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...
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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. 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...
healthy living
Healthy psychology does not contradict healthy spirituality, and healthy spirituality does not contradict healthy psychology. One of the positives of having to drive a...
from Poland to NZ
Late last year the Australian Annals magazine (Journal of Catholic Culture) published an article entitled "The Extraordinary Tale of the Orphans of Pahiatua". On 1...
Scent of Lemons
One of the highlights of my visits to Italy in recent years has been inspiring conversation with Jonah Lynch, always accompanied by beer and gelato, and even better,...
homily studio 19/1
Each week I will upload a post entitled “homily studio,” followed by the date of the relevant Sunday eg 19 Jan. On this page I will simply drop a selection of possible...
think laterally
One of my regular early morning highlights is the Christchurch Press cryptic crossword. Some mornings, like this morning, I complete the puzzle without hesitating. On...
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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.