Madonna - November / December 2005

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2005

Our cover
'My soul rejoices in my God.'
(Psalm response for the 3rd Advent.) How better to express joy—and revel in it—than in and through music. We look forward to the celebration of the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth and thank God for the joy his music brings to the world.

Roadside rest
Arriving together, understanding together
The custom of the Christmas crib reminds us of the most beautiful yet so simple fact that God become one of us.

The Babe Sleeps Easy
A special Christmas poem from Bruce Dawe.

Divine music
Early in January 2006 is the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth. We can link his great music to his last name 'Gottlieb'— the love of God.

Spiritual care in the desert
The children were recently released from Baxter detention centre, but much work there remains to be done. Rosie Hoban speaks with Sr Anne Higgins.

Family Matters — Teresa Pirola
The Body of Christ
A friendship comes from the fellowship of the Eucharist: it is the beginning of a life-long relationship.

Your Daily Prayer — November & December.
A prayerful reflection on the scripture readings for every day of the month.

Apostleship of Prayer

The Power of Story — Elizabeth Pike
Aboriginal myths & legends: The flower child
The ancient myth of the baby born in the petals of a flower who grows to become the Great Eaglehawk is a remarkable parallel to the story of the Christ Child.

A Cloud of Witnesses — Edmund Campion
Lessons in justice
Ted Kennedy formed a natural partnership with Mum Shirl in a struggle for justice.

Bread for the Journey — Peter Steele sj
The fiesta of arrival
The First Sunday of Advent ushers in the feast of Arrival, Coming—of the 'Spirit's startlement'.

The things that I miss
A long-retired teacher, Eric Pigott fsc, notes how much he misses the vitality and challenge of the young people he taught.

Five helps for prayer
Jesuit Fr Armand Nigro offers five simple ways to approach our prayer.

Where is God?
Justina Bedford rsm meets an intriguing old man who points her to God.

Full of Surprises: The Bible without Blinkers — Antony F Campbell sj
The truth and the prophets — Jeremiah 28
How to decide whether a 'prophet' speaks on behalf of God? Careful discernment is needed.