After their marriage when he and Leila started a family they were shocked when Tommy jnr was born a hemophiliac. As he grew they watched over him carefully, keeping him out of harm’s way without trying to constrict his little life, but there were times when accidents occurred and by the age of 7 he had had two blood transfusions. They could not understand what was wrong when young Tommy became ill with a strange, unknown disease. Tests and investigations failed to pinpoint the cause. As Tommy became weaker the stress and trauma in the family became almost unbearable. They were fighting each other, battling with God. “Why, why, why? ” Tom yelled at God.

The eight-year old was alone with his father in hospital one night. Having watched his father’s agitation and desperation he asked, “Are you frightened, dad?”

“Of course son, aren’t you?”…….

I bet you’ve never stopped to think about it but every year Jesus used to celebrate his birthday. When? On the 25th December of course! When he was tiny his mother, Mary used to organise the party and invite his cousins and the neighbourhood children and Joseph would take time off from his carpentry shop and play games with them.

When you think of Mother Teresa who is now Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, do you think of someone doing something beautiful for God in her own particular way remote from your own particular way? Do you think of her as someone so imbued with love for Jesus that it makes her way unattainable? Or is it possible to see her also as someone to emulate, a model for the way she both loved Jesus and those she was called to serve?

Death isn’t for everyone!. This is the opening statement in an article about this important ministry to a very specific aspect of life. But that isn’t true. Maybe accompanying people on this last phase of their journey of life as an outsider, a “minister” of religion or health worker is not for everyone, but in reality death happens in all families at some time so assisting the dying person and accompanying the family unit surrounding them is everyone’s business.

We approach the feast of St Francis of Assisi. This small, poor, insignificant man, Francis, still eloquently witnesses peace to all of us personally, to our families and nations.

With the 50th anniversary of the opening of the 2nd Vatican Council coming up in 2012 there is growing interest and many debates about the Council and what did, did not or should have come out of it. There is one central person who started it all, whose vision it was to open the windows of the Church, as he called it, and so let a more people-centred Church emerge.

Empowered Women, who are they? “As we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

WHY WOULD YOU SEND ME TO A HOME, THIS IS MY HOME?

Many families in all races are faced with this question. Having an older person, especially a very old person in one’s home can be a joy but very often also a stress and even a great burden on a young family with all the commitments of children and work. How to deal with the situation, make a decision about choosing to go, or being placed in a retirement complex or home, as one gets older and more frail, is hard for all concerned and needs to be done with patience, tact and love in consultation with everyone involved.

Is Peace and Reconciliation a possibility in this house? Fr Thembelani Ngcobo, Episcopal Vicar for Youth Archdiocese of Durban He had reached a stage in his life where he thought he needed more challenges. He had been at home in his father’s house and he needed a change of environment. Was he lonely or frustrated? [...]

Introduction The modern-day family is beset with problems, some of which are new to all of us such as the technological advances. The family as a sacrosanct institution of God and the foundation of society is under threat….