Celebration colours; photos or other mementos that recall happy times, fun and laughter. Prayer O God, creator of all. I see you at the birth of time excited and joyful, thrilled by the splendour and beauty of what was about to be. Even before that moment you could not contain your delight, knowing the gifts Read more
With the Cross, a memento or symbol of a time when you were encouraged or helped out of, saved from a difficult situation. Prayer to begin Today, enter this time of prayer with your own words. Speak to God from the feelings in your heart at this moment. Then, clear your mind and listen. Believe Read more
Alleluia! A word that has been, like us, in lockdown! It’s out again as Lent retreats and bursting with life. We give you thanks and praise, O God. Alleluia! He is risen! Death, though it separates us from those we love, cannot destroy love or separate us forever. The resurrection of Jesus is our victory Read more
Alongside your crucifix and lighted candle (or lamp), place a world atlas. If you do not have an atlas, write the name of as many countries you can recall and lay the list in the centre of your sacred space. Giving thanks for this new day God of the universe. All life comes from you Read more
With the crucifix, place photos of family, friends, places you’ve visited. Some flowers perhaps, or images of nature/creation. Give thanks for this new day Creator, Life-giver. You love the world so much that, in Jesus, you promise to be with us till the end of time. I am grateful that your presence continues for we Read more
New Zealand is in “Lock Down”. Life as we have known it is completely changed as the nation, along with the rest of the world, wages war against an invisible but deadly enemy, Coronavirus, or COVID-19. You may have already been “self-isolating”; the “Lock Down” extends that directive to nearly everyone. Only essential services remain Read more
Setting: Make a prayer space in your room. Whatever else you place there, put a crucifix, a bowl of water and a lit candle. Begin your prayer with the Sign of the Cross, then – Give thanks for this new day: God of life and light, I thank you for another new beginning. For the Read more
To mark the first anniversary of the Mosque shooting tragedy, Father James Lyons and Fr Chris Skinner have worked with each other to record two commemorative songs. Lyons sent a link to the songs to the prime minister with a note saying: “We think these songs could play a part in this current time of Read more
Cardinal John Dew has given Pope Francis the first copy of a home-grown book that reflects the spiritual dimension to family living in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Flowing from the writings of Pope Francis on family relationships, There is a time for… contains prayers and reflections by New Zealanders of all ages. “When presenting it to the Read more
Jimmy Grant, 78, who may have died as long ago as January, was farewelled during a Sunday Mass at Wellington’s Catholic cathedral on March 13. His body was found at his Mulgrave St apartment, near Parliament, on March 2. When his body was found, police also found a newspaper, a Bible and Mr Grant’s cat’s Read more