2013...

...begins.  On Sunday we were at Mass here...and Pastoral Letter came  from the Archbishop of Birmingham  honouring marriage and family life. It was a courageous and clear statement affirming marriage  as the lifelong union of a man and a woman.

“In our own country, where the Christian teaching on marriage is accused by a vociferous minority of being behind the times, we must patiently and courteously insist that the wisdom of Christ is good news for every age and for all people.”

“We are not claiming to be better than others, since we have the same struggle as everyone else to live a good life. But we have received in Christ a light to show us the way and a mission to share that light with others. St Paul urges us to teach each other and advise each other, in all wisdom.”

On the Government's plans to redefine marriage  Archbishop Bernard warned that “Government policy cannot foresee the full consequences, for the children involved  or for wider society, of being brought up by two mothers without a father’s influence or by two fathers without a mother’s influence. We first learn about diversity and acquire a respect for difference through the complementarity of our parents.”

Read more here... and here...

Over Christmas it was encouraging to hear many media reports of our Archbishops speaking out: they have our gratitude, our support, and our firm commitment to stand with them in the year ahead.

Auntie's personal plans for 2013 include a  session in the USA shortly for some work with EWTN, a Spring visit to Poland for some research on Blessed John Paul II, a couple of new books, academic work, and plenty of family activity.

Some dates for your diary

Monday Jan 28th, Catholic History Walk. Meet 6.30pm at Holy Redeemer Church, Chelsea.
Monday Feb 25th Catholic History Walk meet 6.30pm Westminster Cathedral (includes a visit to Parliament)

BOOK THESE DATES :
Tuesday June 18th  DAY OF FAITH, London, organised by the FAITH Movement. St Patrick's, Soho Square.
Aug 7th-11th, John Paul II Walk to Walsingham, for the New Evangelisation, organised by the Dominican Siusters oif St Joseph, Info here.