acollins16

Empowerment

It’s a big word – empowerment – but it is the one that leaps out at me when I think of the significance of fathers in the lives of daughters, or indeed children. We need fathers who not only protect and provide, but those who empower children to be the wonderful person that lies inContinue reading “Empowerment”

Discipleship

What does it mean to be a true disciple? To really follow Christ? There are so many versions of Christianity on this planet. We find one, are born into one, choose one – sometimes all in one lifetime. So many versions of this one significant person as we aspire to be more like him inContinue reading “Discipleship”

To whom do we listen?

In the readings this weekend the responsorial psalm, gospel acclamation and gospel all reference sheep and shepherds. ‘The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.’ Shepherds ensured that their sheep were well-nourished and protected. They made sure the health of the sheep was attended to and the sheep were free to liveContinue reading “To whom do we listen?”

Intentional

How intentional are we on a daily basis? We don’t need to be calculating or manipulative, but we are called to be intentionally excellent with all our gifts and talents, with all the love within the fibre of our being, with our words and our deeds. I’d like to add to this our thoughts. WeContinue reading “Intentional”

NAIDOC Week

Here i In Australia it is NAIDOC week. It is important, for us, to acknowledge the past. This is true for all humans globally. Here in Australia, we need to consider the Aboriginal Australians and the history that exists. The truth is, history exists, and it is not pretty. We need to be better. WeContinue reading “NAIDOC Week”

Just to be

In recent media there have been statements around netball and racism, I’m going to be clear – it was the letter shared by a netballer that she had received. Typically, I don’t read the comments on those articles, but today, for whatever reason, I did. On one hand it was interesting to read the twoContinue reading “Just to be”

Pause

Finding a pause is an important, but all too challenging skill in this hectic world in which we race. Pausing renders the person a moment. Sometimes we really need that moment, even if we do nothing with it and have no significant thoughts within it. Pausing heals deep within, even when we do not knowContinue reading “Pause”

Forgiveness

Recently, I ran a retreat for Year 12s and at the end the focus of our liturgy is forgiveness and reconciliation. For me personally, forgiveness is a challenge. I find it hard to run with the word. Let’s face it – our experiences colour our lens significantly. Too many times I have heard others pretentiouslyContinue reading “Forgiveness”

Community

We are formed in community. Community is both our achilles and our heart. Think of Jesus and the frustrating apostles who just didn’t get it? He worked his mission in community, regardless of the hardship, relishing the joys. We cycle between bliss and blizzard – between the big freeze out and the warm sun. ItContinue reading “Community”

Trinity Sunday

How do we explore the Holy Trinity? I remember the whole shamrock image from my childhood and the flippant comment from Eric Idle in the film ‘Nuns on the run’ that God is like a shamrock ‘small green and split three ways’. Earlier in the film Robbie Coltrane had a go at explaining the TrinityContinue reading “Trinity Sunday”