Dean Atkins

Big Questions

Saturday 22 April, 2023 | Saturday of the Second Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 32 (33):1-2,4-5,18-19; John 6:16-21 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) In his little book about the Northern saints of England, Basil Hume wrote, “In every age there are stumbling blocks to receivingContinue reading “Big Questions”

Hope v Hopelessness

Friday 21 April, 2023 | Friday of the Second Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 5:35-42; Psalm 26(27):1,4,13-14; John 6:1-15 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) The world has known many great inventors who have created solutions to everyday problems but how do we respond to a problem orContinue reading “Hope v Hopelessness”

Hiraeth

Thursday 20 April, 2023 | Thursday of the Second Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 55:27-33; Psalm 33(34):2,9,17-20; John 3:31-36 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) There has been some debate and controversy recently when the Brecon Beacons National Park decided to rebrand itself with the Welsh name, “BannauContinue reading “Hiraeth”

From Darkness to Light

Wednesday 19 April, 2023 | Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 5:17-26; Psalm 33(34):2-9; John 3:16-21 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) As he strove to build a more equal society, struggling against racism, Martin Luther King Jr, said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: onlyContinue reading “From Darkness to Light”

The Great Listener

Tuesday 17 April, 2023 | Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 4:32-37; Psalm 92 (93):1-2,5; John 3:7-15 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) Every day, we use our phones and computers to communicate with one another. The experience of Lockdown meant that many meetings andContinue reading “The Great Listener”

A New Creation

Monday 17 April, 2023 | Monday of the Second Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 4:23-31; Psalm 2:1-9; John 3:1-8 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) During these days of Easter, each day at Mass we have moved through the Acts of the Apostles and witnessed the growth ofContinue reading “A New Creation”

What do we want here?

A journey from Cardiff by boat across the Bristol Channel to the island of Flat Holm raises the question, ‘What do we want here?’ Fr Dean reflects on a pilgrimage with Matt Batten “There’s an easterly wind from Newport,” said the skipper as I enquired about the weather. I didn’t blame Newport. I don’t thinkContinue reading “What do we want here?”

Easter Saturday

Readings: Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 117(118):1,14-21; Mark 16:9-15 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) Homilies often begin with an illustration from everyday life. But today, let’s get straight to the point, which is what St Mark does in the gospel reading today. In typical succinct tone, he sums upContinue reading “Easter Saturday”

Easter Friday

Readings: Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 117(118):1-2,4,22-27; John 21:1-14 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) Perhaps one of the many comforting things for us which come from the resurrection appearances of Jesus is the number of times those who had been closest to him, failed to recognise him. How doesContinue reading “Easter Friday”

Easter Thursday

Readings: Acts 3:11-26; Psalm 8:2,5-9; Luke 24:35-48 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) As the two disciples from yesterday’s gospel share their Emmaus story with the other disciples, Jesus stands among them. They have been witnessing to his risen life with a personal testimony, speaking from their ownContinue reading “Easter Thursday”