When I was a child I wondered how the ark with Noah and all those animals, could store enough food for forty days. Then there were the Israelites who spent forty years in the wilderness. Wouldn’t most of them be dead by the time the tribe got to the promised land? And how did Jesus Read more
I’m stepping out of line here, but I believe someone has to put words to what the Holy Spirit has been telling us for years: married priesthood needs to be reinstated. The arguments against marriage for priests do not sit well with history or the majority of priests who claim they don’t cope with celibacy. Read more
When we are young, much of life experience seems unplanned and random. Our dear little hearts are torn by both love and disappointment, one as painful as the other, and without warning, days open up under our feet, hurtling us into some new happening. We sometimes feel out of control and don’t know where God Read more
We were nearing the end of a writing workshop and it was time for questions. Given the subjects covered, I expected queries about submissions, publishers or maybe agents. But the first question was, “Do you think writing is like meditation?” and from that evolved a vigorous conversation about the spiritual aspect of inspiration and creative Read more
When I read the church fathers’ teaching about sin, I acknowledge the principles but interpret them a different way. Many women do this because feminine spirituality tends to be a little different, although complementary to the male model. Our spiritual paths are shaped by our biological roles. Most men achieve spiritual growth through information and structure. Read more
Church teaching comes as a “one size fits all” but at the same time, the Church recognises that God calls us as individuals. Through the sacraments, gospels and prayer, Jesus helps me to discern what is more life-giving and what is less life-giving. Ignatius of Loyola saw discernment as very important in spiritual life, and Read more
This traditional way of praying scripture has become popular in a number of Christian churches. I think it began in monasteries, where monks sat at their evening meal, listening to the reading of the day. When a verse or phrase had meaning for a monk, he would leave the table and take the words to Read more
On my desk is a faded page from The London Tablet 18 June 2016. It’s still there because I identified with a Mercy Sister’s concern about a prayer added after each decade of the Rosary: ‘O my Jesus forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially Read more
As a new Catholic, I was enthralled by the beauty of the liturgy. I wanted the priest to slow down so every word could be savoured fully; but the pace was such, I felt like a hungry woman being rushed past delicious food. I’d glance at the people near me: some would be attentive; others would Read more
It is a windy Wellington day and the sea is magnificent, great waves rolling into the shore with heads of foam, some waves exploding against rocks, others falling over themselves and dissolving on the sand. Clouds too are moving and between sea and sky, gulls teeter on outstretched wings, as though fearful of a crash-landing Read more