Madonna - May / June 2005

MAY / JUNE 2005

Our cover
‘I am grateful …’
‘We are his people’, says the psalm response for the 11th Sunday, ‘the sheep of his flock.’ In remembering this, we extend our heartfelt thanks to God for all the gifts we are blessed with.

Soul Matters – Christopher Gleeson sj.
An unexpected blessing.
A chance encounter brings a moment of joy – it is often in the interruptions to our lives that we experience blessing.

Roadside rest.
Pedalling stories.
The arrival of a crowd of cycling enthusiasts brings some grace-filled encounters.

I am grateful …
Julie Edwards found it hard to be on holiday, but in this enforced time of reflection discovered some very powerful things to be grateful for.

Coventry Litany.
Madonna subscriber, Delfa Kramer was inspired by a visit to Coventry Cathedral, and brought away with her this wonderful prayer for forgiveness.

Sharing the Spirit: Interview – Rosie Hoban.
An adventurer for God.
Sister Mary Kiely serves the people for thousands of kilometres around Longreach, Queensland: ‘My strength comes from the people, wherever they are’.

Your Daily Prayer – May & June.
A prayerful reflection on the scripture readings for every day of the month.

The Power of Story – Elizabeth Pike.
Tunbi the Owl – A Flood Story.
The ancient communities around Derby in WA are reinvigorating their culture through their art. However they also keep faith with the ancient stories, such as this one of a great flood.

On our first love.
A close reading of some key verses from Acts chapter 2 prompts Madeline Martin to reflect on the importance of renewing one’s commitment in faith.

A Cloud of Witnesses: Edmund Campion.
A priest in the ring.
Dr Paddy Ryan faced off against the communists at Sydney Stadium in 1948 – one example of his untiring public speaking in defence of his church.

Bread for the Journey – Peter Steele sj.
The divine ones are here.
The Trinity is an earnest of the way, as John puts it, that God so loves the world that he gives it eternal life, revealed in God’s Son and fired by God’s Spirit

Nevertheless, if you say so, I will do it.
Catherine Gower explores the story of the miracle catch of fish. The apostle Peter discovered that inspite of trying all night and catching nothing, a word from Jesus can wreak powerful change – he becomes not a fisherman but a fisher of men.

Around and about. News and events.

In review. Recent books.