The young child of a friend of mine had his birthday on Ash Wednesday. Knowing what it's like to have a birthday that has potential to fall on the first day of Lent, I asked whether the celebratory meal would be "meat-free", given it is a "Day of Fast and Abstinence". The jovial response given … Continue reading 1/3/09 – Days of Fast and Abstinence
Category: Lent
The season of Lent begins on Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a day that holds profound meaning for many, reflected in the large numbers who come to Mass on that day. Masses will be held at 9:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The season of Lent is marked by two major themes. The first is that of … Continue reading 22/2/09 – Lent
This week, as part of the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, we celebrate with Mechelle the first of three scrutinies at our Vigil Mass. The scrutinies, which are solemnly celebrated on Sundays and are reinforced by an exorcism, are rites for self-searching and repentance and have above all a spiritual purpose. The scrutinies are meant … Continue reading 24/2/08 – The Scrutiny
What did you give up for Lent? It’s a common question at the beginning of this liturgical season. Yet sometimes we can become preoccupied for forty days about what we won’t do again until Easter. This doesn’t mean that we should not abstain from things of our choosing during Lent. We must, however, do so … Continue reading 10/2/08 – “Giving Up” During Lent
In less than two weeks’ time, we enter once again into the season of Lent. We typically think of Lent as a season of penance. Yet it is firstly the season when we focus on the preparation of those seeking Christian Initiation. Those of us already baptised engage in penitential practices so that we may … Continue reading 27/1/08 – God Calling People to Conversion
Liturgy 