Food for Faith

I was back in my hometown of Timaru this weekend celebrating the Vigil Mass at Sacred Heart Basilica, a church I have known since my youth. Here is the homily I shared at the Mass for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Thirty years ago I contacted Leonie because of her reputation for knowing how to teach people to communicate. Over the years since she became a good friend and this afternoon I had the privilege of celebrating her Funeral Mass. I am happy to share here the homily I gave at Leonie's funeral. Thank you also to Michael Collins, organist at Leonie's funeral.

A reflection on prayer as an engagement with reality.

A reflection on the well-known parable of the father and his sons

A reflection on freedom, first broadcast in Lent, using the example of Jesus' encounter with a rich young man.

Too often religion is used to justify attacks on bad behaviour. Here's a different perspective: our acknowledged sin is our capacity for Jesus. This awareness is the birth of real self-esteem.

Fr. John O'Connor speaks to over 100 18-35 year-olds a couple of years ago at the national Aotearoa NZ Hearts Aflame gathering.

This reflection will be of special interest if you or someone you love is suffering with poor health.

This podcast reflects on the call of Moses: "Take off your shoes Moses, for the ground you stand on is holy ground."  Take a moment with this reflection to consider that you are standing on holy ground today.

If you never experience temptation you won't find this brief podcast very interesting at all. However if you're anything like me ...

Here's a way of understanding family that really gives hope.

This podcast was first broadcast a couple of years ago, but for those of us who seek unity this is an encouraging thought based on the Our Father prayer and Jesus encouragement that we ASK.

A brief Lenten reflection on the best known and most prayed of all prayers, the Our Father.

Jesus understood that sometimes even painful and harmful realities can become attachments for us, burdens that we hold onto.

The second of three Christchurch interviews with Br. Guy Consolmagno, the Vatican astronomer on his visit to Christchurch. This conversation was held at the Piano Performing Arts Centre in the city in May 2019.

The third of three Christchurch interviews with Br. Guy Consolmagno, the Vatican astronomer on his visit to Christchurch. This evening conversation was held at the Piano Performing Arts Centre in the city in May 2019.

The first of three Christchurch interviews with Br. Guy Consolmagno, the Vatican astronomer on his visit to Christchurch. This conversation is at the Business Lunch in May 2019.

"All of humanity's problems stem from our inability to sit quietly in a room alone"

In marking Good Friday we cannot help but face our own fears, and in the current pandemic it is fear we face.

Here's a thought for the feast of the Annunciation, we could say the moment of the birth of our Christian faith with the incarnation of Jesus at His conception.