Mustang Sally, you just gotta slow that Mustang do Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand

Well, I was all ready to write off Auckland and put it on the absolutely skip it list. I acutally think I still would skip it as it has no tourist redeeming nature. However today was my day to really slow down and do not much of anything. I woke up and decided I was going to go to mass at St. Patricks Cathedral. When I walked up to it at 9:00am for the 9:30 mass I find it completely closed and under renovation. I walked around to the rectory to find that there was a map to St. Benedicts which was going to be about a 30 minute walk. Just as I was getting to leave, one of the parishoners came out and started talking to me. Mentioned that Father Bernard was on his way over there and he would ask him if he would give me a ride. He did.It turns out he trained in Chicago with the Jesuits and we had a nice ride over to the church. A strangely apropos 1st reading about hospitality to strangers and then a homily about slowing down and taking the time to be with those around you and not being caught up in schedules and tasks.

I’m sitting in Brisbane connecting up to Cairns so not much more to say. Sucha boring slow day I couldn’t even find something to take a photo of today.

It might be a day or two until I can write as I may be staying overnight on a boat on the great barrier reef tomorrow night to do a LOT of diving. I’ll keep you posted.

Bill