Last week I read a reflection from the Constitution on the Church in preparation for this Sunday's feast of Pentecost. There was a line there I had not noticed before:...
john oconnor
Te Putea reflection
One of the Publications of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch newsletter publications is the "Te Putea" (the resource) newsletter. Phil Gourdie, the editor asked me...
the tension of the Ascension
Ascension inspiration - thank you Fr. Alex!Fr. Alex is the author of the blog "the depth of life" http://www.fralexz.blogspot.com/
newsletter (Ascension)
The weekly newsletter for the Good Shepherd Parish, Â Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (12 May) Hurunui, is now available online atwww.catholichurunui.co.nz
don’t let your hearts be troubled
As I write it is early morning here on the Chatham Islands. I’m sitting at the table that I have re-sited to the window of the living room, giving a glorious sunrise...
newsletter (Easter VI)
The weekly newsletter for the Catholic Parish of the Good Shepherd, Hurunui District (Sixth Sunday of Easter) is now uploaded to the parish website...
Kaingaroa
One of the most isolated communities in the Diocese of Christchurch is the settlement of Kaingaroa (population fewer than 50) on the North-East tip of Chatham Island...
interview with the pope
A couple of days after the election of Pope Francis, I blogged this video interview. A friend put it up again yesterday. Â This 15 minute clip (filmed last year) gives...
white bunnies
Did you know that the more times you say the word 'bunny' within a breath or two of waking on the first morning of a new month, the better the luck that will come to...
for foster fathers, and workers
It's the feast of St. Joseph the worker today. One of two annual feasts of Joseph. The other is March 19. This morning during prayer I was surprised to note that one of...
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just living
In recent years I have had the privilege of being a part of an annual week-long vacation of friends in the north of Italy. This year 250 people of all ages took part and each day was lived abundantly. The group is diverse in every way. The age range was from 80's down...
eat & live
Different foods have different effects on the body, mind and spirit. There are foods believed to be good for the brain or for the bones. Other foods aid digestion and what we eat can support fitness, cause alertness or help to induce sleep. Some foods while not...
Saint Suzanne
My first encounter with the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion was in Timaru where the sisters of the community founded by Mother Mary Joseph Aubert nursed the poor and disabled of South Canterbury at St. Vianney's Home of Compassion. As a teenager I recognised the...
real food
There are many different kinds of food and I don't just mean the stuff we put into our mouths. A few years ago a number of chicken soup books were published offering food in a different form; words of encouragement and hope for every human situation. Significantly...
jubilee homily
Bishop Paul Martin is happy to share his homily given last night at the priests' jubilee celebration in the diocese of Christchurch.  There is something very fitting about the fact that today we are celebrating the feast of St Mary McKillop and also honouring our...