john oconnor

the big picture

Aug 24, 2017

In recent years the month of August has become a significant time of rest and regeneration for me and this year the opportunity has continued. Some of these days are...

Assumption

Aug 15, 2017

Bishop Robert Barron offers a clear and sound reflection for today's feast of the Assumption. We approach death in fear and trembling. That's because we are sinners....

walking on water

Aug 12, 2017

I landed in Rome early last Monday afternoon and early Tuesday morning arrived at St. Peter's basilica just before it opened at 7. It's a great time to visit the...

anywhere

Aug 10, 2017

Often we think that the environment has to be just right for our prayer. The problem is that most of us struggle to see our own situations as conducive to prayer. If...

prayer is simple

Aug 10, 2017

I have a few days holiday in Italy before beginning vacation with around 300 frlends this weekend, then the following week at the Annual Rimini meeting. More on these...

what a privilege

Jul 24, 2017

"You have been chosen by Christ to receive the imprint of his own priesthood in your souls so that your destiny is linked to him in a bond that lasts into eternity....

healed

Jul 23, 2017

Today I'm in Hanmer Springs , a beautiful town in the north of the Good Shepherd Hurunui parish. One century ago ago the first soldiers began to return home from the...

ministers of hope

Jul 21, 2017

I am grateful to the Christchurch Press for taking the initiative to present a feature this morning on the recent Christchurch ordinations. A brief interview can do...

disarming beauty

Jul 20, 2017

Too often we see Christian faith presented as and reduced to moralistic and legalistic adherence to cultural norms and moral ideals. However our experience of life with...

cats mice & grace

Jul 19, 2017

One of this morning's Press cartoons reminded me of a moment of grace I experienced last weekend. Tragically my moments of grace too often get ignored or quickly...