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Weddings in the Time of Jesus: A Reflection on the Wedding at Cana Weddings are remarkable events filled with beautiful memories and, often, humorous mishaps. While contemporary weddings are well-documented, reconstructing the details of weddings during the time of Jesus can be challenging due to the limited scriptural references. Historians and academics typically focus on […]

Embracing Growth and Grace: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Jesus’ Early Life Greetings, dear friends. Today, I want to share some reflections from a recent homily I delivered, focusing on themes of growth, maturity, family dynamics, and the significance of Jesus’ early life, particularly in relation to the Passover and his understanding of his mission. […]

Embracing the True Essence of Christmas Greetings, dear friends. As we gather to reflect on the profound significance of Christmas, I am reminded of the unique ways we experience this season, especially here in Australia. Unlike the snowy landscapes often depicted in Hollywood films, our Christmas is marked by warm weather and sunlit days. Yet, […]

Embracing the True Presence of God This Christmas As we approach the Christmas season, it’s easy to get swept up in the nostalgic imagery and traditions that have been ingrained in us through media and cultural portrayals. However, in a recent homily, I, Fr Richard Healey, invite you to delve deeper into the true essence […]

Embracing the Humanity of Christmas Greetings, dear friends. As we gather to celebrate the joyous season of Christmas, I, Fr Richard Healey, invite you to delve deeper into the profound significance of this time. Christmas is a season that evokes a myriad of emotions—joy, celebration, and sometimes, the resurfacing of old wounds and challenges. Today, […]

As we prepare for Christmas, we find ourselves pondering various themes that resonate deeply within us—hope, joy, peace, and the longing for purpose. In this season of Advent, we are invited to reflect on what it means to embody hope and to live in a state of peace, especially in a world that often feels […]

Exploring Joy and Wonder in Our Lives Greetings, dear friends. Today, I invite you to join me in a reflection on joy and wonder—two profound experiences that can transform our lives and deepen our relationship with God. As we delve into this theme, let's draw from personal experiences, biblical texts, and practical actions that can […]

Understanding the Teachings of Jesus and the Purpose of the Commandments In today's reflection, I want to draw your attention to a significant moment in the Gospel of Mark. If you've been following along, you may have noticed that I didn't read the text exactly as it appears in the lectionary. Instead, I chose to […]

Embracing the Transformative Power of God’s Grace: A Reflection on Home, Vulnerability, and Faith Welcome to this reflection on the concept of home and the transformative power of God’s grace. Today, I want to share with you some personal experiences and biblical insights that have shaped my understanding of home and the profound impact of […]

Embracing the Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit As a Catholic priest, I’ve had the privilege of delving into the depths of spiritual reflection and sharing these insights with my congregation. Today, I want to share with you a profound experience that resonates with the very core of our faith – the transformative power of […]

Embracing the Transformative Power of the Resurrection: Insights and Reflections Today, I want to delve into the significance of the resurrection of Jesus and its far-reaching implications for humanity, as we discussed in our Easter Sunday gathering. The Road to Emmaus: A Story of Revelation and Hope Our conversation began with the captivating narrative from […]

Breathing New Life: Reflections on Transformation and Faith in Uncertain Times Introduction Greetings, dear friends and members of our spiritual family. I am Fr Richard Healey, and today I want to share with you a reflection that has been on my heart, especially considering the tumultuous events that have unfolded in 2020. As we gather […]

The Acts of the Apostles; or, the Acts of King Jesus; or, the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Right click on the chapter heading to save or download the file to your device. Chapter 1 https://rmhealey.com/docs/Bible/51_Acts/Acts01.mp3 Prologue; the Ascension. I. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM – The group of apostles; Judas is replaced Chapter 2 https://rmhealey.com/docs/Bible/51_Acts/Acts02.mp3 […]

A Pilgrim’s Reflections: Embracing the Journey of Faith Walking the Ancient Path Hello, dear readers and fellow pilgrims on the journey of life. I am Fr Richard Healey, and I recently had the profound experience of leading a group of pilgrims through the sacred shrines of Europe, an odyssey that culminated in the revered Camino […]

Embracing the Journey of Surrender: Lessons from the Way of Saint James As a priest and a spiritual guide, I’ve had the profound privilege of leading a group of pilgrims on a transformative journey that has left an indelible mark on my heart and faith. Today, I want to share with you the insights and […]

Listen to Audio Bible (Mark) Watch this on YouTube The Gospel according to MARK Chapter 1. PRELUDE TO THE PUBLIC MINISTRY OF JESUS. The proclamation of John the Baptist. Jesus is baptised. Testing in the desert. THE GALILEAN MINISTRY. Jesus begins to proclaim the message. The first four disciples are called. Jesus teaches in Capernaum […]

Embracing Love and Mercy Amidst the Shadows of Betrayal and Violence As we journey through the solemn and reflective period leading up to Easter, I find myself compelled to share with you a profound experience that has deeply touched my heart and spirit. In today’s blog post, I want to take you through the same […]

Creating Space for Intimacy with God: A Lenten Reflection Tidying Up the Soul: A Journey to Spiritual Clarity An experience of delving into the essence of Lent and what it means to truly create space for intimacy with God. I share a personal narrative that I believe resonates with many of us on our faith […]

A Journey Through Libraries, Scriptures, and Divine Grace: Reflections During Lent I want to share with you the profound lessons and insights as we explored the meticulous organisation of libraries, the structure of the Old Testament, and the boundless grace and love of God during the solemn season of Lent. The Carmelite Library: A Lesson […]

Rediscovering the Ten Words: Declarations of Freedom and Love This is far from a simple recitation of ancient laws. Instead, we explored the profound significance of these commandments as declarations of freedom and love, especially in the context of a people emerging from the shackles of slavery. The Misconception of the Commandments It’s a common […]

Unpacking the Profound Lessons of Abraham and Isaac: A Journey Through Faith and Obedience As someone deeply invested in the exploration of Christian theology, I’ve always been drawn to the stories that challenge us, that compel us to look deeper into our faith and the nature of our relationship with God. I take a deep […]

Four years ago, if we’d read that gospel and tried to kind of get into the mindset of this leper, this person who was declared to be unclean, who had to say that out loud when he’d walk around the community, he would have to keep this long distance from everybody else – ringing a […]

Embracing Wisdom in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Reflection on Interpretation and Authority The Quest for True Intelligence Greetings, dear readers. In a recent sermon I delivered to my congregation, I found myself grappling with the extraordinary developments in artificial intelligence that have characterized our current decade. As a religious leader, I’ve always been […]

Finding My Way Back: A Journey of Repentance and Restoration Lost in the Wilderness It was a day like any other when I decided to explore a national park, seeking solace in a less crowded area. Little did I know, this adventure would turn into a lesson about life’s path and the concept of repentance. […]

Encountering the Divine: A Journey from Distance to Presence A Reflection on Divine Intimacy and Community Today, I want to take you on a personal journey—a journey that delves into the essence of spiritual connection and the profound impact of community in our lives. This is not just a recount of an episode; it’s a […]

Unveiling the Mysteries of the Magi A Journey of Faith and Fulfilment Today we embarked on a journey back in time to the ancient story of the Magi and their quest to find the newborn Jesus. I want to share with you the insights and lessons gleaned from this remarkable narrative. The Pilgrimage of the […]

The Profound Significance of Mary in Christianity As we step into the new year, it’s a time of reflection and transformation—a time to ponder upon the words that have shaped our faith and the figures that have stood as pillars within our spiritual narratives. Today, I want to share with you insights of the significance … Growing in Wisdom Read More »

Embracing the True Nature of God: A Reflection on Mary’s Encounter with Angel Gabriel Challenging the Common Perception of God As a religious leader, I often find myself questioning the common perception of God. Many people tend to view Him as grumpy and easily angered. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. When God … People Love Read More »

Finding Joy in Every Circumstance This sermon is a powerful exploration of joy, freedom, and identity. I’d like to share some of the key insights and lessons from this sermon with you. Rejoicing in the Lord Always: A Commandment and a Challenge The sermon began with a discussion of the commandment given by Paul to … Make Space for Joy Read More »

Finding Peace and Unity in Exile: A Reflection on Personal Hardships and Natural Disasters Introduction Today I explore the concept of exile, drawing parallels to personal hardships and natural disasters that disrupt our normal activities. This blog post is a reflection on that episode, where I discussed the historical exile of the people of Jerusalem … Return from Exile Read More »

Embracing the Season of Advent: A Journey of Hope, Sin, and Transformation Understanding the Significance of Advent As a priest and a religious leader, I often find myself answering questions about the season of Advent. Many people are confused about its significance, often drawing parallels with Lent and the traditions associated with it. However, Advent … Advent Hope Read More »

A Journey of Understanding: Reflecting on Gospel, Grace, and Extending Love Beyond Boundaries Initial Confusion and Evolving Understanding I found myself reflecting on a particular gospel passage that has significantly shaped my understanding of Christian life. Initially, I was confused about how this passage fits into the grand scheme of my faith. I grappled with … Jesus the king Read More »

The Power of Conversations and the Parable of Talents Fr Richard Healey shares his insights on two contrasting conversations he had with fellow priests, which was both enlightening and deeply thought-provoking. It revolved around the Gospel reading about the parable of the bags of gold, also known as the parable of talents. The Parable of … Bags of Gold Read More »

A Night in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre An Unforgettable Sabbatical in Jerusalem In 2017, I embarked on a sabbatical that led me to the heart of Jerusalem, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This journey was not just a physical one, but a spiritual exploration that left an indelible mark on my … Why oil matters Read More »

Embracing Integrity and Grace: A Reflection on Christianity and Spirituality A Personal Journey into the Heart of Faith Last night I attended the engagement celebration for my niece in Nowra. As a deacon and assistant priest in the church, I had the honour of being closely acquainted with the groom’s family. This experience, along with … Living with Integrity Read More »

The Intersection of Love, Justice, and Personal Annoyances The Annoyances of Life and the Call for Justice I found myself reflecting on the various things that annoy me, such as people not adhering to traffic rules. It’s a common enough grievance, but it led me to a deeper conversation about the importance of justice and … Love God, love self, love others Read More »

Surrendering to God’s Will: A Personal Reflection on Giving All to Him The Tax System in First Century Israel and the Background to the Gospel In the first century in Israel, the tax system was a significant aspect of daily life. Taxes were imposed by the Roman Empire, and the collection process was often met … Giving God all Read More »

Embracing Celebration: A Reflection on Weddings, Invitations, and God’s Love The Unconventional Wedding of Sarah Wilkinson I recently delved into a fascinating news article about a woman named Sarah Wilkinson. Sarah made the bold decision to proceed with her wedding, despite not having a partner. This unconventional choice sparked a discussion about the potential disappointment … Come to the Feast Read More »

Reflecting on Love, Grief, Loss, and Justice: A Journey Through Poetry, Prophecy, and Gospel Today’s sermon was a deep dive into the themes of love, grief, loss, and justice, as portrayed in love poetry, the writings of the prophet Isaiah, the psalm, and the gospel.  Love Poetry and the Prophet Isaiah: A Tale of Grief … Fruitful Vineyard Read More »

In this message, Fr Richard Healey reflects on a theatre production they attended and draws parallels between the unity and synchronisation of the production and the desired unity within the church. They discuss the importance of actions aligning with beliefs, referencing the two sons in the gospel. The speaker then references a poem or song … Having a disciple’s mind Read More »

“God is generous and God will pour himself out as much as we are able to receive. And our lives are about growing in that capacity to be able to be used and to receive the goodness of God.“ Fr Richard Healey So many of us have a whole mix of memories from our childhood, … Grumbling Generosity Read More »

“The only way to let go is the way of mercy, the way of forgiveness, the way that doesn’t say that it didn’t matter, that thing is not significant. Yes, it happened and it was crucial and it was awful, but still from my side of the street, I have that obligation to let it … Forgiving Flow Read More »

Fr Richard delivers a thought-provoking homily centered around the nature of a mirror and its ability to reverse our way of thinking. Drawing parallels to the ongoing experience of COVID-19 in NSW, the speaker reflects on past lockdowns and the new skills people had to acquire, such as cutting their own hair. Moving on to […]

We live in an age of scientific discovery and continuing exploration. There’s a new space race and lunar exploration is back in the news. We’re also devoting resources and energy to exploring more our inner worlds as well as outer space. Do an internet search on self-help & self-discovery and you’ll get millions of hits for […]

So welcome to Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church! Now, what does it actually mean to be a Catholic Church? Catholic means universal. Universal means everyone. Everyone is included. It dates back to St Cyril of Jerusalem in the early 2nd century. It was the first recorded use of this term catholic. And I guess […]

There are so many situations that we face in our lives where. It’s we’re just. Overwhelmed. But things just get too much for us and I think. Both our first reading and our gospel today, when we read the bigger context, provide those. Why does Jesus need that alone time well earlier on in the […]

Sometimes we have an experience that was so sublime, so magical, so amazing – that we struggle to even share all its details with a close friend. Even when it is photographed, and videoed, and instagrammed to within a millimetre of its life, some things can defy simple, adequate descriptions. Maybe the event wasn't even […]

One of the things that I kind of find myself struggling with as I grow older is some of the stories that I heard and learned when I was a child, and particularly in church circles. Some of those stories about the Saints and heroes of the faith. Like the only thing that I really […]

Play MP3 This year the last few Sundays seem to have been inviting us to reflect upon the very essence of who God is, how we stand in the presence of God, how we make sense of the nature, the quality of God. Last week, the Apostles were first named as such: they were sent … Body and Nephesh Read More »

I suspect that when many of us hear this kind of talk about being sent, about being called to go out to be part of the mission of Jesus, that we get very uncomfortable about that. We’re like, yeah, you know, that’s fine for the good sisters; that’s fine, maybe even for those crazy priests … Being Segullah Read More »

The fact that we need to have this Feast day is a testament to the nature of of humanity. That the scriptures are so full of these details about the compassion of God, about the mercy of the Lord, about the Lord who is full of steadfast love, who is so committed absolutely to the … The Sacred Heart of Jesus Read More »