It's the feast of the apostle Thomas today (July 3). I have always felt an affinity with Thomas. He is often referred to as the "doubter" since he was not present when...
john oconnor
Inform, July 2014
The latest Inform newsletter for the Catholic diocese of Christchurch was published today. You can read it online at this link.
weekend reading
Late last year Pope Francis asked the people of the Church to respond to a questionaire on marriage and family life. This invitation drew thousands of responses from...
open hearts
I have a few great memories of earlier years' celebrations of today's feast of the Sacred Heart. Four years ago on this day I was privileged to be in St. Peter's Square...
time to laugh
One of the signs of healthy family and community life is laughter. Any group of people who laugh together, will move more easily through the challenges of even the most...
ChCh diocese
Today, the feast of the birth of John the Baptist, is the feast day of our Christchurch diocese, since the Baptist is our patron saint. I caught myself seeking an image...
the forerunner
My paternal grandfather knew his way around the night sky. In New Zealand, the Southern Cross is the most recognisable constellation.  I remember my grandfather showing...
Babette’s Feast
At dinner last night, the conversation at our table turned to the movies that each of us would place on our personal list of top-ten films. The prompting for the movie...
Traces June 2014
Read about Fr. Julian Carron's recent visit to New Zealand in the June edition of Traces magazine. The English version of this magazine will no longer be published in...
Corpus Christi
Orvieto is a beautiful Italian hill-top settlement where all roads lead to the magnificent medieval Cathedral. The ‘treasure’ of this church is the corporal onto which...
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my dwelling place
The psalm from today’s Mass is perhaps the best known of the 150 psalms giving direction and hope in the midst of daily struggles.
wonder-full
A few years ago I was walking across the North Quad of the Christchurch Arts Centre as a mother was hurrying her toddler pulling him by the hand as he resisted and gazed into the sky.
finding faith
Without a doubt one of the greatest highlights of the year for me has been finding faith in the most unexpected of places and in people who say they have no faith or very weak faith.
busy ?
In the midst of the extra demands of this month, the Season of Advent beginning today offers a timely way to stay happy and centred when everything else threatens to steal our healthy perspective.
Advent online
FFF’s Advent Online daily email reflections begin Sunday morning 1 December, the first day of Advent. Make sure you’re signed up, and share this invitation with anyone you think might be interested.