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...
john oconnor
Bridget’s progress
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...
God’s inclusive wall
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,...
JMH funeral homily
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, Â celebrating the life and...
the art of JMH
The response to my post yesterday marking the death of Christchurch priest Monsignor James Harrington was both overwhelming and moving. Many readers were touched to...
Mgr. Harrington RIP
It is with sadness this morning that we have learnt of the death of Monsignor James Harrington PA. Monsignor Jim, as he was widely and affectionately known, became a...
saved by the light
Several times at this weekend's Sunday liturgy we will pray in response to the first reading, "The Lord is my Light and my Salvation".  Twice in the Liturgy of the Word...
grace at work
I'm writing this as an encouragement to everyone who has been united in prayer for the complete recovery of Bridget Martin. A significant number of people in New...
NZ Filipino priests
It was a great pleasure this morning for me to spend time with many of the Filipino priests serving in the dioceses of New Zealand. They bring energy, enthusiasm and...
for Bridget we pray
It is now two weeks since Bridget Martin, a young Christchurch wife and mother, suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest while on holiday.  Within hours she was undergoing...
Latest Posts
life-giving law
Christianity is not a collection of truths to be believed, of rules to be followed, or of prohibitions.
the power of love
As a person grows up they want to liberate themselves and become free and adult
crooked lines
God delights in writing straight with the crooked lines of our lives.
to follow
These children have nothing. But the looks on their faces show that they not only have enough, they have everything.
horizon shifting
Stress is the consequence and the symptom of a loss of perspective.