WelCom May 2021 Gospel: John 15:1-8 Jesus said to his disciples: 1 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. 2 He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. 3 You are already pruned […]
WelCom May 2021 Ascension of the Lord: Sunday 16 May, 2021 James Lyons My mother died on her own. Family had been with her for long periods over several days. Her slow, steady decline signalled the end was not far. But the long vigil had been exhausting, so because she looked comfortable and settled, it […]
WelCom May 2021 My Pentecost journey Joy Cowley “The spirit of Jesus brought the new law of love. In the Acts of the Apostles we are told of the way people were changed. That spirit of love blew right through them. It set them on fire with love. It was not a timid experience. What […]
WelCom April 2021 Happy Easter and Easter Blessings to all WelCom readers. When I wish you all Easter Blessings I am actually praying and hoping that the life of the Risen Jesus is awakened in a new way in your hearts, that the life of Jesus who is alive is deepened within you. The Gospel […]
WelCom April 2021 Michael McCabe Transformation is a word that comes to mind. In the Northern Hemisphere the transformation of Easter coincides with the miracle of spring whereas in Aotearoa New Zealand that transformation occurs in early autumn amidst the harvest and ripening of summer, the planting of bulbs, and allowing the land to become […]
WelCom April 2021 Easter Sunday – the resurrection John 20: 1-9 1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the […]
WelCom April 2021 Joy Cowley When I’m asked why I am a Catholic, the simplest answer is: ‘Because it works’. Sometimes, that hasn’t been enough. People have wanted detail, a comprehensive answer to their ‘why?’ The explanation can be long and tedious. Do they want a personal journey? Or something about Catholic teaching? It is […]
He awenga piripono he ngū, he pūaroha – Hāto Hōhepa – WelCom March 2021 Pope Francis has asked that Catholics honour 2021 as the ‘Year of St Joseph’, recognising the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. In this feature article Fr James Lyons invites WelCom readers to […]
WelCom March 2021 Pope Francis has declared 2021 as the Year of St Joseph. St Joseph, whose feast day is on March 19, is one of his favourite saints. Pope Francis already had a connection with St Joseph when he was living in Argentina. It was in the church of St Joseph in Buenos Aires […]
WelCom March 2021 In his apostolic letter Patris Corde, Pope Francis invites us to reflect on the many aspects of Joseph’s life as the father of Jesus – a tender and loving father of a child; an accepting father and husband who trusted Mary unconditionally; a working father who earned a living to provide for […]