under the patronage of St Joseph and St Dominic

By the rivers of Babylon there we sat and wept, remembering Zion;
on the poplars that grew there we hung up our harps. . . Ps 136

Poetry

I. When the Wattle Turns to Gold

Australian poet, James McAuley, penned his poem 'Explicit' in 1976 when he learned that his death was inevitable and imminent.  This article picks up his last line and offers, in poetic form, a comment on the state of the Church and the world that confronts us today.  more

II. One Dark Night

A translation into English of 'En una noche oscura' of St John of the Cross.  more

DOGGEREL

A ditty about current concerns by a guest contributor

I know you will think it odd o' me

But I'm votin' to legitimize sodomy.

    My friends all insist

     And because I resist

They're beginnin' to think not a lod o' me.

I know that you think it a sin

An' can't abide the state they live in,

     But the bishops don't care,

     Say “it's not our affair”,

So I think that I'll vote this lot in.

You say we'll all end up in Hell

And cripple society as well;

     But if they were concerned

     That we might all get burn'd

Then surely the bishops would tell.

Alright, I hear what you say,

That a bishop can't tell night from day!

     So I'll give it some thought

     And perhaps I'll report

I've decided to vote Nay and not Yea.

 ________________________