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OPEN YOUR BIBLE (6) – Amos’ Three Woes to Israel (Am 5:7–6:14)

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Amos’ “woes” are more than just warnings—they are cries of sorrow for a nation falling apart because of injustice, hypocrisy, and pride. Each woe reveals a different layer of Israel’s spiritual decline and points to the coming judgment from God. When we talk about Israel here, we mean the Northern Kingdom, which was destroyed by the Assyrians in 721 B.C. The northern tribes were taken into exile and never returned; These are known as the “lost tribes of Israel.” Woe to the Corrupt Courts: Justice Turned to Poison (Am 5:7–17) Amos condemns the perversion of justice, where truth is despised and the poor are crushed. The city gate—the place of legal trials—has become a den of contempt.  “Woe to those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground” (5:7) “They hate those who reprove at the gate,  and abhor those who speak with integrity” (5:10)

INSULAR CATHOLICISM IN VIETNAM – Catholic Church, a Beacon Keeping the Faith Firm

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The Catholic community of Hon Tre village dates back to the 1960s, when several families of believers settled on Hai Tac, “Pirate Island,” to achieve a more dignified life there. Later, at the initiative of these local parishioners led by Father Michael Le Tan Cong, a church, a school, and a medical center were built there. Located 28 kilometers from the mainland, at the southernmost point of the country, the only way to reach Hai Tac is by speedboat, a one-hour trip.

All Soul’s Day – Year C – Coming to Terms with the Living Silence in Us

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Today, we remember the dead, and unwittingly, we are brought to confront the living silence they leave behind. All Souls’ Day is not just a liturgical nostalgia. It is a spiritual reckoning — a moment when the veil thins, and we are invited to gaze into the mystery of death not as an end, but as a threshold. We do not come with answers, but with ache. We do not come with certainty, but with longing. And in this sacred longing, we hear Jesus say, “I shall not reject anyone who comes to me…

30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C – A Humbled Heart

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The readings for this Sunday  remind us that God sees the heart. He listens to those who are humble and cries out for justice. He does not turn away from the poor or the weak. Instead, He cares for those who trust Him. This Sunday shows us further the difference between pride and humility. Humility involves recognizing our true place in relation to God and others, avoiding arrogance, and admitting when we are wrong.

FATHER MARIO BONFAINI, CMF (1939-2025) – Faithful Servant, Tireless Missionary, Joyful Witness

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The East Asia Delegation of the Claretian Missionaries mourns the passing of Fr. Mario Vincenzo Bonfaini, CMF, on October 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM (Macau time). He was a most generous shepherd who spent a lot of his time in the confessional forgiving sins and savings souls for God, a man with deep love for China, a courageous missionary.

MIGRANTS: MISSIONARIES OF HOPE – Celebrating the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugee in Macau

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On Sunday 19 October 2025, the Church in  Macau celebrates World Day of Migrants and Refugees spearheaded by the Pastoral Center of Filipino Migrants, the celebration was highlighted with a mass presided by the Bishop of Macau, Bishop Stephen Lee. Fr. Raymund Gaspar, the priest in charge of the Filipino migrants and a number of missionary priests concelebrated during the holy mass. The celebration was also a day  set aside to raise awareness about the challenges faced by migrants in Macau  and around the world, in order to promote solidarity and compassion toward them

Can We Go to a Priest to Have Our Phones Blessed?

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Dear Father L

We live in a world where technology dominates almost every aspect of our daily lives.  Phones, tablets, and laptops are not just tools anymore, they have become extensions of our very selves. They connect us with family and friends, guide us through work and school, and give us access to information at lightning speed. While these devices hold the potential for great good, they also carry the dangers of distraction, addiction, and even spiritual harm.  There will always be the tendency for the devil to use these gadgets to urge us to do evil. Can we bring our cell phones and other communication gadgets to be blessed by our priest? 

29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C) – Justice Through Mercy

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In our parable for today, we have the witness of a widow who came to a dishonest judge and continuously begged him for a just judgment. Though the judge did not care about the woman, he eventually rendered a just decision for her because she was so persistent. It’s interesting that Jesus used the image of a “dishonest judge” to teach us about persistent prayers being answered. He does so because He wants us to understand that if even those who are dishonest respond to persistence, then so much more will the Just Judge of Heaven respond to persistence. Will God answer any prayer you pray if you offer that prayer day and night, day after day without fail? Does God eventually give into our requests as a parent might give into a child who keeps begging for something? Not exactly. One of the most important qualifiers mentioned in this parable is the word “just.” We read that the woman’s plea before the judge was, “render a just decision for me…” At the conclusion of the parable, Jesus gives this interpretation: “Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?” When we pray, we ought not pray for whatever we want. We ought not pray for our preference, selfish desires, or our own ideas. We must pray only for the justice of God. When we do so with unwavering perseverance, God will secure our rights and bring forth His justice.