Tag: Dr Philippa Martyr

Have you ever read the Acts of the Apostles? I mean, just read it like a story, all in one sitting? It is the most astonishing story. It was also probably the first successful sequel since Homer’s Odyssey. And the plot is so wild it really must be true, writes Philippa Martyr.

Would you willingly spend time with someone you didn’t love, or like, or even know very well? Would you spend an hour a week with them, simply because they asked you to?

There’s a well-known recipe for making a mass going adult Catholic: two Catholic parents who both practice their faith. So by analysing the church’s marriage data since 1970, we can get a good idea of what’s caused the drop in Mass attendance, writes Philippa Martyr.

The new Synod working document is more sensible than previous stages, and common sense is beginning to prevail. Of course, this has upset some people, which reminded Philippa Martyr of her own synodal experience…

In the Biblical parable, Jesus described a shepherd with a flock of 99 faithful sheep and one rogue sheep. In the church in Australia today, we have the reverse: around 92 missing sheep for every eight sheep going to Mass on Sunday. Whose job is it to bring them back?

Between an influx of new converts and a raft of high-profile figures making nice with God—including Jordan Peterson and Richard Dawkins—we’re witnessing the beginning of a Catholic revival. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying it, but we shouldn’t lose our heads, writes Philippa Martyr

Palm Sunday at last! I’ve found the last few weeks of Lent quite challenging. It turns out that I need to work much harder on all the virtues I’ve been writing about.

Rather than indulging our bad habits and emotions, we can overcome them by being less reactive and cultivating patience, writes Dr Phillippa Martyr

Envy and avarice drive our consumer society, but trust in God means being able to let go of the craving for more stuff, writes Dr Philippa Martyr

My sister and I have holidayed in England. It’s a great country to get lost in because people would often say, “Come and I’ll show you”.

It’s the night before Christmas. Didn’t that Advent go quickly? Here we are at the manger three weeks later, and it’s time to give gifts.

About 20 years ago when I was living in the UK, I remember browsing a hardcover annual Catholic directory published by the Catholic bishops’...