...on the flight to Australia? I am taking George Weigel's Letters to a Young Catholic, and Piers Paul Read's latest novel, and also - for the return journey when I'll be getting into back-to-school mode, some study material for my Maryvale degree.
News of where I'll be speaking in Australia - various Catholic bookshops in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane - see here.
Most Australians are well up on news about Britain, but here's a summary of various news snippets which I'm keeping in mind in case I'm asked about my country: an exam set by a local authority in Britain this week had, as one of its tests, getting to a bus stop and getting on a bus (can this really be true?; one in five Europeans will be Moslem by the middle of this century; current information shows have a massive problem with drunkeness in the 11-15 year-old age group, a rising rate of violent crime, and soaring rates of sexually-transmitted diseases among the young; planned new legislation may place restrictions on Catholics speaking openly about the Church's teachings and Catholic groups promoting a Christian lifestyle.
As busy as you are, and you are studying for a degree too! You have given me the gumption I needed to go back to school, myself. I had been tossing the idea around my head for some time, and now your example has clinched it. I'm exploring Maryvale's website to see what I can find. Thank you for all you do!
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip, Joanna!
ReplyDeleteYou'll love the Weigel book; as you probably know, several chapters concern England, including one on Brideshead Revisited and another on the Olde Chesire Cheese. Mrs. Leonardi enjoyed the new Read book. Safe travels, Joanna.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying your time in Australia, Joanna. It was a delight to meet you yesterday at the opening of the Thomas More / Freedom Publishing Bookshop. Your effusive enthusiasm for the faith was very refreshing. God bless you and your work.
ReplyDeleteSadly you'll be in OZ when we lose the Ashes
ReplyDeleteI have to say Joanna that I've never heard such an inspirational speaker as yourself, an absolute privilege to listen to you.
ReplyDeleteI am just so glad you got speak in Brisbane tonight!
God Bless, Anne
Take back all I said - it must be pretty good to be in OZ as we reclaimed the Ashes
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