<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[St Peters Bookroom]]></title><description><![CDATA[Choose from a broad range of Anglican books and other spiritual literature. Discover our children's books, church supplies, unique gifts, and cards.  ]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/carols-corner</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:54:47 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[‘A Samaritan woman came to draw water.’  John 4:7]]></title><description><![CDATA[I am the way, the truth and life. John 14.6   The Well   Encounter   ‘A Samaritan woman came to draw water.’  John 4:7   I heard a voice that set the wind in my heart free We met alone, strangers at the well outside town outside convention outside ourselves.   Water, draw water from this ancient well, draw it, woman, Samaritan; give me a drink, friend.   His first words cut, I shivered awake, a taboo was broken; I was pulled out of my trance.   I lowered the pot off my head, seized my wits,...]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/a-samaritan-woman-came-to-draw-water-john-4-7</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ae1f591b8e90b2a7e72460</guid><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 01:26:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_c2bd7340fc19426b82b0b4533c1388b4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_550,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Transfiguration: 'The Soul Needs Amazement.']]></title><description><![CDATA[Reflection for Second Sunday of Lent: Matthew 17: 1-9 Transfiguration of Christ 14th Century stained glass panel from Germany We are not even halfway through our Lenten journey when presented with the Gospel reading from Matthew of the Transfiguration of our Lord.  This extraordinary revelation of Jesus as God’s son is told in remarkably similar detail in all three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). Jesus takes three of his closest disciples to a remote place up a mountain and there,...]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/transfiguration-the-soul-needs-amazement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a63e2efe2730c041357b89</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Worship]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 01:55:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_14e6e2ce4fa64bc6927629c9e37939f6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_556,h_640,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Baptism and Limbo: Seamus Heaney]]></title><description><![CDATA[Reflection on the rite of Baptism and belief in Limbo in relation to Seamus Heaney's poem, Limbo]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/baptism-and-limbo-the-sign-of-the-cross</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6964046af5c800c966536ed8</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><category><![CDATA[Worship]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 11 Jan 2026 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_433eb37bf22549eea8322ae37437e868~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Time Flies? The Year To Be]]></title><description><![CDATA[There is a little-known work by the English poet, Christina Rossetti, published towards the end of her life in 1885 which is simply titled, Time Flies: A Reading Diary.  It contains short prose and poetic devotional meditations for each day of the year.  These reflections, anchored in the Anglican Church Calendar, are personal but also broad in their subject matter. Some are dedicated to the Feast of that particular day’s saint; others draw on a line from the Gospels. ]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/time-flies-the-year-to-be</link><guid isPermaLink="false">695586987fd864ff7fe1f433</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Books]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_2cb5409228ea45adb7fe985a67b4066b~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Christmas Day with George Eliot]]></title><description><![CDATA[Christmas is not a fixed ideal, but as George Eliot knows, it is like life itself always in process and change. ]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/christmas-day-with-george-eliot</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67687236414039a202d379e7</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Books]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 22 Dec 2024 20:29:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_b9426d66465d4c43aa2ac9fe55a27d39~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mary Oliver: A Pocketful of Thoughts]]></title><description><![CDATA[An address by Carol O'Connor on 'Prayer and Faith in the Life and Poetry of Mary Oliver. ]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/mary-oliver-a-pocketful-of-thoughts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">669c3f15f0cd58d15a243350</guid><category><![CDATA[Addresses]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 20 Sep 2024 05:07:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_ece039f4cc1f48f9b33ac328dd26f487~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_960,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Paris: Impressions of Life 1880-1925]]></title><description><![CDATA[This poem was inspired by an exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery.]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/paris-impressions-of-life-1880-1925</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66983b5426b928ba40b3a72e</guid><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jul 2024 03:38:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_d7a5335372294190ac84b0b2d0248ec6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_862,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ash Wednesday with Hopkins]]></title><description><![CDATA[A reflection on Ash Wednesday based on a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, 'Thou art indeed just, Lord'.]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/ash-wednesday-with-hopkins</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1daac</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:08:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_14b03578583c49beb18b3ce82b56669a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_960,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Can Hold Us Steady?]]></title><description><![CDATA[What is it that can hold us steady?  Nothing but the unwavering, steady presence of Christ’s love.]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/what-can-hold-us-steady</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1daa3</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Worship]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 06 Apr 2023 02:26:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2dbae_28afec0020134188a6db0806184a99b8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_960,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rejoice! Laetare Sunday]]></title><description><![CDATA[A reflection on Laetare Sunday and God's faithful grace. ]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/rejoice-laetare-sunday</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1dab8</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Books]]></category><category><![CDATA[Worship]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 18 Mar 2023 22:11:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2dbae_fda5c3f0ac854a97827f491c90a859ff~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_853,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ash Wednesday]]></title><description><![CDATA[A reflection on Ash Wednesday after stepping out onto a flight of well-worn parish stairs. ]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/ash-wednesday</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1daae</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><category><![CDATA[Worship]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2023 22:02:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2dbae_e6f391773fb448ee8ff21e4741072dbe~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_960,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['And to one God says....': a reading and reflection on the poem 'Mediations' by R.S.Thomas]]></title><description><![CDATA[A reading and reflection on the poem 'Mediations' by R.S. Thomas.]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/and-to-one-god-says-a-reading-and-reflection-on-the-poem-mediations-by-r-s-thomas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1dac6</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><category><![CDATA[Books]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 24 Nov 2021 03:52:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_b75ea8e17d63415d8c43f031c8d971ce~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['A single dead prawn': A reading and reflection on the poem 'At the End' by R.S.Thomas]]></title><description><![CDATA[A reading and reflection on the poem 'At the End' by R.S.Thomas.]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/a-single-dead-prawn-a-reading-and-reflection-on-the-poem-at-the-end-by-r-s-thomas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1dabd</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 07 Nov 2021 20:46:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8aeeb70cd0c9f912cbb4bf8de4f767fa.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['Was I waiting for something?': A reading and reflection on the poem 'Sea-watching' by R.S.Thomas]]></title><description><![CDATA[A reading and reflection on the poem 'Sea-watching' by R.S.Thomas]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/was-i-waiting-for-something-a-reading-and-reflection-on-the-poem-sea-watching-by-r-s-thomas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1dade</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 10 Oct 2021 20:01:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_89bc07233d32459f82bd57be15017ecb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_960,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['I Go Down to the Shore' by Mary Oliver]]></title><description><![CDATA[A reflection on the poem 'I Go Down to the Shore' by Mary Oliver. ]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/i-god-down-to-the-shore-by-mary-oliver</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1daba</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 13 Sep 2021 22:36:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_d09c499537744eb7ad3cbd54e52289c8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_350,h_291,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['The Summer Day' by Mary Oliver]]></title><description><![CDATA[A reflection on 'The Summer Day' by Mary Oliver. ]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/the-summer-s-day-by-mary-oliver</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1da9f</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2021 21:48:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/79395a2b906b410bad0dd9acd2151d5d.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['Invitation' by Mary Oliver]]></title><description><![CDATA[A reflection on the poem 'Invitation' by Mary Oliver. ]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/invitation-by-mary-oliver</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1dab5</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2021 22:13:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a3f36c7181797c171e6e1ffe814a9d92.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['In Church' by R.S.Thomas]]></title><description><![CDATA[The poem 'In Church' was included in a Spiritual Reading Group session led by Carol O'Conner, via Zoom, on Wednesday 16 June 2021.]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/in-church-by-r-s-thomas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1dad0</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><category><![CDATA[Addresses]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2021 10:51:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_97b5901115af422c97af56c2075510bb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_949,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['The Other' by R.S.Thomas]]></title><description><![CDATA[The poem 'The Other' was included in a Spiritual Reading Group session led by Carol O'Conner, via Zoom,  on Wednesday 16 June 2021.]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/the-other-by-r-s-thomas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1daa6</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><category><![CDATA[Addresses]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 24 Jul 2021 14:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_e212aea8f321483a9acbff76a95acbfd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_780,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['Raptor' by R.S.Thomas]]></title><description><![CDATA[The poem 'Raptor' was included in a Spiritual Reading Group session led by Carol O'Conner, via Zoom,  on Wednesday 16 June 2021.]]></description><link>https://www.stpetersbookroom.com/post/raptor-by-r-s-thomas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">668b226e088de8ac36e1dab4</guid><category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category><category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category><category><![CDATA[Addresses]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 19 Jul 2021 22:39:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a1224_a9a42c2ad779412c973aeebd33dfe1e9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_795,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol O&apos;Connor</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>