The God of Diversity: A Spirituality of Gardening with Natives
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
The diversity of plant and animal life has always been a fascination for me. There are over 800 species of wattles, over 700 species of Eucalypts (now being divided into several genera), 340 species of Grevilleas with 50 subspecies, 75 species of Banksias. The list could go on . . . Read more
Democracy in the Church
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
When I say to people that I’m writing an article on democracy in the church, I get the reply: ‘Democracy in the church? That’s a contradiction!’ . . . Read more
How to Read the Bible in the 21st Century
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
The last council of the church (Vatican II) in the 1960s put out a wonderful document on scripture called Dei Verbum, the Word of God . . . Read more
Whose sins you shall retain
Fr Patrick J. Flanagan
Many years ago, I refused absolution to a penitent. I have repented that action, the arrogance of it, many times since . . . Read more
Understanding the Creation Stories in Genesis
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
Is the Bible history?
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
The answer to the question ‘Is the Bible history?’ is yes and no . . . Read more
Eucharist − A Sacrament of Reconciliation
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
Do we really believe the Eucharist is a sacrament of reconciliation? . . . Read more
Evolution and the Church
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
12 February 2009 was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin . . . Read more
God is Love
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
Possibly the most profound statement in the bible is ‘God is Love’ . . . Read more
The Parable of the Two Sons who were asked to work in the Vineyard
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
This parable is Jesus’ answer to the chief priest and elders who questioned Jesus’ authority . . . Read more
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
In John’s gospel Jesus sends the Holy Spirit on the disciples on the evening of the day of the resurrection . . . Read more
Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
Was the Last Supper a Todah sacrifice, using leavened bread? . . . Read more
Mass Without the Words of Consecration?
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
Most, if not all, Catholics would find this question absurd. However, it is possible to have a valid Eucharist without the words of consecration. Let me explain . . . Read more
Trinity Sunday 2015
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
How can there be three persons in one God? . . . Read more
Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ 2015
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
The word ‘blood’ is the theme of the homily today . . . Read more
End of the World, End of an Era
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, opposite the temple and began to talk to his disciples about the end which is to come . . . Read more
Spirituality and Music
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
I believe that composers, whether they know it or not, are looking for God. Their compositions show a search for ultimate beauty . . . Read more
Healing of the Man with an Impediment in his Speech
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
Then Jesus looked up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘be opened’. And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. . . . Read more
Our Goldilocks Universe
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
Our universe is just right for life . . . Read more
God and Evolution
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
When I was in my teens and began to take an interest in serious things I accepted what I perceived to be the church’s position which was that evolution is contrary to church teaching . . . Read more
Work of Human Hands
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
In the Eucharist we offer to God the work of our human hands . . . Read more
Clericalism
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
Clericalism is the notion that clerics are superior to the laity . . . Read more
Women as Leaders
Fr Frank O’Dea SSS
There were no ordinations in the first 300 years of the history of the church. Eucharists were validly celebrated by the community leaders . . . Read more
Eucharist: The Basic Spirituality 