After landing on Pitt Island this morning, some of the locals met me at the airstrip and drove me to the Church (Our Lady of the Antipodes) to celebrate Mass. There are...
john oconnor
a day on Pitt Island
It is a pleasure and a privilege to serve as Parish Priest of the Chatham Islands. Unfortunately I don't get to spend as much time on the Islands as I would like, so it...
Anzac Day
On Anzac day in 2008, thirty pilgrims from Our Lady of Victories parish, Christchurch prayed at the NZ Monte Cassino war graves in Italy.The day had not gone according...
i am called – so are you
a reflection for last Sunday, Vocations' SundayWhen did you last encourage someone to consider that God might be calling them to serve as a priest?This Sunday (“Good...
intelligent interview
It is difficult to get car radio reception in most parts of the Good Shepherd Parish. I spend a lot of time driving, so miss many good things on radio.On Saturday I...
newsletter (Good Shepherd Sunday)
The weekly newsletter for the Catholic parish of the Good Shepherd, Hurunui district, is now uploaded at the parish...
a fresh blossoming
A healthy human person, is hungry to hear God. The demands of daily life disguise our awareness of this hunger. As a result we begin to believe that our happiness and...
newsletter (Easter III)
The weekly newsletter for the Catholic parish of the Good Shepherd, Hurunui, is now uploaded to the parish...
American Bible Challenge
The American Bible Challenge (on US TV) attracts people who know the Bible. Bible knowledge is a field in which many protestant denominations excel. Â A friend sent me...
merciful inspiration
Last Sunday Pope Francis 'took possession' of his Cathedral, St. John Lateran. Â While he lives at the larger St. Peter's Basilica, his Cathedral church as Bishop of...
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ad multos annos
A great day of meeting and celebration today (and tomorrow) for priests of the Christchurch diocese with our first clergy AGM with Bishop Paul Martin. Our priests' meetings always begin with fifteen minutes of silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The afternoon...
embrace life
All roads in Christchurch last night seemed to lead to the Super Rugby Final. I was driving through Addington on my way home to watch the game as thousands were converging on the stadium; people both young and old, the fit and the fragile, of all nations both locals...
ten pin bowling
Given that he is still relatively new in the job, and will be our boss for the next 24 years, it seemed wise to let the bishop win tonight's ten pin bowling gathering of priests. The company was great, the competition tough and the food and drink following gave us...
little beginnings
The little mustard seed in today's gospel has a big reputation. Jesus reminds us that just as the large mustard tree has tiny beginnings, so too the mighty, life-giving and eternal Kingdom of God is easily overlooked as it discreetly comes to birth in the routines and...
friendship
With yesterday's gospel highlighting the new family of those living in friendship with Jesus, today's Feast of St. James the apostle reminds us that Jesus spent most of his three years of ministry with the twelve in friendship with them forming them to be his...