Today’s post suggests a hymn that you might like to listen to and pray with as you drive to work today. But first a bit of background to the saint of today and why this hymn comes to mind…

In today’s gospel reading a young man who is not free comes to Jesus. We know that he was a good man because he kept the commandments. But the keeping of rules was not enough for him, and neither…

It’s early Friday morning 12 October here in New Zealand but still October 11th in Italy where 56 years ago at this moment Pope John XXIII was giving his “moonlight speech”, words which many have called the most famous…

It’s 56 years today since the first session of the three-year Second Vatican Council began, and today 11 October is now held as the feast of St. (Pope) John XXIII who called the Council. On October 11 1962…

The month of October is traditionally marked in the church as the month of the Rosary and today, 7 October, is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. After a decline in use of the Rosary in recent decades…

The first readings of the liturgy this week give  daily segments of the 42 chapters of the Old Testament Book of Job, well-chosen to convey the message of the entire book. Job is a good man who has everything…

On a recent visit to Assisi, the birthplace of Francis whose feast we celebrate today, I recorded this three-minute clip as encouragement for all of us who often find it difficult to pray. I offer it again for today…

On this day, October 1, in 1926, Saint Suzanne (also known as Saint Grandma) died in Wellington after a long and rich life in service of Jesus in the poor of Aotearoa New Zealand. (read an earlier FFF reflection at…

I’ve been thinking ahead to my Sunday homily this weekend at St. Mary’s pro-Cathedral. The readings provide a timely remedy of the tensions and evils within the church. Battle imagery is often used to describe the struggle…

Earlier this month Jean Vanier celebrated his 90th birthday and shared his reflections in this fifteen minute video reflection offering “ten rules for life.” He has given his life to service of the intellectually disabled with his L’Arche communities…

What is family? Most people hope that their family will be a place of belonging and growth. The reality is that our biological families exist only for a time. I am the child of my parents for a couple of…

It’s Monday morning at the office and a few of the staff are arriving at work with groans and moans after relaxing and satisfying weekends. Even Pope Francis was talking about moaning when yesterday he spoke on his visit…

A healthy awareness of personal sin is a great gift since this places us in right-relationship with the God who desires to meet us in our imperfect reality and so lead us into life. Yesterday on the feast of…

It’s the feast day of St. Matthew today.  Caravaggio’s Calling of Matthew and Pope Francis’ frequent comments about the painting provide a great inspiration and Francis has called this painting one of his favourite works of art. It…

Today’s first reading is the magnificent hymn of love from St. Paul’s first letter to the people of Corinth. I recall once meeting with a couple to prepare their marriage ceremony. They were insistent that there be no…