Blog

Ave Verum

Apr 14, 2017

The depths of human pain, suffering and grief can produce some of the most exquisite beauty in art. The suffering and death of Jesus is an example, and one of the most...

the CROSS road

Apr 14, 2017

This evening I plan to be at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament choir and orchestra performance of Bach's St. John's Passion. Details below. But before then, at...

these three days

Apr 13, 2017

This Holy Triduum beginning with this evening's Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper is at the heart of our Christian faith, and therefore at the centre of our human...

Fred Dagg

Apr 12, 2017

In the midst of Holy Week I can't resist paying a tribute to John Clarke, best known in New Zealand for his Fred Dagg role which made him a part of our national lore...

gratefully

Apr 11, 2017

The Monday evening of Holy Week is a highlight for a priest in the diocese of Christchurch. At 5 in the afternoon we gather to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation...

savouring grace

Apr 10, 2017

You will read this on Monday, but I'm writing on Sunday night, the end of a full day. It's brisk outside, "a touch autumnal" as Bishop Ashby used to say. But the cool...

Holy Week Retreat

Apr 9, 2017

You might like to join me in considering this week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday as a week of retreat in daily life. For a Christian, to retreat is not to run...

which crowd ?

Apr 8, 2017

It's Palm Sunday this weekend, the day that marks the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. This Sunday's liturgy begins with the commemoration of Jesus entry to...

deeper than moods

Apr 7, 2017

It's been one of those weeks, and so even more than usual, TGIF! On the surface it's been a week like most other weeks with a mixture of good and bad, struggles and...

living vocation

Apr 6, 2017

I often have conversations with people who are trying to decide how to spend their lives. They are not simply weighing up pros and cons to decide what to do or what...