Father Peter Fitzgibbon
For people to communicate about where they feel they are, how they got there, and where they would like to be.
A first reading at Mass features the story of Jonah, God’s reluctant messenger to Nineveh. The gospel reading that follows is by contrast the obedient Jesus beginning his proclamation of the coming kingdom of God. Have you read the whole story of ‘Jonah and the Whale’ as set out in four short chapters in the […]
HOMILY FOR FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING We are getting to the end of this year 2024. I think y’all agree: There’s been a lot going on. Now after many months of anxiety we do well to conclude that when all is ‘said and done’ – CHRIST IS KING! In the First Reading, we have […]
Monday 7th October each year is special for me. It is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. My life’s education began in a family of a parish of Our Lady of the Rosary and in a school of Our Lady of the Rosary. This October 7th was also the first-year anniversary of the […]
From composer Dan Shutte we have lyrics and music for lines found throughout many of the Psalms. One such composition runs with the joyful chorus: Sing a new song unto the Lord; Let your song be sung from mountains high Sing a new song unto the Lord Singing alleluia I have sung it for years, […]
It’s Easter Sunday evening after a beautiful day following our Masses at Our Lady of Kapiti Church. Easter is a whole week and then several more weeks. Plenty of time for Easter reflections. Here I simply want to offer you an ancient Holy Saturday reflection. Be it noted that in our Credo we affirm that […]
They had booked accommodation, but their room had been taken. For Mary and Joseph arrived late, but not the child, he had to come at the appointed time, To be born in a hayshed, asleep on the hay. Jesus! Special moment for Mary: Relax, Joseph, she says Together they gaze upon the child. A delightful […]
Very early on the 8th of December, I turn on the light and prepare a cup of tea. What is that outside? A strange brightness. Of course, it is close now to the summer solstice in this part of Earth. At 4.55 am this is dawn. With my cuppa brewed I sit down but not […]
A special image of Church is that of “the Body of Christ”, where Christ is the “head” of the body, and we are the “members” of the body. (I Corinthians 12: 12-27) The concept of the union of Christ and Church is understood even more wondrously in the picture of a new Jerusalem coming down […]
Various appliances and furniture kit sets to be assembled usually come with instructions. Often, we tend to push ahead with assembly without reference to the instructions. Liturgy has guidelines too, instructions for how celebrations are to be assembled and celebrated. The Roman Missal is used at Mass. It begins with ninety-two pages by way of […]
Do you recall how after the invasion of Ukraine, at the request of the Ukrainian Bishops, Pope Francis agreed to the consecration of Russia as specifically asked for by Our Lady at Fatima, Portugal in 1917? We were all able to join in that act of consecration in our Sunday congregations. Those were days of […]
For the mission of the church to succeed, the church needs ordained and lay pastoral leadership. As the Apostles represent the ordained, so another gospel entity can help understanding lay pastoral leadership. Not himself one of the twelve apostles, St Luke in Chapter 10 told how Jesus instructed seventy-two others and sent them out in […]
When Pope Francis decreed on January 21 St. Irenaeus (c. A.D. 130-202) a Doctor of the Church, many Catholics were surprised, as many thought that Irenaeus was already so honoured. Pope Francis has indicated that St. Irenaeus should be known as “Doctor of Unity,” because he “was a great spiritual and theological bridge between Eastern […]
We might ask what is this devotion between God and ourselves? And how crucial is it for our personal spiritual growth? For me it is becoming aware of One reaching out to call me by name and looking to reveal devotional intimacy divine. To all who are listening for it, the call to such devotion […]
The Word of God is the opening to intimacy with God. It was handed down orally across many generations before ever being written as Sacred Scripture. Once written down the Word of God came to be the Holy Bible. I have before me texts printed in GOOD NEWS BIBLE, a study edition with essays which […]
Starting with verses from the 2nd Epistle of Saint Peter Chapter 1. They mention TRUE DEVOTION, the topic of our recent posts. Have a look: May you have more and more grace and peace as you come to know our Lord more and more. By his divine power, he has given us all the things […]
One of my Facebook friends has written us as follows: “Ivân, one of the Medjugorje seers, received an urgent message from Our Lady. She said that the war in Ukraine will become even more serious and will spread throughout the world. To stop it, ask everyone to respond quickly and pray intensely now, especially the […]
WHAT TO SAY, WHAT TO DO, AND WHAT TO WRITE? In these troubled times, one takes care of what one says, does, and writes. Why? It is as if people, including even myself, are adrift in a sea of competing interests, which pull and push them in conflicting directions. The future for family, community, nation-states, […]
On a computer click on image top right for more pictures Where good will prevails, all share a yearning to know more about the origin of the world and the future destiny of its inhabitants. The great physicist Albert Einstein was often a voice of wisdom. Einstein would say: “There are only two ways to […]
A JOURNEY TOGETHER In an earlier posting on the 2021-2023 Synod on Synodality, I focussed on its announcement by Pope Francis and used a one-word reaction: “Wow!” In this follow-up, I examine myself as to why I say, “Wow!” After all, the Church has a history of synods, quite a number in recent times, but […]
There’s trouble afoot, a tumult among nations, words I recall from a version of Psalm Two. Current news on many fronts upsets me. I have questions about security now and protection for the future. How to keep a balance, get a grip, and know where to go? Who to turn to, and how might I […]
Posted on Facebook 27 AUGUST 2021 What do you know about St Vincent de Paul? August 27th is his Memorial Day on the Catholic Calendar. A big shout out to all who do religious and social works as the Society of St Vincent de Paul. What do you know about their mission? As a young […]
READINGS FROM A CHRISTMAS MASS with commentary in italics From Isaiah Ch 9: 1-7 ‘The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; On those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.’ Whatever strife still troubles the world, the birth of Christ promises peace and joy […]
In 2021 the Year of St Joseph, we have been under the special protection of our father Saint Joseph. It is time now for some new special years. Years of not only us meeting Jesus but also Jesus meeting us. What does this mean? We are to find out […]
St Francis Xavier (1506 – 1552) is in the Catholic Church Calendar on the 3rd of December. Here is a little about him from Universalis. He was born in the Basque country of Spain in 1506. He met Ignatius Loyola when he was a student in Paris, and he was ordained priest in 1537. […]
I like to think that the Rosary is part of my spiritual toolkit. The issue for me is how to pray it on my own. For me, it seems easier to recite with others. More a community prayer. It really is helpful to have others, so a prayer companion, family members, a church group, but […]
Not all of us will have a sudden death. Some of us approaching the end of life will have the opportunity to choose how to die. This realisation came to me nearly three years ago when on my admission to the local emergency department I was asked by someone I assumed was a doctor whether, […]
REFLECTING ON MY OWN INFANT BAPTISM I was about three weeks born. My parents brought me to Father Michael Griffin at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand. Peter John, I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. It was the sacrament of baptism and […]
To baptise children is to ignite in them the flame of faith. As parents co-create with God in conceiving new human life, so too they work with him when they bring their children to be baptised. They ask the Divine Spirit to bestow on their children a supernatural gift that is nothing less than divine […]
Look who is at Waikanae River and taking pics on the way to the estuary. There the river winds around a lot, cuts through a massive sand bar, and finally reaches the sea. Part of some 100 km of walking tracks and cycleways on […]
Acts of the Apostles Ch 1 ‘Galileans, why are you standing there looking up at the sky?’ He had told them: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised….you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in […]
Recently I read a priest’s description of his first experience in charge of a parish. It was in a town in the State of New York, USA during the early years after the 2nd Vatican Council. Preparing for his assignment, he had been thinking how to exercise his new responsibility. He clearly realised many parishioners […]
GOSPEL for Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in Year B is Mark 1: 7 – 11 In the course of his preaching John the Baptist said: ‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. […]
The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our […]
SNIPPETS FROM THE MASS READINGS 2nd Sunday in Advent Year B Says your God ‘Console my people, console them’ says your God. Isaiah 40: 1, from the 1st Reading My Response I will hear what the Lord God has to say, A voice that speaks of peace, Peace for his people. Psalm 84 Waiting […]
Snippets (points for prayer) from the Readings of the Mass “And yet Lord you are our Father, we the clay, you the potter, we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64: 8 “Visit this vine and protect […]
Reading about young Samuel in 1st Samuel Chapter 3 reveals his simple pathway to divine and prayerful intimacy. How about taking a deep new dive yourself into sacred scriptures? In search of similar material for fruitful meditation. Much wisdom, teaching, and spiritual experience are recorded in the Hebrew scriptures, all looking forward to the coming […]
In January 2019 Wellington priest Father Peter Fitzgibbon moved to Tokoroa, New Zealand, in retirement from active parish ministry. In 2021 he returned to Wellington living in Paraparaumu and Levin, and now continues his active retirement years in Waikanae. His aim on the web is to offer ministry online. To this task and through […]
October the 7th was dedicated by Pope St Pius V for Our Lady of the Rosary. In 1571 he prescribed the Rosary as intercessory prayer for the successful outcome of the Battle of Lepanto. That naval battle was supported by the faithful in their Rosaries offered in response to the Papal appeal. The navy of […]
To take up the cross each day means this, to endure the living of life empowered by this sacred symbol on which are pinned one’s human hope. First some backstory. Like other peoples, Hebrews sought to explain the origin of life. Their spirituality they built upon traditional stories, now written down in the first chapters […]
Covid 19 and its effects weigh heavy on human existence. The world looks to science to understand the virus, to treat and control it, and eventually bring it to an end. For the time being nations have rules to protect lives and livelihoods. Health personnel and other community services step up in support. On the […]
MEDITATION – ASSUMPTION of BLESSED MARY The Apostle John had a vision of a whole world in great danger, especially churches, and a woman and her baby being attacked. In the vision the child was protected, and the woman too. We worship the One who chose and safeguarded Blessed Mary, first for the protection of […]
Newsletter of Father Peter Fitzgibbon – August 2020 Introducing an Online Ministry In January 2019 Father Peter Fitzgibbon retired from active parish ministry. The first few months saw him setting up home and getting used to a new life. He began to learn again in the raw what it is just to be a priest. […]
Feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus Matthew 11.25-28, Luke 10.21-22 From his Sacred Heart in the hearing of those who would open their hearts to his, our Lord Jesus addresses these words to the Father: “I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and […]
The Word of God is the opening to intimacy with God. It was handed down orally across many generations before ever being written as Sacred Scripture. Once written down the Word of God came to be the Holy Bible. I have before me texts printed in GOOD NEWS BIBLE, a study edition with essays which […]
Humans have spiritual interests. Growing together in communities across generations and locations, peoples developed ways to express their shared spiritual awareness. Spiritualities many and varied were attempts to respond to the desire to know where we have come from, what is our purpose in the here and now, and where we will be when all […]
We read, we pray, and we share the Word of God. It is also proclaimed. At Holy Eucharist and the other Sacraments, sacred books are proscribed for our use. “The Lectionary” and “The Rites” and “The Roman Missal” enrich worship with appropriate texts from Sacred Scripture. Readings, psalms, canticles, antiphons, prayers, and intercessions are presented […]
All who follow Christ today are comfortable with identifying as his disciples. They also know it was after a night spent in prayer, that from his first disciples Jesus chose twelve apostles. These became a group so gifted that on day one about three thousand people were baptised. Their first preacher subsequently framed a beautiful […]
From beginning to end of life, and all along the way, there are issues. At the beginning choosing to have a baby. Towards the end of life, choosing how to die. Questions they are of live and let live, and not new questions. They are questions that will persist. The New Zealand Parliament was presented […]
Domestic church is a home where there is worship, religious instruction, and community ministry. It is as old as the church itself. The Apostle Paul recommends the special wife and husband witness and ministry of Priscilla and Aquila, “my fellow workers in the service of Christ Jesus”. “I am grateful to them – not only […]
Various appliances and furniture kitsets to be assembled usually come with instructions. Often, we tend to push ahead with assembly without reference to the instructions. Liturgy has guidelines too, instructions for how celebrations are to be assembled and celebrated. The Roman Missal is used at Mass. It begins with ninety-two pages by way of introduction. […]