Reflections

Most of my best words are pinched or inspired by someone else. The phrase “Self discipline for the good of everyone else” is an excellent example. I have shamelessly filched it from another source. Its tempting to think that self discipline is a new thing that was just popped in yesterday, but actually self discipline has been...Continue reading→

Last week Jesus made a valiant, but unsuccessful attempt to carve out some time to grieve cousin John's death. However His cunning plan was thwarted by the crowds. Remember this bit? “Now when Jesus heard of John's death, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds...Continue reading→

The gospel today starts with Jesus hearing of cousin John's death. This is a great blow. The two had quite a bit to do with each other even before they were born. Remember the story of Our Lady and Elizabeth, and John jumping around in the womb for joy so near was his Saviour.  John...Continue reading→

I was at the high altar when I  took a tumble the other morning. Fortunately, I was by myself, so my embarrassment was minimal as there was no one to guffaw at my ineptitude. It all happened very quickly and it was certainly not something that I had written in my diary.  It was something...Continue reading→

A memory of  Christmass came to mind the other day. It was evening, the Christmass services were all completed and around the dinner table were Jeanine, Jeanine’s mum Sonia, Michael and his lovely Steph, Jacky and her amazing David. There was wine and great food, there was laughter and jumping plastic frogs and there was...Continue reading→

The homework of understanding. I left the shopping bags near the back door the other day. I thought this was a masterstroke, a very cunning plan. The next time I went out the back door it would be a simple matter of just picking up the bags and popping them straight into the boot. What...Continue reading→

Once upon a time, in a parish far far away, a young man in his teens had the task on Friday mornings of leading the recitation of The Litany, a form of petitionary prayer, using The Book of Common Prayer.  He had grown up using the book from his early days, indeed His mother had...Continue reading→

Sunday Service times Saturday night Vigil mass at Christ Church Hamilton will be celebrated at 5:00pm on Saturday 18th of July. Sunday Morning's mass at St. Marks Cavendish will be celebrated at 9:00am on Sunday 19th of July . Sunday Mornings mass at Christ Church Hamilton will be celebrated at 10:30am on the   19th...Continue reading→

Today I thought I would do something a little bit different and preach not on the gospel, but on the first lesson. The story of Jacob's ladder.Here’s the go.Jacob is on a journey of 500 miles to say Howdy to  his uncle in Haran. This is where he plans to meet his wives. But God...Continue reading→

I made a bit of a blunder last week. An oversight that was understandable and yet unfortunate. I mean, I didn’t get up in the morning, sprinkle sugar on my weeties and think… “How can I be a monster today. What heinous act can I accomplish to wreak mayhem and mischief in peoples lives” No,...Continue reading→

In a targeted act of vandalism against the  tiny country community of  Glenthompson, our  unique mural at St Peter’s Anglican Church has been literally  de-faced. This piece of art celebrates our community,  not only the church but the people, places and industry of our little country district. The community are perplexed that someone wanted to...Continue reading→

Today's homily... "3 cheers for Farmer Bill"Today's homily starts with a great fizzing commotion. We are on the farm and the reason for the buzz is that we are having visitors.  No-one ever comes to visit us at Sheephills… ever… but here we are and the folk are on their way.I go with my Dad...Continue reading→

In the middle of the night I had thought that “proactive” rules would be a really good idea. You see our rules are usually about the things that we must not do. Like speeding and putting the wrong thing into our body or quaffing excessive refreshing beverages. “What if…”   I thought at 3:26 and half...Continue reading→

Of our AGM You would be painfully aware that we can only have 20 people inside for Church gatherings. This means that at the moment our Parish AGM will be limited to 20 people. We really hope that this will change in time and everyone can come.(Hoorah) In order to allow ample time for the...Continue reading→

It is an eerie thing to stand in an empty church, look into a phone and with great enthusiasm exclaim…“The Lord be with you!” When actually there is no-one there. I try really hard to act normal, to pretend I can see who ever is on the other side of the screen, but when I...Continue reading→

There is a common misconception that clergy aren’t supposed to have favourite bits of the bible.  The argument goes like this. It's all God's word and therefore you must enjoy every last bit of it. From the slaying of Abel, to Judas hanging himself, to Lots wife becoming salty, to the four horsemen of the...Continue reading→

Sunday Mass times for Sunday June 28th Saturday night Vigil mass at Christ Church Hamilton will be celebrated at 5:00pm on Saturday 27th of June. Sunday Mornings mass at St. Marks Cavendish will be celebrated at 9:00am on Sunday 21st of June. Sunday Mornings mass at Christ Church Hamilton will be celebrated at 10:30am on...Continue reading→

Today I offer a simple bible reading technique that I sometimes use. Pick a small manageable chunk of scripture. It might be from the Bishops bible reading challenge, it might be from the Sunday readings in the pew sheet, it by from the lectionary of the day. It might also be that you are gently...Continue reading→

I’m typing this shortly before there was a large gathering in Melbourne. There were various reasons why folk would choose to go and various reasons why folk would choose not to go. Bewdy! However someone on TV suggested that part of the reason that it was OK to attend was this line of logic. “Well,...Continue reading→

School yard memories are an odd beast. They lie crouching in the murky depths of the subconscious ready to leap out when you are least expecting them. Some are warm and friendly creatures, others are not so pally. One came and said ‘Howdy’ the other day and it got me thinking. What memories will our...Continue reading→