I have spent the past couple of days with 135 young people, aged between 18 & 35. They are from all over New Zealand, and have gathered for ten days of intensive...
john oconnor
an epiphany of light
These have been days of festival as we have celebrated the feasts of Christmas, the Holy Family, Mary the Mother of God, and on Sunday we will celebrate the feast of...
Hearts Aflame
I travel today to the annual Hearts Aflame gathering. For ten days, beginning later today, more than 100 young adults from all over New Zealand will live an intensive...
when we entrust…
The pope Tweeted me again this morning, just to say:Benedict XVI @PontifexWhen we entrust ourselves to the Lord completely, everything changes. We are children of a...
interior peace
from Pope Bendict's homily yesterday, New Year's Day 2013, Feast of Mary, Mother of God, & World Day of Peace:"Mary remains even tempered, she does not get agitated,...
elvis and the nun
now for something a bit different...first the trailer:and now the documentary at http://gloria.tv/?media=284857
New Year’s Day
New Year's Day is celebrated as the Feast of Mary the Mother of God. In this Year of Faith, this specially written Icon, (commissioned by Bishop Barry Jones) "Mary,...
new year’s resolutions
It's the eve of the new year. Many people make resolutions at this time. My resolutions are always well intentioned and sincere. Usually they don't last too long. But I...
newsletter
At the link below you will find this week's newsletter for the Catholic Parish of the Good Shepherd, Hurunui...
mama, dada, 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.At the time of the...
Latest Posts
realignment
With my new appointments I am appreciating the opportunity to be available for group reflection sessions. After a couple of sessions last week in one Christchurch parish last night I was in another (reflecting on prayer and discernment) and I have a lunch-time...
“I AM” not I was
Many people who received Christian baptism as children today have little contact with the worship and life of their faith community. Their absence is a great loss for the church. But the greater sadness is that many of these people think that they are also distant...
relationship
I heard a great little homily yesterday morning. I suspect the priest didn't think he was being particularly inspiring, but I was encouraged and moved by his words. In less than two minutes he reminded us very powerfully that our faith is not a project or a programme....
greatest journey
Today's first reading tells of a mountain-top encounter between God and Moses. God tells Moses to head back down the mountain because the people are in the process of creating their own God - a golden calf. Without an awareness of the presence of God this is what we...
friendship in faith
A couple of times each year I take part in the dialogue of the Anglican Roman Catholic Commission of Aotearoa New Zealand (ARCCANZ). This dialogue is made up of half a dozen members of each church, appointed by the bishops, seeking to work on behalf of the Anglican...