Since this morning's news of the death of composer, performer, and promoter of peace Pete Seegar several of his well-known songs have been playing in my head: Where...
Blog
truth is stranger
"Truth is stranger than fiction." In 1963 Australian novelist Morris West published the novel "The Shoes of the Fisherman"Â the first novel of the West Trilogy that...
Christchurch 1974
Forty years ago this week the 1974 Commonwealth Games were underway in Christchurch. I was in my last year at primary school in that year, and in the first days of the...
internet & God
Pope Francis began his message earlier today for the World Day of Social Communications commenting: In a world like this, media can help us to feel closer to one...
hot careers
A Christchurch Press headline caught my attention this morning:Â "The Hottest Career paths for this year."Â I am a realist, so I didn't expect priesthood to rate in the...
imagine the scene
Last Sunday Pope Francis invited parishioners in one of his diocesan parishes to engage their imaginations in prayer. He then gave them a practical experience of this...
homily studio 26/1
Introducing the weekly homily studio. Increasingly the internet has become an important tool for preachers in preparing their homilies and sermons. This essential...
save the whales
Since I was a young child I have been fascinated by whales. From age 8 to 18 I lived in Timaru where whalers were among the first European settlers. I did a number of...
John Mackey RIP
An email a short time ago from my bishop's office announced the death of Bishop John Mackey of Auckland. Â Bishop Mackey retired as Bishop of Auckland in 1983, and had...
the pointer
My paternal grandfather knew his way around the night sky. In New Zealand, the Southern Cross is the most recognisable constellation.  I remember my grandfather showing...
Latest Posts
faith & freedom
Last week’s sacking of Australian Rugby star Israel Folau probably might signal a change in our New Zealand position of diversity of freedom and lifestyle
abundance
I have noticed in recent years that regular First Communion preparation programmes do little to convey the beauty and vibrancy of Catholic faith.
more human
I have met a few saints in my time and I have no doubt that Jean Vanier is one of them. It is with sadness today that we learnt of his death.
what are you feeding?
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”
breadth of life
This is the last of the three conversations with Vatican Astronomer Br. Guy Consolmagno SJ on his visit to Christchurch earlier in the week.