I'm usually pretty selective in my TV watching, and mostly record the programmes I think might interest me for later viewing. The constant rain in these post-Christmas...
john oconnor
family life
Pope Francis is big on simplicity, not least of all in his words and manner of speaking. He often gives a take-home catch phrase as he did yesterday speaking on the...
word on fire
It is Sunday evening and I have just arrived home after celebrating the last of the four Sunday Masses here in the Hurunui. I'm just about to pour a beer and have a...
Sagrada Familia
One of the must-see places in Spain is the Basilica of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. It is 130 years since construction of this magnificent church began, and it is...
bye bye, lully lullay
Surrounded by presents and tinsel, peaceful nativity scenes and Christmas goodwill, it is easy to forget the full reality of the Christmas event. Today's feast of the...
Catholic schools
At the end of each year, the Christchurch Press publishes pages featuring the outstanding senior students from each High School in the region. Each school is asked to...
Joy of the Gospel
A welcome opportunity from Radio NZ's Morning Report to reflect on "the Joy of the Gospel." Tap here to listen to the five-minute interview: Radio New Zealand National...
Francis Interview
I had a phone call from Radio Rhema yesterday morning asking for an interview about Pope Francis. The call was prompted by the news that Pope Francis is ranked fourth...
religion extinction
I was clearing out old computer files this evening and came across this Radio New Zealand interview from a couple of years ago. Soon after the first anniversary of the...
woman of faith
Twelve months ago after seeing Queen Elizabeth's 2012 Christmas Message, I uploaded the clip adding that this was the reflection of a woman of faith. This year, sixty...
Latest Posts
come in!
Tragically we fail to realise how much happier and healthier we would be if we recognised the sound of Jesus at the door of our lives and responded by inviting him in.
a new deed
…self-esteem is not a human achievement. Healthy self-esteem is the fruit of knowing that we are loved even as imperfect, weak and vulnerable sinners.
keeping hope alive
Christian hope is not the power of positive thinking, but a deep knowledge that God will carry us through situations that seem hope less.
the adventure
The scriptures of today’s liturgy remind me of one of my touchstone passages of scripture: “If you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal.”
remembering
The punch line in yesterday’s post was the toddler saying to his newly arrived baby brother “will you tell me what God is like, I think I’m beginning to forget