Hugh Hefner has died. While it is unsurprising that many news reports of his death focus on his Playboy empire’s promotion of sexual promiscuity and pornography, it is significant that a number of commentators are taking the opportunity to ask if Hefner’s sixty-four year mission has helped our twenty-first century appreciation of the gift and beauty […]
Today’s feast of St. Matthew is the perfect opportunity to recall Pope Francis speaking on what he calls a favourite work of art, Caravaggio’s calling of St. Matthew. Last month I was able to spend some time at the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi in where this painting (partly due to Pope Francis’ promotion) […]
The quarterly newsletter of the Catholic Diocesan newsletter INFORM was published today. This issue features three newly ordained priests for the diocese, updates on church building and fundraising, and news from parishes. You can read the pdf online at the link below:
When we consider the use of the scriptures in the Mass we often make the mistake of thinking only about the readings of the Liturgy of the Word. In fact each prayer and each dialogue between priest and people is a direct quotation from scripture. This is even more evident in the Third Edition of […]
I have mentioned The Liturgy Guys a few times before. Their liturgy podcasts from St Mary of the Lake University in Mundelein have become essential formation material for any person seeking to grow in their understanding of the liturgy of the church. This week’s podcast has a unique appeal to those of us in Christchurch […]
One of the sections of this Food For Faith website is entitled “listen.” In this age of computer movies and on-demand TV, listening as our ancestors did to radio comedies, documentaries and interviews is sadly a relatively rare pastime. Many people of my age (and certainly those who are older) will remember the radio theme-tunes for popular soap-operas and […]
A brief video reflection on earthquakes, church building and the call to live the life of a saint from the basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. Pilgrims come to this place from all over the world to visit the town where Francis lived, and site of his burial above which this basilica was built.
In the early 1980‘s I lived for six years of formation for priesthood at Holy Cross seminary in Mosgiel. In the late 1990’s when the number of seminarians was relatively low, the seminary was shifted to Ponsonby in Auckland where a new surge of passion for the life of faith has seen significant growth to the extent that […]
I’m leading a retreat for the priests of the Catholic dioceses of Auckland and Hamilton this week. Today’s Gospel reading was timely for our group; Jesus calling the twelve. I was reflecting with the group that the twelve Jesus chose to be his intimate friends and closest followers were (to say the least) a pretty […]
Last weekend the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch took the decision to restore their earthquake-damaged Cathedral. While a decision about the future of the Catholic Cathedral will be made after the appointment of a new bishop, the Anglican Community of Christchurch has had to face this difficult discernment in the stormy arena of […]
I invite all Food For Faith readers to join with me in prayer for our friends the bishop and parishioners of the Anglican diocese of Christchurch who gather for Synod this weekend to discuss many matters of mission and maintenance, including the future plans for their Cathedral in the heart of Christchurch city. As Bishop […]
It’s Monday morning. As you head to a new work week, yesterday’s “take up your cross” gospel reading might well express your feeling. For all of us work has it’s tough moments. Sometimes the burden of our jobs threatens to sap our strength and deplete our joy robbing us of a healthy perspective. For some people […]
Don’t get down when you hear this Sunday’s first reading. Jeremiah is having a bad day. He’s a bit overwhelmed with the negative response he is getting when he passes God’s message to the people. In short, Jeremiah is having a Jeremiad. While we all have bad days, Jeremiah is very specific in his lament […]
Today I arrive home after spending the last three weeks at some remarkable gatherings. Vacation The first week I was a chaplain to 320 people of all ages from small town Italy who meet for vacation every year. They are attracted by the friendship that is a first fruit of following Christ. These friends don’t […]
