If you too are of an age where you attend more funerals than weddings you will know the mixture of grief and celebration that unites people. There is a lot of hugging, wiping of eyes, laughter, memories shared. Friendships are renewed. Family connections are updated. As one person said, “It takes a good funeral to Read more
If you have been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, you will be familiar with the open-air chapels around many of the churches. These structures vary in size and shape, but will usually accommodate a busload of pilgrims for a mass or service. Because there are so many people on pilgrimage, a chapel must Read more
For most of my life, scripture has been a part of daily prayer, and yet there is something new every time I read it. This morning, John the Baptizer’s statement about Jesus as “The one who comes after me,” started a long journey of reflection. John, the wild prophet in the wilderness had always known Read more
It seems that at any time in our lives, we are waiting for something. The child is waiting for her birthday. The young man waits for his exam results while the girl who sits next to him, waits for him to notice her. The family sit around an injured cyclist, waiting for him to regain Read more
There was a big magnolia tree in the retreat grounds, white cup-shaped flowers that poured out fragrance on us as we made our way to the chapel. We would stop on the path under that tree, to breathe it in. We didn’t think of the pause as prayer, but that’s what it was. On the Read more
We prepare for Mass, gathering together in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen. So let’s look at that sentence and ask ourselves, which word is the most important? Is it the aspect of God that feels closest to our heart? What about God the creator of all that Read more
A new book of spiritual reflections by Joy Cowley, one of New Zealand’s favourite and most influential spiritual writers, is to be launched at St Joseph’s Church, Mt Victoria in Wellington at the end of October. Veil Over The Light – Selected Spiritual Writings by Joy Cowley, will be launched on October 27th at 4pm. Read more
A woman grew pumpkins for the local market. Near the large pumpkin patch there was a pear tree bearing so much fruit that the woman also picked pears to sell. The pumpkins were so heavy they made her back ache. Each had to be cut from the plant and lifted onto the trailer behind her Read more
Please, let us get real about this history of abuse in the Church. Isn’t it time we paid attention to what the Holy Spirit is telling us? Celibacy might be a fine ideal but it doesn’t always fit well with reality. Diocesan Catholic priests need to have the option of marriage. About twelve years ago, Read more
The life journey on this earth, is also one of spiritual growth, and we know that tension is a requirement. Growth through the tension of opposite states, is a condition of nature. Let us think about that for a moment. At this time of the year, we see trees bursting into leaf. The smooth branch Read more