Posts by CathFamily
On the Care of Our Common Home
Like a sister or mother – our earth “LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to…
Read MoreA surprise Christmas Gift
St Thérèse of Lisieux in her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, describes herself as being unable to do a favour for her sister Celine without wanting lots of praise for it. This bothered her because she wanted to be more giving, without expectation of getting anything in return. She also wanted to be less…
Read MoreRaising Money-Smart Kids
Children can be taught to love things and use people or to love people and use things. Money is a most powerful created thing which can be used for good or ill. Parents are the number one influence on their children’s financial behaviours. It’s up to us to raise a generation of mindful consumers, investors,…
Read MoreJoy-Raising Lemonade Cupcake Stall
Last year one of our daughters and her friend, nine and 10 years old at the time, ran a stall to raise money that they later divided up into church giving, saving, and spending. Try our idea for a cupcake stall the kids can set up themselves to practice raising funds while spreading some joy…
Read MoreMoney and True Financial Freedom
Is there a Catholic approach to money? The short answer is yes, it’s a God-given tool for us to use at the service of true human freedom and friendship. Fr Tony Percy and Cathy Harris, take us through it from their different perspectives. Fr Tony is a priest of the Canberra-Goulburn archdiocese and author of…
Read MoreInfertility Facts
Here are some quick facts on a huge topic! To delve a bit further you’re welcome to use our links to some resources below. Subfertility or Infertility? Subfertility refers to any kind of reduced fertility where for a long time a couple are trying to conceive but cannot due to hormone inbalances, problems with the…
Read MoreCatholic Couple’s Struggle with Infertility
Many Catholic married couples struggle with infertility, whether or not they follow the Church’s teachings on married love and the raising of families. In the 2015 issue of Frankly magazine Sally Jones (a pseudonym) explained the sadness she felt as a regular Massgoer: “Infertility is difficult all the time but sometimes the sadness feels much…
Read MoreFive Tips for more Joyful Life
Gratitude Gratitude is the superfood of the soul. It has been noted as an important tool in resisting depressive thinking and can have an immediate positive impact on our mood. Gratitude fosters the habit of counting our blessings, of noticing the many, often over-looked, goods in our life, thus helping us to be more optimistic and…
Read MoreMaster of Joy
Definition of JOY – the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. – the expression or exhibition of such emotion a state of happiness or felicity a source or cause of delight “Joy.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. Joy is the settled assurance…
Read MoreActs of Mercy, Acts of Love
Another special theme of Advent, along with waiting, is mercy. Advent is an intense time of waiting for God the Father’s great act of mercy – sending the promised Saviour into the world. As Catholics, we know that when he came, after he rose from death, he also instituted the Sacrament of mercy, Reconciliation. So…
Read MoreAdvent Joy for kids
Here are some simple ways to bring Advent joy to children while helping them to learn about, and personalise, some of our rich faith traditions. Advent Calendars There are some beautiful religious calendars that can be purchased through Christian book shops – avoid the commercialised chocolate versions that feature toys and reindeers. Mary, Mary… If…
Read More5 Fast facts about advent
When does advent begin and end? Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. The first Sunday of Advent is the start of each new Church year. What is it for? The word ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word adventus, which means ‘coming’ or ‘visit’. During this time we connect with the…
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