Happy Birthday to Tom!

Dear Friends,

There's something about this series of commentaries we've been enjoying from Tom McMahon which reminds me of Garrison Keillor and his program A Prairie Home Companion which, I noticed recently, is being broadcast again in this country on the ABC There's a poignancy in how he writes — but there is also this element of "hit me between the eyes wisdom — cut out the crap and bullshit — I've lived life and I am past all the word games" honesty about it. Today's commentary has a special quality about it because it's Tom's 79th birthday and it's also the conclusion to his series where he has shared his own lifelong story searching for the meaning of the Eucharist. As always, Tom leaves a trail of thoughts that are a quarry for those who want to point to someone — or a number of people, in fact … Michael Morwood gets a couple of good mentions in this commentary — and say "look he's a heretic". What I love about Tom, as I love about a lot of the people in our community who've seen much more of life than myself, is he really doesn't care what other games people might want to play with his words. If he met Benedict I'm sure he'd say directly to Benedict precisely what he is saying to each of us. I have to say I'm finding it a refreshing way of coming to understand my own beliefs, my faith and what I am seeking to achieve via this spiritual journey we are on. <Click HERE to read Tom's Birthday commentary>

PETITION UPDATE…

The total today stands at 15.579 signatures. If you are still holding hard copy completed petition forms please send thim in now to Paul Collins at the address shown on the petitions. <Click HERE to access the petition information page> and <Click HERE to sign the petition online>.

Best wishes for a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life, and in our world, and special Birthday Blessings and thanks to Tom McMahon from all of us here at Catholica Austalia

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher