When I was a child we moved house eight times in three towns and six schools. Looking back I can clearly see that all the moves were for the best. I know that where I...
john oconnor
rise up and follow Thee
Take a moment to reflect on the three scripture passages below taken from today’s readings. What do you notice? What seems to be the emphasis?First Reading: (Jonah...
lawn secret
At the farewell garden gatherings over the weekend, I heard a few people comment suspiciously about the quality of the presbytery lawn: Â 'a bit green...clearly someone...
change
Human beings cannot help but change. The only way to avoid change is to stop living. Â The one who is living is changing. And the one who is really really living, is...
Farewell II
and some more photos taken by Peter.The parish presented me with the Third Edition of the Roman Missal, newly published by the Catholic Truth Society. Note the 'video...
Farewell
It has been a wonderful 24 hours. The Masses, speeches, conversations and social gatherings of last evening and today have been a great celebration. Â I was quite...
found on the hard drive
In my desire to be distracted from packing and cleaning, I started to sort out some computer files. Â There I discovered many saved articles and bits and pieces.In...
comments
You will notice that I have opened up this blog for your comments. Â Below each entry there is now a space for you to publish a comment on the blog.
packing & roses
Thank you to everyone who has offered suggestions to distract me from packing! Â One of the challenges of course is that preparing to move is not simply a matter of...
Darfield farewell
Last Sunday was my last Day at St. Joseph's Darfield. While I remain as Parish Priest there for another few days, next Sunday I will celebrate all Masses at Our Lady of...
Latest Posts
the big picture
In recent years the month of August has become a significant time of rest and regeneration for me and this year the opportunity has continued. Some of these days are vacation in the true sense of the word, not simply a break from regular work routines, but an...
Assumption
Bishop Robert Barron offers a clear and sound reflection for today's feast of the Assumption. We approach death in fear and trembling. That's because we are sinners. What would it be like for one without sin to die?
walking on water
I landed in Rome early last Monday afternoon and early Tuesday morning arrived at St. Peter's basilica just before it opened at 7. It's a great time to visit the basilica, early morning, an hour or two before the tourists overtake the pilgrims who arrive early for the...
anywhere
Often we think that the environment has to be just right for our prayer. The problem is that most of us struggle to see our own situations as conducive to prayer. If prayer was about us then this would be a difficulty, but the reality is that our prayer is primarily...
prayer is simple
I have a few days holiday in Italy before beginning vacation with around 300 frlends this weekend, then the following week at the Annual Rimini meeting. More on these events over the next couple of weeks.. As I travel north from Rome I have a couple of nights in...