Author: clairemobrien

‘Teilhard De Chardin On Love: Evolving Human Relationships’ (2017), by Louis M. Savary & Patricia H. Berne, forward by Ilia Delio.

Teilhard (1881-1955) was a French geologist who was also a Jesuit priest. This book about his writings on love is by a married couple (theologian Savary & psychologist Berne) who discussed in this book such ideas as:

“Divine love is the energy that brought the universe into being and binds it together. Human love is the energy that drives whatever we do to keep ourselves and our world growing in unity and peace” (Savary & Berne, 2017, p.3).

A book on loving that is pure and theologically inspired makes me feel positive and more constructive in my interactions of the everyday kind. Teilhard De Chardin’s being a scientist meant that I could see the analytical and objective in what he had to say and it was easier to digest the concepts which were clear and simple and very relevant to our lives today. I now seek out related literature about Teilhard de Chardin and his impact on the world.

‘Movies That Matter: Reading Film through the Lens of Faith’ (2006) by Richard Leonard SJ

I use this book as a reference to watching these and further movies through Fr Leonard’s ‘Lens of Faith’. It’s just what I was looking for. How to interpret film through my faith. Have found this book useful in its approach to analysing a film and the way it presents its material.

‘Love’s Oneing: A Book About Contemplation’ By Kerrie Hide (2022)

https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Love_s_Oneing/IJibEAAAQBAJ?hl=en

I heard this book may be described as “New Age” so it isn’t I think my doctrine as such but it is a refreshing read for its word choice, rhythm and flow. The author Kerrie Hide in such magical lyricism and regular beat links science and Christian concepts of creation of life on earth. That is, according to the Bible God created the world to demonstrate God’s love for all living forms including humans. Love is the key theme in scientific origins as well Kerrie writes, as love causes atoms to bind to atoms into molecules in a concept of what can be considered ‘love’! The actual wording is much more impressive than I can describe. I found it an easier read due to its delicate flow of language. I really think the world would benefit from things contemplative like this well written book.

By Kerrie Hide (2022)

‘Suspended God: Music and a theology of doubt’ by Maeve Louise Heaney (2022)

This book opened by eyes to the usefulness of music to fill the void that doubt plays in the minds and hearts of us who are craving the spiritual. It discusses a number of important voices in the church like Karl Rahner and St Teresa of Avila. This book actively causes my mind to crave its discussions within its pages.

Easter Blessings to All, Vale Pope Francis & Welcome Pope Leo XIV

Easter is family for me with immediate family (siblings) coming from around Australia to celebrate the risen Christ in their lives.

Vale Pope Francis for just after Easter 2025 in Rome who was a man for the poor and disenfranchised and as a Jesuit refrained from monetary gain, opting out of a wage.

Warm welcome and celebration that we have a new Pope in Leo XIV Robert Francis Prévost! How I love that Pope Leo XIV, from USA too is one for the poor and as an Augustinian priest was a missionary in Peru for some years, that he has two brothers with whom he regularly plays Wordle, that he speaks many languages and has a science degree in mathematics! Pope Leo XIV just met with tennis number 1 Jannik Sinner as they both love tennis!

‘We Live In Time’ (M)

We Live In Time saw me wiping away a mixture of tears to the eye – of both hilarity and sadness. Saw this with my ‘littlest’ sista Liz. It was stunning in its cinematic energy and bounce. Being based on a sexy relationship between Andrew Garfield (Tobias) & Florence Pugh (Almut) it explores as a minitheme various aspects of fertility and health through a dark and lit lens. The action results in some memorable scenes of human interactions caught in moments of strife and the buzz of family life. A great film to see.

‘A Complete Unknown’

This movie I watched to hear some of Bob Dylan’s music 🎶 as I grew up loving his music. My viewing of A Complete Unknown was preceded by a live performance by Adam Kadmon at Cremorne Orpheum on acoustic guitar prior. The movie plucked the heartstrings of a complex web of relationships including one with a partner (Elle Fanning) and a fellow musician Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro) with whom with he performed sometimes on stage. It also delved into a major issue for musicians (eg. like Elvis) as in what is best to be performed live. Timothée Chalamet looked and sounded the part (as it brought to mind a lot of warm memories) as Bob D” and I really savoured the music. Bob Dylan surely didn’t lead an easy life and I was glad to hear he could still watch this movie! The end credits stated that in 2016 Bob Dylan received the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature! The movie explored Bob’s warmth and creativity performing in a hospital to his fellow musician Woodie Guthrie – who suffered from Huntington’s (Scoot McNairy). It was also good viewing Bob’s warm relationship with Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) whose music also was phenomenal. All in all A Complete Unknown is a great foray into life of Bob Dylan as the great musician he is.

Paddington in Peru

This bear knows how to be caught up in adventure whilst caring for his relatives. So many cute photos for the album that show his family achieving their goals on a wing and a prayer (their light plane flights are phenomenal) and this bear always achieves against the odds. I like it when he says he was taught to give a hard stare when someone was rude, and his good behaviour outdoes all those with unsavoury purposes yet again. What a triumph to behold and so funny, hopefully not at the expense of ‘typical stereotypes’ that we often see in British comedy… however the marmalade sandwich will fix all.

Renovating.

This is my current challenge. What will result? I am excited by the possibilities I can see. How amazing. I am looking forward to its completion if ever. However I cannot see a completion date as yet as it is an ongoing process of improving what started off as my project. We’ll see what time and effort can bring.

‘Runt’

A refreshing escape of a movie away from the tortured attitude of winning at all costs. About an upbeat relationship between young woman and dog and the obstacles that accost them on their journey of the local, national then world based dog trot competitions. It is funny and light hearted. The acting pinnacle is Lilly LaTorre who trains Runt and in so doing pushes through all sorts of obstacles of her own to achieve her own personal goals on a broad brush, encountering fame on her way in the blink of an eye. A supportive star cast includes Jai Courtney, Celeste Barber, Matt Day, Jack LaTorre and Deborah Mailman who made the storyline reverberate with wholesomeness in turn.