...IMPORTANT!!!!
I will be voting for the Christian Choice candidate, Alan Craig, with my first vote, and suggest that readers of this Blog do the same. We have two votes, so the second can go to another candidate.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
A day of terrific rain...
...which I rather enjoyed. I took some printing to be done, and the rain was just too savage for an immediate journey back, so I enjoyed a mug of coffee and the newspaper while water hurtled down outside the coffee-shop.
St Patrick's, Soho Square, about which I've been writing a feature for a magazine is having a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament through Soho on May 25th - contact the link I've just given for more details. This is a great Catholic tradition and there will be a number of such processions in various parts of Britain in May, but having something in the centre of London seems especially valuable and important...
Tomorrow is ASCENSION DAY and it is absolutely infuriating of our Bishops to have diminished it by announcing that it must be observed on Sunday instead!!
Ascension Day has been observed in our country for over a thousand years. It is a something shared by all Christians - a glorious statement of unity in our common faith. Because it has such a long tradition as a holiday, Elections have traditionally been held on this day. This gave rise to the tradition of always holding elections on a Thursday.
Why chuck this rich tradition, a link with our heritage, an opportunity for united witness?
Of course, like many others, I will be at Mass tomorrow. PLease be there, too. And drop a note to your Bishop pointing out gently that trying to move special feasts to the nearest Sunday has been a flop: WE WANT OUR FEAST-DAYS BACK.
St Patrick's, Soho Square, about which I've been writing a feature for a magazine is having a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament through Soho on May 25th - contact the link I've just given for more details. This is a great Catholic tradition and there will be a number of such processions in various parts of Britain in May, but having something in the centre of London seems especially valuable and important...
Tomorrow is ASCENSION DAY and it is absolutely infuriating of our Bishops to have diminished it by announcing that it must be observed on Sunday instead!!
Ascension Day has been observed in our country for over a thousand years. It is a something shared by all Christians - a glorious statement of unity in our common faith. Because it has such a long tradition as a holiday, Elections have traditionally been held on this day. This gave rise to the tradition of always holding elections on a Thursday.
Why chuck this rich tradition, a link with our heritage, an opportunity for united witness?
Of course, like many others, I will be at Mass tomorrow. PLease be there, too. And drop a note to your Bishop pointing out gently that trying to move special feasts to the nearest Sunday has been a flop: WE WANT OUR FEAST-DAYS BACK.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
To the London Charterhouse...
...for the launch of the Art and Reconcilation project which aims to create a memorial in Chelsea to the Medieval shrines destroyed in the 16th century. This will take the form of a beautiful memorial depicting Mary holding the Christ-child, standing between broken arches, while on either side there are scenes of destruction. The sculptor is Paul Day, whose magnificent memorial to the heroes of the Battle of Britain stands on the Embankment.
The burning of some of England's most beautiful statues of Mary took place at Chelsea in 1538, in the presence of Thomas Cromwell. The planned memorial will emphasise reconciliation and promote the message that acts of deliberate destruction of such holy things cannot be right...today's launch brought together a very large and supportive gathering, and this is a project which is going to be of real value and significance. Want to help? Contact the website link I've given...
I had never been in the London Charterhouse before. It's magnificent. Feels like an Oxford or Cambridge college. We were in a large hall upstairs (drinks, lovely vol-au-vents, tiny tasty sandwiches, crisp white tablecloths)....downstairs there is much evidence of past Medieval glories...a newish chapel (18th cent? much panelling, Royal coat of arms, vaguely Inigo Jones feel) created out of much older buildings - it was all, of course, the home of London's magnificent Carthusians who died as heroes under the vicious Henry VIII...
The burning of some of England's most beautiful statues of Mary took place at Chelsea in 1538, in the presence of Thomas Cromwell. The planned memorial will emphasise reconciliation and promote the message that acts of deliberate destruction of such holy things cannot be right...today's launch brought together a very large and supportive gathering, and this is a project which is going to be of real value and significance. Want to help? Contact the website link I've given...
I had never been in the London Charterhouse before. It's magnificent. Feels like an Oxford or Cambridge college. We were in a large hall upstairs (drinks, lovely vol-au-vents, tiny tasty sandwiches, crisp white tablecloths)....downstairs there is much evidence of past Medieval glories...a newish chapel (18th cent? much panelling, Royal coat of arms, vaguely Inigo Jones feel) created out of much older buildings - it was all, of course, the home of London's magnificent Carthusians who died as heroes under the vicious Henry VIII...
Monday, April 28, 2008
Marriage preparation...
...involving talks to groups of young couples is something that is organised rather well by various London parishes, notably Fr Hugh Mackenzie at Willesden Green, and Fr Stephen Langridge at Balham. It is a priviledge to be invited to give such a talk.
At a recent session, the young people were invited to discuss why they were marrying in a Catholic church. Most of the responses started with "Well, my family is a traditional Catholic one, and though I don't go to Mass much, I still feel....." or "My girlfriend/boyfriend comes from a family that's traditionally Catholic and I felt..." Marriage can bring out all sorts of family feelings and memories. For many, too, a church wedding is an opportunity to reconnect with the Church which isn't unwelcome. And there can be great seriousness, especially from the non-Catholic partner, in discussing the understanding of marriage as a Sacrament...
It's interesting, incidentally, to note from meetings such as this - and other events - the reasons people have for not attending Mass. Most common among young single people are:
"It's all young families - I don't fit it."
"It's too noisy" ("young families" again)
"It's too quiet" (?? But it's a fairly frequent comment! I think it's not really 'quiet' or silence that is meant, but perhaps a sense of structure, ritual, formality. Do they really dislike this, or just feel they ought to say they do?)
"It's boring - same thing every week" (by far the most frequent comment.)
"It takes too long"
I have never yet heard anyone state any of the reasons often given by campaigners whose views are put forward in the media, eg the Church's opposition to female ordination, or condoms, or abortion. Nor have I heard complaints that worshipping God is itself pointless, or irrelevant in the modern age, or that the Eucharist is a meaningless ritual. On the contrary, there's usually a sort of recognition that it's all probably important and even valuable - but just not what the person wants to do most Sundays.
I think there is a feeling that it might be good to go to Mass - but not every week, because "life is all about choices", not about making a choice that lasts and becomes a commitment.
Finally: the reason I would put top of my list: silly songs, especially if led by a strumming guitar, doesn't seem to feature that much....though there is a reverse position: that people sometimes go to a place where there is beautiful music, eg Westminster Cathedral. So good music is a reason to go, but ghastly music doesn't seem to be a reason for staying away...or perhaps it's simply that, because they don't go, they don't know just how ghastly some of the music can be...
At a recent session, the young people were invited to discuss why they were marrying in a Catholic church. Most of the responses started with "Well, my family is a traditional Catholic one, and though I don't go to Mass much, I still feel....." or "My girlfriend/boyfriend comes from a family that's traditionally Catholic and I felt..." Marriage can bring out all sorts of family feelings and memories. For many, too, a church wedding is an opportunity to reconnect with the Church which isn't unwelcome. And there can be great seriousness, especially from the non-Catholic partner, in discussing the understanding of marriage as a Sacrament...
It's interesting, incidentally, to note from meetings such as this - and other events - the reasons people have for not attending Mass. Most common among young single people are:
"It's all young families - I don't fit it."
"It's too noisy" ("young families" again)
"It's too quiet" (?? But it's a fairly frequent comment! I think it's not really 'quiet' or silence that is meant, but perhaps a sense of structure, ritual, formality. Do they really dislike this, or just feel they ought to say they do?)
"It's boring - same thing every week" (by far the most frequent comment.)
"It takes too long"
I have never yet heard anyone state any of the reasons often given by campaigners whose views are put forward in the media, eg the Church's opposition to female ordination, or condoms, or abortion. Nor have I heard complaints that worshipping God is itself pointless, or irrelevant in the modern age, or that the Eucharist is a meaningless ritual. On the contrary, there's usually a sort of recognition that it's all probably important and even valuable - but just not what the person wants to do most Sundays.
I think there is a feeling that it might be good to go to Mass - but not every week, because "life is all about choices", not about making a choice that lasts and becomes a commitment.
Finally: the reason I would put top of my list: silly songs, especially if led by a strumming guitar, doesn't seem to feature that much....though there is a reverse position: that people sometimes go to a place where there is beautiful music, eg Westminster Cathedral. So good music is a reason to go, but ghastly music doesn't seem to be a reason for staying away...or perhaps it's simply that, because they don't go, they don't know just how ghastly some of the music can be...
The Daily Mail
is currently giving away DVDs of British WWII classic films: Above us the Waves, Malta Story, We Dive at Dawn...presumably to lift morale and remind us that we have a heritage that contains greater values than the shoddy ones commonly accepted as the norm.
I don't think that people in the Britain of the 1940s could have imagined a Britain where it would be deemed controversial to give children hot cross buns (because the buns have crosses on them, a Christian symbol, disliked by Islam) , where hop-scotch and games of conkers would be banned in some schools because children might graze their knees or knuckles (contrary to "health and safety regulations"), where homosexual activity would be actively promoted by local authorities and schoolchildren instructed in sexual techniques with the aid of films enthusing over unmarried parenthood...and where voicing opposition to this is officially regarded as either quaint and a bit bigoted, or downright sinister...
I don't think that people in the Britain of the 1940s could have imagined a Britain where it would be deemed controversial to give children hot cross buns (because the buns have crosses on them, a Christian symbol, disliked by Islam) , where hop-scotch and games of conkers would be banned in some schools because children might graze their knees or knuckles (contrary to "health and safety regulations"), where homosexual activity would be actively promoted by local authorities and schoolchildren instructed in sexual techniques with the aid of films enthusing over unmarried parenthood...and where voicing opposition to this is officially regarded as either quaint and a bit bigoted, or downright sinister...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
At Mass...
..I was next to a dear little Korean/English family - enchantingly solemn baby boy on Daddy's lap, Mummy's hand occasionally proferring a finger to be held. A good-sized congregation sang a Missa de Angelis with Credo III and some of my favourite hymns. Then I cycled on to Mother's and we took ourselves out to a cafe for some coffee and raspberry-and-chocolate buns. A terrific thunderstorm broke out and it was rather satisfying watching it from the safe haven behind streaming windows - and afterwards the air was gloriously fresh and cool.
There is the most fabulous blossom on all the trees in London's surburban gardens at the moment, a promise of a good apple crop later in the year.
Only blots on the landscape were the groups of angry and blank-faced girls and boys in the shopping-centres, drinking and sullenly exchanging loud obscenities (snippet of conversation as I passed:"Yeah, so, like, I told her, to, like, f*** off, as she, like, f****ing annoys me...") and the cascades of litter on street corners, aound bus stops, in shop doorways, and anywhere else where it can cluster. April in England.
There is the most fabulous blossom on all the trees in London's surburban gardens at the moment, a promise of a good apple crop later in the year.
Only blots on the landscape were the groups of angry and blank-faced girls and boys in the shopping-centres, drinking and sullenly exchanging loud obscenities (snippet of conversation as I passed:"Yeah, so, like, I told her, to, like, f*** off, as she, like, f****ing annoys me...") and the cascades of litter on street corners, aound bus stops, in shop doorways, and anywhere else where it can cluster. April in England.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
In sparkling sunshine, beneath a bright blue sky...
...we gathered in Parliament Square this morning for a solemn purpose. We were marking the 40th aniversary of the formal passing into law of the Abortion Act. And the commemoration was done in exactly the right way, with women giving testimony of how abortion had damaged them, causing heartache and misery... babies' lives destroyed and two generations of women wounded - what a tragic legacy.
"Silent no more" was the message, and as there were the usual crowds of people surging around that part of London, and we had large placards and a megaphone, I think some impact was made...
On to Westminster Abbey, where we held a short quiet service at the Monument to the Innocents, reading that powerful Psalm which reminds us how God knew us when we were still in our mothers' wombs. Flowers were laid and we said the "Our Father..."
"Silent no more" was the message, and as there were the usual crowds of people surging around that part of London, and we had large placards and a megaphone, I think some impact was made...
On to Westminster Abbey, where we held a short quiet service at the Monument to the Innocents, reading that powerful Psalm which reminds us how God knew us when we were still in our mothers' wombs. Flowers were laid and we said the "Our Father..."
Friday, April 25, 2008
Significant anniversary...
...this year in Britain, relevant to the previous blog-post about St George...read this item on Inside Catholic website.
Meeting of the Board of the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. We hold our Board meetings at Brompton Oratory - in the Oratory House next door to the church. I've been to so many meetings of various sorts here over the years: it was in this room, over a quarter of a century ago, that, at our request, Fr Michael Napier blessed the engagement ring that Jamie had given me...we took a snapshot of ourselves afterwards, standing on the steps of the Oratory Church and it's in an album somewhere...
ACN is active in giving aid in many parts of the world at present. Here in Britain, supporters of the work can hear about current projects, meet aid workers, and be inspired by a fresh understanding of what it means to be a member of a worldwide church...Cardinal Keith O'Brien recently attended a big ACN event in Glasgow, even though he was still recovering after an operation, and spoke movingly and inspiringly. There will be an event at Westminster Cathedral on September 27th: mark the date now, more info in due course from the website...
Meeting of the Board of the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. We hold our Board meetings at Brompton Oratory - in the Oratory House next door to the church. I've been to so many meetings of various sorts here over the years: it was in this room, over a quarter of a century ago, that, at our request, Fr Michael Napier blessed the engagement ring that Jamie had given me...we took a snapshot of ourselves afterwards, standing on the steps of the Oratory Church and it's in an album somewhere...
ACN is active in giving aid in many parts of the world at present. Here in Britain, supporters of the work can hear about current projects, meet aid workers, and be inspired by a fresh understanding of what it means to be a member of a worldwide church...Cardinal Keith O'Brien recently attended a big ACN event in Glasgow, even though he was still recovering after an operation, and spoke movingly and inspiringly. There will be an event at Westminster Cathedral on September 27th: mark the date now, more info in due course from the website...
St George...
...is a patron saint we all badly need in England today. But, oh, dear, it isn't possible to make St George's Day into anything real by giving people plastic hats and having commercially-sponsored posters and strings of flags in pubs. It all had a sad, flat feeling.
Pleasantly, however, I had been invited to give a talk on "Celebrating traditional feasts and seasons" to a coffee-morning gathering at the Catholic church in Chelsea - organisers had planned it without initially noting the significance of the date - and it was a very enjoyable (and well-attended) gathering with a friendly spirit and lots of lively talk and questions. Want to know more about how to celebrate various feasts? Try my book ....
Busy week. Last night a wonderful talk from Dom Aidan Bellenger of Downside Abbey at the Catholic Writers' Guild...he spoke of how the Benedictine Rule and the Benedictine idea had created and fostered the Christian civilisation, celebrating ideas of prayer, common life, stability...our Guild evenings start with Mass and then dinner, and in his talk he mentioned a topic we had begun at table, which was the whole significance of eating together, a shared meal - something which of course is not part of life's experience for many people in Britain today, where foods is consumed as a series of snacks, or while watching TV, and often alone even in a house full of people...
Pleasantly, however, I had been invited to give a talk on "Celebrating traditional feasts and seasons" to a coffee-morning gathering at the Catholic church in Chelsea - organisers had planned it without initially noting the significance of the date - and it was a very enjoyable (and well-attended) gathering with a friendly spirit and lots of lively talk and questions. Want to know more about how to celebrate various feasts? Try my book ....
Busy week. Last night a wonderful talk from Dom Aidan Bellenger of Downside Abbey at the Catholic Writers' Guild...he spoke of how the Benedictine Rule and the Benedictine idea had created and fostered the Christian civilisation, celebrating ideas of prayer, common life, stability...our Guild evenings start with Mass and then dinner, and in his talk he mentioned a topic we had begun at table, which was the whole significance of eating together, a shared meal - something which of course is not part of life's experience for many people in Britain today, where foods is consumed as a series of snacks, or while watching TV, and often alone even in a house full of people...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The apple blossom...
...is out on the little tree in our back garden. Now this is significant. This tree grew from a small cutting that I brought back from Fernyhalgh, the ancient shrine of Ladeywell in Lancashire. The shrine was the result of a vision by a sailor who was told to find it at a place where grew "apples without any core". So we must wait and see what apples our little tree produces. This is the first year it has really blossomed.
I've been asked by the Council of Christians and Jews to write a regular piece about Christian seasons and celebrations for their newsletter. I'm delighted to do this - a subject after my own heart. Oddly enough, the subject of Christian-Jewish relations has been on my mind, partly because of the H. Father's visit to the synagogue in America, which went so well, especially his meeting with the children, and the lovely speech from the Rabbi. The latter said that the H. Father has the face of a cherub and I agree!
This morning, in bright sunshine, I cut the grass on our tiny patch in the front of the house, and cleared the thistles and briars from the flower-bed...summer is on the way. Seasons and celebrations...
I've been asked by the Council of Christians and Jews to write a regular piece about Christian seasons and celebrations for their newsletter. I'm delighted to do this - a subject after my own heart. Oddly enough, the subject of Christian-Jewish relations has been on my mind, partly because of the H. Father's visit to the synagogue in America, which went so well, especially his meeting with the children, and the lovely speech from the Rabbi. The latter said that the H. Father has the face of a cherub and I agree!
This morning, in bright sunshine, I cut the grass on our tiny patch in the front of the house, and cleared the thistles and briars from the flower-bed...summer is on the way. Seasons and celebrations...
Monday, April 21, 2008
I remember writing...
...on this Blog about the beauty of the prayers used at the Chrism Mass, which mention the olive tree, the fruit of which makes the oil which is used for sacred anointings.
Today however, I caused havoc with olive oil. In a busy shop, my basket of heavy items, including a glass bottle of golden oil from Italian olives, crashed to the floor, shattering and sending glass and oil across a massive area. You simply cannot imagine how much mess it all made. Chaos. They poured flour on the floor to mop it up - apparently experience has shown that this works best - and waved me away when I tried to look helpful. I am hopelessly clumsy.
Today however, I caused havoc with olive oil. In a busy shop, my basket of heavy items, including a glass bottle of golden oil from Italian olives, crashed to the floor, shattering and sending glass and oil across a massive area. You simply cannot imagine how much mess it all made. Chaos. They poured flour on the floor to mop it up - apparently experience has shown that this works best - and waved me away when I tried to look helpful. I am hopelessly clumsy.
Coffee and talk in Chelsea...
...are on the agenda this week, as I will be speaking on Wednesday at Holy Redeemer Church in Cheyne Row, SW3. Want to come? All you have to do is turn up! There's Mass at 10 am and then the coffee-gathering happens in the crypt hall below. Topic is "Seasons and Celebrations", explaining - and enjoying - the traditions and customs associated with the forthcoming summer feasts in the Church's year...
Latest issue...
of Catholic World Report has a feature (by JB) on the Church in Britain, with reference to Fr Aidan Nicholls' book The Realm, about the conversion of England. I had a note from Fr Aidan this week, accepting to my invitation to him to speak at the Festival of Catholic Culture in Westminster Cathedral Hall in November. (Sat Nov 8th - put the date in your diary now).
It's been a joy to follow, via YouTube,Internet sites of all USA newspapers, etc, the Papal visit to the USA. How beautiful his speeches and sermons are to read - his measured use of words enchants.
It's been a joy to follow, via YouTube,Internet sites of all USA newspapers, etc, the Papal visit to the USA. How beautiful his speeches and sermons are to read - his measured use of words enchants.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Ugly modern Britain...
...is so depressing sometimes. Children getting on an evening train today - instead of lively chatter it's sour, angry talk slotted with filthy epithets, spoken without passion. They were just chatting, swapping anecdotes, but, ugh, their talk was so ugly. Aged 12-14, with hunted, adult faces and no joy.
Feature in today's Sunday Telegraph laments the vanishing of individuality from England's towns and villages, the end of crucial parts of our lives and traditions. Every day, four pubs close. There are now few ordinary local shops in most High Streets - it's all identical, absolutely identical, brand-name firms with multi-national corporate logos and identical goods. The latest round of closutres of village Post Offices will be matched by the closures of village schools.
Feature in today's Sunday Telegraph laments the vanishing of individuality from England's towns and villages, the end of crucial parts of our lives and traditions. Every day, four pubs close. There are now few ordinary local shops in most High Streets - it's all identical, absolutely identical, brand-name firms with multi-national corporate logos and identical goods. The latest round of closutres of village Post Offices will be matched by the closures of village schools.
In our parish...
...we chant Latin every Sunday, at the 11.30 am Mass. There are some 40 young people being confirmed. There are quantities of children receiving First Holy Communion - numbers so large that they are being spread out over three separate Sundays. I mention this because I know things often seem depressing in the Church but there are also glowing points of light.
Sunday afternoon...
...is usually spent with Mother, sometimes a gentle stroll in the park and a visit to a teashop or perhaps, as today, a game of Scrabble over cups of tea at home.
Bike temporarily not available, so I took the train. Sunday means repair-work on the line, so there were buses to take us by road for part of the way. We trundled off from Epsom in absolutely the wrong direction... I wondered if the driver knew a shortcut but no - he was simply heading blithely out towards Reigate. After a while, he had second thoughts, turned the great bus round - with considerable difficulty in a narrow road - and trundled us back to Epsom. Then, uncertainly, slowly, hesitatingly, along the right road, with a worried air, evidently uncertain. I felt some one ought to take charge. With me giving directions, and calling out announcements ("Anyone for Carshalton? Change at Sutton!") we went along very efficiently. It was most enjoyable, all the passengers entered into the spirit of the thing and we all rather enjoyed the journey. I do wonder how he managed after I got off, though. I did show him the way on the map.
Bike temporarily not available, so I took the train. Sunday means repair-work on the line, so there were buses to take us by road for part of the way. We trundled off from Epsom in absolutely the wrong direction... I wondered if the driver knew a shortcut but no - he was simply heading blithely out towards Reigate. After a while, he had second thoughts, turned the great bus round - with considerable difficulty in a narrow road - and trundled us back to Epsom. Then, uncertainly, slowly, hesitatingly, along the right road, with a worried air, evidently uncertain. I felt some one ought to take charge. With me giving directions, and calling out announcements ("Anyone for Carshalton? Change at Sutton!") we went along very efficiently. It was most enjoyable, all the passengers entered into the spirit of the thing and we all rather enjoyed the journey. I do wonder how he managed after I got off, though. I did show him the way on the map.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Early start...
...this morning. Car came to collect me from Mother's - where I happened to be staying overnight - to take me to the BBC for a discussion on the Today programme about the Holy Father's visit to the USA. I asked M. to say some prayers as I always get v. nervous.
The tone of the discussion was much more honest and realistic than many previous ones about Pope Benedict: there seems finally be to an understanding that this is a man of outstanding intellect and amiable qualities who as successor of St Peter has something useful to say...
The tone of the discussion was much more honest and realistic than many previous ones about Pope Benedict: there seems finally be to an understanding that this is a man of outstanding intellect and amiable qualities who as successor of St Peter has something useful to say...
Friday, April 18, 2008
For good commentary...
...and good coverage of the the Holy Father's visit to the USA, read this new link from the Catholic Herald . I also recommend Fr Richard John Neuhaus' Blog.
BBC Radio 2...
...invited me on to the Jeremy Vine Show yesterday to talk about the Holy Father's trip to America. Would we be able to give him the same huge welcome here - cheering crowds 30-deep along the roads of the capital, full-scale pageantry?...is America more religious than us? ....etc etc...a lady atheist campaigner (can't recall her name) was on the programme with me and ranted crossly about the usual things, Church opposes abortion, won't give out condoms to children, etc. People 'phoned in and talked...I detect a vague longing for something that would give poor mucky modern Britain a larger vision and a spiritual and moral uplift, as there was some wistful talk about great Royal events and the good community spirit that is engendered when people celebrate a valued heritage and sense of purpose...even a sense of envy of the Americans, who seem to allow themselves to look - together, as a country - upwards and outwards to the things of God more than we do...
I've been away from the computer, in Norfolk, at Walsingham, filming with an EWTN team. Extremely enjoyable - hard work, but fun. The new Catholic church in the town itself is now functioning - it has a nice traditonal-style round tower made with local stones, and a fine large crucifix by the door. Inside, it disappoints a bit, sanctuary looks unfinished, the tabernacle stranded to one side. I expect that this will change in due course, as an attractive feature of the church is a small round window, so placed that the passer-by can look in directly to the altar. But at the moment the view just misses the tabernacle!
There are good numbers for daily Mass, and for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament afterwards: with a glittering monstrance on the altar, directly beneath the stained glass and crucifix, everything suddenly looked exactly right.
Pilgrim groups walk the Holy Mile to the Slipper Chapel shrine, carrying a statue - it was enchantingly beautiful doing this, voices chorusing the Rosary back-and-forth, lambs in the fields, a fizz of green just emerging on the trees, sudden groups of primroses, birds calling, crunch of feet on the gravel walk and no traffic noise.
The train journey home from Kings Lynn (WHY WERE ALL THOSE WONDERFUL LITTLE BRANCH LINES CLOSED, BACK IN THE 1960s? I learned this week that Walsingham not only had its own station, but also a special Slipper Chapel Halt) took me via Cambridge. So I stopped off there to enjoy a happy afternoon with young relatives - cheery news and eager talk, delicious great-nephew tumbling with energy, cuddly small great-niece chuckling most gratifyingly at the sight of a great-aunt...
I've been away from the computer, in Norfolk, at Walsingham, filming with an EWTN team. Extremely enjoyable - hard work, but fun. The new Catholic church in the town itself is now functioning - it has a nice traditonal-style round tower made with local stones, and a fine large crucifix by the door. Inside, it disappoints a bit, sanctuary looks unfinished, the tabernacle stranded to one side. I expect that this will change in due course, as an attractive feature of the church is a small round window, so placed that the passer-by can look in directly to the altar. But at the moment the view just misses the tabernacle!
There are good numbers for daily Mass, and for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament afterwards: with a glittering monstrance on the altar, directly beneath the stained glass and crucifix, everything suddenly looked exactly right.
Pilgrim groups walk the Holy Mile to the Slipper Chapel shrine, carrying a statue - it was enchantingly beautiful doing this, voices chorusing the Rosary back-and-forth, lambs in the fields, a fizz of green just emerging on the trees, sudden groups of primroses, birds calling, crunch of feet on the gravel walk and no traffic noise.
The train journey home from Kings Lynn (WHY WERE ALL THOSE WONDERFUL LITTLE BRANCH LINES CLOSED, BACK IN THE 1960s? I learned this week that Walsingham not only had its own station, but also a special Slipper Chapel Halt) took me via Cambridge. So I stopped off there to enjoy a happy afternoon with young relatives - cheery news and eager talk, delicious great-nephew tumbling with energy, cuddly small great-niece chuckling most gratifyingly at the sight of a great-aunt...
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Mark this date...
...on May 19th Fr Luiz Ruscillo, from the Lancaster diocese which produced the excellent Fit for Mission? report is coming to speak at St Joseph's church, New Malden. Come and discover at first-hand about the ideas for the way ahead in Catholic education. May 19th, 7.30pm, at St Joseph's church centre, which adjoins the church in Kingston Road, New Malden (trains from London Waterloo, about a 20-minute journey).
The London Mayoral election...
...is coming up. If you are a Londoner, look at this website before making your decision.
I didn't fully grasp this before, but we have two votes under the new system. So your second-choice vote IS VERY IMPORTANT TOO.
I didn't fully grasp this before, but we have two votes under the new system. So your second-choice vote IS VERY IMPORTANT TOO.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Here is...
the "Slipper Chapel" at Walsingham, although this formal pic doesn't do it justice, because the charm lies in the gentle untidiness and greenery of the country lane, and the meadows opposite, and the little brook, and the splashy ford, and the feeling of coming on it all rather suddenly as you walk up from the village.A memory: one summer night, during a Youth 2000 weekend, a group of us enjoying a walk in the moonlight...we started to say the Rosary and somewhere behind us in the lane, a couple of other voices joined in, and then a few more. We all walked along, the prayer going back and forth pleasantly in the summer night, no traffic noise to spoil it. As we drew near the shrine, we stopped in front of it, just by that door that you see above here, and sang the Salve Regina. None of us knew each other, we were just assorted pilgrims - until we gathered by the shrine we hadn't even seen each others' faces. And as we sang together, it was such a pleasant feeling of solidarity...and then we all got chatting for a while, then wished each other goodnight, and off to our various tents to sleep.
Entries are pouring in...
...for the Religious Education Project run by the Association of Catholic Women. We had a committee meeting today, and made plans for the judging etc. We have been running this Project for some years but this year we've expanded it hugely and are running it jointly with the Catholic Truth Society. The children study some of the miracles of Christ in the New Testament, and write about them...check out the ACW website if you are a teacher and interested in getting your pupils involved...
Our committee meetings are held at St James Church, Spanish Place and are lively and enjoyable. But the agenda includes serious matters for discussion and action : Govt bullying Church schools, horrible legislation on human embryos...
This weekend I'm off to Walsingham for work on another venture. It's one of my favourite places - I like the wideness of the Norfolk landscape contrasting with the cosy feeling in the village, the teashops, the creamy white blossom on the hedgerows.
Our committee meetings are held at St James Church, Spanish Place and are lively and enjoyable. But the agenda includes serious matters for discussion and action : Govt bullying Church schools, horrible legislation on human embryos...
This weekend I'm off to Walsingham for work on another venture. It's one of my favourite places - I like the wideness of the Norfolk landscape contrasting with the cosy feeling in the village, the teashops, the creamy white blossom on the hedgerows.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
The April commemoration
...of the coming into law of the infamous Abortion Act (which became law in April 1968) takes place at a number of London churches in the run-up to April 26th. Participating churches will have a candle, and special prayer-cards. Do join in. Check out this website for further information.
My bike and I...
...feature on a website which also includes a number of other features you might enjoy reading. Connect here.
Yesterday I cycled into Kingston to give a talk to a group at County Hall. A lovely bright day, and two barristers in wigs and gowns were standing talking in the gardens in front of the Court. I enjoyed a cup of freshly-made coffee before being taken to deliver the lecture: it all felt very civilised. On the surface of things, life in Britain on an April morning is a delight.
Email from a friend whose child is about to go to a big Catholic comprehensive school - the school feels obliged to be part of a ghastly official scheme called "Connexions" which offers (no, I'm not inventing this) "free condoms" and "advice for lesbian, gay and bisexual young people". Parents can sign an opt-out form - but surely no Catholic school should have anything to do with this horrible scheme in the first place? (Yes, she has taken it up with the school governors. But this also calls for action from our Bishops to make a clear and strong policy decision uniting all Catholic schools).
Yesterday I cycled into Kingston to give a talk to a group at County Hall. A lovely bright day, and two barristers in wigs and gowns were standing talking in the gardens in front of the Court. I enjoyed a cup of freshly-made coffee before being taken to deliver the lecture: it all felt very civilised. On the surface of things, life in Britain on an April morning is a delight.
Email from a friend whose child is about to go to a big Catholic comprehensive school - the school feels obliged to be part of a ghastly official scheme called "Connexions" which offers (no, I'm not inventing this) "free condoms" and "advice for lesbian, gay and bisexual young people". Parents can sign an opt-out form - but surely no Catholic school should have anything to do with this horrible scheme in the first place? (Yes, she has taken it up with the school governors. But this also calls for action from our Bishops to make a clear and strong policy decision uniting all Catholic schools).
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
PS to my post about the Isle of Wight...
...Fr Dwight Longenecker has some absolutely enchanting pictures of Isle of Wight churches on his blog. Look here.
In London...
...yesterday for a meeting of some of the team involved with Tamezin magazine. This is a magazine for teenage girls, full of some great features, produced by a talented young team with great artwork, layout, design. My involvement lies in recruting new young contributors by going to schools and doing journalism workshops...the whole venture is fun and it's enjoyable seeing the whole thing grow and give so much fun and pleasure to so many...
In the post...
...comes the magazine of St Cecilia's Abbey, Ryde, Isle of Wight. I have a wonderful friend who is among the nuns at St C's, and her accompanying letter is so full of encouragement, quietly wise comments, and joy.
The magazine is joyful, too - there's a splendid account of the life of one of the oldest nuns, Sister M. Rose:"She never thought of herself as old. Still attending Christmas Midnight Mass in her eighties, she was asked if she would like to have her post-Mass hot chocolate in the infirmary, rather than the refectory, as it was nearer to her cell. 'It's very kind of you, but let's wait until I am old.' She had a common-sense approach to life, spiced with humour. After a refectory book had been full of some martyr's persecution and torture she commented 'And we grumble if we get a pimple.' "
The convent is on the hill on the outskirts of Ryde, overlooking the Solent with its white-whipped waves, and beyond is all the glorious island, with the lovely beaches at Ventnor and Sandown, and the castle at Carisbrick, and enchanting lanes and fields and tea-shops with cream teas and its own little railway.
I had written to Sister E. to beg for prayers for a priest I have mentioned previously in this Blog, who is in prison. He has now been granted an appeal. Please, please join your prayers to those of the sisters and others who are praying for him.
The magazine is joyful, too - there's a splendid account of the life of one of the oldest nuns, Sister M. Rose:"She never thought of herself as old. Still attending Christmas Midnight Mass in her eighties, she was asked if she would like to have her post-Mass hot chocolate in the infirmary, rather than the refectory, as it was nearer to her cell. 'It's very kind of you, but let's wait until I am old.' She had a common-sense approach to life, spiced with humour. After a refectory book had been full of some martyr's persecution and torture she commented 'And we grumble if we get a pimple.' "
The convent is on the hill on the outskirts of Ryde, overlooking the Solent with its white-whipped waves, and beyond is all the glorious island, with the lovely beaches at Ventnor and Sandown, and the castle at Carisbrick, and enchanting lanes and fields and tea-shops with cream teas and its own little railway.
I had written to Sister E. to beg for prayers for a priest I have mentioned previously in this Blog, who is in prison. He has now been granted an appeal. Please, please join your prayers to those of the sisters and others who are praying for him.
Monday, April 07, 2008
I've been asked...
...for the source of the quote from the Holy Father that I gave a couple opf days ago. I got it from a speech made by Cardinal Bertone which you can read here. In it, he quotes the Pope, from what he states is an interview given shortly after his election.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Sunday:
Snow. Walked to Mass through whirling whiteness. Jamie has a bad cough and cold. V. interesting sermon about the encounter with Christ on the road to Emmaus - had never really thought about this incident before and it suddenly came alive and assumed its true significance - as I write this I find myself thinking of that Caravaggio (sp?) painting...
To Mother's: I had got a video of some vintage Dad's Army episodes and it was 50p well spent. Watched and laughed and drank tea while addressing envelopes for the big mailing to all clergy in 4 dioceses for the Festival of Catholic Culture (one quarter of one diocese done - so am on track to get all completed by September!)
Talk this evening to local World Youth Day group. They start their meetings with prayer before the Bl. Sacrament, and Benediction. It was touching to see all these young people kneeling in silence in church when I slipped in at the back, rather rushed and breathless. Leading the group is Fr Dominic Allain of St Pius X church, next parish along from ours.
I had been invited to speak about the Holy Father (ref. my book on him). Extraordinarily, I just this week acquired an excellent book about his theology: Ratzinger's Faith, by Tracey Rowland. I'll be writing a lot more about this later. Tracey R. is a crunchy writer and thinker, Dean and Associate Professor of Political Philosophy at the JPII Institute in Melbourne. She's also a great friend and I'm thrilled to have got her book, fresh off the press from OUP.
To Mother's: I had got a video of some vintage Dad's Army episodes and it was 50p well spent. Watched and laughed and drank tea while addressing envelopes for the big mailing to all clergy in 4 dioceses for the Festival of Catholic Culture (one quarter of one diocese done - so am on track to get all completed by September!)
Talk this evening to local World Youth Day group. They start their meetings with prayer before the Bl. Sacrament, and Benediction. It was touching to see all these young people kneeling in silence in church when I slipped in at the back, rather rushed and breathless. Leading the group is Fr Dominic Allain of St Pius X church, next parish along from ours.
I had been invited to speak about the Holy Father (ref. my book on him). Extraordinarily, I just this week acquired an excellent book about his theology: Ratzinger's Faith, by Tracey Rowland. I'll be writing a lot more about this later. Tracey R. is a crunchy writer and thinker, Dean and Associate Professor of Political Philosophy at the JPII Institute in Melbourne. She's also a great friend and I'm thrilled to have got her book, fresh off the press from OUP.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
I came across this quote...
...from the Holy Father and I love it.
"The generally prevailing idea is that Christians have to observe an immense number of commandments, prohibitions, precepts, and other such restrictions, so that Christianity is a heavy and oppressive way of living, and it would therefore be more liberating to live without all these burdens. But I would like to make it clear that to be sustained by this great Love and God’s sublime revelation is not a burden, but rather a set of wings – that it is truly beautiful to be a Christian. It is an experience that gives us room to breathe and move, but most of all, it places us within a community since, as Christians, we are never alone: first of all, there is God, who is always with us; secondly, we are always forming a great community among ourselves: a community of people together on a journey, a community with a project for the future. All of this means that we are empowered to live a life worth living. This is the joy of being a Christian; that it is beautiful and right to believe!”
"The generally prevailing idea is that Christians have to observe an immense number of commandments, prohibitions, precepts, and other such restrictions, so that Christianity is a heavy and oppressive way of living, and it would therefore be more liberating to live without all these burdens. But I would like to make it clear that to be sustained by this great Love and God’s sublime revelation is not a burden, but rather a set of wings – that it is truly beautiful to be a Christian. It is an experience that gives us room to breathe and move, but most of all, it places us within a community since, as Christians, we are never alone: first of all, there is God, who is always with us; secondly, we are always forming a great community among ourselves: a community of people together on a journey, a community with a project for the future. All of this means that we are empowered to live a life worth living. This is the joy of being a Christian; that it is beautiful and right to believe!”
The Holy Father...
...is visiting the USA shortly. You can read a most useful and well-informed commentary on the subject by George Weigel here.
Family time...
...with a dear niece L., arriving in London for a job interview. Jamie wanted us all to have dinner somewhere special, and after some wandering we settled on a French restaurant near the Strand - delicious mussels in cream sauce, lots of talk, a happy evening. We walked back across the Thames to catch the train home in a warm London teeming with people and with almost the feel of a summer night about it...this morning we drove out into Surrey and had a pub lunch, home via Epsom market where L. bought flowers, and then to the station for her to catch the train to have tea with Granny. Back at home I got on with domestic things, letters, work, and the rain suddenly pelted down and it's back to winter again.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Government attacks Jewish schools...
...as part of a general attempt to undermine all "Faith schools". Look at this report on the front page of today's Independent. Under the guise of a survey of religious-based schools in three local authorities, a Govt-sponsored body says it found six that invited parents to make a voluntary contribution towards books and equipment. Five of these were Jewish schools, and one was Church of England. Apparently, we are all meant to be indignant that schools might invite parents to make a contribution. Why? The schools made it clear that the funds were specifically for religious books. And for years the cry against religious schools has precisely been that taxpayers' money was going towards religious materials! Now, when some schools opt to invite parents to pay instead, we are being told it's somehow unethical.
This is all part of a concerted attack on the voluntarily-aided schools, and frankly I find it sinister. Combined with the outrageous interrogation of Bishop Patrick O'Donohue by a Parliamentary committee because of his robust defence of Catholic schooling, it's a sign of a trend that spells considerable danger to freedom of education in our country.
Watch out for further attacks: at a guess, there will be attempts to find parents who are angry/upset/'feel excluded'/etc because their children at a Church school have been told that they should attend Mass regularly, or that marriage is the foundation of family life, or that the Ten Commandments matter.
This is all part of a concerted attack on the voluntarily-aided schools, and frankly I find it sinister. Combined with the outrageous interrogation of Bishop Patrick O'Donohue by a Parliamentary committee because of his robust defence of Catholic schooling, it's a sign of a trend that spells considerable danger to freedom of education in our country.
Watch out for further attacks: at a guess, there will be attempts to find parents who are angry/upset/'feel excluded'/etc because their children at a Church school have been told that they should attend Mass regularly, or that marriage is the foundation of family life, or that the Ten Commandments matter.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
If you are a parent...
...of a child at a Catholic primary school in Britain, or a teacher at such a school, you'll be interested in the ACW Schools RE Project, which is offering attractive prizes in its 2008 event. Hurry, because the deadline is drawing near. Information here.
The Association of Catholic Women marks its 20th anniversary this year, and is thriving. It's one of the groups with which I most enjoy working: our committee meetings are talkative and fun, we get a lot done, there's a good blend of practical action and shared faith, and our activities are a good range of organising conferences, making sandwiches, raising funds at coffee-mornings, studying, reading, brainwork, brewing tea and slicing cakes for hundreds at a major Festival, brewing tea for just a few at a work-session, laughing, praying together, and getting into deep theology.
The Association of Catholic Women marks its 20th anniversary this year, and is thriving. It's one of the groups with which I most enjoy working: our committee meetings are talkative and fun, we get a lot done, there's a good blend of practical action and shared faith, and our activities are a good range of organising conferences, making sandwiches, raising funds at coffee-mornings, studying, reading, brainwork, brewing tea and slicing cakes for hundreds at a major Festival, brewing tea for just a few at a work-session, laughing, praying together, and getting into deep theology.
The origins of Doh, Re, Mi...
...are fascinating. Read about it all here. I came across this quite by accident, when I was trawling the Westminster Cathedral blog for something quite different. Because I recently watched The Sound of Music (see this Blog of a few days back when I was ill...) this story leapt at me...go on, find out for yourself.
It is forty years...
...since the Abortion Act came into force in Britain. It took effect in April 1968. Since then, so many unborn children have been deliberately killed. It's as if the nation had a sort of death-wish: the future, with all its bright promise, destroyed in clinics and hospitals. And human relationships, love, marriage, family life, are all horribly damaged and wounded and messed up in today's Britain, with consequences that are already ghastly and will get much worse.
On April 26th, at 12 noon, there will be a short ceremony at the West Door of Westminster Abbey, organised by Choose Life, bringing together representatives of a number of groups, at which a wreath will be laid and prayers said to markj this tragic anniversary. YOUR PRESENCE will help to make this significant event something which will linger in the memory and perhaps help to bring about change in this tragic situation. Do come.
On April 26th, at 12 noon, there will be a short ceremony at the West Door of Westminster Abbey, organised by Choose Life, bringing together representatives of a number of groups, at which a wreath will be laid and prayers said to markj this tragic anniversary. YOUR PRESENCE will help to make this significant event something which will linger in the memory and perhaps help to bring about change in this tragic situation. Do come.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
While waiting...
...at the doctor's this morning, I read My Memories of Six Reigns by Princess Marie-Louise., which I recently borrowed from a friend. It's very poorly written ("There is one item of interest I should like to record with regard to a Scandinavian journey..." "There is so much more I could tell you of these dear musical friends..." etc etc) but it's deliciously scented with the whole sense and feel of some one born into British royalty in the 1870s, with memories of dear Grandmama at Windsor and Osborne, contrasting with the ghastly stuffiness of Prussian royal etiquette in Berlin...it took me miles and epochs away from an NHS waiting room in South London in the 21st century. Full of extraordinary bits of information, such as the Kaiser sending warm greetings to a Silver Wedding celebration of the author's parents at Windsor during World War I, while the slaughter was going on between the two nations...and of the author visiting General Jan Smuts in South Africa, bitter about the death of his child in British captivity in the Boer War, and having a deep conversation with him as she had lost a brother in that war...
Jamie Bogle...
...was the speaker at the Catholic Cultural Group last night. This is an informal group which I run - meets about once a month, drinks, snacks, guest speaker, occasional visits to places of interest. Anyone is welcome who genuinely enjoys a good discussion of topics linked to a general Christian theme. Not all members are Catholics - anyway, we don't ask. No membership fee, but we pass a hat round to cover expenses. We meet in people's flats in central London. We have two Mastermind finalists among our members!
Jamie spoke about James II, our last Catholic king, and William of Orange.( Book on the subject recently re-published by Fisher Press. You can read about it here.)
Jamie spoke about James II, our last Catholic king, and William of Orange.( Book on the subject recently re-published by Fisher Press. You can read about it here.)
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