🔥The 9th Round of Easy Loan, Earn $40 Reward is in progress❗️ ⏰ Promotion Period: January 15th - Feburary 15th, 2025 👉 Register now and check more details at gate.io/campaigns/358

This week I’m having dental surgery under general anaesthetic. A priest friend prompted me to receive the anointing of the sick. Never crossed my mind. My parish priest happily obliged. My first experience of this beautiful rite. “Blessed be God who heals us in Christ.”

St Bonaventure on mystical experience: “ If you ask how such things can occur, seek the answer in God’s grace, not in doctrine; in the longing of the will, not in the understanding; in the sighs of prayer, not in research.” St Bonaventure, pray for us

Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things, Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices. St Teresa of Avila #OurLadyOfMountCarmel

“You may ask what need there is for prayer itself, if God already knows what we need, unless it be that the very effort involved in prayer calms and purifies our heart, and makes it roomier for receiving the divine gifts that are poured into us spiritually.” St Augustine

“When we feel overwhelmed, we can always cling to the anchor of prayer, which puts us back in God’s hands and the source of our peace.” Pope Francis, Gaudete et Exsultate, 114

To my friends in schools finishing the term today, well done! Since I stopped working in schools I can see with greater clarity the sheer mental, emotional and physical drain involved. It’s tough, but never more important. Enjoy some time to recover and be refreshed. #EndOfTerm

Most folk who’ve been in the hands of the NHS, as I was this week, say much the same thing, but worth repeating: a system under pressure, run by friendly, attentive and professional people. The nurses I met were mostly from the Philippines and Africa. We need these good people.

"A war without limits": That's how Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, described the situation in Gaza during a phone interview on Friday evening. vaticannews.va/en/vatican-cit…

I’m with Martha most of the time, “worried and distracted by many things” (Luke 10:41). For most of us this is just life, trying to keep it all together, dealing with responsibilities, unpredictability. I know I need to be with Mary more, at the feet of the Lord, being fed.

In today's #GospelOfTheDay (Lk 10:38-42) Jesus is a guest at the house of Martha and Mary. One of the sisters welcomes him with much attention, while the other listens to him while sitting at his feet. Service and listening are twin dimensions of welcome. vatican.va/content/leo-xi…

Pope Leo calls for an end to 'barbarity' in Gaza.

Bishop Paul McAleenan, our Lead Bishop for Refugees and Migrants, has released a statement on the recent protests taking place in Epping outside an asylum hotel since last Thursday. cbcew.org.uk/bishop-mcaleen…

Today is the feast of St Mary Magdalen, follower of Jesus, witness to his crucifixion, the first to encounter him after his resurrection, in the garden of the new creation. The one who brought the good news to the disciples, the apostle to the apostles.

Gaza hospital says 21 children dead from malnutrition in 72 hours as UN warns 'last lifelines collapsing' bbc.in/4f2fKOd

How can the Church be at the heart of rebuilding communities? What if churches put their assets at the service of bringing people together? Watch the full video of our recent event, ‘They shall build up the ancient ruins': caritaswestminster.org.uk/news/church-pr… Stir to Action Westminster Diocese

Starvation is currently spreading across Gaza. We're one of the 100+ organisations calling for decisive action. We need a ceasefire, the reopening of all land crossings and for governments to bring in concrete measures to end the siege. More. ⤵️ cafod.org.uk/news/media/pre…

Gazans 'wasting away' as mass starvation spreads, humanitarian groups warn bbc.in/44K0thv

Catholic Social Teaching can sound remote at times. Here’s a concrete application. The dignity of the children of Gaza is being violated by deliberate starvation. The preferential option for the poor calls us to work for their relief, defence and liberation (Catechism, 2448).

Servant leadership is rooted in the Gospel. Jesus gently lets down the ambition of the mother of James and John for her sons. It’s about loving service, not status and lording it over others. Servant leaders can still run organisations, but with humility. Matthew 20:20-28

Almost a third of people in Gaza not eating for days, UN food programme warns bbc.in/3ILUC2H