MAY / JUNE 2006

Our cover
‘I am honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord’
(Gospel for the Visitation). Indeed we are all honoured. In this month especially dedicated to mothers, we pray that Mary Mother of Jesus remain an influence in our lives.

In this issue

Soul Matters — Gerald O'Collins sj
A continuing source of light and fresh life
Our guest editor, Gerald O’Collins SJ, was in Europe for Vatican II and felt the fresh breezes blowing through the church. He explains how he renains passionately committed to its work and influence today.

Roadside rest
Dog time: God time
Our pets can teach us lessons in stillness and acceptance. We can find many striking examples of such lessons in the scriptures.

Point and counterpoint: Mary the New Eve
There are rich parallels between the Annunciation and Visitation stories and that of Eve, says Norbert Olsen SJ.

Meditation Eastern-style
Mantra meditation was once presumed to be apart of eastern spirituality. John Dupuche explains to Rosie Hoban how it has a strong tradition in the western church also.

In remembrance of Shaun
Jan Coleman tells of the volunteer worker who gave much to the many people who visited the Cottage community centre.

The Morning
A new poem from Bruce Dawe takes us to the sepulchre on Easter morning.

Family Matters — Teresa Pirola
A life lived with passion
Sent to India as a young priest, Paddy Meagher SJ went on to study Scripture and led the way in teaching and publishing..

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

The Power of Story — Elizabeth Pike
Mirrabooka: Southern Cross
More parallel stories from Aboriginal culture for the great Christian feasts—the Creator Spirit and the self-sacrificing pelican. .

A Cloud of Witnesses — Edmund Campion
In a human mod: Fr John Wallis
In a human mode. He had to fought hard to get ordained and to find his place, but John Wallis saw the need and founded the ‘caravan sisters;.

Bread for the Journey — Peter Steele sj
The pursuit of happiness
Eastertide rings with ‘Alleluia!’, with ‘Rejoice now!’ This was Jesus’ aim in his dying and rising—to bring us happiness.

Mary in the Cenacle
A poem for Mary by Marist brother Ken Eaton — a disciple remembers Mary’s retelling of her son’s life

Why I chose love ...
Pope Benedict explains why love is the theme of his first papal encyclical..

Full of Surprises: The Bible without Blinkers — Antony F Campbell sj
Flowing water andd new life — Ezekiel 47
Ezekiel’s vision of the great river reveals how faith brings life.

From our readers

Faith & spirituality in review
New books and other resources.