Tooting Bec...

...is a suburb of South London and its unusual name originates through its links with the abbey of Bec in Normandy. (The "Tooting" part is from the pre-Saxon tribe that lived in these parts long years before. The Bec part came, obviously, more recently following the Norman Conquest).  This evening a friend suggested I went along to one of a series of talks being given given at Tooting Bec's  Centre for Catholic Formation, run by the archdiocese of Southwark, to mark the Year of Faith. . AND I AM SO GLAD I DID!  The lecture was by Dr Caroline Farey, of Maryvale, and it was excellent. It was absolutely  packed, despite it being a cold and wet evening. Sandwiches, hot drinks, and then we all settled down with copies of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and had a brilliant evening of study and discussion.  This whole series is proving hugely popular: other speakers include Mgr Keith Newton of the Ordinariate, Fr Stephen Wang from Allen Hall, Bishop Philip Egan...

In general chat, before and after the lecture, naturally much talk about the Govt's horrible plans and how they could affect Catholic schoools etc. We were all urged to keep up the pressure on Members of Parliament: there is still everything to play for. DON'T GIVE UP: relishing gloomy talk and telling one another Oh it's all Too Late Now, and The Rot Set In Years Ago and If You Ask Me It'sAll the Fault of (fill in here the name of the clergy/politicians.media etc etc)  is a waste of time.    Don't waste time. Write to your MP and ask to meet him. Get info here.   And get a grip about what it takes to win a war.  The military maxim is: morale is to the materiel as three to one.