“Focus on the what, not the how!” *Then continues hyper-focussing on the how*

The phrase comes in the context of some very wise words from Ratzinger, originally written in 1982, that IMO certain factions in the Church today would do well to pay heed to. (but, of course, for almost all of these people Ratzinger doesn't exist, so...)

Praying for all to be safe abc.net.au/news/2025-12-1…

Breaking: Gunshots have been heard on Bondi Beach, with people forced to hide in restaurants as police rushed to the scene. Follow live: bit.ly/3KQa9ja

I am devastated and heartbroken by the horrendous terror attack that took place at Bondi Beach tonight. This shocking attack targeting Jewish Australians has no place in our community and my prayers are with all the victims, their families and loved ones. Thank you to all the

Shooting at Australia’s Bondi Beach during a Jewish holiday celebration leaves more than 10 dead and others wounded. vaticannews.va/en/world/news/…

“On behalf of Sydney’s Catholic community, I extend the deepest condolences to our Jewish brothers and sisters. Please be assured of our prayers and closeness ... We love our Jewish neighbours and friends, and we must do all we can to keep them safe”: Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP

A day of mourning. Shock and sadness.

Puer natus in Bethlehem Alleluia youtu.be/52IxO8y5Og0?si…

With thanks to all the architriclini for their efforts to ensure due merriment this blessed day.

We also ‘look’ to Jesus, aided by the liturgical calendar, & not only hear Him. This Sunday we see Him born into a family that has to flee Herod & relocate to another country. When He does speak to us, then, it is not from afar but from experience & knowledge of our human hearts.

This is centigrade

Just spent the afternoon with enclosed Carmelites. You would think I should know better by now but I was surprised by how joyful and full of personality they were.

Pope Leo XIV denounces surrogacy: “Likewise, there is the practice of surrogacy.  By transforming gestation into a negotiable service, this violates the dignity both of the child, who is reduced to a “product,” and of the mother, exploiting her body and the generative process,

Spending most of the weekend accompanied by flies in a dusty paddock outside of Mathoura. Many Aussie waves/salutes. No committees visible. Great joy as our Cardinal broke open the ground for a new convent of enclosed Carmelite nuns. High Mass tomorrow morning.

A quiet paddock outside Mathoura, in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, became holy ground on the weekend of 10–11 January as the first stage of a new Discalced Carmelite monastery was formally set in motion with a historic liturgy. catholicweekly.com.au/groundbreaking… catholicweekly.com.au/groundbreaking…

I reacted negatively at first (NCR context primed me to read it in a certain light from the start), but it ended well: “Part of the beauty of the Catholic Church is the space for cultural and community expression. Engagement with traditional signs of devotion does not