The text of Pope Benedict's address at his last audience yesterday:Colossians 1:9-10For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for...
john oconnor
Pope Benedict’s last public Angelus
Every Sunday when in Rome, the pope greets pilgrims from his study window with a few words of encouragement based on the Gospel reading of the Sunday. This tradition...
the source of joy
In May 2004, twelve months before being elected to the papacy, Cardinal Ratzinger was interviewed in an Italian Catholic newspaper "Vita Trentina." The interview is...
Good Shepherd newsletter
The parish newsletter for the Catholic Parish of the Hurunui District is uploaded at this link:www.catholichurunui.co.nz
adopt a cardinal
Often it helps to pray not only in a general way (ie for the cardinals as they prepare to gather in conclave to elect a new pope), but to pray in a specific way, that...
Vatican II
Last week, just after announcing his resignation, Pope Benedict spoke to the priests of his diocese of Rome about his personal experience of the Second Vatican...
Luigi Giussani RIP
Homily at Mass (Ashburton, New Zealand)marking the eighth anniversary of the death ofDon Luigi Giussani15 October 1922 - 22 February 2005For us here in the Canterbury...
earthquake anniversary prayer
Last year at the first anniversary memorial service after the 22 February 2011 Earthquake, Bishop Barry Jones led the crowds who gathered in Hagley Park in prayer. This...
earthquake reflection session
A Lenten Reflection evening marking two years since the February 22 2011 earthquake. All are welcome:WHERE IS GOD, TWO YEARS AFTER THE FEBRUARY 22 EARTHQUAKE? A Lenten...
John Henry Newman
On this day in 1801, Blessed John Henry Newman was born. Many of us have often sung Newman's great hymn "Praise to the Holiest, in the Height" from his poem "The Dream...
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maturing faith
"...This is different. This isn’t the same as the Easter bunny. This is mature. This is chilling. This is important. This isn’t something that is trivial, and is not something that I think I will ever outgrow whatever it means…? (Brian Holdsworth) Take five minutes to...
Pentecost fire
Bishop Michael Curry's sermon at the royal wedding was inspiring and makes an ideal reflection for today's great feast of Pentecost. I especially enjoyed when the bishop's passion even caused the candlesticks to vibrate - but many of the hearers seemed to remain...
the gift of tears
I often write a food for faith reflection on the scriptures of the day after I reflect on the scriptures in the early morning. I hadn't intended to write today, but a thought from today's first reading (Paul's exhortation to the leaders of the church of Ephesus) has...
to tarry
I was working at my desk this morning just after 10 with the Concert Programme playing quietly in the next room. A mention of the Son of God caught my attention and I got up from my desk to listen more closely. Take a moment with the lyrics I heard: I come to the...
Monday morn
The gospel readings of each Sunday are a central part of the nourishment given in the liturgy which sets us up for the week ahead. Too often the gospel is not heard or remembered and we are the poorer for it as we face the challenges of the week. So let's take a...