Post author:Beate Matthies
Post published:April 21, 2026
Post category:Events / Gifts - Shop / Muffin Talk / News / Newsletter / Reflections / Resources

April 2026

Kia ora and greetings,

Last year we celebrated 60 years of Nostra Aetate, the document that invites Catholics to seek dialogue with people of other religions. It was good to see Pope Leo XIV starting his visit to Africa in Algeria where the Church Father St Augustin was born. Modern day Algeria used to be part of the Roman Empire and is today a predominantly Muslim country.
In a Vatican report Pope Leo XIV is quoted with: “In two days in Algeria, we’ve really had a wonderful opportunity to continue to build bridges, to promote dialogue, […] I think the visit to the mosque was significant and to say that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshiping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace.”
Building bridges is a picture that the Auckland Inter-Faith Council used on their banners in 2016 at the National Interfaith Forum in Auckland, and it seems like the Pope also likes this picture.
The number of resources on our Interfaith Webpage https://www.studyjoy.nz/interfaith/ are growing, and it wonderful to see the efforts of encouraging dialogue and learning from each other.

In our recent Muffin Talk interviews we have covered topics of dialogue and learning:

Prof Amy-Jill Levine: Parrhēsia
Jesus is the model of someone speaking truth boldly and taking risks. What can we learn from his example?
Fr Joseph Victor Edwin SJ: Interreligious Dialogue in India
Fr Joseph Victor Edwin SJ shares his experience of engaging in the Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Dehli, India.
Prof Joerg Rieger: Materialistic Spirituality
“Life is interdisciplinary.” This is the core message of materialistic spirituality and why it is essential for lived Christianity. Prof Joerg Rieger widens the term democracy to include economic democracy and reminds us of the image of God as described in the Scriptures.

Please also check out the News & Views page with short articles on events and reflections on the Sunday Scriptures.
Here is an examples of a recent article:

Ecumenical Good Friday Walk on Auckland’s North Shore.

We are pleased to let you know that Fr Kevin Waldie sm will be back for our next online presentation on 18 May 2026.
In the month of May you can also join us for an in-person-presentation on the topic: Mary, Untier of Knots. If you are unable to come in person and are interested in a repeat online, please get in touch.

We have some plans for future interviews and online presentations in the next few weeks. Details are still to be confirmed.
In the month of May you can join us for an in-person-presentation on the topic: “Mary, Untier of Knots”. If you are unable to come in person and are interested in a repeat online, please get in touch.

Upcoming Events

The Institution of the Last Supper with Fr Kevin Waldie sm
Monday, 18 May 2026, 7-8.30pm (Zoom). Koha/Donation.
Please register to receive the Zoom link.
and
Mary Untier of Knots with Beate Matthies
Tuesday, 26 May, 7-8pm, at St John the Baptist Church, East Coast Road 395, Mairangi Bay, Auckland. Free event. Online donations are appreciated.
Please register with us.