010 :
14 Jun 2008

A picture is worth a thousand words... Please forgive our headline photo. In recent days a newspaper photographer caught Pope Benedict having a quiet drag. I've already drawn attention to that story in our forum last night suggesting that Benedict might yet become the patron saint of we addicts to nicotine (See: "Smokers get a patron saint" Post 13241). It is a picture that I have a strong feeling will get everyone's attention for the topic at hand in this lead commentary today. Vince Exley sent it in to us. He's been reading Gerald G May's book "Addiction and Grace" and Vince has given us this edited extract. While we do not receive any benefit from Harper Collins, the publishers of Gerald May's book, we hope the stretching of the laws of copyright, if that is indeed what we are doing, might induce a few people to go purchase Gerald May's book, or borrow it from their local library — both actions which would provide some compensation for Dr May. …Editor [more]

009 :
11 Apr 2008

Looking for balance in our spirituality... Here is another of those beautifully eclectic reflections by Vince Exley where he pulls togehter a couple of lengthy quotes from other authors he has recently been reading. Vince writes: "At the present time our local Vinnies is struggling with the problem of using plastic bags in our shop. I have dug up some random readings on how we need to care for both persons and the environment and how we need to be Church to do this." [more]

008 :
27 Mar 2008

Getting to the heart of what we really believe... Inspired by a number of different influences, Vince Exley recently sat down an endeavoured to write out in a very honest way a summary of what he has really come to believe. He shares it with us here on Catholica. Should we all engage in this exercise from time to time of stripping ourselves of all those illusions and emotional attachments that often cloud our vision of what we really believe? [more]

007 :
08 Feb 2008

Richard Rohr's thoughts on the meaning of suffering... That delightful and always reflective bachelor mate of ours who lives up in the paradise of the Whitsunday Islands, Vince Exley, has been doing some more reading of Richard Rohr. It's on a theme that we are constantly exploring in this community, the meaning of suffering. Vince's notes from the books he's been reading are always a delight and draw a good response from you, the readers of Catholica. Today's reflection will not disappoint. [more]

006 :
30 Nov 2007

Reflections from Eckhart Tolle... Back on Remembrance Day you may remember Vince Exley gave us a reflection on Eckhart Tolle which did generate a goodly number of page views on our website. He returns today with extracts he's selected for us from the introduction to Eckhart Tolle's book "A New Earth". In his convering note Vince explains that Tolle "doesn't believe the earth will survive this century without radical change in the world's collective consciousness". To introduce the subject matter of reflection Vince has also included some preliminary thoughts from Fr. Richard Rohr. [more]

005 :
11 Nov 2007

Say goodbye to anxiety... Where would we be without Vince Exley? This guy really does warm the heart of this community with his occasional commentaries. He's been at it for years going right back to the earliest days of the CathNews Discussion Board. Today he presents another wonderful, down-to-earth grounded commentary on some great practical spirituality that is worth thinking about ………… and perhaps applying in your life if you haven't already done so. [more]

004 :
19 June 2007

The mystical value of a hug... Here's a fabulous little reflection from Vince Exley who's hit the wagon at the moment and consequently found God in a hug. Seriously, our mate is in hospital in Brisbane at the moment recovering from a potentially fatal infection he picked up and he sent us this delightful little reflection that I am sure will warm many hearts as much as Vince's regular afternoon Scotch on the Rocks, normally warms his little heart. Enjoy your day and give someone you meet today a really good hug! [more]

003 :
17 Nov 2006

Trusting in God... Yes, Vince did supply the avatar, but you can find a real picture with the story — which is about two experiences Vince has had being shipwrecked. It's about the state of helplessness he feels the Church is in today. [more]

002 :
15 Oct 2006

A way to solve the Church's problems... Those who've been around this place a while will remember Vince Exley's commentary back in August with Some Suggestions for our Future Church. Today he presents some new "outside the square" possible solutions to help address the prospect of priestless parishes being increasingly faced by regional Australians. [more]

001 :
18 Aug 2006

Suggestions for our Future Church... Vince Exley is another much-loved member of this community who has been with us since the very earliest days of the CathNews discussion community. The lucky bugger lives in one of Australia's paradise locations, the Whitsunday Islands in tropical Queensland. He's a really contented bachelor and described his life to me a few years ago in these terms: "I feel God has really blessed me in leading me to retirement in this beautiful area. I lead a very fulfilling life of twice daily Christian meditation, a very fulfilling Sunday Eucharist, pleasant daily walks along the beach, Vinnie's activities, relaxation in the resort's Spas and Pools and an afternoon scotch or two on my balcony." Vince waxes and wanes between his conservatism and his radicalism. A few years ago, under the influence of another poster, Maggie a fabulous contributor to our discussions but very conservative theology student from Notre Dame, Indiana, we thought the poor guy was just about to fall off the edge of the conservative edge of the spectrum. In this thought-provoking article he submitted yesterday Vince is back at his challengingly radical best. What do you think of his Suggestions for our Future Church? [more]