My name is Eamon Butler and I was born in Ireland in 1960. I come for a large family of 14 and was brought up Catholic. I trained as a carpenter and it was probably one of the best things that I did in life. Thank God! He must have known about the journey ahead of me because the carpentry became my bread and butter as you can take it anywhere!

By the age of 28, I had worked in Dublin, London and New York. I partied a lot during those years. However, I became very restless, and unhappy in my work. I began to search for something more meaningful and purposeful. It was not long before I became a volunteer in a community teaching carpentry to mentally disadvantaged adolescence. This was an amazing time of my life; challenging and wonderful.

When that time came to a close, I travelled up to India and began working in the communities of Mother Teresa in Kolkata. This was a life changing experience. I joined the community to train as a priest. That took me to London, Italy, and then Mexico. I could write a book on this experience but not here!!  All I can say that it was a deeply enriching experience living in community and serving the poorest of the poor.

I left the priesthood training in 1995 and I came back to New Zealand as a missionary. I travelled through the Canterbury and Otago dioceses for two years speaking in schools to young people about my work on the mission field. I wanted to encourage the youth to go out and experience the incredible blessings to be had from doing voluntary work for the poor. 

I then returned to Ireland and started working in the ‘normal way’ again. I gradually returned to old habits of drinking and eventually developed an addiction to alcohol. After a dark period in my life, I found help and I got completely sober.  I literally became the prodigal son and I took the gifts that God had given me as I sought my own fulfilment and happiness. I ended up becoming totally lost, but thanks to God’s unconditional love and faithfulness, I found my way Home again and I do not intend leaving God’s house ever again.

In 2013 I studied counselling in Auckland, and in 2017 trained as a spiritual director. The journey continues and lots more to look forward to. I have learned that it is not so much about an exterior journey of faith, but rather, an interior journey into the heart of God’s love whereby I am being slowly transformed into the likeness of God’s love.

My spirituality is contemplative in nature and I value silence, Christian meditation and prayer as integral spiritual practices. These enable me to live from an authentic place of connection with God in a fast moving and busy world. I am also passionate about helping others, by encouraging and supporting them in their faith journey.

I look forward to meeting you should you decide to come on retreat at Titoki.