Pope Benedict
All Saints

All Saints

On this day, the feast of All Saints, in the year 1541, Michaelangelo‘s Last Judgement was unveiled on the rear wall of the Sistine Chapel.

Ascension

Ascension

The disciples do not feel abandoned. They do not consider Jesus to have disappeared far away but are convinced of a new presence of Jesus.

just love

just love

Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.

Santa’s birth?

Santa’s birth?

We can no longer assume that people know the meaning of Christmas.  A child recently asked about the significance of Christmas replied: “it is when Santa Claus was...

a priest – 65 years

a priest – 65 years

As I write it has just passed midnight in New Zealand on the early morning of 29 June, the Solemnity of Peter and Paul, and the day on which Pope Emeritus Benedict was...

sacred heart

sacred heart

I have a few great memories of earlier years’ celebrations of today’s feast of the Sacred Heart. Five years ago on this feast I was privileged to be in St. Peter’s...

Ascension Thurs?

Ascension Thurs?

I often re-read the books that I consider to be spiritual classics. Some of these were written decades or centuries ago. Others, including Pope Benedict’s second “Jesus...

santa’s birth

santa’s birth

We can no longer assume that people know the meaning of Christmas.  A child recently asked about the significance of Christmas replied: “it is when Santa Claus was...

parish war or peace

parish war or peace

a reflection based on the readings for Sunday 7 September 2014. Readings at this link. It is remarkable that eighteen months after his election, Pope Francis remains...

one year ago

one year ago

It was one year ago today that Pope Benedict's resignation took effect. This event opened the way for the conclave that elected Pope Francis. You can watch many of the...

Latest Posts

Assumption

Assumption

Humans too often make the fatal mistake of separating body and soul, yet our deep desire is for unity of body and soul.

ahead of grace ?

ahead of grace ?

Both readings are personal favourites and every time I hear them and ponder them these texts speak to me in new and powerful ways.

Mary MacKillop

Mary MacKillop

Too often we settle for an existence of lurching from one satisfaction to the next.

an inner peak

an inner peak

I know a few people, including several Food For Faith followers, who are nearing death. Some of these are elderly and accepting that their life on earth is naturally coming to an end. Others, well before their time, are struggling with poor health and living with diagnoses of terminal illness.

Ignatius of Loyola

Ignatius of Loyola

Feelings that are uppermost in human consciousness are simply a starting point for discernment.