Archive for February 2015
2015 March
Mum Likes ME Best! In this issue we have called in one of our parenting experts Dr Gregory Popcak to share some of his insights into the frustrating phenomenon of sibling rivalry and some simple ideas to help your family become a more peaceful, respectful and more harmonious. Let us know what you think in the…
Read MoreWaste Not Stale Bread
One of the ways we can heighten our appreciation of the food God gives us is to avoid wastage. Here’s an Tuscan favourite for using up stale bread. Panzanella Ingredients: 2/3 loaf of day-old bread (Sourdough works best. More than one type is fine too. Just don’t use regular sliced bread) 500 g of mixed…
Read MoreFeasting and Fasting in Marriage
In marriage the fasting and feasting cycle is evident in the use of natural fertility methods which are the methods of family planning approved by the Catholic Church*. A couple’s marriage is nourished and strengthened when they make love. It is also strengthened by times of abstinence; these times may result from various factors including…
Read MoreRituals for Lent
of Death and Life It is often said that there can be no resurrection without death. New life is almost always preceded by death in an perpetual cycle of regeneration. This cycle of death and rebirth is evident everywhere in the created order around us. We see how the death and ‘burial’ of the seed is what allows it…
Read MoreFasting Before Feasting
This year, consider fasting not only as a Lenten discipline in preparation for the feast of Easter, but as a time-honoured means of growing closer to God and neighbour… writes Marilyn Rodrigues Are you doing any fasting this Lent? A good friend of mine who is Coptic orthodox is undergoing his annual great Lenten fast…
Read MorePraise Flags
It is good to praise God! When we praise someone, we reflect back to them their own goodness to them and we also can be aware for how their goodness inspires and sustains us. This is why human beings praise God, he does not need to be reminded of his goodness, but we need the reminder of how…
Read MoreMardi Gras Prayer
As the last day before Lent, traditionally this day is one of celebration and festivity. The words ‘Mardi Gras’ translate as ‘Fat Tuesday’. It was the custom on this day for Christians to eat as much fat as possible before the fasting and abstinence of Lent. In some countries, street parades and parties are also…
Read MoreAsh Wednesday Prayer
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, a day on which Catholics traditionally resist eating between meals (fasting) and avoid eating meat (abstaining). Many Catholics also attend Mass or have special prayer liturgies. Lent is a forty day period preparation for Easter. It reminds us of the forty-days that Jesus spent in the wilderness before he took…
Read MoreSeasons of Marriage
Marriages are in perpetual transition, growing, evolving, and cycling through periods of plentiful intimacy and barren despondency. In many ways, these are just like the seasons: Spring: is the season of growth and hopefulness. It’s when a couple can feel most optimistic about their relationship because it is growing vigorously and the future promises luscious…
Read MoreSeasons of Grace
Among the Seasons of the Church, the great season of Lent calls us to the grace of perseverance. Modern family life is busy. The constant stream of events and activities shuttling kids around, work, parish or community commitments… It’s a constant drone that makes it difficult to maintain our focus on the things that really matter. Our Church calendar is a great…
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