Wed Feb 7th

LOVELY BABY......
Fleeting visit to see enchanting new baby born to local friends....the fifth child of the E. family, whose oldest son Thomas is my godson. The newborn baby, curled up in his mother's arms, was fast sleep, warm and content. I had just dropped by with a bottle of wine and some crackers to celebrate. (Another note for Americans: here, crackers AREN'T biscuits, but are those things you have for celebrations with children...oh, made of silver paper and with a thing that goes "bang" when you pull, and inside there is a little toy, and a riddle, and maybe a silly hat....)

Baby William will be baptised in a couple of weeks, and we are invited. His parents are a simply wonderful couple, with whom we have sat and talked and laughed and had so many happy times....among their jolliest celebrations was a "Pope Party" to celebrate the election of our dear Holy Father, Papa Benedict......

EXCELLENT WORDS

Which reminds me, the H. Father has given a wonderful and touching message to the young people preparing for World Youth Day (Sydney, 2008...the preparations look good, and the Aussies have been looking forward to this for a long time...we have friends who are v. involved....). There is a special message dedicated to young people who are engaged to be married.(You can read it on Fr Tim Finigan's blog. Would be excellent to reproduce for marriage preparation talks.....