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?

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.

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….

by M Murphy SPS   Fr. Nazarius arrived in Ireland from Malawi to study at University College, Cork in 1982. It was a huge move for him, like a change of planets. The weather, the country, the people: just about everything was strange to him. He knew nobody and it was freezing. For the first [...]

There is scope for growth Thenjiwe Luphondwana   Family ministry means yes, I am my brother’s keeper. The well-being of the family within my parish is indeed my business. Those parishes or dioceses that have a family life desk (FLD) or somehow minister to the needs of families in their respective areas are highly commended. [...]

Stuart and Michele Allan THE POWER OF LOVE? Where is this more evident than in the family? The mainstay of the family is husband and wife, together as one. Together bringing up children in God’s way with values that support God’s plan. If childless, then the couple can still be a beacon for other marriages [...]

Cathy Hogg shares her story and experience of dealing with loss. With the family theme “Good Loser – Bad Loser” there’s no doubt she is one of the best. It may sound very strange, but sometimes we are able to win through loss in our lives and sometimes we lose! When I became ill with [...]

Mandated by Jesus Christ to Love and Serve in solidarity Reflection: Thenjiwe Luphondwana South Africa’s recent hosting of the World Cup show-cased our solidarity and our ability to work as a team for the good of the country. Can you imagine how much time and resources went into preparations for the infrastructure and the soccer [...]