Frank Ritchie - Chaplain & Broadcaster

I'm no Catholic but somehow, sitting across the desk from the reassuring Rev Frank Ritchie, the podcast studio turned into a bit of a confessional! So some highlights/lowlights from my time in journalism, and a polite difference of opinion about its future rnz.co.nz/podcast/re_cov…

A beautiful sunset over St. Peter’s Square as thousands sing the Salve Regina at the end of the rosary for Pope Francis.

At 9:45 AM on Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, spoke these words at the Casa Santa Marta: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2…

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.

‘Rubio stressed that it was crucial to leave the meeting with a… sense that Ukraine is prepared “to do difficult things” – like the Russians’ @SecRubio what difficult things will the Russians do that compares to Ukraine ceding territory to its attacker? aje.io/588ezu

Media personnel, if you're someone who has sat down with myself or one of our media chaplains & found it helpful there's a journalist, @ZackNewsMan, who has moved back to the States & is doing a story about @MediaChaplaincy. He would love to hear from you linkedin.com/feed/update/ur…

A prayer for this moment. frankritchie.substack.com/p/redeem-our-n…

A second season of Arcane has started on Netflix. Brilliant!

@JaneFerrie83241 Apologies for my very late reply, Jane. It sounds like you have been through a lot 🙏

@frankritchie 3/ Some prayers for clarity would be so much needed, so much appreciated. Kia kaha, Jane

I've done this in the past & would like to do it again across today & tomorrow. In my breaks I'd love to pause in prayer for you. Whether prayer is something in your life or not, if there's anything you'd like me to consider in that space for you, let me know 🙏 You're not alone.

@carolynjgirly Sorry I haven't been on here in a while so only just saw this. That's a tough journey 🙏

@frankritchie Hi. It's been a while, but I just saw this. My lovely cancer buddy died a week ago and her funeral is tomorrow. Meanwhile, my cancer markers have spiked which is scary. I feel sad. Any good thoughts and hope and positivity would be very welcome x

Dame Maggie Smith will forever live in my head as Downton Abbey’s Dowager Countess of Grantham Violet Crawley. She made me laugh many times as that character. ‘What’s a weekend?’ 😂 R.I.P 🙏🏼 nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/…

@wendy007_cw That’s big and no doubt comes with a rollercoaster of emotions 🙏🏼

@frankritchie Thank you. Our lovely friend Jenny is moving to Hospice today and just has a few last days. She is a terrific woman. Our pastor has visited, prayed with her and she is as calm and settled as is possible. I appreciate your offer to pause in prayer. Bless you.

@geekboy73 😂😂😂

@frankritchie It's on my OnlyDarrens site I'll link you

What's your favourite way to take some time out, relax, and rejuvenate?

@FullTwatforward And I pay tax on all my income.

@FullTwatforward I’m not sure you’ve quite got my hours. Most of my time is spent on chaplaincy. I also have a radio show. One day a week is for my local church. Employed for 3 ‘jobs’. As a person of faith, 24/7 for God. One day a week for a local church. This isn’t difficult to work out 🙂

A common misconception about ministers. The tax charities, including churches, should pay on their income is always a valid debate, but as an individual I pay tax on my income just as everyone does. In fact, church life is the smallest & lowest paying part of everything I do.

@FullTwatforward Full time man of God, part time employee of a local church.

@frankritchie You're a part time man of God then?

@flaneuse_di I hope it has gone well. His anxiety is understandable 🙏🏼

And it's worth noting that my church is small. The income it makes via peoples' donations is less than the average wage. If its income were to be taxed, it would be minimal. I'll happily follow whatever the law of the land is, and however it changes in that regard.