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 you had in store
for the world you already greatly loved.
I think you laughed us into being,
your excitement bubbling over in your eagerness
to give and to give, to love and be loved.
As parents rejoice in their children, you think the world of us.
We are in your continuing care; keep our hearts filled with joy.

Wisdom speaks as creator

I was by his side, a master craftsman,
delighting him day after day,
ever at play in his presence,
at play everywhere in his world,
delighting to be with the children of men. [Proverbs 8:30-31]

The delight of God is evident in the Genesis story of creation and there is humour in the way the story (two accounts of creation; chapters 1 & 2) unfolds.

The variety of life, the abundance of gifts - and, of course, God's realisation that "the man" would need a partner.

It's hard to have a joke on your own or to achieve anything well!

This time of self-isolation is showing us how important, indeed vital, is companionship and community.

The expression, "Laughter is the best medicine" is of biblical origin - see Proverbs 17:22 - so it should be expected that laughter, enjoyment, fun, accompanied Jesus and the disciples on their journeys.

Think of the Cana wedding and the laughter and joy that would have filled the occasion, especially with all that extra wine!

Read John 2:1-10

Place yourself as one of the guests. Enjoy the moment.

There are countless expressions that serve wisdom with humour. Many of our own will likely be ingrained as habits, the wisdom and perhaps even the humour in them quite forgotten. This is a time to recall them, and to ponder them anew.

The Book of Proverbs is rich with expressions that, at first glance, may seem without humour, but try these reasons given by a person too lazy to get out of bed and go out to work: There's a lion outside! and I shall be killed in the street! [Proverbs 22:13] - and there's dry humour a few verses on: Oppress the poor and you enrich him; give to the rich and you make him poor! [vs 16].

Look for others…

There's a wealth of humour in our everyday speech:

You're as much use as an ashtray on a motorcycle!

I'm as happy as a tin of worms returning from a fishing trip! …you won't have to search far to find others.

Children can come up with some beauties, like the answer a child gave when asked by its parent, trying to instil reverence in church, Do you know why it's important to be quiet in church and not to fidget? - ‘Cause everyone's asleep!

Wisdom combined with humour can be sensed in this challenging comment: The earth comes rent free, complete with running water, central heating and air-conditioning. All the landlord asks in return is that we keep it clean!

Back to the scriptures, and who could not see the humour in Balaam's conversation with his donkey in Numbers 22:21-30?

Humour reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously. This is not exactly scripture, but G K Chesterton wrote: Angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly.

"Laughter is indeed God's therapy. Let us then be thankful that, when the gates of heaven swing open, mixed with the celestial music there is the unmistakable sound of celestial laughter." [Malcolm Muggeridge]

Jesus is the smile of God

He came to reveal to us the loving goodness of heavenly Father.
We need God's smile to strip us of our own certainties
and to bring us back to enjoying simplicity and gratuitousness. [Pope Francis' Christmas message, 2019]

Prayer of thanks for laughter

Thank you, loving God, for the gift of laughter that

• lifts spirits, lightens heavy hearts
• makes friends, softens sadness
• boosts morale, sharpens minds
• relieves tension, gives enjoyment
• energises, encourages, entertains.

Thank you, creator God, for the laughter within us that

• contributes to health
• cheers the weary
• helps build community
• challenges minds
• is uniquely ours.

Thanks for the laughter, God of wonder and joy.
You have made us in your image, so we know that
laughter is part of your being. Help us to stay
light-hearted In this strange and worrying time
and to honour your gift,
bright and cheerful,
loving, respectful.

Amen.

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing for joy. [Psalm 100:1]

So I commend enjoyment, for there is nothing better for people
under the sun than to eat, and drink, and enjoy themselves,
for this will go with them in their toil through the days of life
that God gives them under the sun. [Ecclesiastes 8:15]

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 strongly that, with this prayer, you are beginning a conversation. Do your best to ensure it is a two-way conversation.

If you are unfamiliar with this type of praying, or find it difficult, take up an earlier prayer from this series of reflections, one that appealed to you, one that perhaps you have already returned to. Use this prayer to draw you into today's time with God.

The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down. [Psalm 145:14]

Those words from Psalm 144 are wonderfully consoling to people of faith - on two levels. First, there's an acceptance on our part that we "fall", make wrong choices, mess things up. Second, we get "bowed down" - stuff happens to us that we can't control; we get hurt, sick, or feel helpless when those we love suffer. On both levels, God is with us, "supporting" and "raising up". At the time you may not realise this and feel that God has left you to it! But if you can step out of your anger or frustration for a while, you will see a sign that tells you you're not alone.

At the moment we are cut off from one another, a sacrifice deemed necessary to prevent the spread of Covid-19. But no one is cut off from God and there are signs flowing from this critical time that, for a person of faith, indicate God's presence. Here are some that speak to me - you may like to add your own:

• Neighbours looking out for one another - when they haven't had contact before; some had not even spoken.
• Medical professionals and paramedics taking enormous risks for the good of others.
• News items and feature articles highlighting the goodness of individuals and communities - bad news less dominant.
• Increased concern for the most vulnerable.

Comfort, support and even free housing offered to stranded tourists "breaks the fall" of people worried and fearful, anxious and powerless, far from family, trying to cope in unfamiliar surroundings.

• Spend some minutes praying for those in need and for those who are helping (who also need support and encouragement) and give thanks for being able to see God's presence in the world's current "unprecedented" situation.

The gospels give several instances of Jesus being frustrated and even despairing of his disciples.

Choose one of these episodes and stay with it in meditation

• Matthew 15:16 - Jesus is concerned at their lack of insight.
• Matthew 27:46 - Jesus feel abandoned by God.
• Luke 18:31-34 - Jesus spells out the details of his passion, but they do not understand…
• Luke 19:41 - Jesus weeps over Jerusalem.

Let Jesus speak to you about his own sense of isolation - not being able to "reach" the disciples - feeling alone and abandoned. Tell him of your own concerns during this time of uncertainty.

Then, return to the Psalm

The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down. [Psalm 145:14] and from the same Psalm [vs8-9]

The Lord is good to all. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and his compassion is over all that he has made.

Read and pray the whole of Psalm 145

It tells of the greatness and the goodness of God. In a time of difficulty, restricted freedom and concern over the risk of infection, this Psalm can reinforce your faith, strengthen your hope and re-motivate your love. The beautiful Psalm 8 is encouraging at any time but perhaps especially now:

Lord our God, the whole world tells the greatness of your name.
Your glory reaches beyond the stars…
What is humankind that you remember them,
The human race that you care for them?
You treat them like gods, dressing them in glory and splendour. [8:2,5-6]

Some "uplifting" music will help seal this time of prayer and assure you of the goodness and beauty of God, of ourselves and of the world.

The prayer-praise of Mary, uplifted by her visit to Elizabeth, can become your own as you conclude -

And Mary said:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy
according to the promise he made to our ancestors -
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever. [Luke 1:46-55]

Jesus' closest companions, the ones he'd handpicked for ministry, did not believe Mary Magdalene when she ran to them with the news that Jesus was alive.

Coming to the tomb in the early morning she found the stone rolled away and no sign of the body.

She confronted a person she thought to be the gardener, enquiring, Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him. The "Gardener" spoke her name and she immediately knew it was Jesus.

Scripture Reading - John 20:11-18

Spend some time with this passage. Hold it in the context of your "bubble experience", your time of isolation. How has life changed for you? Do you feel your life diminished in any way? Do you ask, Where is Jesus in all that is happening at the moment? He's where you least expect to find him.

The first witness of the resurrection was judged hysterical, out of her mind with grief. This scepticism continued among the disciples and is still met today in those who have no knowledge of Jesus, have not develop any personal relationship with him, or cannot accept what seems to be impossible - that a dead person should come back to life.

Resurrection is a very difficult concept, yet it is the heart of the Christian message. The Cross is the primary Christian symbol not because it celebrates death, but because it is recognised as a tree of life - a pathway to an existence without pain or suffering. Its starkness announces freedom and hope. Just as the empty tomb causes the mind to ponder deeply the mystery of life, the Cross demands an exploration of the meaning of suffering.

Witness in Suffering

Breaking bread and pouring wine
Stooping low and washing feet
My Saviour, Friend and Brother
You feed my need
For company and to be
Wanted for myself.

Weeping in a garden
Tortured
By the fear of tomorrow
With no one to watch with you.
Remove the selfishness that keeps me
From being there for others.

Dying on a cross
Forgiving
Those who put you there
And those broken by their panic.
Heal me from my bitterness
Teach me to forgive.

Dawn-chilled-silent-grave
Empty tomb
And too much to believe
Bring light to my darkness
Faith to my doubt
Life to my death.

[John 13: 1-15; Luke 23: 32 - 24: 12]

Through the cold, quiet nighttime of the grave underground,
The earth concentrated on him with complete longing
Until his sleep could recall the dark from beyond
To enfold memory lost in the requiem of mind.

The moon stirs a wave of brightening in the stone.
He rises clothed in the young colours of dawn.

[John O'Donohue]

Intercession

The theme of new life, new hope, invites prayers of thanksgiving - but also prayers for those for whom the lockdown has drained resources, created fear, presented unexpected difficulties…

• Pray for yourself, your loved ones, your neighbours, your town/city/nation
• Pray for the quick development of a cure for Covid-19 and for the scientists engaged in this work
• Pray in thanksgiving for the gift of life - that there might be a new awareness of its value through this troubled time
• Pray for the medical teams, upholding life while risking their own
• Pray for the sick and the dying
• Pray for a lasting appreciation of community and togetherness beyond this pandemic - and perhaps because of it.

Psalm 117

Alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord for God is good
God's love is everlasting -
My strength, my song, my saviour.
There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the just.
Alleluia!

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
and all nations are held in your loving embrace.
The pandemic that now holds us hostage
threatens the wellbeing and stability
of the whole world.
With the dawning of this new day
we place our trust in you.
Gather us under your protecting wings
that we might encourage one another
and work together to bring health, safety and peace.

Self-isolation signals a cut-off from many usual and normal contacts.

Social distancing affects every community - family, school, church, town, city, the entire nation, and internationally as well.

This is a terrible global phenomenon.

But perhaps it will bring blessings, as we all come to realise what makes life so precious and the aspects of living we have taken for granted or never really appreciated.

To begin, use some of this prayer time, and some of this day, to reflect on the tragedy of isolation - not simply your own, but the many ways in which people experience isolation: the imprisoned, refugees, social outcasts, the elderly abandoned by family, solo parents, the sick kept in isolation, a person or persons nobody wants anything to do with…

Here are some characters Jesus encountered who knew the pain of isolation: a Leper (Lk 5:12-16), the Gerasene Demoniac (Lk 8:26-39), Lazarus - at the gate of the rich man, (Lk 16:19-31), Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10).

There are many more, including Jesus himself; Peter and the other disciples, as a consequence of their abandoning Jesus (Matthew 26:56; Lk 22:54-62; Matthew 27:46).

• Pray these episodes - each of them at different times during the day. Note the ways in which these people were isolated. You may like to look for other examples in the gospel narratives. Note, too, the concern of Jesus to restore people to the community or to help the community to be more accepting of the isolated one. Luke's gospel is particularly concerned with the healing ministry of Jesus and the greatest healing happens when people are at peace with one another.
• Using your atlas or list of countries, locate those most affected by Coronavirus. Consider the amount of isolation affecting the people of these lands and the enormous changes occurring in lifestyle, commerce, transport, and day-to-day living. Pray the following psalm with hope in your heart for healing, for increase in faith and for the strengthening of love between people, isolated or not.

Psalm 91

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shade of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress;
my God in whom I trust.

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence;
he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge…

You will not fear the terror of the night,
or the arrow that flies by day,
or the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
or the destruction that wastes at noonday…

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone…

Those who love me I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
When they call to me I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue them and honour them…

Rosary Prayer: Pray the 5th Joyful Mystery - the Finding of the Child Jesus.

Jesus becomes "isolated" from the Nazareth "caravan" and is feared lost in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph search for him through a number of days. Offer this Decade for all who are isolated or lost, and for those desperate to find them and to be reunited.

• Keep contact with people you know to be isolated at this time through phone, email or other social media. The Church has always regarded the "media" as gifts of God. Well used, they can be life-savers and health-givers. Be aware of how much you are now valuing the calls of those concerned for your welfare.

Wonder Counsellor

I give thanks for the many ways
you guide the skills of people to improve and
assist the ways we communicate with one another.
In this time of isolation
when physical contact needs to be avoided
we are blessed with electronic media to
enable support to be given
news to be known and
love to be shared.
May my gratitude continue
beyond this emergency
so that I never misuse any of your gifts.

If you have access to music, conclude by listening to a quiet, reflective piece.

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 are in a time of trouble, as an

out-of-control virus threatens your world and its people.

Thank you for being with us during another day

of social distancing and uncertainty.

Guide our minds and hearts as a remedy is sought.

May the successful outcome bring us

Closer to one another and to you.

One of the warnings given in efforts to stop the spreading of coronavirus is to avoid unnecessary touching. The virus survives in the afterglow of our touch, making the washing hands and the wiping of doorknob, bannister, laptop, lift button, important weapons in the fight. How terrible to be told not to touch, to hug, to kiss, and to "socially distance" yourself by standing at least a metre from another person.

As water is essential for life, touching is essential for life to thrive. Touching connects not only bodies but also hearts. I was very touched by your words, we say. And, please keep in touch. So many of Jesus' miracles came through his touch, and the woman who merely touched the hem of his garment found herself cured.

Today's prayer time invites reflection on the gift of touch. At a time when we are cautioned against touching, giving ourselves space to take a deeper look at how and why we need contact with one another, can bring fresh insights and new purpose to the way we communicate.

The Gospel according to John records six significant gifts coming from the public ministry of Jesus: the gift of Wine at Cana (ch.2), the gift of Living Water to the woman he met at the well (ch.4), the gift of Healing to the disabled man who had no one else to help him (ch.5), the gift of Food to the crowd (ch.6), the gift of Sight to the man born blind (ch.8), the gift of Life to his friend, Lazarus (ch.11). Each gift involves an encounter with others. While they each relate to one or more of our five senses (smell, taste, touch, sight and hearing), they all relate to touch of one kind or another.

• Read and re-read one of the above chapters. Observe the connections between Jesus and the person/people involved, especially his non-physical touching.
• Look at the photos in your prayer space. In this time of prayer, "touch" the people and places, using your heart and mind. "Embrace" them in your prayer.

Without touch there is no real physical connection. The other five senses can be stimulated from a distance, but touch requires closeness, intimacy, and is never a one-way communication. This is what is missing from our personal lives during the coronavirus crisis. The tragedy is that not being able to touch another person, I can find my life - as the writer Joy Cowley puts it - restricted to a small world of one.

Pray this Aotearoa Psalm: The Human Race

Who was it who said that competition was a good idea?

Who reckoned it was important to be first, best, biggest, richest,

fastest, brightest, top of the class?

Not Jesus, that's for sure.

Oh, he had his chance in the desert.

All the temptations given him were a push for self-promotion.

He turned them down flat.

He knew that the secret of happiness

lay in making others happy,

in cooperation rather than competition,

in helping another unwrap her gift,

in listening to a brother's song.

Pursuit of excellence is part of growth and important in our lives,

but that has got nothing to do

with standing on others to increase our stature,

or leaving others behind in order to get out front.

Isn't it better to share the pleasures of all those around us

than to be restricted

to a small world on one?

Because that's the trouble with winning:

it leaves us standing on our own.

In fact, winning can be so lonely,

that often it feels like losing.

[Joy Cowley, Aotearoa Psalms, 1989, Psalm 29]

Scripture Meditation

As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. [Colossians 3:12-15]

• Stay with this reading for 5-10 minutes
• The Aotearoa Psalm warns against selfishness and greed. Now that you are isolated from others, even perhaps from those you greatly love, consider the way your touch affects others. Is it in any way selfish or controlling? How does it stack up against St Paul's wardrobe of compassion, kindness, etc.
• What do you find in the scripture passage that you would like to develop / strengthen in your personal relationships when you re-enter society?

Close this prayer time with personal praise and thanks for the gift of touch.

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 open.

You are a person of faith.

Prayer is an important part of your life.

Worship normally engages you with others and with large gatherings banned, church services, along with concerts, meetings, sporting events and large social celebrations, cannot be held.

We are in a very strange and unfamiliar environment, backpedalling to escape infection and limit the spread of a disease for which there is still no cure.

This means minimal or no contact with others, no touching, no sharing, keeping our distance from one another and keeping everything clean.

It's like we're living "in reverse", backing away from what we've regarded as normal.

Indeed, as social beings, we need contact with others.

Reversing what is natural and necessary is unnerving and extremely disruptive.

So here is a package of reflections to take you through this time of being locked down!

Whether on your own or at home with family, I hope you will find here something to ease the isolation and to let you know you are still connected. Let the spirit be our touchstone and our bridge to one another.

They explore the "In Reverse" title, accepting that while it is unnatural to be apart from others, this time on your own can help you to place more value on community, to become more mindful of those without friends or contacts, and to nurture seeds of kindness and compassion.

Prayer in a time of isolation offers a spiritual bond that will remove loneliness from your time alone and strengthen your appreciation of "togetherness" when you return.

Pray Day One - The water of Life

Give thanks for this new day:

God of life and light, I thank you for another new beginning.

For the light shining through my window

For the trees and their colours

The birds and their songs

Though I am, for some days, alone

The beauty I see speaks your presence

And gives me confidence to live this new day.

Frequent handwashing plays a significant role in preventing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The virus can survive on hands for up to ten minutes and in that short time can be transferred to anything touched.

Cleanliness is vital in the fight against this new virus.

It is appropriate, therefore, to open our special 14 prayer days with a focus on water, the first element in creation.

Water: so essential for life, but with the potential to be extremely destructive.

Water sustains all forms of life, including the life of our planet.

Droughts - the absence of water, prevent life and growth. Floods - the excess of water, destroy life.

Baptism is the gateway to faith for Christians.

By "water and the Spirit" we are gifted new life, becoming "a new creation", washed free of the virus of selfishness and made one with the People of God, the Church.

In Baptism there is both a washing away and a washing into life.

Reflect today on your own baptism

How has your faith developed since that momentous occasion?

It's what happens after baptism that shapes the way you will experience its effects. How are you living your new life?

Consider

Baptism is the sign instituted by Jesus to unite us with his own baptism.

He asked his disciples when they were seeking his favour, "Are you willing to be baptised with the baptism with which I must be baptised?" St Paul made this perfectly clear:

When we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father's glory, we too might live a new life. [Romans 6:3-4]

• Give yourself 5-10 minutes meditating on the above. If you no longer have your baptism candle, or have no other candle, light a table lamp or torch. Let its glow accompany you in this quiet time.
• After your mediation write about what you have experienced, what you heard in the scripture, what dying and rising with Jesus might mean for you today and in the future.
• If you have access to the song, Christ Be Our Light [Bernadette Farrell], play it, listening carefully to the words. What do they say to you about the consequences of your baptism? This song will also help you know that, though you are now alone, you remain linked to all the baptised. Here is the chorus:

Christ be our light

Shine in our hearts, shine through the darkness

Christ be our light

Shine in your Church gathered today.

Pray

Pray one (or more) of these three Rosary decades, while giving thanks for those who have shared faith with you and helped it to develop.

• The Baptism of Jesus - 2nd Mystery of Light
• The Crucifixion of Jesus - 5th Sorrowful Mystery
• The Resurrection of Jesus - 1st Glorious Mystery

Closing Prayer

Awaken Me
Risen One,
come to meet me
in the garden of my life.

Lure me into elation.
Revive my silent hope.
Coax my dormant dreams.
Raise up my neglected gratitude.
Entice my tired enthusiasm.
Give life to my faltering relationships.
Roll back the stone of my indifference.
Unwrap the deadness of my spiritual life
Impart heartiness in my work.

Risen One,
send me forth as a disciple of your unwavering love,
a messenger of your unlimited joy.

Resurrected One,
may I become ever more convinced
that your presence lives on,
and on, and on,
and on.

Awaken me!
Awaken me!

• Joyce Rupp, Out of the Ordinary, 2002. Used with permission, Ave Maria Press

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 remembering. Here is the link that will enable you to hear them: chrisskinner.org.nz/we-are-you."

He received a reply from the prime minister's office thanking them on behalf of the prime minister and telling them a copy of the email had been sent to the Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Hon Megan Woods, for her information.

One song is inspired by the words used by Adern at the time of the tragedy that "You are us"; it has the title, We are you

Lyons said You are us was a phrase that sprang up almost immediately after the tragedy, directed at the Muslim community, reassuring them that the rest of Aotearoa-New Zealand stood with them.

"I wanted to place the phrase in the mind of the killer and others who think the same way: 'You are us - and we are you.'"

​Lyons said Chris Skinner's music reflected the theme very well, giving energy to his words, and also emphasising their urgency.

Skinner has written a second song inspired by the outpouring of public support with flowers, resulting in the "Garden in the street".

"For me, the floral tributes provided a beautiful display to show the Muslim community that they were not alone in their grief and trauma. We were standing with them," he said.

"My hope is that the song will support and comfort the Muslim Community and that it touches into the hearts of all New Zealanders who stand for peace and believe and uphold the gift of our common humanity."

Source

• Suppled: Fr Chris Skinner
• chrisskinner.org.nz
• Image: screenshot chrisskinner.org

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 Holy Father, I said it was inspired by his reflection on families, Pope Francis responded with delight and gratitude that such a publication had been produced in our own local context," Dew said.

The idea for the prayer book came from Dew when he returned from the Family Synod in Rome last November. He remarked that it would be great to have a book that encouraged family prayer, especially one that also demonstrated the "ordinariness" of prayer.

The prayer book, edited by Wellington priest, Fr James Lyons, takes its theme from Ecclesiasticus, chapter three, There is a time for everything under heaven. It draws on real life family experiences from Beginning to Ending, and the things that happen in between, such as Hurting, Celebrating, Forgiving, Loving and Blessing.

"Starting school, grieving the loss of a pet, sibling rivalry, enjoying success and companionship, feeling your age, giving thanks for Mum and Dad, celebrating goodness as well as disappointment, many of the realities of family life - these situations and much more are covered in the book," said Lyons.

"Over 40 contributors have shared their creative writing and equally creative photography, to capture the moods, hopes and delights of family life in Aotearoa-New Zealand."

Source

Supplied

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 ashes in an urn.

The cathedral parish offered to have the funeral service at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, as Mr Grant lived in their area, even though it is thought that he did not attend Mass.

Funeral director Simon Manning said " . . . [T]he priest in charge, Father James Lyons, said why don't we combine it with Sunday Mass and try and engage their parish community with a little bit of reality about how people live and how they die."

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