We are all called to leadership... In this wonderful commentary, Andrew Kania, explores the meaning of Christian leadership. He explains how a woman, St Margaret of Scotland, serves as one of the great models of Christian leadership. A further interesting piece of information you'll pick up is that St Margaret is also revered as the the patroness of wives, mothers, and learning. [more]

Australia and the Popes... Did you know Catholic Australia (a division of Church Resources) has recently added a further large resource to their website. It is a 150+ page compilation of information on the Popes who have reigned since Australia, the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit, was discovered by the Europeans 400 years ago in 1606. The compilation was put together by Brian Coyne. [more]

Adventually Christmas... Rosemary argues "it is the time to take a mini retreat in prayer in our daily lives, to assess how we are with God, how our lives are unfolding and how we might move closer to God". [more]

Wealth: does it buy freedom? Peregrinus was struck by Andrew's piece on "affluenza" on Sunday — the endless pursuit of possessions, driven by the conviction that possessing things is the key to a better life. It led to this response... [more]

On Sandro Magister's portrait of Pope Benedict... Ruth's been endeavouring to digest what Sandro Magister and Brian Coyne might be at odds about in this morning's email commentary? [more]

What, precisely, are the core requirements to being a Catholic? Tom asks: is it the ability to memorise and recite a list of absolute laws? Or is it the ability to navigate through the absolute laws in order to discern the particular moral truth and course of action? [more]

On the ACBC report of the November plenary... The cloistered quartet have been reading the report of the Bishops' November Plenary. There's evidently a lot of work being done but what is it achieving? [more]

Mixed Blessings Part III – the outcome in the third generation... You will find this concluding article in Wendy's series "serious precious cargo". This woman has a way of articulating what I know many parents have spoken to me about over the years in a way that almost takes your breath away. There is more reason for hope in this single article than in tomes of papal encyclicals. –Ed. [more]

Ruth's Prayer... Ruth's been blown away by the candidness of Wendy's offerings over the last three weeks. Her prayer today is very simple... [more]

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A tougher seasonal reflection... Christmas in many ways today is the season in which we celebrate our affluence and success. Andrew Kania takes us on a more sobering reflection of The Plague of Affluenza. [more]