It was a privilege to celebrate today the marriage of Cheryl & Gabriel in Cebu, Philippines. On the back of the missal booklet that they had prepared for their...
john oconnor
saying it all
Last week Bishop Barry Jones marked seven years as bishop of my diocese of Christchurch New Zealand. In his teaching ministry in that time he has used innumerable words...
what am i to do?
It is appropriate as we celebrate Vocations Sunday, to allow the Holy Spirit to realign our thinking and acting about the purpose of human existence, so that we might...
Good Shepherd
When did you last suggest to someone that God might be calling them to serve as a priest? This Sunday (“Good Shepherd Sunday”, Fourth Sunday of Easter) is celebrated...
the funny side
Following last Sunday's canonisation of Saint John XXIII a number of websites, blogs and social media groups have been enjoying the humour of the "pope of the Council."...
pressing on
Late last week I arrived in the Philippines for a series of retreats / spiritual exercises with communities in General Santos, Manila and Cebu. Yesterday I completed...
exquisite docility
Pope Francis has just finished preaching the homily at the Mass of canonization of Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II. The phrase that touched me most deeply was...
saints JXXIII & JPII
Just a few minutes ago, in St. Peter's Square in Rome, Pope Francis announced what God has known for some time: that Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II are now...
divine mercy
Last Sunday I reflected on the significance of Easter Sunday morning for the future worship of Christians. These disciples could have chosen Thursday evening (the time...
Anzac Day
The poppy from Flanders Field in Belgium has become the most visible symbol of Anzac remembrance. When I was a very young child my father taught me the John McCrae...
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in the light
It was a privilege to celebrate Mass this week with a few of the Year 13 students of our Christchurch Catholic colleges as they come to the end of their school-years.
JHN & JO’C
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me.
a new era
Perhaps we are closer today in our smaller church to the heart of the mission of Jesus, no longer filling large institutions but like the first disciples living relationship with Jesus Christ with two or three faithful companions?
death & life
I have often quoted the High School principal who when asked to name the specific reason for the existence of her school responded: “We exist to prepare our students for death.”
maturation
…I first realised this some years ago when I struggled with the imperfection that is so evident in many of the structures, communications and people of the institutional church.