning.
I wish you all a very happy and blessed new year; I know that 2020 has been a hard year but I'm not wishing this year away—honestly! The new Church year kicks in on this day, so we move from reflecting on the gospel of Matthew (Year A) to begin reflecting on the gospel of Mark (Year B). I pray... Read More »
New book on the Salesians of Auschwitz in final stages of preparation
Posted: Thu, 19 Nov 2020 16:56
'The Salesian Martyrs of Auschwitz,' a new book by Dr Alasdair Richardson, is in its final stages of production and will be published by Don Bosco Publications in January 2021. The book will be available to buy from our online bookshop following its launch, costing £12 +p&p, and orders can also be placed by email, post or phone.
January has been chosen for publication to mark Holocaust Memorial... Read More »
The Courage to Hope
Posted: Thu, 19 Nov 2020 13:32
In this week's Catholic Teacher Article, Mike explores the courage it requires to follow the vocational path of education, particularly in these trying times.
I cycle to school most days. It can be tough when the weather is poor. Yet, after prayer and poached eggs, it is a great way to start the day. I must admit, I prefer to cycle in the dark mornings. A significant part of the route is on the Liverpool... Read More »
Just one week until Advent!
Posted: Wed, 18 Nov 2020 19:34
Time seems to play tricks on us in this very challenging year, and suddenly, Advent is approaching in just over a week.
This year, we are all even more preoccupied and stressed than usual, as we worry for our own families and friends, grieve for loved ones, and empathise with others who have lost so very much this year. More than ever before, we need to find an oasis of calm where we can connect with... Read More »