In response to requests, Food For Faith is offering an online retreat. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on 1 March and this six week season of growth in faith seemed like an ideal opportunity to begin this new initiative and offer an “online retreat”. Each day from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday a brief post will […]
Today, February 22, marks six years since the devastating 2011 earthquake which brought tragic loss of life to our city. Six years on we continue the long and difficult process of rebuilding our lives and livelihoods. On the first anniversary of the earthquake in 2012 tens of thousands of us gathered in Hagley Park for a memorial […]
It was a pleasure last week to catch up with Br. Peter Bray FSC at Br. Lewis’ perpetual profession. Peter is a New Zealand de la Salle brother, back in New Zealand briefly on a break from his role as Vice Chancellor (President) of Bethlehem University in the Holy Land. Last Sunday he was interviewed […]
Last year I was fortunate to hear this lecture live: Drinking with the Saints: The Sinners Guide to a Holy Happy Hour. Michael Foley also has a book on the subject available at this link. While you might not have 45 minutes to watch the lecture you could play it as a podcast as you […]
Yes, there was a Saint Valentine. In fact it seems there were many early Christian martyrs named Valentine. But people do not think of these saints when they celebrate St. Valentine’s Day. February 14 is a more superficial celebration of ‘romantic love’, popularised by Medieval artists, Renaissance poets and contemporary commercial entrepreneurs. This is far […]
It is traditional in New Zealand to gather on the first anniversary of a death to unveil the headstone on the grave of one who has died. Yesterday, to mark the first anniversary of the death of Bishop Barry Jones, parishioners and friends gathered at his grave.
At this hour, twelve months ago, the sun set on Bishop Barry Jones’ last day on earth. He was unwell and in hospital care. At 3.30 on the morning of 13 February Bishop Barry died, entering God’s kind keeping for eternity. Above and before all else Bishop Barry Jones was a man of God, a […]
Following yesterday’s post after the perpetual profession of de la Salle Br. Lewis Harwood FSC, I received this morning from Br. David Hawke, Visitor for the district of Australia, New Zealand Pakistan and Papua New Guinea (ANZPPING) a copy of his inspiring reflection given at yesterday’s celebration. I thought you might appreciate his reflection (below). […]
It was a great joy for me today to be present for the Perpetual Profession of de la Salle Brother Lewis Harwood FSC in the parish church of St. Therese, Mangere East. Lewis is currently on the teaching staff at De La Salle College and is originally from Australia. Last night Lewis’ family gathered with the […]
Every week I spend time with people who are carrying the burden of grief. I know that there is little I can do or say to ease the pain. While I learnt some grief theory and pastoral practice in seminary, and for thirty years as a priest have accompanied people who are coming to terms […]
Today we mark 177 years since the first signatures were put to the Treaty of Waitangi on Thursday 6 February 1840. Rightly this day is a public holiday in New Zealand, and the day is most commonly referred to as Waitangi Day. In the past few days I have been mulling the themes of education (back to school), […]
It was great joy to hear yesterday from Dan Martin (Bridget’s husband) that our prayers for the complete recovery of Bridget are bearing fruit. Remember that our prayer is for Bridget’s COMPLETE recovery. We are grateful to God for all he has done for Bridget, and we continue to pray with renewed passion: Thanks be […]
It is always good to see clergy friends taking new initiatives in the field of social media. Rev. Bosco Peters of Christchurch has been on this road for many years, well before me, and counts his visitors to www.liturgy.co.nz in the tens of millions – at least a couple of zeros more than me! This […]
I suppose there are are two extremes for a funeral homily. Either the homilist can speak only about the life of the person who has died, celebrating the life and saying good-bye, or focus on the life of God with hardly a mention of the one who has died. Both extremes miss the point. It […]
