The new Christchurch Airport prayer room is located on the ground floor next to the domestic baggage area collection point, between international arrivals and the check in hall. The dedication ceremony was attended by representative leaders of the Catholic, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist communities attended and individually blessed the room. Continue reading
Posts Tagged ‘Prayer’
Why Catholics make the sign of the cross
Thursday, April 20th, 2017The sign of the cross is a gesture that has ancient and biblical roots. While it may appear that some Catholics make it superstitiously, it was never intended to be done in such a way. According to writings that date back to the 3rd century, Christians have been making the sign of the cross over Read more
In the image of God
Monday, April 3rd, 2017
There is a saying, “Pray as you can, not as you can’t,” and I’m one of those people who can’t pray some of the words in the changed liturgy. The problem is not ‘consubstantiation’ and a sprinkling of clumsy English, but a couple of statements that have no meaning for me. For example, I can’t Read more
Find Mass boring? Good!
Monday, March 20th, 2017
Praying through the tedium at Mass can be a more authentic way of sharing the divine life. As citizens of late modern life, we seek to avoid boredom. We alleviate the stillness of a quiet moment by turning to our smartphones. We delight in the arrival of new emails, fresh stories and notifications from social Read more
Using digital devices for reflection during Lent
Thursday, March 16th, 2017
The season of Lent is upon us. This is a holy season for Christians who seek to identify with Jesus Christ’s 40 days of fasting as he prepared to be tested and later crucified. In order to identify with Christ’s self-sacrifice, Christians often join in a symbolic fast, giving up certain foods such as meat Read more
Lectio Divina
Monday, February 27th, 2017
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
Child soldiers – Pope calls them a “scandal”
Friday, December 9th, 2016Child soldiers are what Pope Francis calls a “scandal”. “We must do everything possible so that the dignity of children may be respected, and end this form of slavery,” he says. “Whoever you are, if you are moved as I am, I ask you to join me in this prayer intention: that the scandal of Read more
The Present Moment
Tuesday, December 6th, 2016
We are told that we experience God in the present moment, and we know that as truth. But our brains are wired for learning from the past, planning for the future, and we’re not going to be rid of those habits. While we may find it impossible to live in the present moment, that very Read more
What depression has taught me
Tuesday, December 6th, 2016
As regular readers may remember, I have been suffering with depression since the summer. My last blog on the topic, I’m told, came across more “worryingly bleak” than “winningly chipper in the face of adversity”. That wasn’t really the intention at all. But hey, I’m mentally ill – so what do I know? As I Read more
Carmelite Sisters’ practical tips for prayer
Friday, October 21st, 2016
Dear Sister, Is there a best time to pray, given all the activities each day holds for me—working at my job and caring for and being with my family makes a very full day? Also, I’m not fully awake first thing in the morning and already mighty tired by the time I lay my head Read more