Category: Reflections

I have a little litmus test when I meet someone who wishes to discuss the Catholic Church. I tend to start off by saying something like, ‘I believe the Roman Catholic Church, has been, is now, and will continue to be a tremendous force for good in the world.’ I then look and listen carefully for their response. My experience too often is that even those who profess a strong Catholic faith baulk at this statement – it appears to be too bold a statement.

The 16th century Litany of Loreto contains several titles given to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. These are being explored by Fr James Lyons for WelCom. This month we meet two kinds of dwellings, house and ark.

The month of October each year is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. The liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated annually on 7 October. Senior contributor to Crux Catholic media, Fr Jeffrey F Kirby, a US Catholic priest, moral theologian, and Papal Missionary of Mercy, explains the importance of the Rosary as a prayer method.

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: 33 ‘Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower.

During the month of October 2023 Pope Francis’ intention is: for the Synod.

We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.

Fr James Lyons continues his presentation of Marian titles from within the 16th Century Litany of Loreto. Our use and understanding of ‘Tower’ are explored and related to our devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

I urge you, then, brothers, remembering the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, dedicated and acceptable to God; that is the kind of worship for you, as sensible people.

We are entering an interesting time in our country and in our Church as this month of September begins.  Here in New Zealand, we are in the midst of the campaign for the General Election planned to be held on 14 October 2023.

Credo Is it not time after all these years,to sort out what you believe, after a lifetime of believing,time to lift the words clean off the page,tattoo them on your chest, feel their burn,their rocket truth, their sheltering roof,their trail of crumbs, their personal sun,visible to nobody but yourself,so when you step out the front door,by the olive tree,you […]

During the month of September 2023 Pope Francis’ intention is: for people living on the margins. We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions;may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance.