I had a call from Radio New Zealand last evening as I was relaxing at the end of a full and satisfying Sunday. The reporter wanted a comment about the Synod on the...
john oconnor
TGIF
A day in the life of a diocesan priest. All over the country today students and workers have been rejoicing at the week's end: "Thank God it's Friday". It is just after...
God’s Dwelling
This week Bishop Barry Jones of the diocese of Christchurch New Zealand has published a substantial document God's Dwelling Place to help parishioners of the diocese to...
Traces 10/15
One of the great advantages of the internet is the easy availability of good magazine subscriptions. One of my favourite is even more easily available because it is...
saint & sinner
I am always saddened when well-known people are pushed into the headlines for inappropriate behaviour. Fifty years ago no one would have known, but today every word and...
priesthood?
Another great little video which will be of special interest to anyone wondering if God might be nudging them to consider life as a diocesan priest. A couple of great...
couples @ synod
Earlier this week I was asked about who speaks at the Synod, "is it just bishops?" While the majority of participants are bishops, here is a brief interview with...
+Charles @ Synod
The blog of Bishop Charles Drennan of the diocese of Palmerston North is a great way to get a daily taste of life in Rome during these three Synod weeks. You can follow...
rebuild update
A media release a few minutes ago from the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch regarding last week's visit of Catholic architect James McCrery to the diocese: MEDIA...
fidelity truth & love
Yesterday morning in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Pope Francis celebrated Mass to open the Synod of Bishops beginning three weeks of dialogue on the topic “The...
Latest Posts
with new minds
With this blinkered vision, what is physical and tangible drains our time, energy and resources as we set about ‘winning the world’.
look up
We need something to look up to, to lift our gaze beyond the loss of perspective that too easily comes when we become preoccupied with the things that are important but not essential.
remember
The webpages portrayed the communities as vibrant, and made up of people of a diversity of ages and cultures, with welcoming members and inclusive liturgy and groups.
an inner life
Am I forgetting that when I point my index finger with accusation at someone else I have three other fingers on that hand pointing back towards me
pray & heal
We are challenged by Jesus to forgive those who harm us, but as hard as we try we are unable to do this and often we don’t even want to forgive.