Author: Timothy
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Birth Of John The Baptist (2)
Extract: When Elizabeth gave birth to a son, as promised by an Angel, her neighbourhood rejoiced. When Zechariah wrote on a tablet, “His name is John”, his speech was restored. When the news spread, reaching the “entire hill country of Judea”, people talked and wondered, “What then will this child be? For the Lord’s hand…
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Do Not Judge
Extract: Jesus said, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own?” (Matthew 7:1, 3) Thought A good day is when we act fairly and behave humbly! Reflection Lord Jesus, I celebrate the…
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Joseph Cafasso
St Joseph (1811 – 1860) was born into a peasant family at Castelnuovo d’Asti, Italy. Having decided, at an early age, to become a Priest, he entered the seminary of Turin. After his ordination, he continued to teach at the seminary as well as at Turin University and the Institute of St Francis. He is one…
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St Oliver Plunkett (Day 1)
Background: St Oliver Plunkett was born in Ireland. He studied in Rome and in 1654 was ordained a Priest. He was unable to return to Ireland immediately after his ordination. This was due to wars between Irish Catholics and English/Irish Protestants. On his eventual return, he became a central figure in the reorganising of the ravaged Roman Catholic…
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St Thomas More (Day 9)
Background: St Thomas More (1478 – 1535) was born into an upper-class family in London. He was educated at St Anthony’s School, deemed “one of the finest available”. He studied classics at Oxford University and became fluent in Latin and Greek but left university after only two years for a legal career. He was elected to Parliament…
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Feeding of Five Thousand People
Extract: Jesus often found himself surrounded by crowds of people. They wanted to hear his teachings and see his great deeds. On one sad occasion, after he heard about the beheading of John the Baptist, a man whom he described as the greatest Prophet, he went privately in a boat to an isolated place, only…
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John Fisher
St John Fisher (1469 – 1535) was born the eldest of four children into a moderately prosperous merchant family in Beverley, England. He had a good education and progressed to the University of Cambridge. He was ordained a Priest in 1491 and maintained a long work history with Cambridge University. He was appointed Bishop of Rochester…
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Jesus On Serving Two Masters
Extract: Jesus described true faith and true love saying, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money”. (Matthew 6:24) Thought Pope Benedict once invited a crowd of young…
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Aloysius Gonzaga
St Aloysius (1568 – 1591) was born the eldest of seven children into the illustrious Italian House of Gonzaga. He was destined to become the next Marquis and, in preparation, given early military experience from the age of 5. At 8, he was sent to Florence to further his education and gain royal experience. However,…
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St Thomas More (Day 8)
Background: St Thomas More (1478 – 1535) was born into an upper-class family in London. He was educated at St Anthony’s School, deemed “one of the finest available”. He studied classics at Oxford University and became fluent in Latin and Greek but left university after only two years for a legal career. He was elected to Parliament…