Providing the ‘why’ this Christmas season
by DOROTHY COUP
When I happily tell people I have 20 grandchildren, their response is often: “I bet Christmas is expensive. How do you afford it?” Then they give a...
Our prayer must point always to God
HOLY DESPERATION: Praying as if Your Life Depends on It by Heather King. Loyola Press (Chicago, 2017). 224 pp., US $13.95.
PRAYER SEEDS: A Gathering of Blessings, Reflections and...
Fewer people are going to church — who to blame?
by Fr Ronald Rolheiser
It’s no secret that today there’s been a massive drop-off in church attendance. Moreover, that drop-off in churchgoing is not paralleled by the same widespread growth...
Bishop vents about dress standards, behaviour at Mass
by Bishop Thomas Tobin
After attending Sunday Mass in Florida not too long ago I came across the following admonition in the Sunday bulletin: “Please come to Mass early enough...
On how we react to criticism and opposition
by Fr Ron Rolheiser
Have you ever noted how we spontaneously react to a perceived threat? Faced with a threat, our
primal instincts tend to take over and we instantly freeze...
Wars and rumours of war and peacemaking II
This is the second part of a two-part article written by Bishop Peter Cullinane titled: Wars and rumours of war and peacemaking.
We cannot exclude from the title of “peace-makers” those who...
The colourful people in my community
by Mike Baird
There’s a community of people I’ve come to know since my work shifted into the CBD.
I meet them on my way to and from the coffee shop. They’re walking...
2016 theme may be a challenge
Editorial
Is there a problem with the Vatican’s chosen theme for Church World Day of Peace 2016?
The selected theme, announced earlier this month, is “Overcome indifference and win peace”.
How can...
Liturgical responses to the abuse crisis
As new revelations of clergy sexual abuse of minors are made the question posed to Catholics is — what should one do? Many suggestions can be made, but it is becoming increasingly apparent...
Time for old doctrine to go
EDITORIAL
For thousands of years, indigenous peoples lived free in their territories. When European monarchies arrived in the Western Hemisphere during the so-called Age of Discovery, they claimed the lands,...
Memories of Notre Dame
In the wake of the fire which seriously damaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris last month, NZ Catholic asked its publisher, Bishop Patrick Dunn, to share some...
Medjugorje visit wonderful and memorable
by REX EVANS
We recently went to Medjugorje at Our Lady’s command and spent a week there with members of a group called Maranatha Conversion.
They are based in Brussells, Belgium,...
Bethlehem’s light has never been extinguished
One of the visual attractions of this time of year is the growing practice of decorating houses with Christmas lights.
A prominent example is Franklin Road in Ponsonby in Auckland,...
Let’s stop the war in New Zealand
by Fr Wayne Healy
It’s a sad state of affairs to read and see nation after nation in conflict with each other, such as Syria, Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan — and...
Almsgiving and the challenge of encounter
In the fading days of summer, Kiwi Catholics know that another season looms — Lent, with its increased focus on prayer, almsgiving and fasting, in preparation for Easter.
St Augustine described fasting and...
Ministering, and being ministered to
by Emeritus Bishop Peter Cullinane
To a particular way of thinking about right and wrong, giving people who are unable to receive Holy Communion lead roles in the Christian community...
Are video games killing our young men?
By Carolyn Moynihan
One of the great concerns in advanced economies is unemployment among men, and especially young men. In the United States, millions of manufacturing jobs have disappeared with the advance of technological change,...
The real issue about the doctor-patient relationship
It appears that at least one person is not happy at all with the election statement from the New Zealand Catholic bishops titled “Step Out and Vote”. That person...
Honour the One who rules over all things
by Fr Kevin Waldie, SM
August 24: 21st Sunday of Year: Readings: 1.
Isaiah 22:19-23; Psalm 138; 2. Romans 11:33-
36; Gospel, Matthew 16:13-20
There is in today’s readings a presence...
Pastors should preach that God’s name is holy
On May 11, Parliament took the first step towards abolishing the blasphemous libel provision of the Crimes Act. An amendment was accepted during the second reading of the Statutes...
Do Christians really care about trading at Easter?
One of the unfortunate things about government in New Zealand is the low turnout in
local body elections.
All the indications are that the turnout for this month’s elections tested record low percentages.
That...
The hero complex
by Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Several years ago, the movie Argo won the Academy award as the best movie of the year.
I enjoyed the movie in that it was a...
What young people want
by Michael Hempseed
A few years ago I went along to a Church meeting in England. It was basically a How-to-Fix-the-
Church meeting.
The topic of why there were no young people...
The importance of Catholic social teaching at this time
by LYN SMITH
Why is everyone talking about Catholic Social Teaching these days?
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a term we appear to hear more frequently since Francis became Pope...
Family Talk: Tidy-up is best done under deadline
by DOROTHY COUP
A booking clerk from the hospital rang to say there had been a cancellation and was I able to
take the appointment for surgery next week?
“Oh, good,” I...
Sweet Garden
BY JULIA DU FRESNE
I once knew a parish priest who didn’t believe in purgatory. He said so. From the pulpit. Another concedes that it exists — but not for...
Kicking the elephant out of the lab
by Stacy Trasancos
Some say they were pursued by the Hound of Heaven, a grace that would not take leave, not in the “nights” or “down the days,” the “arches...
Gender confusion, and an old heresy
by Robert Barron
Two news items from early June put me in mind of St Irenaeus and the battle he waged, 19 centuries ago, against the Gnostic heresy.
The first was...
No sense in entitlement
Editorial
Comments by a Nelson school principal about an overblown sense of entitlement among young people have touched one of New Zealand’s most sensitive nerves.
A favourite Kiwi debating point over...
Need the impossible? See St Rita
by Emma O’Connell
Ever had to employ the intercession of a saint? When my husband and I got married four years ago we thought we’d quickly and naturally fall pregnant...