We all know that God is a God of surprises, but I never expected to experience something so ordinary, and yet, paradoxically so extraordinary! Last Saturday afternoon, I decided to cook frozen, green, garden, peas for our midday meal.  While I was engaged in other activities, I could hear them bubbling happily in the pot.  As I rarely cook this ...

“Circumstances may cause interruptions and delays, but never lose sight of your goal.  Prepare yourself in every way you can by increasing your knowledge and adding to your experience so that you can make the most of opportunity when it occurs.” [Mario Andretti – Racing Driver] It was October 1848.  After a long, tiring and  eventful journey, Euphrasie had finally arrived ...

New Year! New Resolutions! They go together like hand and glove. As I throw last year’s calendar into the bin and hang up a new one, I am as compelled as the Wise Men drawn by the shining star, to set out on a new spiritual journey of discovery; to make a brand new start. Of course, there are times ...

“It is always harder to be left behind than to be the one to go.”   [Brock Thoene]  Guilt and grief were like dark clouds hanging over the Barbier household, even though Adele and Louis had now, albeit reluctantly, agreed to allow Euphrasie to go to the convent.  It was days before anyone could broach the painful subject of her leaving ...

Our Julie has reached such a wonderful stage, The records all show that she’s now come of age. A hundred long years she has been on this earth, And seen many changes occur since her birth, No Radio, films or TV in her day. Penicillin, or drugs, to keep sickness at bay. No dishwasher, credit cards, carpets, or phones, And ...

Yesterday, among the many catalogues sent for Christmas, there was one entitled, ‘The Gift of Music.’  It made me stop and think—yes, how true and how precious a gift!  Shakespeare spoke of music as ‘the food of love’ and God is Love. This gift has the power to draw us in, to the very depths of ourselves and……. that is ...

May my life be FIRE and WATER Knowing the torment and passion of love And the calm refreshment of reason. Let it be full of contrasts: Brightness—Shadow, Colour–Clarity Warmth– Coolness Energetic dance and  Restful inactivity.  May my spirit be alive and active Fired by desire to transform and be purified Yet content with stillness And the often, drop-by-drop pace of ...

“Opposition should never keep you from the work that God has called you to do.  God blesses you when you stand up for what you believe in despite opposition.” [Jim George]  Euphrasie’s dreams and God’s plans for her were  gradually becoming clearer, since now, thanks to Fr. Lefournier, she knew of a Missionary Congregation for sisters in Cuves.  With the ...

On a recent visit to France over Toussaint (Feast of All Saints and Holy Souls) it would seem as if the whole of France stops to visit the graves of their loved ones.  It is customary to bring flowers – chrysanthemums of various colours and sizes to place on the tombs of their dead and war memorials. The cemeteries throughout ...

On Wednesday, 21 October, Missio, Mill Hill Missionaries and the CMU (Catholic Missionary Union) were pleased to host the second conference on Catholic Mission in Today’s World at Heythrop College. The Specialist Philosophy and Theology College of the University of London The theme was Dialogue between North and South: What we can learn about mission and interfaith. The keynote speaker was Prof. ...