The T.V. series M.A.S.H. is accepted by many as one of the greatest TV series of all time. Â I have little doubt that this will still be the case in 50 years.I am biased...
john oconnor
Annunciation
Today we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation. (shifted from yesterday when the Sunday takes precedence).Take a moment to appreciate this Millet masterpiece. Even if...
road rules, fear, freedom and life
This morning (Sunday) I was on the road soon after 6am driving to Amberley for Mass. Â I'm was a bit nervous about this. Let me explain why.At 5.00am a couple of key...
new Cathedral photos
Thanks to Peter Fleming for these most recent photos of our Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Peter writes:"A few more Cathedral photos. I haven't been in for a...
words + gaps = communication
On Facebook this morning a friend posted a picture of a sign. The gaps in the words on the sign were very unclear meaning that some words ran together forming new...
Parishes Newsletter
Each week the parish newsletter for the seven Catholic communities of the Hurunui parishes, and the Chatham Islands is uploaded to the website.The newsletter usually...
a job or a life II
Hollywood (a career) vs Benedictine Monastery (a life)
a job or a life
The Christchurch Press this morning carried an article about a new priestly recruitment drive in Spain. The bishops of Spain are using the high unemployment in their...
feast of foster fathers
In the Office of Readings for today, the feast of St. Joseph, the reading from St. Bernadine of Siena led me to ponder one central aspect of the life and mission of St....
TGIF
Thank God it's Friday. Well, it is my Friday (end of the week at Sunday night).  It has again been a very satisfying weekend.A retreat day in Christchurch on Friday...
Latest Posts
Luther + 500 yrs
It’s 500 years (31 October 1517) since Martin Luther published his 95 theses by reputedly nailing them to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church in Germany. With this gesture he intended to begin a debate aimed at reforming the Catholic Church by correcting...
a touchstone
A good homily story I heard a number of years ago had as its punch-line "remember that the most important thing, is to always keep the most important thing, as the most important thing." It's a great line, even without the preceding story. For me it has become a...
pope & space
It was my paternal grandfather who first taught me about the night sky pointing out notable stars and constellations. Later when I became familiar with the scriptures I discovered that the stars are often mentioned as a way of helping people to keep perspective in the...
youthful eyes
If I began this post saying "I'm going to tell you some of the reasons why I think values are so important" you might not be too curious. But here is a brief video clip about the importance of values that was created by one of our 15 year-old parishioners. He has...
a day in the life
It has been a full and satisfying day of priestly ministry for me here in the Hurunui. Early this morning I drove the hour north to Cheviot for Mass with the locals. After Mass the conversation was of the great growth after the spring rains. After Mass morning tea...