Marist Messenger

It is election again in NZ and it time for Catholics to think about their civic duty to vote, in the light of their faith. Read more »

The NZ Bishops Conference in a statement at the end of July to comment on Social Justice week have raised concerns that the poorest New Zealanders have not benefited from Government social spending. Real prosperity embraces the advancement of all sections of Society including the poorest section, stated the Bishops.
In the same week in Auckland, a visiting speaker, US priest Fr Robert Sirico stated that the Government has no business at all helping the poor. Read more »

Following the Jubilee Way in the footsteps of Bernadette, “we are reminded of the heart of the message of Lourdes. Read more »

Father John Larsen s.m., from New Zealand, lives as a Marist missionary in Ranong, Thailand, on the Thai-Burma border. Here he reflects on the Holy Name of Mary giving hope to the nameless.
The Marist mission ministers among the migrant labourers from Burma. Marists there have programmes assisting victims of the AIDS virus, educational programmes for the most disadvantaged children, and a training centre for young migrant workers. Read more »

5. Sense of Smell: The Scent of God
by Tom Ryan sm
Overheard in a casual conversation:
Question: “I’ll say a word. What’s the first image you think of? Ready? Chanel.”
Reply: “ ‘Perfume’ or ‘Chanel No. 5’ (if it’s a woman). Perhaps it would be long odds for someone to say “A Marist Saint – Peter Chanel”. As a fellow Marist, I would not take offence.
Why? This particular designer brand name has been almost cauterized into our modern consciousness – much to the dismay of its competitors.
Think of the billions of dollars spent annually on perfume, eau de cologne and after- shave lotions. Or in the advertising industry that surrounds them… Read more »

by Pat Barrett
In early April this year I travelled to Rome, as a delegate for the Christchurch Diocese, with my daughter Anna-Marie (11), to attend the congress on Divine Mercy held in St John Lateran Cathedral. The congress, the first international focus on Divine Mercy as espoused by St Faustina, began with the anniversary Mass of the death of Pope John Paul II in St Peter’s Square presided over by Pope Benedict XVI. This truly memorable occasion was followed by three full days of prayer, Mass, adoration, and lectures by many notable Cardinals among whom was Cardinal Schonborn of Vienna, the congress president, Cardinal Arinze, Cardinal Dwisz, Cardinal O’Malley and Cardinal Barbarin. Read more »

A Letter written to fellow pilgrims in her home parish of Burnside, Christchurch, NZ.
by Juliette Sivertsen (Whakatane)

When I came home I realised how important it is to have God in our daily lives. The key word there is DAILY. Read more »

by the Editor
Brisbane was at its Spring best for the twin Conferences of the Australasian Catholic Press Association (ACPA) and the Australasian Religious Press Association(ARPA). Crimson bougainvillaea blazed along the South Bank, and jacaranda trees dropped soft violet petals all over the lawns. Both Conference venues were close to city gardens, and delegates enjoyed the warm temperatures. Read more »

Saint Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru in 1579, the natural son of a Spanish nobleman and a young Indian woman. Abandoned by his parents, and after only two years schooling, he was placed with a surgeon to learn the medical arts. This was the foundation of his apostolate. Read more »

Blessed Bernhard Lichtenburg was born in Silesia in 1875. Ordained in Poland in 1899, he began his ministry just as the Nazis began their campaign for power. Alarmed by the rise of the Nazis, he became politically active, protesting against the fate of the Jews. Read more »

Saint Margaret was the granddaughter of an English king and in 1070 married Malcolm of Scotland, thereafter reigning as Queen until her death in 1093.
Burning with zeal for the house of God, Margaret built churches and monasteries, occupied herself by making vestments, and could not rest until she saw the laws of God and His Church observed throughout her realm. Read more »

by Fr John Kelly ocso, Southern Star Abbey, Kopua, NZ

The theologian, Bernard Lonergan, has pointed out that all Christians need to undergo a double conversion. The first conversion needed is a conversion to a moral life. Their thinking, deliberate desires, choices and actions should be ethically correct. Read more »

By Glen McCullough
Along with 350 other supporters, I was privileged to be present for the opening of “Bethlehem” retreat centre at Cross Creek near Featherston on 16th August, 2008. Read more »

by Dr John Crowley
When I was growing up in Ross in South Westland it was common to pray for the grace of a happy death. Ross was then a small place, 400 people with a Convent and School of Mercy Nuns, a resident priest and a Church built in 1860. This Church had(s) an extraordinary spirit of holiness which was glowingly mentioned in the visitor’s book, the same spirit I have noticed in other places where, after years of prayer, the very walls seem holy.
The prayer for a happy death was a prayer for the last stage of growth, and it seemed as natural to us as breathing. Read more »

by Sue Jones

A grown-up reflects on WYD08
World Youth Day has come and gone. The Bishops have said it will change the Church though they are not sure how. I do not know either but like all good stories WYD has a beginning, middle and end. And like all good stories it touches the heart and all manner of people are drawn into its magic. Read more »

A Rope
Eleven people were hanging on a rope, under a Helicopter…10 men and 1 woman. The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that one had to leave, otherwise they were all going to fall. Read more »

November is the month of the Holy Souls. Throughout the month the names of all you have asked prayers for, will be remembered at daily Mass. Already we have three Masses on All Souls Day as well as the special Remembrance Masses this weekend. God has blessed each one of us with golden memories of people who have touched our lives. Read more »

Click HERE to download the November Children’s Page

MacKillop Women: the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart Aotearoa New Zealand 1883-2006
by Diane Strevens
David Ling Publishing Ltd, 2008.
Read more »

Holy Mass is offered each month by the Editor for those whose names occur in this list. To add a name, simply write to the Editor.
Recently Deceased: O’Brien Reeve, Paddy Goldstone, Bert Smith, Sr Mary Gormly rsm. Read more »