I have a great respect and love for a Monsignor from Puerto Rico, Lorenzo Albacete. By chance a dozen years ago I heard him speak and was deeply moved by his love for...
john oconnor
beer for a priest
One of the disadvantages of living at the front of the world (first to see the sun each day) is that we are reminded of anniversary and celebration days by our European...
parish war or peace
a reflection based on the readings for Sunday 7 September 2014. Readings at this link. It is remarkable that eighteen months after his election, Pope Francis remains...
extinct religion ?
In recent months I have had the opportunity to be with many people of faith in several different countries: New Zealand, Australia, Asia, United States and Europe....
with Pope Francis
This morning I was at Mass in a little church in the heart of Rome. I think I was the only visitor to Rome present, all the others looked like regulars. After Mass I...
time – the recipe
Much of the time, I feel as though there is not enough time for me to do the many things I need to do and the many more things that I want to do. When I was younger I...
Carmelite insight
This mornings's Press gives an inspiring and welcome insight into the life of the Carmelite Sisters of Christchurch. The online Press page gives an interactive view at...
distracted ?
In yesterday's post I mentioned that prayer is not our work but is always the work of God. Of course in prayer we desire to co-operate with the activity of God in our...
in a heartbeat
I often hear people comment that they find it difficult to pray. When I ask what they mean by difficulty with prayer they speak about an inability to concentrate and...
holiday
You might have noticed that I haven't posted here for a few days. For the week from last Saturday I have been on vacation in the Dolomite mountains. For the past...
Latest Posts
a cathedral teaches
There is an old adage that we build our buildings and then our buildings build us. This is most true of a Catholic church
two men
The scriptures given for today’s feast of the Holy Innocents presents us with two men, one a photocopy, the other an original
how sense-able
“The greatest joy in life is to feel Jesus Christ alive and beating in the flesh of your own thought and your own heart. All the rest is a swift illusion or dung.”
grace
A Grace before Dinner that you may find useful this Christmas
new appointment
Even when we don’t feel we are close to God the fact is that God remains present and active, even when life takes a new and unexpected turn as it is for me