Artificial Intimacy and Real Friendship
Recently, I read a scary article about AI being able to generate intimate relationships between humans and a machine (see James Muldoon, “Artificial Intimacy,” Guardian Weekly, 16 January 2026). I…
How Do I Understand Prayer?
Last week I was checking out the readings for Sunday, 19 October, prior to preparing my homily. All three readings pointed to the importance of prayer in our lives. The…
Does Your Country Have an Appetite for Trumpism?
There is hardly a night goes by in Aotearoa New Zealand, when the 47th president of the “dis” United States of America does not appear on our TV. I think…
What I Read and How it Influences Me
I am sure I am not alone in being horrified and appalled by what is happening in Gaza, and sadly, increasingly in the West Bank. Hamas’ violent attack on Israeli…
The Chrism Mass and Women
The Holy Week ceremonies have been celebrated and as we progress through the Easter season with its wonderful readings from the Acts of the Apostles, we learn about the disciples…
Autumn Reflections on Climate Change
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; … Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they? Think not of them, thou hast thy…
The Book of Created Nature
The importance of Saint Augustine (354-430) for Western civilisation in general, and Christianity in particular, can hardly be under-estimated. Many women, particularly those committed to empowering women unhappy about their…
Hopelessness and Hope
I am an avid reader of The Guardian Weekly which arrives in our letter box every Friday and so updates me on what is happening in distant and not so…
Working With Others to Care for Creation
In the 1850s, settlers from the United Kingdom thought it would be a good idea to introduce Australian possums to New Zealand. What a disaster that has been. (They also…
ANZAC Day Commemoration in New Zealand
ANZAC Day Commemoration I am writing this on April 25, a public holiday as New Zealanders remember those 2779 New Zealand soldiers who died at Gallipoli in the senseless assault…