tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339709562024-03-23T18:16:21.288+00:00auntie joanna writesTHIS IS A Catholic blog. I am a Catholic journalist and author. If you enjoy this Blog, you'll probably enjoy my books - so contact me (via a Comment to this blog) and ask me about them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4524125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-28928705577967960412021-08-09T12:27:00.001+01:002021-08-09T12:27:37.806+01:00AND FOR MORE ON THE CATHOLIC YOUNG WRITER AWARD...<p> </p><p>....<a href="https://cuct.org/news/">read here</a>. It's a project initiated by The Keys, the Catholic Writers' Guild of England and Wales, under the Guild's then Master, Antony Tyler CBE, and is now sponsored by the Catholic Union Charitable Trust.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-90630491605409111612021-08-08T20:54:00.003+01:002021-08-08T20:54:51.575+01:00Some kind and anxious readers...<p> ...have been enquiring about this Blog and specifically why Auntie J. hasn't been writing on it recently...</p><p>It's partly that I felt a mild break might be useful. When I began blogging years ago, the internet was different and less overwhelmingly dominant in all our lives. It's useful to step back a bit from time to time.And life offers more: with lockdown easing, it's been a v. v. busy summer. </p><p>The launch of two books - one of them at a beautiful garden on National Gardens Day, and the other on a golden summer evening at the University...</p><p>Some glorious days in Suffolk, walking by the sea, visiting ancient ruined abbeys, relaxing over meals, enjoying friendship and talk...</p><p>Busy mornings with various <a href="https://www.stpatricksoho.org/outreach">projects</a>.</p><p>And, in addition, a good many <a href="https://www.catholichistorywalks.com/">History Walks</a> (Chelsea, Battersea, Richmond, Tower of London, Westminster, and more), a number of meetings and the reading and judging of entries for the 2021 Schools Bible Project...and much work on the next book (deadline looming)...</p><p>Those book launches. For the Garden book - read <a href="https://rosaryshrine.co.uk/national-garden-scheme-open-day/">here</a>. The University launch:<a href="https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/news/2021/06/st-marys-to-host-launch-for-simmaries"> read here</a></p><p>And plans for the Autumn...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-50809954818968161232021-06-09T14:13:00.003+01:002021-06-09T14:13:42.896+01:00CARDINAL GEORGE PELL...<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>....well deserves the tributes paid to him for his courage and dignity under pressure.<a href="https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2021/06/cardinal-pells-legacy"> Read about him here</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-22988600675272578062021-06-07T14:46:00.000+01:002021-06-07T14:46:02.296+01:00SUNDAY MASS: IT'S TIME TO RETURN....<p> </p><p>....and <a href="https://scotland.op.org/pastoral-letter-for-corpus-christi/">here is an excellent pastoral letter on the subject</a>....</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-69897086761467799722021-06-06T19:36:00.003+01:002021-06-06T19:36:24.765+01:00On "Stonewall" and the use of public funds......<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>...note <a href="https://christianconcern.com/comment/the-writing-is-on-the-stonewall/?fbclid=IwAR1rXZ6GTtCCkxIVUz_N4juVYZblQCLrSu_dmuz8DU9XCJvdoOjO78ugsIk">this important analysis</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-65408095773694135902021-06-03T10:45:00.002+01:002021-06-03T10:45:29.179+01:00Enjoy Auntie ....<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>....<a href="https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2021/06/02/litter-in-london-perspective-on-poland/">here</a>...on an encounter in a London street....</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-90987796929732338302021-05-13T19:51:00.002+01:002021-05-13T19:51:12.286+01:00WATCH CARDINAL GEORGE PELL....<p> ...talking frankly about his life, his beliefs, the Church, the Pope, and more...<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoiGWop2K1E">here</a>...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-16670441299533863222021-05-07T16:30:00.001+01:002021-05-07T16:30:15.281+01:00IMPORTANT: a senior judge criticises the plans for the new "hate crime" law...<p> </p><p>....read about it <a href="https://www.christian.org.uk/news/ex-judge-warns-trans-groups-have-too-much-influence-on-hate-crime-laws/?e070521">here</a>...</p><p><br /></p><p>The influence of the lobby group STONEWALL is particularly criticised...the judge notes that its approach is taken as a standard one, instead of simply one view among many.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is of great importance, as the concept of "hate crime" is something that has already created much confusion, and caused real problems. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-55053720310373978892021-05-03T17:41:00.006+01:002021-05-03T17:42:34.647+01:00...and in the latest PORTAL magazine...<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>...read my personal tribute to HRH Prince Philip...<a href="https://www.portalmag.co.uk/read-online.php">here</a>...with memories of the challenges of the Award Scheme... </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-86019668977355061092021-05-03T15:10:00.001+01:002021-05-03T15:10:18.304+01:00Come and visit Auntie in the Rosary Garden!!!<p> ....on <b>May 29th, National Gardens Day</b>!</p><p>The Dominican Priory at Southampton Row in North London has a glorious Garden dedicated to the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, and it will be open to the public on National Gardens Day and is well worth a visit.</p><p>Info<a href="https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/42299"> here</a>. The garden is easy to reach and you will find Auntie Joanna there, and can even obtain a copy of her book telling the story of the Garden and the story behind it...which takes in the Fleet river, Blackfriars station, and St John Paul...</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-49852647237516799992021-04-24T11:32:00.002+01:002021-04-24T11:36:34.172+01:00A GLORIOUS MASS FOR ST GEORGE'S DAY...<p> </p><p>...at<a href="https://www.stgeorgescathedral.org.uk/"> St George's Cathedral, Southwark</a>, with an inspiring sermon by the <a href="http://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/abp_john.html">Archbishop</a>, and beautiful singing from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgesCathedralChoir/">choir</a>. As we made our way out into the sunshine from those great arched doors, we were each given a beautiful long-stemmed rose...a lovely way to carry the message out for the rest of the day...</p><p>The hymns included "Great Saint George, our patron, help us..." which we used to sing at school, and I have rarely heard since. Found myself singing it as I set about housework later in the afternoon...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-37355598875508667322021-04-21T20:10:00.000+01:002021-04-21T20:10:07.723+01:00An on-line conference organised by a new group....<p> ...<a href="https://smartcatholics.com/">Smart Catholics</a>...and it was a privilege to take part. I was invited to speak on "Women and the Church".</p><p>This was my first experience of a large-scale on-line event organised through "Hopin". Previously, I've used ZOOM etc.</p><p>The Smart Catholics team work with <a href="https://www.catholicvoices.org.uk/">Catholic Voices</a> and are very friendly, efficient, upbeat and helpful. We had a training session some days before the event.</p><p>There really is a strange illusion that there is a genuine conference going on, and one is simply there "on screen" while a large audience is present in person, seated in rows at a conference etc. Actually of course everyone is "attending" like me, by sitting at home with a computer.</p><p>The various talks have also been recorded and I think will be available as podcasts etc. This was a joint USA/UK event, and I was speaking at 3.15pm British time. I explained that the funeral of HRH Prince Philip was taking place and my husband was listening to it in an adjoining room. I had asked him to let me know when the National Anthem was played so that I could stand up! In the end this wasn't necessary, because my session conveniently ended shortly before the funeral reached that part of things.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-56368285263332410122021-04-10T15:42:00.002+01:002021-04-10T15:42:20.085+01:00There will be prayers for Prince Philip at Masses tomorrow...<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>...and memorial pictures of him in churches and Cathedrals, like t<a href="https://www.stgeorgescathedral.org.uk/news/archbishop-john-wilson-offers-prayers-for-the-duke-of-edinburgh/">his one at St George's Cathedral, Southwark,</a> with a message from the Archbishop.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-17153973994011649252021-04-10T11:55:00.002+01:002021-04-10T11:55:13.537+01:00THE HISTORY WALKS ARE RE-STARTING...<p> </p><p>...so do come along!!! You need to let us know that you are coming. Walks will start from Westminster Cathedral, from St George's Cathedral, Southwark, and from St Elizabeth's Church in Richmond. We offer evening and afternoon walks. Come and discover London's magnificent history. <a href="https://www.catholichistorywalks.com/">Info here</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-44643621151488758392021-04-09T18:05:00.004+01:002021-04-09T18:05:41.373+01:00Tributes to HRH Prince Philip...<p> </p><p>...and I add my own small voice...like thousands of other young people over the past half-century or more, I took part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and am so grateful for all that I learned and was able to do...</p><p>His was a life of service, lived well.</p><p>A man of Christian faith, of courage - not least in wartime - and of dedication to our country. May he rest in peace. Read<a href="https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/41949"> here</a>...</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-49992312757300377632021-04-08T08:43:00.004+01:002021-04-08T08:43:35.794+01:00IT'S TIME TO GET BACK TO MASS!!!<p> </p><p>.....people who have been watching at home: it's time to get back to church now.</p><p><a href="https://www.cny.org/stories/its-time-to-get-back-to-mass,22189"><br /></a></p><p><a href="https://www.cny.org/stories/its-time-to-get-back-to-mass,22189">Here is a leading Cardinal on the subject</a>, and frankly, he's quite right.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-72533577310853047362021-04-03T18:20:00.001+01:002021-04-03T18:20:21.170+01:00Prince Charles has chosen a perfect poem for Easter...<p> </p><p>...and shares it <a href="https://www.itv.com/news/2021-04-03/prince-charles-records-gerard-manley-hopkins-poem-for-christians-at-easter">here</a>...</p><p><br /></p><p>Enjoy, and share with others. How lovely that our future king loves the work of Hopkins as so many of us do...and sees how Hopkins speaks to our current longing to reconnect with God and with God's creation...</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-24849943163038405512021-04-03T18:03:00.001+01:002021-04-03T18:03:28.036+01:00....and this brings Easter greetings to my faithful readers...<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>....and may this holy season bring new hope and joy to our country and to the world which sorely needs it...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-69939950162964560012021-04-03T10:02:00.006+01:002021-04-03T10:02:54.828+01:00Read and enjoy Auntie at...<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>The Portal magazine, <a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/4/#inbox/WhctKJWQkqXJPhDPLBTJKssFMcpZsNPCmqwZHHsDnTKchHwMJFCQpscXbqNVClsfBxvFgHL?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1">here</a>...</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-65959978736336788352021-03-30T20:19:00.004+01:002021-03-30T20:19:40.191+01:00HOT WEATHER, LOCKDOWN EASING...<p> </p><p>...and somehow London looks ugly. The dress-code is deliberately-torn beachwear....for females, very tiny, tight, ripped shorts and fleshy posteriors. For males, oldish teeshirts and ripped-knee jeans. Very loud rock music from ricksaws. People crammed together along the South Bank, with litter stacked on walls and on street corners, mostly randomly, sometimes alongside overflowing litterbins. Cans, pizza-boxes, a lot of chicken bones and pizza crusts, discarded chips in expanded-polystyrene containers, more cans. Plastic bags flapping against bus stops and lamp posts. </p><p>People are very much out and about: lots of crowds. But somehow the mood isn't merry. Will this year have a hot summer season of riots and anger?</p><p>I had spent part of the afternoon pondering History Walks...several new ideas from routes mapped out over recent weeks. The prospect of good company and a sense of cheerful purpose. But suddenly the idea seemed stale and dull. London's mix of boarded-up shops and scruffy beachwear gives a gloomy feel.</p><p>We are promised cooler weather for Easter, but a very hot summer to follow.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-40398345730440869982021-03-30T16:21:00.000+01:002021-03-30T16:21:05.668+01:00Spent yesterday afternoon on my knees...<p> </p><p>...at <b><a href="https://www.stgeorgescathedral.org.uk/">St George's Cathedral, Southwark</a></b>. Not praying...cleaning! Very satisfying work, getting dust out of odd corner at the edges of the kneelers, and - much harder work - polishing the brass plates on the doors of the confessionals! Every bit of brass in the cathedral now gleams gloriously...</p><p>It's a fine building, designed by Pugin, re-modelled slightly courtesy of the Luftwaffe in WWII, rebuilt beautifully to original design....it lost its original stained glass but has acquired some magnificent new ones, including a fine East window above the sanctuary, and an equally glorious one at the West end. My personal favourite, however, is the superb stained glass by the Blessed Sacrament chapel, depicting Pope St John Paul administering the Sacrament of Anointing in the Cathedral...it is worth visiting the Cathedral just to see it. Next year, 2022, will mark the 40th anniversary of the great Pope to Britain...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-21775165499571480952021-03-27T12:36:00.003+00:002021-03-29T18:01:20.998+01:00A very muddled Cardinal...<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>....poor Cardinal Schonborn seems to be in a complete muddle over <a href="https://thecatholicuniverse.com/vienna-cardinal-not-happy-with-vatican-same-sex-statement/">same-sex marriage</a> </p><p>What does he think he's doing?</p><p>It is tragic. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-58430596093672525922021-03-26T18:34:00.004+00:002021-03-26T18:34:42.331+00:00LISTEN TO AUNTIE JOANNA...<p> </p><p>....on <a href="https://radiomariaengland.uk/feasts-and-seasons/">Radio Maria England.</a></p><p>You can find out about Holy Week and Easter customs - including things that Auntie and her friends and family will be doing!</p><p>Last year we were told it was "an Easter like no other" because of the restrictions due to the China virus. But alas this year there are restrictions too...though at least we can get to church, provided there is space and we can book in advance.</p><p>There is going to be a great need for evangelism in the months ahead, helping people to rediscover the pattern of some regular life of worship and the use of churches...</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-79341876692677598982021-03-15T20:18:00.001+00:002021-03-15T20:18:02.897+00:00Lots of news outlets have reported the Church's ban on blessing homosexual unions...<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>...eg <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vatican-lgbt-idUSKBN2B71C3">this</a></p><p><br /></p><p>and<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-decree-same-sex-unions-cannot-bless-sin-077944750c975313ad253328e4cf7443"> this</a></p><p><br /></p><p>It needs to be understood that this is Church teaching: it cannot be changed. The Pope and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith not only make this clear, but also explain about it in some depth. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33970956.post-12821304301370500122021-03-15T19:56:00.000+00:002021-03-15T19:56:20.585+00:00Rome has spoken...<p> </p><p>....authoritatively....</p><p><br /></p><p>The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has issued a detailed statement on the question of homosexual unions: they can in no circumstances be blessed.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/03/15/210315b.html">Read here</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0