The Synod on the family is now underway in Rome. Archbishop John Dew represents New Zealand, and takes with him perhaps the broadest and deepest survey ever of New...
Blog
joy from prison
Most week’s my Sunday reflections and homilies are centered on the words of Jesus in the Gospel. Often the first reading of the Sunday liturgy (usually from the Old...
Millet’s 200th
On 4 October 1814 the artist Jean Francois Millet was born to a poor peasant family in the north of France. He was one of the first artists I grew to appreciate after...
less is more
I noticed a New Zealand Catholic article this morning that shows a Palmerston North parish seeking to grow in appreciation of the liturgy. The brief article begins...
Traces
This month's Traces magazine carries reflections on the 2014 Rimini meeting (with it's "Life on the Peripheries" theme) and the International gathering in La Thuile....
Inform
As it nears 100 issues the Inform magazine of the Catholic diocese of Christchurch continues to be popular. Last Sunday Hurunui parishioners were happy to collect the...
living with purpose
It's Monday, and after the weekend driving (610km (380mile) - the equivalent of Christchurch - Invercargill), and four Masses with a few pastoral home visits, I am...
Election 2014
The Food For Faith family is made up of readers from all over the world. If you are not in New Zealand you probably won't know that we have a general election tomorrow,...
feasting the cross
In the early 1980‘s I lived for six years preparing for priesthood at Holy Cross seminary in Mosgiel. In the late 1990’s when the number of seminarians was relatively...
the peripheries
I have a great respect and love for a Monsignor from Puerto Rico, Lorenzo Albacete. By chance a dozen years ago I heard him speak and was deeply moved by his love for...
Latest Posts
the beautiful beggar
We regularly hear of good and holy men and women falling from grace and we are shocked and surprised.
choosing life
Our greatest human desire is not to be free of suffering and pain, but to live whatever reality is present in the great company…
a favourable time
Lent is the time to free ourselves from the illusion of chasing after dust. We ask ourselves today: Where do I stand? Do I live for fire or for ash?”
Lectio Divina
There are many different kinds of reading. We read a novel in a way that is different from reading a text book, and an email from a friend is read differently to a challenge from the boss. The student of theology or history might approach the Bible as an academic...
Lourdes
Pilgrimages to significant holy places were once an essential part of the life of the Christian. In the early Christian centuries every Christian was encouraged (and even expected) to journey to Jerusalem.