Most New Zealand Christians know little of the formal ecumenical dialogues that happen regularly between some of the New Zealand churches. One of these is the National...
john oconnor
synod blog
The Synod on the family is now underway in Rome. Archbishop John Dew represents New Zealand, and takes with him perhaps the broadest and deepest survey ever of New...
joy from prison
Most week’s my Sunday reflections and homilies are centered on the words of Jesus in the Gospel. Often the first reading of the Sunday liturgy (usually from the Old...
Millet’s 200th
On 4 October 1814 the artist Jean Francois Millet was born to a poor peasant family in the north of France. He was one of the first artists I grew to appreciate after...
less is more
I noticed a New Zealand Catholic article this morning that shows a Palmerston North parish seeking to grow in appreciation of the liturgy. The brief article begins...
Traces
This month's Traces magazine carries reflections on the 2014 Rimini meeting (with it's "Life on the Peripheries" theme) and the International gathering in La Thuile....
Inform
As it nears 100 issues the Inform magazine of the Catholic diocese of Christchurch continues to be popular. Last Sunday Hurunui parishioners were happy to collect the...
living with purpose
It's Monday, and after the weekend driving (610km (380mile) - the equivalent of Christchurch - Invercargill), and four Masses with a  few pastoral home visits, I am...
Election 2014
The Food For Faith family is made up of readers from all over the world. If you are not in New Zealand you probably won't know that we have a general election tomorrow,...
feasting the cross
In the early 1980‘s I lived for six years preparing for priesthood at Holy Cross seminary in Mosgiel. In the late 1990’s when the number of seminarians was relatively...
Latest Posts
Lourdes
Pilgrimages to significant holy places were once an essential part of the life of the Christian. In the early Christian centuries every Christian was encouraged (and even expected) to journey to Jerusalem.
Aquinas
Today, let’s pray for students who are returning to school for the new year, especially those who might be worried by a lack of academic ability. Â
Australia Day
I’m a New Zealander living in New Zealand writing an Australia Day reflection. Our two nations are united by generations of friendship through good times and bad.
Word of God Sunday
Pope Francis has named this Sunday, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, as Word of God Sunday.
beauty
In gratitude to Roger Scruton for his work, and as a prayer for his eternal experience of the fulness of beauty, I share one of his best-known video teachings.