Marist Messenger

Conscience is a key issue in Catholic life, as pointed out by John Kelly in his article in the June Messenger.
Our conscience is the ability to make a moral judgement. It is ‘the most secret core and sanctuary of a person where God speaks.’ A person is bound to follow the certain judgement of their conscience. Read more »

Dominion-Post Thursday May 15, 2008
I read your feature on the Virgin Birth with interest. I was professor of religious studies at Otago University from 1992-2005.
It’s a basic postulate of religious studies that all religions are treated with empathy and respect. My lectures on the Virgin Birth were probably similar to those of my Jewish friend Paul Morris. When I taught Islamic history in Nigeria, my students thought I was a secret Muslim. Read more »

After recalling how the motive for his U.S. visit was the bi-centenary of the elevation of the country’s first diocese, Baltimore, to the status of metropolitan archdiocese, and the foundation of the sees of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Louisville, the Holy Father affirmed that his aim had been “to announce to everyone the message that ‘Christ is our Hope’, the phrase which was the theme of my visit”. Read more »

Ten inspirational saints and blesseds are the official patrons for World Youth Day 2008. Australian artist Richard de Stoop was commissioned to recreate their images. Read more »

The official World Youth Day programme contains a week-long programme of events, and in the year and week prior, a number of lead-up events. Read more »

by Tom Ryan sm
1. Drawn by Desire
‘You fill up my senses’ from John Denver’s Annie’s Song could well be an entrée to this series. In the next seven articles, we will think about our five senses and their role in prayer.
The main focus is on the Scriptures. We will discuss how sight, hearing, touch, scent and taste can lead us to God and bring God to us. We will also uncover how the five senses can act as metaphors for the ways in which God is at work in our lives.

Read more »

Saint Elizabeth was born in 1271, the daughter of Pedro III of Aragon. As a child she was holy, and when she was given in marriage to Denis, King of Portugal, she became a saintly wife. Read more »

Kilian was born about 640 of noble parents in Ireland. He was distinguished from his youth for his piety and love of study. Read more »

The daughter of a Mohawk chief and an Algonquin Christian mother, Kateri was orphaned by smallpox in 1660. Weakened, scarred and partially blind, she survived to be adopted by a Mohawk family. Read more »

A Reflection on Parish life by Fr Don Morrison
Featherston
I took communion to Harry, the day before he died. Doubled up in pain but still alert, he asked me to pick up one of his red bed-socks on the floor. It sets the theme for his farewell – (John 14 Verses 15-21) the following Sunday Gospel. It comes from the Last Supper when Christ washes his disciples feet ‘… a new commandment that you love one another…’ Read more »

Contributed by Mrs Irene Stevens, Mossman, Australia.
As a visitor and pilgrim from Sydney, Australia, I was privileged to be present on Saturday, 7 June, for the blessing and naming of the Southern Star Monastery’s new Guest House. It was indeed a joyous occasion. Read more »

by Father John Kelly ocso
a monk of Southern Star Abbey, Kopua

In order to live the Christian life fully it is important to understand our affectivity, because holiness essentially consists of love of God and neighbour. When we speak of our ‘affectivity’ we are referring especially to the various experiences of love that take place in our inner life. Love is the root of all the other affective states. Read more »

A Short Story by Robyn Beckingsale

I would never have noticed the kid if she had not spilled drink on my shoes. She looked pretty upset and I was glad her mother did not ask her to apologise. She looked like the sort of kid that life should apologise to. I wanted to get that miserable look off her face. Read more »

by Patrick F. O’Neil, SM
On Saturday, April 19, 2008, at 7:30 pm in the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, Eduardo Francisco de Barros Belotti, SM, 29, was ordained as a priest. Eduardo is the third Brazilian to be ordained a Marist priest. Read more »

A true story from the Wen Chuan Earthquake
supplied by Jean Leembruggen

When rescuers found her, she was already dead, crushed by the collapsed house. Through gaps in the rubble, they could see her posture. Kneeling on both knees, her entire upper body bent forward, held up by her two hands pressed against the ground, as if performing the ceremonial bow in an ancient ritual. Read more »

Fr Augustine Kenneth Hill sm
8 October 1913 -11 May 2008

Extracts from the Eulogy delivered at the Requiem Mass at St Mary of the Angels church, by Fr Gerard Mills sm, on 14 May 2008

What a Marist! What a priest! What a man! Today is a sad day for us, but a “day of bliss” for Gus. He has earned a happy rest. Few people in NZ have made such a constant and powerful impact on so many young men. And yet kept such a low profile. Read more »

A Church pastor had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not budge. Read more »

Today we celebrate the feast day of our Parish. It is good to take the time to rejoice together in what we have received from those who have gone before us, for what we are now and what we will hand on to others in the future. Read more »

‘The Garment of Love’ by Peb Simmons
[Catholic Publication Centre, Puhoi 2008]
reviewed by Joy Cowley

We all have ordinary lives that are made extraordinary in their detail, for it is in the examination of life experience that we see the hand of God weaving for each of us, a garment of love. Read more »

Recently Deceased:
Fr Theo Hoogeveen, Fr Gus Hill sm, John Grogan, J.B.O’Donnell, Mary Mulvaney, J.P. Overwater, Pauline Hill, Doug Cook, Mary Thomas, Paddy Cullen, Mr & Mrs P. & A. Janssen, Brian McKee, Mihipeka Edwards,Braden Sharkey, Doreen Keogh, J.Carthy, Brendan Farrell, Mrs M Lee, Miss M.B. McKenzie Read more »