Food for Faith Podcasts

Join Tracy McEwan, Merv Duffy & Rocio Figueroa in a 45 minute podcast conversation with John O’Connor responding to the question… what is theology?

. Since the publication of Pope Leo’s first Encyclical last week media have flowed with mostly positive response. But what is he really saying? Magnifica Humanitas is often referred to as the AI Encyclical. But it’s much more than that and the title is the giveaway: Magnificent Humanity. As I was reading the letter I knew it deserved dialogue and I thought that a good way to initiate this might be a podcast conversation. Very quickly three people came to mind: Peter Carrell, Rocio Figueroa and Jonah Lynch and now that I’ve listened again to our conversation I see that my choice of participants was inspired. They begin this 55 minute podcast conversation by introducing themselves. I invite you to take time to listen to our conversation… …and to read the letter at this link.  

Read the scriptures for Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time at this link.

. In a summertime-spring-cleaning of computer files and old recordings I came upon this interview which I thought you might be happy to hear as a thirty-minute podcast. Five years ago the new Vocations Director for the Christchurch Diocese, Fr. Tien Cao, asked if he could interview me, the outgoing Director. I was happy to oblige then, and it seems timely this weekend as we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, to share this conversation which suggests that poverty, chastity and obedience are at the heart of an abundant life for every baptised person.

A 13 minute listen – if you prefer to read the written text of my reflection it is available at this link. Literature has to do, in one way or another, with our deepest desires in this life, for on a profound level literature engages our concrete existence, with its innate tensions, desires and meaningful experiences. Read the full text of Pope Francis’ letter this week on Literature in Formation at this link.

Join Kath Petrie & Colin MacLeod in conversation with John O’Connor reflecting on the scriptures for the Feast of the Ascension. Read the scriptures for this feast at this link. Kath mentioned Gerard Manley Hopkins great poem God’s Grandeur. Listen at this link. John quotes Pope Benedict’s reflection for the Feast of the Ascension. You can find it at this link.

Read the scriptures for Friday of Week Two in Advent at this link.  

Read the scriptures for Friday, the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, at this link.

. Join Hafsa Ahmed, Paul Blaschke & Mary Eastham in conversation with John O’Connor, reflecting on the common ground of our three faith traditions, Islam, Judaism & Christianity. Dr. Hafsa Ahmed was born in Hyderabad, India and came to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2007. She is the co-founder and trustee of Lady Khadija Charitable Trust which operates with the motto of “Empowering communities through compassion”. Dr. Paul Blaschke is an active member and past Board Chair of Temple Sinai in Wellington.  He’s trying to retire from his career as an independent environmental consultant, but keeps active in voluntary environmental restoration work, and especially in Jewish and Interfaith environmental activism. Dr. Mary Eastham QSM, (awarded 2023 for services to Interfaith communities) from St. Brigid’s Catholic parish Palmerston North, a member of the Religious Diversity Centre Climate Action Work Group, and appointed a Fellow of the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania (APTO) in 2021. Your comments below are appreciated and will provide the agenda for future conversations and podcasts.

Read the scriptures for Friday of Week Thirty-Three in Ordinary Time at this link.

Read the scriptures for Thursday of Week Twenty One in Ordinary Time at this link.

Apologies for the corrupted file over recent days and thank you to those who let me know. Not sure how you could pray with that mixing and matching of the scriptures. All sorted now. Read the scriptures for Tuesday Week Eighteen in Ordinary Time at this link.

Read the scriptures for Tuesday Week 10 in Ordinary Time at this link.

Read today’s scriptures, for Tuesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, at this link.

Simply press play to be guided through: *The Apostles Creed *The introductory Our Father and Three Hail Marys with Glory Be Introduction to the Annunciation Decade A family leading us through the Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be and O My Jesus. **Hail Holy Queen **Concluding Prayer * indicates usually prayed only at the beginning of a full Rosary but added here to help us learn the prayers. ** indicates usually prayed only at the end of a full Rosary but added here to help us learn the prayers.

Homily given by Fr. Anton McLean at the Funeral Mass for Fr. Frank Kelly, priest of the diocese of Christchurch.

Read the readings for Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time at this link.