It is that time of year when nativity scenes are making their appearance in our homes and parish churches. According to legend, St Francis invented the custom of the Christmas crib in order “to represent the birth of that Child in Bethlehem in such a way that with our bodily eyes we may see what He suffered for lack of the necessities of a newborn babe and how He lay in a manger between the ox and ass”.

Volume 19, Issue 23

The Catholic Bishops of Australia have approved a blueprint, received from the National Youth Leaders’ Gathering, for the future coordination of youth ministry across the nation.

The man who established the annual outdoor Melbourne Passion Play has been named the Victorian Senior Australian of the Year for 2009.

Though no one knows if Spain’s grail, in Valencia, is the true chalice of the Last Supper, a group of experts says it has tremendous cultural value due to its impact on history and literature.

Meet Fr Eugene O’Hagan, 48, his brother Fr Martin O’Hagan, 45, and their old school friend
Fr David Delargy, 44.

Nicknamed Holy, Holy and Holy by their school friends, these full-time clergymen from Belfast have been singing together for close to 30 years.

On Friday 18 July, Catholics across the globe tuned in to watch the Stations of the Cross, one of the major events on the World Youth Day 2008 calendar. The Parishioners at St Christopher’s in Airport West who joined in to watch the coverage had an added reason to pay attention – the Stations of the Cross were directed by their parish priest of seven years, Fr Franco Cavarra.

An angel wrote in the Book of Life Harry’s date of birth.

She whispered as she closed the book: “too beautiful for this earth.”

Since Harry Line, our beautiful, blonde chubby-cheeked baby boy was stillborn at full term on 24 April 2008, our lives have been touched by a community of angels, principally at Holy Rosary Kensington Parish.

One man’s vision to tell the story of the Catholic Church in Australia and the historical significance of Vatican II has come to fruition, with the release of a new documentary.

The late Kevin Burke was the instigator of the documentary, Challenge, Change, Faith. Burke and his family played a significant role in building St Michael’s Church and in the parish life of Ashburton, Victoria.

The following Christmas reflection was first published as the editorial comment in The Advocate, Kairos Catholic Journal’s predecessor, on 24 December 1958.

Volume 19, Issue 23

PM’s visit to Peru provides hope for the poorest

Caritas Australia has applauded Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s visit to the Mercy Family Health Centre in Cerro Candela, Peru.

Caritas’ Latin America program coordinator, Sr Margaret Fyfe, said Mr Rudd’s visit to the community was a chance for the world to see what two faith-based organisations were doing to achieve the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in a community plagued with socio-economic problems.

Mother Angelica’s Private and Pithy Lessons from the Scriptures

Introduced and edited by Raymond Arroyo, HB, $34.95

Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality

Edited by Raymond Arroyo, HB, $34.95

Volume 19, Issue 23

4th Sunday of Advent

God’s goodness isn’t restricted to one generation or millennium

Reflection on the 1st Reading (Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16)

David was king of the Jews in 1000 BC. He brought stability and unity to Israel after a torrid time with Saul as King. The 12 tribes that over many years had settled in Canaan were now united as one nation. David had chosen Jerusalem as the national capital.