After a year of disruptions with severe social and economic impacts for us individually and collectively, we need to hold on to hope. We are all dealing with Covid—no one is excluded from this experience. We know the grief of these times; those with secure incomes have had greater security, while those without this have Read more
As world leaders gathered in Glasgow, Scotland, I was depressed by the inability of nations to deal with the coming climate catastrophe. The fault is not entirely on the heads of world leaders. They are only responding to citizens who are more worried about today than tomorrow. People are not convinced of the need to Read more
Recently some readers of my blog “Another Voice” told me they fear I am becoming “negatively critical and pessimistic”. Their remarks surprised me. I am critical but I think it is healthy and responsible to be constructively critical. Being critical, however, is not the same thing as being negative. And I am really not pessimistic. Read more
When Hine Joseph was 18 years old, she was living on the street and carrying a penknife for protection. Three years later, she is securely housed in a flat managed by VisionWest Community Trust, in West Auckland, and says her biggest goal is finding a regular job and, one day, moving into a place she Read more
In the past few days, the Lord allowed me to visit Iraq, carrying out a project of Saint John Paul II. Never before has a Pope been in the land of Abraham. Providence willed that this should happen now, as a sign of hope, after years of war and terrorism, and during a severe pandemic. Read more
Pope Francis says the Christmas season provides a reason for hope during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. During his Sunday blessing this week, Francis commented that the Vatican’s Christmas tree – itself a symbolic reason for hope – went up last week in St. Peter’s Square. Work is also underway to build the life-size Nativity scene Read more
Sunday September 13 marked six months since the U.S. declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. The reality that this pandemic is a marathon, not a sprint, has started to take a toll on people’s emotional and spiritual well-being, with more than half of adults reporting a decline in mental health due to worry and Read more
Psalm 27:12 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will 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
Pope Francis said he has “hope in humanity” during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In an interview for a television programme this week, Francis was asked if he was “optimistic” in face of the pandemic. He replied, “that’s a word I don’t like, because optimism to me, I’m not saying it is, to me sounds like Read more