Catholic Kiwi Podcast: Season 2, Episode 9 – Mena Antonio

During his recent visit to New Zealand, priest, liturgical scholar, musician and international advisor on liturgy Fr Paul Turner sat down with James Bergin on the Catholic Kiwi Podcast. Drawing on nearly five decades of priestly ministry, Fr Paul shares the story of his early vocation and his varied experiences, including prison ministry, serving multicultural communities and outreach to the homeless. Together, Fr Paul and James explore the beauty of the Mass, the meaning of “full, conscious and active participation”, the art of celebrating liturgy, Church music and the importance of intentionality in worship. Fr Paul also reflects on finding God through the rhythms of Catholic life, as well as having time to “escape” through one of his passions: symphony or baseball. With thanks to Fr Paul, James and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland for their support of this digital ministry.

What did his time in the Air Force teach Colin Macleod? What about his time at Holy Cross Seminary? What have great challenges taught him? What lessons have his students taught him? Colin, the director of the National Centre for Religious Studies, answers those questions and more in conversation with Joanna Kearney in this episode of the Catholic Kiwi Podcast. Joanna also speaks to Colin about his recent PhD research on the connection between Catholic schools and parishes. You can find the research here: https://doi.org/10.26199/acu.92102 With thanks to Colin, Joanna and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland for supporting this digital ministry project.

Growing up in a Catholic family, a young Peter Woods recognised that going to church was a good thing to do, but he wasn't getting much out of it. A pivotal moment in his life, though, led to a profound encounter with God, whom Peter sensed was drawing close to him. Years later, as a Catholic educator, Peter recognised that while religious education was having a positive impact on students, it wasn't creating an encounter with Christ. Through the ministry he founded, Catholic Schools Youth Ministry International, that is what is being offered to young people in Australia, New Zealand and beyond. Peter shares his own journey and the journey of the ministry with Joanna Kearney in this episode of the Catholic Kiwi Podcast. With thanks to Peter, Joanna and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland in supporting our podcast project.

Growing up as one of 10 children in Nelson, Rachel Wilson admits there was a bit of a Von Trapp family situation, with singing and musical instruments part of everyday life. It might not be a surprise, then, that Rachel would go on to use her musical talents as a tool for evangelisation. Now as a mother of four, Rachel has grappled with dating (and marrying) a well-known Kiwi, with the struggles of fertility and insomnia, and is intrigued by topics like feminism, Marxism and motherhood. Rachel joins Joanna Kearney to navigate those areas, and more, in this episode of the Catholic Kiwi Podcast. Search Rachel's music catalogue, including "Surrender", at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1sJN1uWyt5K1djJFnt3fmY Find The Sations' music at: https://open.spotify.com/search/the%20sations With thanks to Rachel, Joanna and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland for their support of this digital ministry project.

Canadian priest Fr Richard Smith was just shy of his 43rd birthday when Pope John Paul II appointed him the Bishop of Pembroke, Ontario. More than 20 years later, and with a stop in Edmonton, he is now the Archbishop of Vancouver. Archbishop Smith sat down with host James Bergin recently while in New Zealand for an international conference. In this episode, Archbishop Smith reflects on his vocation, his ministry in various contexts, organising Pope Francis' historic visit to Canada and the task of now having led three Canadian dioceses. With thanks to Archbishop Smith, James and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland for their support of this digital ministry.