Madonna - Current Issue

November / December 2008

Our cover
The Lord is my light! (Psalm response for All Souls). As we approach the celebration of his birth, we find great richness in the image of the Sun of God, ‘light from light’.

‘My soul rejoices in my God!’ (Psalm response for 3rd Advent). The wonder of new birth is an occasion for great rejoicing and celebration. Every birth reminds us of the moment that God entered our human world as a fragile and vulnerable newborn.

In this issue ...

Soul Matters - Chris Gleeson SJ
Dreaming. Author Margaret Silf says we should refer to ‘God’s dreaming’ rather than ‘God’s will’. It is through us that God hopes that dream to be realised.

Roadside rest — Michael McGirr
Christmas in July. Advent is a season of pilgrimage. The multitude of pilgrims in Sydney in July were a revelation of God’s presence to our world.

Tête à Tête — Mary Manning
Wheel of fire. Mary Manning interviews 4th century martyr Catherine of Alexandria.

The gift of listening
CLC member Susie Hii offers us the wonderful gift of listening.

One night in Bethlehem
Br Ken Eaton’s poem recalls the glorious events of the Christmas story.

A world for youth and youth for the world
Returnees from the WYD events of July talk with Rosie Hoban.

Family Matters — Teresa Pirola
Where the Word became flesh. A visit to Israel – the Holy Land – brings new awareness of the vital origins of the Christian faith.

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

The power of story — Elizabeth Pike
Light from Light: Jesus and Mirrabooka. We are reminded of the story of Mirrabooka every time we see the Southern Cross in the skies.

A Cloud of Witnesses — Edmund Campion
Fighting apartheid. Margaret and John Brink began the fight in their native South Africa and kept it up when they moved to Australia.

Bread for the Journey — Peter Steele SJ
Christ’s Mass. One child was born who is the one on whom the universe hinges – and hinges for good.

Wounded healers
Pope Benedict’s apology to those who suffered abuse raises the issue of the crucial role of the family in the process of healing, writes Vic O’Callaghan.

Shining light of reconciliation
Indigenous activist Patrick Dodson was presented in November with the 2008 Sydney Peace Prize.