Madonna - March / April 2006

MARCH / APRIL 2006

Our cover
‘I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living’
(Psalm response for the 2nd Sunday of Lent). Lent is a time of realigning our lives, perhaps choosing a new direction—all the time in the presence of the Lord. The path may still be rocky, but it is our way into the heights.

In this issue

Soul Matters — Patrick O’Sullivan sj
An Easter reflection
Through the cross we can transform the negativity in our lives into something positive and grace-filled.

Roadside rest
Go into your private room …
To pray, advised Jesus, go away to a private place. We need to make space in our lives for such a place, where we will find refreshment.

Meeting St Peter
Clare Molony meets someone who is most annoying at first but who reveals himself to be a Good Samaritan in disguise.

Stopping the trafficking
A special report to the UN on the trafficking of women reveals a new mission for a number of Australian religious institutes. Rosie Hoban talks with two of its organisers.

Life Ascending International
A new group devoted to enriching the lives of older people is growing in Australia. Coordinator Patricia Nichols op gives some of its history.

Family Matters — Teresa Pirola
Lenten housekeeping
Lent offers a time to clear some of the clutter out of our lives..

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

The Power of Story — Elizabeth Pike
Renewal of the spirit during Lent and Easter
The rituals of our First People can help enrich our celebration of the key liturgical moments throughout the year.

A Cloud of Witnesses — Edmund Campion
A golden-tongued orator
Mary MacKillop spoke of him as 'Australia's gifted son'— layman Daniel Deniehy exercised his wit in the parliament and worked passionately for a place for lay people in the church.

Bread for the Journey — Peter Steele sj
The ointment and the vinegar
These are two powerful symbols for the events and the meaning of Christ's suffering at Eastertide.

Looking death in the face
The announcement of only a few months to live prompted Don Siebert to review his life and offer some thoughts on what has been its inspiration.

Full of Surprises: The Bible without Blinkers — Antony F Campbell sj
Death and new life — Ezekiel 37
The dry bones take on flesh and yet do not come alive without the power of God's breath— a symbol of the power of the resurrection in our lives.

Faith & spirituality in review
New books and other resources.

Crimson Promise
Poem by Clare Kinsella.