Morena – Good morning
Welcome to a New Year 2026,
I hope and trust that you have had a good break with family and friends and that this time has encouraged and nurtured you in the ways you can contribute to your family, your friendships and your local community. Let us focus on the positives and support each other as we move into this New Year.
Reflection: There is a profound connection between last week’s gospel, where Jesus is baptised by John and affirmed by God —“this is my son, the beloved, my favour rests on him” (Matthew 3:17)—and this week’s gospel, in which John testifies before those present: “Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.” (John 1:34)
As we enter ordinary time, our focus shifts to the public ministry of Jesus. This period is not marked by dramatic events or immediate acceptance by the authorities, but by a steady commitment to reaching out by Jesus to those who are lost, lonely, treated unjustly, afflicted, or grieving. The mission of Jesus calls us to seek out and support those in need.
These actions invite us to reflect deeply and consider how we might emulate Jesus’ message in our own lives. We are called to bring healing to one another, to open the eyes of those who cannot see, to implement justice, and, through love and service, to become instruments of God’s compassion.
In today’s world, we witness much fear, alienation, isolation, and aggression. It is essential that we work together to support one another through compassion, attentive listening, acts of kindness, patience, and humility. By fostering a sense of community and belonging, we can help each person feel valued and worthwhile. This is the process of affirmation that the gospel speaks of: to be people who affirm life, build each other up, and together become grateful for who we are and for those we have in our lives.
Our gathering is a sign of our dependence on God and on one another. As scripture reminds us, “In him we live, move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
Suggestions for Living Out This Reflection
- Reach Out: Consider reaching out to someone who may be feeling isolated or lonely. A simple message or visit can make a significant difference.
- Practice Kindness: Look for opportunities to perform small acts of kindness each day, whether at home, work, or in your community.
- Listen Actively: Take time to listen to others without judgement, offering your presence and understanding.
- Support Justice: Stand up for those who are treated unjustly, and seek ways to promote fairness and dignity for all.
- Reflect and Affirm: Regularly reflect on the blessings in your life and affirm the value of those around you.
God go with you,
Warm regards,
Paul
Scripture reflection: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 18 January 2026. – John bore witness
Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
Responsorial psalm: Ps 39(40):2, 4, 7-10
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Gospel: John 1:29-34
Link to readings – click here
The main events of Christmastide are now behind us, and until Lent, we follow the Sundays of ‘Ordinary Time’. This Second Sunday in Ordinary Time returns to the event of Jesus’s baptism.
In the Gospel, John the Baptist recognises in Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John bears witness that Jesus truly is the Son of God. In the First Reading, the Prophet Isaiah speaks of the Servant, whom Christians have long identified with Jesus. He will be a light for the nations, so that salvation can reach the end of the earth. The Psalmist gives thanks for the help he has received. He delights in doing God’s will, offering his skills of listening and speaking to those around him. Paul, in the Second Reading, greets the young Church in Corinth with grace and peace from God.
This week, we might reflect on the witness that we ourselves give as Christians, and determine to listen to those around us with an ‘open ear’. We also pray for salvation and peace to reach everyone throughout the world.
A few words from Pope Leo XIV: (Sourced from Vatican News)
A Sense of belonging more important than numbers of people in Church
In the January edition of the Piazza San Pietro magazine, Pope Leo XIV encourages a Swiss catechist struggling to get families involved in her parish by saying that “hours dedicated to catechesis are never wasted”.
By Vatican News
The January edition of the Italian magazine, Piazza San Pietro, is dedicated to the theme of peace and in it, Pope Leo XIV responds to Nunzia, a 50-year-old Swiss catechist who wrote him a letter detailing her struggle to get families involved in the parish.
Families and children are increasingly difficult to reach
In her letter Nunzia – who lives in Laufenburg, a small municipality with 620 inhabitants – explains how “in Switzerland, it is difficult to get parents involved and, sometimes, even children and young people to trust in God.”
“I sow seeds, but the seedlings struggle to grow. Children and families prefer sports and parties,” she writes, adding how families are often indifferent to religious practice and Churches seem to be increasingly emptier or populated by the elderly.
Nunzia ends her letter by asking Pope Leo XIV to pray for the young people entrusted to her care and for herself, so that she may not be discouraged.
Pope Leo’s response
In the same edition, Pope Leo acknowledges Nunzia’s concerns and places them in a wider context: “The situation in which you live is no different from that of other countries with ancient Christian traditions.”
The Pope invites us to look beyond the numbers of attendance: “The hours dedicated to catechesis are never wasted, even if there are very few participants.”
He also relaunches an ecclesial challenge: “The problem is not the numbers — which, of course, make one reflect — but the increasingly evident lack of awareness in feeling part of the Church, that is, of being living members of the Body of Christ, all with unique gifts and roles, and not merely users of the sacred, of the sacraments, perhaps out of mere habit.”
The Pope also offers an encouragement to Nunzia, and all who experience similar difficulties. “As Christians, we always need conversion. And we must seek it together,” he writes. He recalls that the true door of faith “is the Heart of Christ, always wide open.”
Pope Leo’s concluding appeal is rooted in the legacy of Paul VI: “What we can do is bear witness to the joy of Christ’s Gospel, the joy of rebirth and resurrection.”
Formation: There will be Formations offered in 2026. The Theme is Nurturing and Nourishment. Hugh McKay likes to use the term kindness because it is the only form of human love that does not depend on affection. It is a response to a need, and it draws on our compassion – the quality that stands out most in Jesus’ life. Jesus chose to mix and meet with outcasts and invited them to share his table. His fellowship included everyone – a family for all! If you have a preference for when this could be in your parish or region please advise me as soon as possible:
Email: paulus663@gmail.com or Mobile: 021357933
Safeguarding: “Working Together for a Safe Church”
Any complaints should be directed through the National Office of Professional Standards (NOPS) or report directly to the New Zealand Police or Oranga Tamariki.
Phone: 03 365 1993 or 0800 114 622
Email: prof.standards@nzcbc.org.nz
www.safeguarding.catholic.org.nz
Five Ways to Well Being
Reminder: 5 Aims and Goals of Passionist Family Groups. 
- share & celebrate life & faith
- support one another (especially in need)
- reaching out to & include others
- build community/extended family
- show and give Christian example to children
Please remember in your thoughts and prayer:
- Let us take up the call of Pope Leo to be concerned with creating and building a sense of belonging in our communities.
- We pray for all leaders, political and other that they lead with wisdom, honesty and integrity.
- We remember that God calls on us, as people of faith, to offer our voices to help those who have none.
- Keep in mind all those who continue to struggle with mental health challenges, and their families who support them in their daily lives.
- Please keep Margaret and Graeme Armstrong in your prayer
- Please remember Preston and Jenny Epplett, their daughter Amy and grandson Thomas who had an accident on a farm resulting in head injuries
- Please remember Elizabeth Walsh and husband Tim
- Please keep Bev Postmaa in your prayer and thoughts
- Please remember Ollie Schmanski and his parents Brad and Charlotte
- Please keep Jill Graves and family in your prayer. Also pray for her daughter in law who is in hospital and whose mum died recently.
- Please remember Dee and Peter Costello’s grandson and parents Katelyn and Reuben. The recent news is positive but the prayers will assist
- Please remember Jocelyn Bryant, Kev and family in your prayer.
- Pease keep in your prayer : Tim and Elizabeth Walsh, Barry Straight his wife Viv, Pat Carson; Graeme Matthews; Di Buckley , Adrian van de Pas and her son Robert ; Tim Bartells & family, Christine Geoghegan’s daughter Kate and extended families, Pauline Prendergast, Robyn Burns (Hill,) Sean and Ann Mulcahy, Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill) Paul Davenport, Clair and Ray Hague; Terry Nelson’s family;. Brian and Eleanor McFlynn ; Bryan Davidson; Richard and Sue Gibbs; Martin and Sally van der Wetering; Phil and Anne Drew .
- Keep people in Gaza and Israel in your prayer along with the people of the people of Ukraine: Keep in prayer the people of Sudan and Syria.
- Your own intentions
Humour:
- Where did the lettuce go for a drink? The salad bar.
- Which month of the year has 28 days? Um, all of them.
- Why was the broom late to work? It overswept.
- What kind of cheese doesn’t belong to you? Nacho cheese.
- How do you make holy water? You boil the hell out of it.
- I couldn’t figure out why the baseball kept getting larger. Then it hit me.
- What do you call a boomerang that won’t come back? A stick.
- What did the full glass say to the empty glass? You look drunk.
- Justice is a dish best served cold. Otherwise, it’s just water.
- What do call a criminal landing an airplane? Condescending.
- Why should you never throw grandpa’s false teeth at a vehicle? You might denture car.
- What’s a cat’s favourite instrument? Purr-cussion.
- Why did the crab cross the road? It didn’t—it used the sidewalk.
- What’s the difference between the bird flu and the swine flu? One requires tweetment and the other an oinkment.
“We Are a “Family for All”