The film ‘Birth’ has the backdrop of the first Opium War, and portrays André’s stay in Macau (now immortalized in a statue in Jardim de Camões).
Advent Hope in Patuá: Coro Dóci Papiaçám Sings Again for the Glory of God
Bishop D. Stephen Lee Bun-sang requested and Coro Dóci Papiaçám di Macau obliged. The interim choral ensemble sang Christmas carols in Macanese Patois outside the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady on Saturday afternoon. Later, the group accompanied the evening mass at Saint Dominic’s Church. The purpose? To convey a message of hope, in times of crisis and rapid change.
Fully awake, fully welcoming. The great Advent discernment
Once the World Cup is over, another one will soon be set in motion. The process of discerning God’s will for us is also an on-going, life-long commitment. “Do not be afraid” the angel told Joseph as it had previously told Mary. Let’s face this commitment without fear. Conscious or unconscious consolations and desolations might come and go. But when taking decisions, let’s be fully awake and fully welcoming, like Joseph, longing for the ultimate prize of doing God’s will: a deep and lasting inner peace.
Jesus, the God with us
The virginal conception that is even explicitly mentioned by Luke (Lk 1:26-39) is not intended to emphasize the moral superiority of Mary nor, still less, does it constitute a depreciation of sexuality. It is introduced to reveal a fundamental truth for the believer: Jesus is not only a man; he is from above and is the same Lord who has taken on human form.
BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (203): What are occasions of sin? And what does “cooperation in evil” mean?
What is cooperation in evil? Cooperation in evil is concurrence in another’s sinful act. Cooperation in evil is different from scandal.
Conceived in Macau, a guide for young Catholics in Portuguese-speaking countries
“Evangelho Diário para os Jovens” is a book born during trying times in Macau. In an interview with noted economist António Félix Pontes, O Clarim gets an insight into the making of a book that is seen as an important addition to the spiritual education of the younger generation not just in Macau but in lands with Lusophone heritage.
At Taipa parish, drawing contest seeks to teach the young that Jesus’ birth is the true reason for Christmas
The parish of Our Lady of Carmel has organized a drawing contest as a way to teach the younger generations the true meaning of Christmas. Under the motto “We Celebrate the Coming of the Lord with Peace and Love”, children of catechetical age who attend Sunday School in the only Catholic Church in Taipa, are invited to create Christmas-inspired artworks until December 18. The initiative aims to draw the kids’ attention to the fact that the real meaning of Christmas goes far beyond Santa Claus and exchanging gifts.
Breathing new life into Macau’s remotest parish
The new parochial administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Macau’s remotest parish – Saint Francis Xavier in Coloane – assumed office recently. Father Tiago, a Brazilian missionary who doubles up as the rector of the Redemptoris Mater College, takes on a mission of overseeing pastoral and spiritual life in the parish, with the purpose of helping to revitalize the life of the Church on Macau’s largest island.
His presence among us makes life worth the effort
Facing execution, John the Baptist felt the need to look for some answers. “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” John’s question to Jesus was not posed merely to clarify a religious belief. The issue was much more personal: “Was all my life of sacrifice and toil worthwhile? Did I make the right choice to put you ahead of me? Do these sufferings have meaning, or did I fail in my mission?”
The Baptist invited to be converted
In the first part of today’s gospel passage, we see that John is imprisoned. Upon not receiving any news about exciting interventions from Jesus, the Baptist’s faith begins to waver. How did these perplexities come to him? The answer is quite simple.