On Wednesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern encouraged people to use restaurants that did their own food deliveries instead of using Uber Eats. Uber Eats continues to charge high commission rates. When the country moves to Alert Level 3 the problem for some may well be to decide how their restaurant meals will be delivered. But Read more
Father Maurice Carmody met the funeral directors — at the required social distance – by the roadside outside his home, which is close to the parish church, to conduct a simple funeral rite. Standing near the open rear door of the hearse, he said the prayers of final commendation while the family watched and prayed Read more
This week Thomas is present when Jesus appears in the Upper Room. Thomas, as we know was not there the previous week and had refused to believe the other disciples’ account of them seeing the risen Lord. Traditionally, Thomas gets a bad rap for what is described as his disbelief; he had not seen so Read more
In the Catholic tradition, 14 ‘stations’ represent Christ’s journey to the cross. Many artists have depicted Christ’s journey to Calvary. These depictions portray Jesus’ final hours and particularly come to the fore during Lent. Called the Stations of the Cross, or the Way of the Cross, ‘the Stations’ are part of church life. On the Read more
This week’s reflection comes from the parish of Holy Name Church, Dunedin. It is ironic that in these times of isolation when people replace cars around the streets, people are meeting more people than they used to. All the while keeping their social distance and remaining in their bubble. People seem to have slowed down. Read more
Wellington’s Compassion Soup Kitchen is responding to the increasing need, and is running seven days a week, rather than its normal six. It is considered an “essential service”. “We will provide kai for as long as we possibly can,” the Compassion Soup Kitchen management say in a statement. The Compassion Soup Kitchen has moved to Read more
Jesus wept tears, he wept because he was human. Jesus grieved, unashamed – his friend was dead. He remembered Lazarus’ face, his welcoming smile, his laughter. He remembered the hours they had sat talking; chewing the fat, shooting the breeze. Jesus wept for all that is passing. Lazarus was gone, dead and buried and Read more
General absolution is allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing the global difficulty Catholic priests are having in hearing confessions, the Vatican says it is acceptable for bishops to offer general absolutions to certain groups of people. While the norm is an individual confesses their sins and celebrates the Sacrament of Reconciliation, General Absolution can be Read more
Pray Today NZ, a service of the Word using the Sunday readings began on the Internet in New Zealand yesterday. The lay-fronted reflection is designed for use on social media and is very ‘home-grown’ and ‘raw’. Work on the initiative ‘Pray Today NZ‘ began early last week, however, the decision to record and release the Read more
With Sunday Mass suspended at least one venue more suspensions are likely to follow as the Catholic Church responds to the coronavirus. The dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Auckland, Father Peter Tipene has already announced that he is suspending all Sunday Masses. He says the 7 am and 12.15 pm weekday Masses will continue Read more