...well, not very dramatic ones. But Auntie has been busy. Flew from Birmingham, Alabama to Charlotte in North Carolina, but the flight was delayed so missed connection to London. Kind airline staff looked up alternatives, but a flight home via Frankfurt seemed less than alluring given the lateness of the hour...so booked into a local hotel. They do cheap hotels in the USA, where you can buy some food which you can cook up , and there is also (real) coffee, small kitchen area, etc. Phoned to cancel various meetings arranged in London for next day, left reassurring message for J. etc. Sat working and had a cosy evening.
Flight to london the next day was not until late afternoon. Billboard at airport adverised the Billy Graham Library, evidently a big museum of his life and work. Got a taxi down the motorway - which is also named after him. Lovely spot in beautiful countryside, a barn with a big glass doorway shaped as a cross, and inside a whole series of interconnecting studios with commentary, films, exhibits, all streaming and slick, telling the story of Graham's life and work... rather touching to see posters etc from the 1950s, vanished world, Britain in black-and-white, everyone in smart clothes, attending rallies as if dressed for a wedding or job interview. Graham's preaching is stirring, and he has consistently taken a solid stand on moral issues: banned racial segregation at all rallies back when segregation was standard in the southern states of the USA, has been pro-life, supports man/woman marriage etc etc. He is now 94 - when he dies, a chapter of American history will close...
Back at airport, sat reading and making notes for book reviews, flew to Gatwick, train journey home through icily beautiful countryside and London, all grey and stark with freezing fog above snowy fields and streets and office blocks. Even ugly slabs of buildings look better in mist and snow. Home. Slept.
Now: dealt with letters, domestic stuff, kitchen etc. The week ahead: various meetings re the Govt's ghastly plans to redefine marriage, the mess this will create for schools, freedom of speech, etc...media reports Obama's inaugural speech in which he has promised to do a similar wreckage-attempt on America...
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Mass at EWTN...
...despite being televised, has a normal and reverent feel to it. There are robot cameras that swivel around noiselessly, high up on the walls, on either side, near the sanctuary. But once you have noticed them on first looking around the church, they make no impact. The glittering candles on the altar, the high Monstrance with a statue of a golden-winged kneeling angel on either side, the quiet amosphere, the familiar sense of welcome with pews and hymbooks and people finding places and so on, are what greet you.
The 7am Mass each day is televised - and is a sung Mass, with a cantor standing in the area behind the altar, where once the sisters were. They now, of course, live at their new convent some 40 minutes away, the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament - known in local dialect as The Shrahn, and visited by numbers of tourists and pilgrims every year. Non-Catholic groups from various Alabama churches often turn up there to enjoy a visit and there's a gift-shop and picnic area. EWTN here at Irondale has long since spread to occupy what was once the sisters' small convent. Yesterday I broke my glasses and in getting them mended I was introduced to the vast - and I do mean VAST - warehouse - where the scenery and props are made and stored. And there is a Franciscan monastery, and facilities for visitors who come to tour EWTN and watch TV shows being made, and so on.
EWTN also includes a number of houses in a nearby road, where guests like Auntie stay. I'm typing this in a comfortable downstairs room in a well-equipped house with several comfortable rooms, big kitchen, sitting-room etc.
The Church in America has changed in the years since EWTN started to flourish - and EWTN has been a part of that change. A more reverent liturgy, a robust pro-life stance, a renewed sense of Catholic identity, are all evident in many parishes and Catholic groups and institutions. Not all, though. There is still a lot of silly stuff going on, and some awfully silly music in too many parishes. And a new worry is the presence of a rather angry "traditionalist" wing - part of which seems tto loathe EWTN, incidentally - about which a US-based friend contached me the other day. She had just been subjected to a sermon from a young priest about female submission, and this, coming after being asked "Don't you feel drawn to veil?" in what is evidently the latest jargon of the group, has got her worried about the loopy trend among what she had thought were fairly normal people who attended an Extraordinary Form Mass...
America, land of the California hippy, the Amish, the burn-the-flag protesters and the gun-owning hunker-down-they're-coming types, seems to cater for all extremes. EWTN has a a commitment, vigour, pace, and serenity which seems capable of riding out whatever storms hit the Church.
The 7am Mass each day is televised - and is a sung Mass, with a cantor standing in the area behind the altar, where once the sisters were. They now, of course, live at their new convent some 40 minutes away, the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament - known in local dialect as The Shrahn, and visited by numbers of tourists and pilgrims every year. Non-Catholic groups from various Alabama churches often turn up there to enjoy a visit and there's a gift-shop and picnic area. EWTN here at Irondale has long since spread to occupy what was once the sisters' small convent. Yesterday I broke my glasses and in getting them mended I was introduced to the vast - and I do mean VAST - warehouse - where the scenery and props are made and stored. And there is a Franciscan monastery, and facilities for visitors who come to tour EWTN and watch TV shows being made, and so on.
EWTN also includes a number of houses in a nearby road, where guests like Auntie stay. I'm typing this in a comfortable downstairs room in a well-equipped house with several comfortable rooms, big kitchen, sitting-room etc.
The Church in America has changed in the years since EWTN started to flourish - and EWTN has been a part of that change. A more reverent liturgy, a robust pro-life stance, a renewed sense of Catholic identity, are all evident in many parishes and Catholic groups and institutions. Not all, though. There is still a lot of silly stuff going on, and some awfully silly music in too many parishes. And a new worry is the presence of a rather angry "traditionalist" wing - part of which seems tto loathe EWTN, incidentally - about which a US-based friend contached me the other day. She had just been subjected to a sermon from a young priest about female submission, and this, coming after being asked "Don't you feel drawn to veil?" in what is evidently the latest jargon of the group, has got her worried about the loopy trend among what she had thought were fairly normal people who attended an Extraordinary Form Mass...
America, land of the California hippy, the Amish, the burn-the-flag protesters and the gun-owning hunker-down-they're-coming types, seems to cater for all extremes. EWTN has a a commitment, vigour, pace, and serenity which seems capable of riding out whatever storms hit the Church.
The local MARCH FOR LIFE...
...in Birmingham, Alabama, drew a good crowd. I was glad that I went along - not only to support it, of course, but also to observe and take note...lots of young families, parents with children in buggies or running about. We wouldn't get these good numbers at a pro-life rally back at home. Back in the 1970s we got vast numbers: I remember a great rally in Hyde Park with something like 80,000 or more people, big coachloads coming from different cities, but it's not like that now. The pro-life movement in Britain is active and youthful - there are some good things being done - but in the USA there is something much more community-based and strong going on. In America, the numbers at the local Marches for Life and the great national March in Washington get bigger and bigger every year, and opinion surveys show a majority of people expressing a generally pro-life view.
There were rousing speeches, notably from a lady speaking for the local "Physicians for Life" and for a representative of one of the many pro-life pregnancy support groups. The local abortion centre closed down some months ago. The annual March for Life goes past it - I remember last year seeing the staff there standing forlornly outside as the great crowd slowly made its way along the broad street.
In the crowd, the young Franciscans Friars from EWTN stand out in their brown robes: they are evidently on cheery and friendly terms with local people, lots of greetings and cheery chat. The local Bishop led us all in a prayer as the speeches closed. A team from "40 days for Life' was serving hot coffee and sugary doughnuts. The mood was upbeat and positive: this is a movement that is going forward and has a sense of zest and vigour about it.
There were rousing speeches, notably from a lady speaking for the local "Physicians for Life" and for a representative of one of the many pro-life pregnancy support groups. The local abortion centre closed down some months ago. The annual March for Life goes past it - I remember last year seeing the staff there standing forlornly outside as the great crowd slowly made its way along the broad street.
In the crowd, the young Franciscans Friars from EWTN stand out in their brown robes: they are evidently on cheery and friendly terms with local people, lots of greetings and cheery chat. The local Bishop led us all in a prayer as the speeches closed. A team from "40 days for Life' was serving hot coffee and sugary doughnuts. The mood was upbeat and positive: this is a movement that is going forward and has a sense of zest and vigour about it.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Breakfast at EWTN...
...can be a talkative and illuminating time. Americans do eat some very odd mixtures of food: the scrambled eggs are delicious, there's a mushy sort of porridge called Grits which I have tried to like but can't, and then - all on the same plate! - they put a slice of melon and a Danish pastry. Excellent coffee.
Conversation tackles serious things...as American readers of this blog will know, but others may not, the Obama govt's tax/insurance scheme insists that any group, including a Catholic one, must pay into a fund that will supply abortions and contraceptives for its staff.. This is going to be the BIG PROBLEM over the next months. Obviously EWTN can't take part in any such insurance scheme. Legal cases pending. If these result in an unfavourable decision, what happens next?
On this, and on related issues in the USA, people sometimes talk about imprisonment...
It seems weird to be sitting over slices of melon and good coffee discussing these things. For years, my talks with the EWTN people would be about funding, expansion, viewing-figures...all these things are now going v. well indeed, and the network is thriving and is part of Catholic life in a way that M. Angelica perhaps always hoped for and prayed for, but never really dreamed was actually possible...but now there is a threat from Government - of a sort that, not so many years ago, we would all have associated with the Soviet bloc or similar...
Conversation tackles serious things...as American readers of this blog will know, but others may not, the Obama govt's tax/insurance scheme insists that any group, including a Catholic one, must pay into a fund that will supply abortions and contraceptives for its staff.. This is going to be the BIG PROBLEM over the next months. Obviously EWTN can't take part in any such insurance scheme. Legal cases pending. If these result in an unfavourable decision, what happens next?
On this, and on related issues in the USA, people sometimes talk about imprisonment...
It seems weird to be sitting over slices of melon and good coffee discussing these things. For years, my talks with the EWTN people would be about funding, expansion, viewing-figures...all these things are now going v. well indeed, and the network is thriving and is part of Catholic life in a way that M. Angelica perhaps always hoped for and prayed for, but never really dreamed was actually possible...but now there is a threat from Government - of a sort that, not so many years ago, we would all have associated with the Soviet bloc or similar...
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Alabama...
...in pouring rain, and then, this morning, snow. I'm here at EWTN, and have been too busy to blog, as the past few days have been a timetable of:
Mass/breakfast/prepareforfilming/filmprogrammes/lunch/preparefornextprogramme/filmprogramme/supper/prepareforhtenextday/sleep/sleep/sleeep/Mass/breakfast/prepare/etcetcetc...I surfaced yesterday and took part in the "EWTN LIVE" programme with Fr Mitch Pacwa...we discussed current events in Britain, the Govt's loopy/ghastly plans for same-sex marriage, social trends in Britain generally, then (more cheerfully) the Ordinariate, the Church in Britain generally, a look-back at the Papal visit of 2010...
On Sunday, while getting ready for the week's activities, I watched - on EWTN - the dear H. Father baptising babies in the Sistine Chapel. At one point, while a couple of assisting bishops were anointing the babes, he seemed to be leaning forward and I wondered if he was all right - but then the camera panned to him, and it was clear that he was simply leaning eagerly, watching intently and ready to get up and start baptising as everyone moved towards the font...I found this rather touching, this elderly but still-enthusiastic Papa...
And the babies he was baptising will be helping to shape the Church of the 21st century, in the unimaginable years to come...
Mass/breakfast/prepareforfilming/filmprogrammes/lunch/preparefornextprogramme/filmprogramme/supper/prepareforhtenextday/sleep/sleep/sleeep/Mass/breakfast/prepare/etcetcetc...I surfaced yesterday and took part in the "EWTN LIVE" programme with Fr Mitch Pacwa...we discussed current events in Britain, the Govt's loopy/ghastly plans for same-sex marriage, social trends in Britain generally, then (more cheerfully) the Ordinariate, the Church in Britain generally, a look-back at the Papal visit of 2010...
On Sunday, while getting ready for the week's activities, I watched - on EWTN - the dear H. Father baptising babies in the Sistine Chapel. At one point, while a couple of assisting bishops were anointing the babes, he seemed to be leaning forward and I wondered if he was all right - but then the camera panned to him, and it was clear that he was simply leaning eagerly, watching intently and ready to get up and start baptising as everyone moved towards the font...I found this rather touching, this elderly but still-enthusiastic Papa...
And the babies he was baptising will be helping to shape the Church of the 21st century, in the unimaginable years to come...
Friday, January 11, 2013
A glorious...
...Epiphany carol service with the Ordinariate, held at St Mary's, Cadogan Street The Cardinal Vaughan Schola sang - absolutely magnificently - and the candlelit church, which was full, was enchanting. Two great Christmas trees glittered on either side of the sanctury, candles glowed on the high altar and on either side of the pulpit from which there were readings - one was done by the Duke of Norfolk, another by Mrs Jill Newton the wife of the Ordinary, another by journalist Peter Stanford, and so on...they included readings from Bl John Henry Newman and Bishop Launcelot Andrews among others. I was seated next to Fr Stephen Wang from Allen Hall, and as we stood to sing the first carol I whispered "Remember - Anglican heritage - these people really sing!" and indeed they did - a magnificent sound and the church rang with it...the service finished with a beautiful Benediction, with a fanfare as the Blessed Sacrament was exposed and everyone sank to their knees...
On the way home, I stopped to buy a cup of hot chocolate at the station. A mistake: I balanced it on the edge of a seat on the Tube and of course it toppled over, spilling hot chocolate lavishly out on to the floor. "I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry..." I blurted as I tried to soak up the mess with one small hankerchief:...and then a group of sturdy Americans moved in to help, with paper tissues, and some one else proffered a newspaper, and soon we were all busy mopping and cleaning with great goodwill... afterwards, we all got chatting...the Americans were from California, on a Chaucer tour, so I started "Wan that Aprille..." and we recited a bit and talked about the Prioresse, and povre persoun, and the parfit gentile knight and so on...I asked if they'd been to the George Inn at Southwark, which of course they had: "It was the first place we visited!"...all very chatty and agreeable, and by the time they got out at Earls Court we were real friends...
I was first taken to the George by my father for lunch as a teenager, with my sister - in Girl Guide uniform as we'd just returned from summer camp! - and more recently it's been one of the pubs where we've gathered after Evensong at Pr Blood church, ...
On the way home, I stopped to buy a cup of hot chocolate at the station. A mistake: I balanced it on the edge of a seat on the Tube and of course it toppled over, spilling hot chocolate lavishly out on to the floor. "I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry..." I blurted as I tried to soak up the mess with one small hankerchief:...and then a group of sturdy Americans moved in to help, with paper tissues, and some one else proffered a newspaper, and soon we were all busy mopping and cleaning with great goodwill... afterwards, we all got chatting...the Americans were from California, on a Chaucer tour, so I started "Wan that Aprille..." and we recited a bit and talked about the Prioresse, and povre persoun, and the parfit gentile knight and so on...I asked if they'd been to the George Inn at Southwark, which of course they had: "It was the first place we visited!"...all very chatty and agreeable, and by the time they got out at Earls Court we were real friends...
I was first taken to the George by my father for lunch as a teenager, with my sister - in Girl Guide uniform as we'd just returned from summer camp! - and more recently it's been one of the pubs where we've gathered after Evensong at Pr Blood church, ...
Thursday, January 10, 2013
On a grey January morning...
...Mass at this church, and the congregation was so large that I initially thought perhaps it was something special. But no, just an ordinary Thursday. And there's more: on every Thursday there is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament all day, so people come to Mass, and then stay on, and spend ome time with the Lord...We were reminded that the H. Father has asked us each to give an hour's adoration per week in this Year of Faith.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Golly...
...over the years so many prayers have been offered up "for the conversion of Russia". And for decades after 1917 the official Soviet Russian newspaper Pravda sneered at religious belief and took a staunchly atheist line, and people were savagely punished for open affirmations of Christian faith, and churches were closed or destroyed, and children were blocked from taking part in any religious activities, and pictures of Lenin were mandatory in schools and offices and all public institutions, and even private homes were expected to have their "Lenin corner", and so on and so on...
And now, conversion. Extraordinary things, scenes unimaginable in the Russia of the 20th century, are the stuff of Russia in the 21st. Look here, and here...
I suspect that Russia's government and bureaucracy is in the hands of rogues and there is plenty of Mafia-like activity across the country. But, golly, when it comes to the official approach, and to the sheer numbers packing out the churches (which I noted on a visit to St Petersburg a couple of summers back, too), well, Russia's conversion is there all right.
Makes you think...Fatima...John Paul...the consecration in 1984...a promise kept...
And now, conversion. Extraordinary things, scenes unimaginable in the Russia of the 20th century, are the stuff of Russia in the 21st. Look here, and here...
I suspect that Russia's government and bureaucracy is in the hands of rogues and there is plenty of Mafia-like activity across the country. But, golly, when it comes to the official approach, and to the sheer numbers packing out the churches (which I noted on a visit to St Petersburg a couple of summers back, too), well, Russia's conversion is there all right.
Makes you think...Fatima...John Paul...the consecration in 1984...a promise kept...
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT INITIATIVE
A new ALLIANCE OF PRO-LIFE STUDENTS has been formed...and is being launched on January 16th. Lord (David) Alton will speak. I've met the young organiser of the group and supporters...all enthusiastic, knowledgeable, energetic, dedicated.
The launch needs the support of older people to get the group under way.
To book your ticket for this launch, which promises to be a really good event, visit www.allianceofprolifestudents.org.uk
A happy day...
...working with a friend on a project involving Bl. John Paul (details later, much later. Work in progress).
Incidentally, there are stories on the Web about a possible canonisation this year? I had been thinking that 2015 was a bit more likely, possible World Youth Day in Krakow, 10th anniversary of his departure from this life?
Off to the USA shortly to do some work for EWTN: much emailing back and forth about items needed for TV series, preparations neccesary etc. They are efficient, and also fun to work with. Every time I go there are minor adventures. One year I was unwell and had to go to hospital (excellent treatment: was able to return to EWTN and complete my programmes). Another year I arrived with a broken arm following a fall, and then found myself in the middle of an unexpected snowtorm in Alabama (where snow is almost unknown), marooned in a house far away from any shops etc...no one could get to EWTN through the snowbound roads. Some tins of food in the house but cooking was a bit difficult: the kind friars based at EWTN came to the rescue, taking me carefully across the slithery surfaces of a silent snowbound campus to their monastery for supper...
Incidentally, there are stories on the Web about a possible canonisation this year? I had been thinking that 2015 was a bit more likely, possible World Youth Day in Krakow, 10th anniversary of his departure from this life?
Off to the USA shortly to do some work for EWTN: much emailing back and forth about items needed for TV series, preparations neccesary etc. They are efficient, and also fun to work with. Every time I go there are minor adventures. One year I was unwell and had to go to hospital (excellent treatment: was able to return to EWTN and complete my programmes). Another year I arrived with a broken arm following a fall, and then found myself in the middle of an unexpected snowtorm in Alabama (where snow is almost unknown), marooned in a house far away from any shops etc...no one could get to EWTN through the snowbound roads. Some tins of food in the house but cooking was a bit difficult: the kind friars based at EWTN came to the rescue, taking me carefully across the slithery surfaces of a silent snowbound campus to their monastery for supper...
Monday, January 07, 2013
LOGS...
...the Ladies Ordinariate Group. Well, logs are solid, reliable, useful. Anyway, there are now a good number of us of us, and it was a very cheery group that gathered in the parish room at Pr. Blood Church, London Bridge this evening.
LOG members come from the South London and Croydon Ordinariates - ladies from any other Ordinariate group or London parish are welcome at our meetings, as indeed are any other ladies who are in sympathy with our aims and ideas. Contact us via the church at the link given.
Our patron saints are St Agnes and St Michael, our members having come from churches dedicated to these, and we have added Bl John Henry Newman (Ordinariate patron) and Bl John Paul. We are running a project for children, will be contacting MPs about the ghastly Govt scheme redefine marriage, have plans for events and pilgrimages through 2013. We meet monthly.
The formal part of the evening included a talk about Mary Sumner, founder of the Mothers' Union (we have been having talks on various 19th and 20th century women from the Anglican tradition: Octavia Hill, Lillian Bayliss, Joephine Butler...). I think that Mary Sumner would be saddened by the failure of the MU in Britain to defend marriage and Christian family life in recent decades, but gladdened by the magnificent - and very different - approach taken by the MU in Africa. One of our members this evening spoke about the Mothers' Union in Zimbabwe and it was fascinating.
I've been interested in Mary Sumner ever since staying with relations in New Zealand who lived in the suburb of Christchurch which bears her name. I'm glad to have learned her story.
LOG members come from the South London and Croydon Ordinariates - ladies from any other Ordinariate group or London parish are welcome at our meetings, as indeed are any other ladies who are in sympathy with our aims and ideas. Contact us via the church at the link given.
Our patron saints are St Agnes and St Michael, our members having come from churches dedicated to these, and we have added Bl John Henry Newman (Ordinariate patron) and Bl John Paul. We are running a project for children, will be contacting MPs about the ghastly Govt scheme redefine marriage, have plans for events and pilgrimages through 2013. We meet monthly.
The formal part of the evening included a talk about Mary Sumner, founder of the Mothers' Union (we have been having talks on various 19th and 20th century women from the Anglican tradition: Octavia Hill, Lillian Bayliss, Joephine Butler...). I think that Mary Sumner would be saddened by the failure of the MU in Britain to defend marriage and Christian family life in recent decades, but gladdened by the magnificent - and very different - approach taken by the MU in Africa. One of our members this evening spoke about the Mothers' Union in Zimbabwe and it was fascinating.
I've been interested in Mary Sumner ever since staying with relations in New Zealand who lived in the suburb of Christchurch which bears her name. I'm glad to have learned her story.
Chatty lunch...
...with a friend, a young mum with children of school age and pre-school. She recently attended a meeting to discuss the Govt's plans to redefine marriage, and saw some of the books produced for children to teach them about same-sex unions. "They were for small children - picture books for children too young to read. Showing two men in a boat with a child, and so on. Is this what we're going to get in schools?"
Quite. And have those responsible for our Catholic schools worked out how to arrange an opt-out for any propaganda classes that the Govt might feel it has to power to impose?
Contrary to popular belief, schools do NOT have to teach the currently fashionable/Govt official line on sexual matters and marriage: a Catholic school is free to teach the Christian message on this as on other issues. What matters next is how to ensure that this freedom is retained - and that Catholic teachers understand this and know the Catholic message...
Quite. And have those responsible for our Catholic schools worked out how to arrange an opt-out for any propaganda classes that the Govt might feel it has to power to impose?
Contrary to popular belief, schools do NOT have to teach the currently fashionable/Govt official line on sexual matters and marriage: a Catholic school is free to teach the Christian message on this as on other issues. What matters next is how to ensure that this freedom is retained - and that Catholic teachers understand this and know the Catholic message...
Interested in...
...the Ordinariate, and the South London parish of which it has been given charge? Look here...
Sunday, January 06, 2013
January 6th...
...the feast of the Epiphany, and this year we are able to celebrate it on the proper day. Now, as a gift to us all in this Year of Faith, please dear Bishops of England and Wales, CAN WE HAVE ALL OUR PROPER FEAST-DAYS BACK? We want to celebrate them on the proper days - Epiphany, Ascension, Corpus Christi, the lot. PLEASE!!!
Today, High Mass at Westminster Cathedral. I hadn't planned to be there...set off to go to Ealing Abbey, but the Tube system was "undergoing routine maintenance work" on bits of the District Line, so things were muddly and I ended up at West Kensington. Note: don't bother to go there. Dreary place. Thanks to a kind chap from London Transport (or TransportforLondon or whatever name they now call it. Why do they keep changing?) , I was directed to a number 28 bus and got myself to Fulham Broadway and civilisation and by then it wasToo Late for Ealing so I nipped on to a Tube that got me to Victoria. And how providental, too - the Mass was glorious and we had the proper, full magnificent SUNG "Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts", chanted from the sanctuary and it was splendid:
"Know, dear brethren, that as we have rejoiced in the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, so by leave of God's mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Saviour.
On the 13th of Frebruary will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season..."
...and so on right through to "On the 1st of December, the first Sunday of Advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honour and glory for ever and ever Amen."
Most satisfactory.
And then on the steps of the Cathedral I ran into Dan Cooper, and we ended up having a cheery Epiphany lunch together, during which he told me about the excellent FAITH Movement Winter Session, from which he had recently returned. Some 170 young people, lots of priests, two bishops, beautiful liturgy, some excellent talks...which will be available to hear on-line shortly (on that link I've given). I hope some one writes it all up: FAITH is a great Movement doing all sorts of good things, but it doesn't publicise itself enough. There is, however, info about the Summer Session etc in due course on their website, so check it out and book early - the FAITH events are always popular and over-subscribed...
Then I went on to Ealing. My reason for going there was to visit a friend who has been unwell, and of whom I will be writing later. And after spending some time with him, I headed for home territory and an dear elderly relative, with whom I spent the evening. We enjoyed a glass of Baileys, and a box of (Fornum and Masons!) fudge, a present from grandchildren.
And that was all a good way to celebrate the Epiphany.
Today, High Mass at Westminster Cathedral. I hadn't planned to be there...set off to go to Ealing Abbey, but the Tube system was "undergoing routine maintenance work" on bits of the District Line, so things were muddly and I ended up at West Kensington. Note: don't bother to go there. Dreary place. Thanks to a kind chap from London Transport (or TransportforLondon or whatever name they now call it. Why do they keep changing?) , I was directed to a number 28 bus and got myself to Fulham Broadway and civilisation and by then it wasToo Late for Ealing so I nipped on to a Tube that got me to Victoria. And how providental, too - the Mass was glorious and we had the proper, full magnificent SUNG "Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts", chanted from the sanctuary and it was splendid:
"Know, dear brethren, that as we have rejoiced in the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, so by leave of God's mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Saviour.
On the 13th of Frebruary will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season..."
...and so on right through to "On the 1st of December, the first Sunday of Advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honour and glory for ever and ever Amen."
Most satisfactory.
And then on the steps of the Cathedral I ran into Dan Cooper, and we ended up having a cheery Epiphany lunch together, during which he told me about the excellent FAITH Movement Winter Session, from which he had recently returned. Some 170 young people, lots of priests, two bishops, beautiful liturgy, some excellent talks...which will be available to hear on-line shortly (on that link I've given). I hope some one writes it all up: FAITH is a great Movement doing all sorts of good things, but it doesn't publicise itself enough. There is, however, info about the Summer Session etc in due course on their website, so check it out and book early - the FAITH events are always popular and over-subscribed...
Then I went on to Ealing. My reason for going there was to visit a friend who has been unwell, and of whom I will be writing later. And after spending some time with him, I headed for home territory and an dear elderly relative, with whom I spent the evening. We enjoyed a glass of Baileys, and a box of (Fornum and Masons!) fudge, a present from grandchildren.
And that was all a good way to celebrate the Epiphany.
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Epiphany joy...
...you can celebrate it with glorious music on Thursday January 10th at the big
EPIPHANY CAROL SERVICE
organised by the Ordiunariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.
7pm at St Mary's, Cadogan Street,. London SW3.
And there is plenty to celebrate with the Ordinariate just at present: two beautiful London churches, a new order of contemplative nuns, and a whole mission field to share with the wider Church in Britain. The country so desperately need the message of hope that the Christmas season offers. Come and join in ! Nearest Tube: Sloane Square.
EPIPHANY CAROL SERVICE
organised by the Ordiunariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.
7pm at St Mary's, Cadogan Street,. London SW3.
And there is plenty to celebrate with the Ordinariate just at present: two beautiful London churches, a new order of contemplative nuns, and a whole mission field to share with the wider Church in Britain. The country so desperately need the message of hope that the Christmas season offers. Come and join in ! Nearest Tube: Sloane Square.
.. while the nasty stuff keeps rumbling on...
...from the Lefebvrists. We had all been given the general message that their leader was a moderate who could be brought back to the Church and bring some of the team with him. But his latest - rather rambling - speech has the same horrid rant about Jews and conspiracy theories that seems stamped right through this group and forms a central part of their world-view and their theology. In a lecture in Ontario recently Bishop Fellay called the Jewish people
"enemies of the church," saying Jewish leaders' support of the Second
Vatican Council "shows that Vatican II is their thing, not the
church's."
A return to the Church is not possible with this mindset. And it seems that the departure of Bp Williamson was due to the latter's inability to work as a team player, rather than to any deep-seated difference in views. Oh dear.
A return to the Church is not possible with this mindset. And it seems that the departure of Bp Williamson was due to the latter's inability to work as a team player, rather than to any deep-seated difference in views. Oh dear.
Friday, January 04, 2013
Evensong...
...and Mass at Precious Blood Church, London Bridge, with Mgr Keith Newton, of the Ordinariate. A meeting aftwards - everyone crowded into the Parish Room, a large attendance - to hear about the church being given into Ordinariate care. There is lots happening w. the Ordinariate as 2013 opens, and there will be more to come. The Pr Blood arrangement will show how an Ordinariate model can work. It promises well.
I had spent the day with relatives, enjoying the Pre-Raphaelites at the Tate Gallery. The exhibition includes some of the most loved and famous, including Christ in the home of his parents. Huge crowds - we arrived at 12 noon, and were only able to get tickets for 2pm. A long chatty lunch w. a delightful niece - talked about lots and lots of things, altho' honesty compels me to note that among them was a detailed plan for future episodes of Downton Abbey (fast-forward to WWII we decided, and young Sybil is a plucky ex-deb of the sort who parachutes into occupied France, while her cousin - surely be named Matthew after his father - joins up in 1942/3 so could either be captured at Singapore or do something brave at Alamein...)
I had spent the day with relatives, enjoying the Pre-Raphaelites at the Tate Gallery. The exhibition includes some of the most loved and famous, including Christ in the home of his parents. Huge crowds - we arrived at 12 noon, and were only able to get tickets for 2pm. A long chatty lunch w. a delightful niece - talked about lots and lots of things, altho' honesty compels me to note that among them was a detailed plan for future episodes of Downton Abbey (fast-forward to WWII we decided, and young Sybil is a plucky ex-deb of the sort who parachutes into occupied France, while her cousin - surely be named Matthew after his father - joins up in 1942/3 so could either be captured at Singapore or do something brave at Alamein...)
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Warwick Street...
...and the Church of the Assumption. Controversial - to put it mildly - in recent years, and the object of letters written by Auntie, among others, to Rome. But now a new chapter opens. The Church has been handed over to the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Deo Gratias, and a hearty thanks too to Archbishop Vincent Nichols, who has acted with generosity and wisdom.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
40,000 young people...
...gathered in Rome this past week to pray and celebrate with the Holy Father. Read about it here. Faith, prayer, joy and unity...a message of hope grounded in the truth of Christ.
Did you read about it in the mainstream media? Thought not. And some Catholic commentators will prefer to ignore it too, as being too encouraging and hope-filled.
I was at one time wary about Taize, couldn't get enthusiastic at all, rather disliked it. Over the years I have watched and watched. listened, learned, watched and waited. Am impressed.
Did you read about it in the mainstream media? Thought not. And some Catholic commentators will prefer to ignore it too, as being too encouraging and hope-filled.
I was at one time wary about Taize, couldn't get enthusiastic at all, rather disliked it. Over the years I have watched and watched. listened, learned, watched and waited. Am impressed.
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.
“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.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Glory to God...
...in the highest...
and Christmas good wishes to my readers. Off to visit extended family in this holy season.
The Holy Father has spoken magnificently in his Christmas message: read here and, interestingly and supportively, here...
...and has been the subject of vile and vicious attacks by lobbyists for same-sex marriage, who badly need our prayers and love.
Pray for peace and goodwill for 2013.
and Christmas good wishes to my readers. Off to visit extended family in this holy season.
The Holy Father has spoken magnificently in his Christmas message: read here and, interestingly and supportively, here...
...and has been the subject of vile and vicious attacks by lobbyists for same-sex marriage, who badly need our prayers and love.
Pray for peace and goodwill for 2013.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Tradition and glorious music...
...at Westminster Cathedral, with the annual Carol Service. Magnificent. As the choir sang "Away in a manger" and "L'Adieu des bergers" I sat letting it all soak in...and my gaze went up into the great sky-like darkness of the rounded domes, and those huge cavernous galleries, vast and bleak above us on this winter's evening, contrasting with the glowing light and comfortably packed congregation below....I remembered that the Cathedral was built on the site of a prison in what was for many years a rather grim corner of Westminster, in an impoverished loop of the Thames out beyond the old horse-ferry. Was suddenly visited by the thought of grim times to come, and facing possible imprisonment for the Faith. Dismissed the thought, but it wouldn't go away. Suppose we are told that pronouncing some of the Church's basic moral teachings conflicts with socially-acceptable norms and is to be criminalised? How do such things start? Perhaps with some one being dismissed from his job for opposing ame-sex marriage? Something like that?
Afterwards, a cheery gathering over mulled wine and mince-pies in the Cathedral Hall, familiar to me from many a meeting and social gathering, and of course from the annual Towards Advent Festival. Lots and lots of people, lots of talk and noise, mulled wine being ladled out into good-sized vessels.
Afterwards, chat continued in the piazza, the big Papal flag and our country's Union Jack flapping lazily and damply in the December breeze as we exchanged Christmas greetings...
Afterwards, a cheery gathering over mulled wine and mince-pies in the Cathedral Hall, familiar to me from many a meeting and social gathering, and of course from the annual Towards Advent Festival. Lots and lots of people, lots of talk and noise, mulled wine being ladled out into good-sized vessels.
Afterwards, chat continued in the piazza, the big Papal flag and our country's Union Jack flapping lazily and damply in the December breeze as we exchanged Christmas greetings...
GOOD NEWS...
...a formal announcement today:
Archbishop Peter Smith has entrusted the pastoral care of the Precious Blood parish, Borough, to the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Monsignor Keith Newton, in agreement with Archbishop Peter, is appointing Father Christopher Pearson as Priest in Charge with effect from 7th January 2013.
This is cause for great rejoicing!
The South London Ordinariate has been worshipping at Precious Blood Church for the past several months, with weekly Evensong and Mass in addition to the Sunday liturgy, and is is a great, great joy that this fine church, right near London Bridge in an historic corner of London, will now be in the care of the Ordinariate and with Father Christopher as Priest in Charge. A new chapter of London's long Christian story now begins as the Ordinariate - bringing the Anglican patrimony into full communion with Rome and the worldwide Church - tackles its mission in this place with joy and dedication.
DEO GRATIAS!
Archbishop Peter Smith has entrusted the pastoral care of the Precious Blood parish, Borough, to the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Monsignor Keith Newton, in agreement with Archbishop Peter, is appointing Father Christopher Pearson as Priest in Charge with effect from 7th January 2013.
This is cause for great rejoicing!
The South London Ordinariate has been worshipping at Precious Blood Church for the past several months, with weekly Evensong and Mass in addition to the Sunday liturgy, and is is a great, great joy that this fine church, right near London Bridge in an historic corner of London, will now be in the care of the Ordinariate and with Father Christopher as Priest in Charge. A new chapter of London's long Christian story now begins as the Ordinariate - bringing the Anglican patrimony into full communion with Rome and the worldwide Church - tackles its mission in this place with joy and dedication.
DEO GRATIAS!
A well- deserved...
...honour for Dan Cooper, dedicated teacher and leader of youth, strong supporter of the FAITH Movement, and stalwart defender of the Catholic Church. He has been awarded the Bene Merenti medal, presented to him in the chapel of the John Fisher School Purley, the school that he has served with such dedication over many years.
I met Dan this morning at Mass at Westminster Cathedral...where, incidentally, he features in the forthcoming (January) edition of OREMUS, the Cathedral magazine, pictured at the Towards Advent Festival where he ran the FAITH stall...
The Cathedral is always full for Sunday Masses, but as Christmas approached it is even fuller. A long, long queue of people for confession - all the extra chairs that had been set out were filled,and there were people patiently standing...somehow this is a rather special and touching sign of the great reality of Christmas...
I met Dan this morning at Mass at Westminster Cathedral...where, incidentally, he features in the forthcoming (January) edition of OREMUS, the Cathedral magazine, pictured at the Towards Advent Festival where he ran the FAITH stall...
The Cathedral is always full for Sunday Masses, but as Christmas approached it is even fuller. A long, long queue of people for confession - all the extra chairs that had been set out were filled,and there were people patiently standing...somehow this is a rather special and touching sign of the great reality of Christmas...
...and courage from a Bishop...
...
"This, we recognise, is our moment, our unique time to stand up for what is right and true as previous generations have done before us: to give witness to the value and dignity of every human life, to the truth of marriage as the lasting union of man and woman, the foundation of the family!"
Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury has issued an advance statement of the sermon he is to give in his Cathedral this coming Christmas night, from which the above is an extract.
Bishop Mark: WE ARE ALL WITH YOU and will defend marriage: the lifelong union of a man and a woman, the foundation of the family, in the year ahead , with full commitment, asking God for the courage and tenacity we need.
"This, we recognise, is our moment, our unique time to stand up for what is right and true as previous generations have done before us: to give witness to the value and dignity of every human life, to the truth of marriage as the lasting union of man and woman, the foundation of the family!"
Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury has issued an advance statement of the sermon he is to give in his Cathedral this coming Christmas night, from which the above is an extract.
Bishop Mark: WE ARE ALL WITH YOU and will defend marriage: the lifelong union of a man and a woman, the foundation of the family, in the year ahead , with full commitment, asking God for the courage and tenacity we need.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Wisdom from Pope and Rabbi...
...read here...
France will rally on Jan 13th to call for sanity and truth. Cardinal Vingt-Trois is joined by Jewish, Moslem, and non-religious leaders in calling for human dignity and the common good to be defended against the French govt's grim scheme to redefine marriage. The govt's supporters held a rally the other day which the media hyped up, but it seems likely that the defenders of matrimony will draw far higher numbers. But will the French govt listen?
Here in Britain, the debate will heat up savagely in the early weeks of 2013. Keep up the campaign.
France will rally on Jan 13th to call for sanity and truth. Cardinal Vingt-Trois is joined by Jewish, Moslem, and non-religious leaders in calling for human dignity and the common good to be defended against the French govt's grim scheme to redefine marriage. The govt's supporters held a rally the other day which the media hyped up, but it seems likely that the defenders of matrimony will draw far higher numbers. But will the French govt listen?
Here in Britain, the debate will heat up savagely in the early weeks of 2013. Keep up the campaign.
Friday, December 21, 2012
News...
...that Pope Paul VI has been named as "Venerable" the first step towards beatification and canonisation.
During the course of research for a new book, about Brigettine nuns who saved the lives of Jewish people during World War II, Auntie was surprised to discover the quietly heroic work of young Monsignor Montini. He was the go-about man for the then Pope, Pius XII, in making secret arrangements for the hiding of Jewish people in convents and monasteries in Rome. This took courage: discovery could mean grisly consequences for all involved. The Nazis might have been squeamish about killing the Pope, given the probable reaction in Italy and the world, but eliminating an obscure monsignor would not have brought them too many worries. Mgr Montini went in person to meet nuns and monks to make arrangements for the Jewish refugees - it wasn't something that could be done by letter or announced in a public broadcast. It is an aspect of his life about which I would like to know more, because the story so far is interesting.
As Pope Paul VI, he continued in the tradition of his mentor Pius XII looking very formal and solemn in public - there are some pictures of him smiling, but not many (even fewer than poor Pius XII, who had very little to smile about during the years of WWII and its aftermath), which is a pity because apparently he was a man of good humour and was good company. One of his colleagues described him as "a Pope of joy" even when beset by troubles - and he had plenty of those in the tumultuous years of Vatican II and onwards. He gave us Humanae Vitae and the Credo of the People of God, for which he deserves our gratitude. The former is a clarion call of truth and will be hailed as such by history. He agonised (I think the word is not too strong) over Communism and felt betrayed when having struggled to obtain concessions from the despots ruling Eastern Europe he found that they had no intention of keeping their word.(It took a magnificent Polish Pope with a different aproach and a clear understanding of the reality of life in the Eastern bloc to change things, and the change was superb and dramatic and thrilling - but that's another story).
I became a fan of Paul VI after reading a vile attack on him by some "traditionalist Catholics": it got me studying more about him and I found a good, holy priest whose love of God and the Church and human beings shone brightly, a Pope whose true story deserved telling. I am glad that this is now happening.
During the course of research for a new book, about Brigettine nuns who saved the lives of Jewish people during World War II, Auntie was surprised to discover the quietly heroic work of young Monsignor Montini. He was the go-about man for the then Pope, Pius XII, in making secret arrangements for the hiding of Jewish people in convents and monasteries in Rome. This took courage: discovery could mean grisly consequences for all involved. The Nazis might have been squeamish about killing the Pope, given the probable reaction in Italy and the world, but eliminating an obscure monsignor would not have brought them too many worries. Mgr Montini went in person to meet nuns and monks to make arrangements for the Jewish refugees - it wasn't something that could be done by letter or announced in a public broadcast. It is an aspect of his life about which I would like to know more, because the story so far is interesting.
As Pope Paul VI, he continued in the tradition of his mentor Pius XII looking very formal and solemn in public - there are some pictures of him smiling, but not many (even fewer than poor Pius XII, who had very little to smile about during the years of WWII and its aftermath), which is a pity because apparently he was a man of good humour and was good company. One of his colleagues described him as "a Pope of joy" even when beset by troubles - and he had plenty of those in the tumultuous years of Vatican II and onwards. He gave us Humanae Vitae and the Credo of the People of God, for which he deserves our gratitude. The former is a clarion call of truth and will be hailed as such by history. He agonised (I think the word is not too strong) over Communism and felt betrayed when having struggled to obtain concessions from the despots ruling Eastern Europe he found that they had no intention of keeping their word.(It took a magnificent Polish Pope with a different aproach and a clear understanding of the reality of life in the Eastern bloc to change things, and the change was superb and dramatic and thrilling - but that's another story).
I became a fan of Paul VI after reading a vile attack on him by some "traditionalist Catholics": it got me studying more about him and I found a good, holy priest whose love of God and the Church and human beings shone brightly, a Pope whose true story deserved telling. I am glad that this is now happening.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Tradition, tradition, tradition...
...Christmas is full of it. We gathered at a local residential home for the elderly. We sang carols. It was all delightful - and the singing was good as some of the group were members of the choir at St Elphege's in Wallington (the parish in which I grew up, and where I was married...). The residents and the staff and all of us, singing together with the Christmas tree glittering, and little golden lights around the Crib...and then a tray with Baileys and mince pies, before our little group set off to go from house to house along the road...
Wrapping up parcels here at home. Organising various family gatherings.
Off to Westminster Cathedral this afternoon to go to confession...amazingly, no queue...usually in Advent there is a long line of people waiting. Later, I went to evening Mass - this was in the Hall as the Cathedral was getting ready for a big carol service later. The Hall is a fine Edwardian building, and they erected an altar and did everything properly. The only odd thing was kneeling on the floor instead of having kneelers...numbers for Mass were good, despite people having to fight torrential rain as they scurried down Ambrosden Avenue...
Tomorrow I will be going to the funeral of Fr John Edwards SJ, a fine priest whose talks and conferences over the years helped so many of us...
Interesting news feature from Rome...Archbishop Muller says wise and good things ...
Wrapping up parcels here at home. Organising various family gatherings.
Off to Westminster Cathedral this afternoon to go to confession...amazingly, no queue...usually in Advent there is a long line of people waiting. Later, I went to evening Mass - this was in the Hall as the Cathedral was getting ready for a big carol service later. The Hall is a fine Edwardian building, and they erected an altar and did everything properly. The only odd thing was kneeling on the floor instead of having kneelers...numbers for Mass were good, despite people having to fight torrential rain as they scurried down Ambrosden Avenue...
Tomorrow I will be going to the funeral of Fr John Edwards SJ, a fine priest whose talks and conferences over the years helped so many of us...
Interesting news feature from Rome...Archbishop Muller says wise and good things ...
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
A rather emotional experience...
...going back to your old school to present prizes.
I have actually been back a good many times over the years, but it's still something very special...today I found myself in the beautiful school chapel, a place of many memories, and the girls were filing in, holding lighted candles, and the prizegiving began with a short carol service.
What can we tell them, the school-leavers of 2012, facing the world of the 21st century? In so many ways, things among the pupils are much the same as in my schooldays, and in so many ways they aren't. Like them, my generation was obsessed with silly attempts to find secret places in which to smoke, and with complaints about the school uniform ( I remember girls making desperate attempts to turn up the hems of their skirts with Sellotape to make them into crucially-neccesary micro-miniskirts)...and yet we were proud to belong to St Philomena's, and so are today's Philomenians...
What was the most important message that I picked up at school? That there is a God, that we can know him and that he came to share in our human life and has a name and a face: Jesus Christ. And that St Philomena's School was connected with this great reality of God.
We are born for greatness. Life isn't about sex and shopping. We are here to know and love and serve God, who loved us first. And this love involves caring for other people , not putting ourselves first, and not being content with plastic slogans about "being all I can be" or "reaching for the stars" or other cliches of the current educational sloganisers.
Through a Catholic group, I was able to give these school leavers copies of the excellent YOUCAT, the Youth Catechism that Papa Benedict has produced for this generation. We didn't have anything like that, we didn't have World Youth Days or the grand example of John Paul, or the new style that he gave to the Church's message and ministry to youth.
I hope some of them read YOUCAT...oh, and I do hope that they listened when their head teacher told them that they will always be in the prayers of the school community, and that they were always welcome to come back if they wanted friendship or advice. I hope that they find, as I have done, that it is a beautiful thing to have spent years in a happy school where the Faith really means something and where you learn values that are lasting...
I have actually been back a good many times over the years, but it's still something very special...today I found myself in the beautiful school chapel, a place of many memories, and the girls were filing in, holding lighted candles, and the prizegiving began with a short carol service.
What can we tell them, the school-leavers of 2012, facing the world of the 21st century? In so many ways, things among the pupils are much the same as in my schooldays, and in so many ways they aren't. Like them, my generation was obsessed with silly attempts to find secret places in which to smoke, and with complaints about the school uniform ( I remember girls making desperate attempts to turn up the hems of their skirts with Sellotape to make them into crucially-neccesary micro-miniskirts)...and yet we were proud to belong to St Philomena's, and so are today's Philomenians...
What was the most important message that I picked up at school? That there is a God, that we can know him and that he came to share in our human life and has a name and a face: Jesus Christ. And that St Philomena's School was connected with this great reality of God.
We are born for greatness. Life isn't about sex and shopping. We are here to know and love and serve God, who loved us first. And this love involves caring for other people , not putting ourselves first, and not being content with plastic slogans about "being all I can be" or "reaching for the stars" or other cliches of the current educational sloganisers.
Through a Catholic group, I was able to give these school leavers copies of the excellent YOUCAT, the Youth Catechism that Papa Benedict has produced for this generation. We didn't have anything like that, we didn't have World Youth Days or the grand example of John Paul, or the new style that he gave to the Church's message and ministry to youth.
I hope some of them read YOUCAT...oh, and I do hope that they listened when their head teacher told them that they will always be in the prayers of the school community, and that they were always welcome to come back if they wanted friendship or advice. I hope that they find, as I have done, that it is a beautiful thing to have spent years in a happy school where the Faith really means something and where you learn values that are lasting...
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor...
...has a superb message in today's press:
"In the run-up to the last election, David Cameron led us to believe that the
strengthening of marriage as an institution was one of his important
objectives; and the Conservative Party's manifesto, which made no mention of "gay
marriage", included a proposed tax break for married couples. Nothing
has been heard of the latter proposal, and instead of action to strengthen
marriage we have the proposal to abandon the traditional understanding of
marriage on the basis of a "consultation" which explicitly
excluded the possibility of a negative result. Protestations that this is
all fundamentally "conservative" ring a bit hollow.
It is difficult not to wonder how far the Prime Minister is someone whose
steadiness of purpose can be relied on"
Just so.
Just so.
Monday, December 17, 2012
"Dear Mr Cameron...
....I appreciate how politically difficult it can be to undertake a U-turn and to sustain the attendant criticism such would bring. But when it is a matter of the truth, and the reasons are cast-iron clear, a U-turn would be hailed by history only as brave and courageous. This is why, like a Thomas a Becket appealing to Henry II, I do not hesitate to ask you to consider doing what is the right and just thing to do"
Thus Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth, writing to the Prime Minister, on the Government's grim and ghastly plans to redfine marriage, to cause social misery and to threaten religious freedom. You can read the whole letter here.
The feast of St Thomas a Becket comes up soon, in this Christmas season.
Think again, Cameron.
Thus Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth, writing to the Prime Minister, on the Government's grim and ghastly plans to redfine marriage, to cause social misery and to threaten religious freedom. You can read the whole letter here.
The feast of St Thomas a Becket comes up soon, in this Christmas season.
Think again, Cameron.
This will be...
...a rather solemn Christmas. Britain is at a tragic and ghastly stage in history. We are dying: fewer children are being born than is neccessary to keep us alive as a nation. A large number are killed every week as babies in the womb. The government is planning a scheme to redefine marrriage, forcing all public officials to pretend that two men or two women can marry, with penalties for anyone who points out that this is nonsense. The planned law will also threaten religious freedom, with huge implications.
The Catholic Church in Britain is surprisingly strong, given the social climate in which it lives, and Mass attendance figures this Christmas will reflect that. But in general Christianity in our country is not thriving and people increasingly have a sense that they are not allowed to express their Christian faith openly at work or even in any public place.
Large numbers of children will not spend Christmas with their natural parents. Large numbers of grandparents will not see their grandchildren this Christmas or at any other time during the coming year. Divorce, cohabitation, and the normalising of casual sexual encounters have combined to cause a range of social dislocations which have produced much human misery.
This will be a solemn Christmas.
The Catholic Church in Britain is surprisingly strong, given the social climate in which it lives, and Mass attendance figures this Christmas will reflect that. But in general Christianity in our country is not thriving and people increasingly have a sense that they are not allowed to express their Christian faith openly at work or even in any public place.
Large numbers of children will not spend Christmas with their natural parents. Large numbers of grandparents will not see their grandchildren this Christmas or at any other time during the coming year. Divorce, cohabitation, and the normalising of casual sexual encounters have combined to cause a range of social dislocations which have produced much human misery.
This will be a solemn Christmas.
Carol singing...
...brings enchanting moments. We - a little troop of cheery Catholic ladies - met at a tube station, and went from house to house in Chelsea. At one house, the whole family came to the door to listen, and the young mother told us with pride that the little boy had sung the solo "Once in Royal David's city" at his school carol service a few days earlier. We asked if he might sing it for us. And, after a bit of shyness, he agreed, and there, on the doorstep, he sang, his clear voice ringing out in perfect tune on to the night air...it was beautiful, enchanting...and as he finished that first verse, we took it up, and all of us together sang the next...
Oh, dear. Auntie finds that moments like that get her all gulpy.
It was a wonderful evening. We sang at house after house, and when we finally had to call a halt from sheer exhaustion, we found ourselves in the Kings Road, and headed for Sloane Square, where Peter Jones was having late-night shopping, with the coffee-shop on the top floor still open. Ideal for a troop of aunties...soon we were settled with coffee and wine and cakes, and once settled we opened up the collecting-jars and counted up the funds we'd raised...over £160, and it will go to St Patrick's Open House to feed the homeless and lonely...
Oh, dear. Auntie finds that moments like that get her all gulpy.
It was a wonderful evening. We sang at house after house, and when we finally had to call a halt from sheer exhaustion, we found ourselves in the Kings Road, and headed for Sloane Square, where Peter Jones was having late-night shopping, with the coffee-shop on the top floor still open. Ideal for a troop of aunties...soon we were settled with coffee and wine and cakes, and once settled we opened up the collecting-jars and counted up the funds we'd raised...over £160, and it will go to St Patrick's Open House to feed the homeless and lonely...
On Cameron's idiotic scheme..
..to redfine marriage, and in doing so to foster a ghastly mess....read this useful comment
Sunday, December 16, 2012
A London Sunday...
...starting with Mass in Soho, followed by coffee and pastries in the crypt. A good mix of people there, smart-young-London mixing with just-passing-through, and lonely-and-needing-company, plus, on this occasion, Auntie-from-the-suburbs. Auntie then indeed took the Tube to the suburbs, and from there to a delightful lunch given by a wonderful lady who, among other things, offers hope and a home to recovering drug addicts, makes pottery, and supports Mother Teresa's nuns...
Later, and in a power-cut, to visit an elderly relative in a warm welcoming care-home run by wonderful nuns and a team of wonderful staff. The road was in darkness as I approached, and it felt strange: we are so used to street-lights and to the glow of electric light from every house. Inside, the Home was full of good cheer: I sat and chatted with the elderly relative over sherry by candlelight, while Sister made telephone calls to the Electricity Board or whatever it's called, staff led a group of residents singing, and everyone rather enjoyed themselves. "A bit like the Blitz, isn't it?" said another visitor chattily, and indeed the spirit of unity and coping together was strong and delightful - I think we were all a little sorry when the lights came on again.
Home by bus. Reading this book, which I have wanted to read ever since coming across an attempt to pour scorn on it. It is a good read: honest, refreshing, informative. Recommended.
Later, and in a power-cut, to visit an elderly relative in a warm welcoming care-home run by wonderful nuns and a team of wonderful staff. The road was in darkness as I approached, and it felt strange: we are so used to street-lights and to the glow of electric light from every house. Inside, the Home was full of good cheer: I sat and chatted with the elderly relative over sherry by candlelight, while Sister made telephone calls to the Electricity Board or whatever it's called, staff led a group of residents singing, and everyone rather enjoyed themselves. "A bit like the Blitz, isn't it?" said another visitor chattily, and indeed the spirit of unity and coping together was strong and delightful - I think we were all a little sorry when the lights came on again.
Home by bus. Reading this book, which I have wanted to read ever since coming across an attempt to pour scorn on it. It is a good read: honest, refreshing, informative. Recommended.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Do you enjoy Auntie's blog?
...If so, you might enjoy some of her other writings. Try this one, just published...
Friday, December 14, 2012
Rain-washed...
...in Whitstable. This enchanting little town on the Channel coast is famous for its oysters, and even in driving December rain its bright little shops and pleasant streets made it a joy to visit. I hadn't been expecting this: making plans to visit Fr Stephen Langridge at the new Vocations Centre for the diocese of Southwark I kept muttering about the inconvenience and the hassle of going all the way out of London. I was wrong. It was no hassle - train from Victoria, settled with some coffee and some correspondence, and a straight run through to Kent. And the new Vocations Centre is a welcoming place, all bright and attractive thanks to team efforts by young volunteers and generous gifts from various Southwark parishioners, and Fr Stephen showed me around with enthusiasm and quiet pride. It's also a busy place: see programme for the next months/year on the link given.
Southwark diocese is doing quite well for vocations to the priesthood at present - part of a general upward trend - but of course the Church needs more and more priests, and also dedicated religious Brothers and Sisters... and the key is not "recruitment" but evangelisation and helping young people to hear God's call and follow his call in life's great adventure.
I very much enjoyed my day: the Channel was grey and rainswept, the town cheery. Some of the buildings have a faintly French style, as happens along that stretch of the coast. There's a row going on at the moment as rents in the High Street may be raised, thus squeezing out local tradesmen, and that would be a ghastly blight as there are lots of real shops and it would be so dreary to have them replaces with the usual battery of starbuckstescocaffenero.
Fr Stephen is busy, but took time to catch up on news and views over lunch. A happy day. Train back to Victoria, quick cup of tea at the station, and then I joined a grand team from St Joseph's Roehampton, who were gathering on the main concourse to sing carols. It was magnificent! We do it every year - three hearty cheers to Yvonne who organises it all - and this year it was somehow even better than ever before. We have some lovely Sisters with musical instruments to lead us, and we sing and sing - the sound fills the whole station, right across the whole concourse, and the choir is a cheery sight as some don bright Santa Claus hats (Yvonne again) and we have proper carol sheets, and we are formed up properly as a choir (not a bleak little embarrased circle, or a spread-out straggly group, which minimises the sound). People stop and thank us, donate money, join in the singing, take photographs. We started at 5pm, and at 6 o'clock during a split-second break between one carol and the next, Father said "It's six o'clock - how about the Angelus?" and we said it all aloud, then and there...possibly the first time that this great prayer has been prayed aloud on one of Britain's main railway stations. Then we started singing again, and finished on the dot of 7pm when our allotted time was up (you have a licence, and wear badges etc). Then I asked Father if he's give us all a blessing, which he did, precided by a beautiful prayer, and finishing with a hearty "Praised be Jesus Christ!" and then Yvonne offered coffee and bikkies and there was chat and Christmas greetings and we'll all definitely be back again next year. "It's a highlight of my Christmas!" said one lady, and I agree.
I somehow sensed, this year, that there was an extra strength and meaning to our singing - people seemed especially grateful, there was noticeable enthusiasm when we sang the carols that have a "Gloria in excelsis" chorus, or when we sang other old favourites such as "O come all ye faithful" and "Away in a manger"...
I am the conductor - much vigour and waving of arms - and at one stage, I urged everyone on with "Let's dedicate this next carol as a prayer to defend marriage, and pray for David Cameron!" and this got 100% support and much enthusiasm.
Southwark diocese is doing quite well for vocations to the priesthood at present - part of a general upward trend - but of course the Church needs more and more priests, and also dedicated religious Brothers and Sisters... and the key is not "recruitment" but evangelisation and helping young people to hear God's call and follow his call in life's great adventure.
I very much enjoyed my day: the Channel was grey and rainswept, the town cheery. Some of the buildings have a faintly French style, as happens along that stretch of the coast. There's a row going on at the moment as rents in the High Street may be raised, thus squeezing out local tradesmen, and that would be a ghastly blight as there are lots of real shops and it would be so dreary to have them replaces with the usual battery of starbuckstescocaffenero.
Fr Stephen is busy, but took time to catch up on news and views over lunch. A happy day. Train back to Victoria, quick cup of tea at the station, and then I joined a grand team from St Joseph's Roehampton, who were gathering on the main concourse to sing carols. It was magnificent! We do it every year - three hearty cheers to Yvonne who organises it all - and this year it was somehow even better than ever before. We have some lovely Sisters with musical instruments to lead us, and we sing and sing - the sound fills the whole station, right across the whole concourse, and the choir is a cheery sight as some don bright Santa Claus hats (Yvonne again) and we have proper carol sheets, and we are formed up properly as a choir (not a bleak little embarrased circle, or a spread-out straggly group, which minimises the sound). People stop and thank us, donate money, join in the singing, take photographs. We started at 5pm, and at 6 o'clock during a split-second break between one carol and the next, Father said "It's six o'clock - how about the Angelus?" and we said it all aloud, then and there...possibly the first time that this great prayer has been prayed aloud on one of Britain's main railway stations. Then we started singing again, and finished on the dot of 7pm when our allotted time was up (you have a licence, and wear badges etc). Then I asked Father if he's give us all a blessing, which he did, precided by a beautiful prayer, and finishing with a hearty "Praised be Jesus Christ!" and then Yvonne offered coffee and bikkies and there was chat and Christmas greetings and we'll all definitely be back again next year. "It's a highlight of my Christmas!" said one lady, and I agree.
I somehow sensed, this year, that there was an extra strength and meaning to our singing - people seemed especially grateful, there was noticeable enthusiasm when we sang the carols that have a "Gloria in excelsis" chorus, or when we sang other old favourites such as "O come all ye faithful" and "Away in a manger"...
I am the conductor - much vigour and waving of arms - and at one stage, I urged everyone on with "Let's dedicate this next carol as a prayer to defend marriage, and pray for David Cameron!" and this got 100% support and much enthusiasm.
Best yet...
I am grateful to a couple of correspondents for pointing me to this feature which is the best thing I have yet read on the subject of the Govt's plans to redefine marriage.
Spent part of this week in wintry rural England...
...visiting an elderly relative in Somerset, trundling by bus through enchanting villages, staying overnight in Taunton...at Minehead I dropped in to the local Catholic church to check times for Christmas Masses. A good number of people there for a weekday Mass, which was just finishing. The kind priest approached me after Mass, having seen that I had arrived late and missed it, and arranged for me to recieve Communion...it was extraordinarily moving to kneel there at the altar rail in the quiet church as he went to the Tabernacle and then led the prayers ending with the "Lord, I am not worthy...." Suddenly, overwhelmingly, I had a memory of my 1st Communion, years and years and years ago...
A day of family talk, some Christmas shopping and wrapping and labelling of gifts. Exmoor villages in December twilight, with glowing windows. A late, long journey back to London on a bus whizzing along the motorway in darkness. Sad thoughts about Britain...the tenacious nation now threatened with the tearing apart of its family and social bonds: latest statistics published this week show that half of households are not based on marriage, vast numbers of teenagers do not live with their parents, cohabitation increasingly regarded as the norm, cohabiting couples rarely stay together for life or even for half a lifetime. Christianity is still (just) the religion with which a (slim) majority of people identify, but there has been a steep and massive increase in people who affirm that they have no religious belief at all, and numbers of adherents to Islam growing swiftly and substantially.
Prayed, using the lovely prayers in Magnificat...
A day of family talk, some Christmas shopping and wrapping and labelling of gifts. Exmoor villages in December twilight, with glowing windows. A late, long journey back to London on a bus whizzing along the motorway in darkness. Sad thoughts about Britain...the tenacious nation now threatened with the tearing apart of its family and social bonds: latest statistics published this week show that half of households are not based on marriage, vast numbers of teenagers do not live with their parents, cohabitation increasingly regarded as the norm, cohabiting couples rarely stay together for life or even for half a lifetime. Christianity is still (just) the religion with which a (slim) majority of people identify, but there has been a steep and massive increase in people who affirm that they have no religious belief at all, and numbers of adherents to Islam growing swiftly and substantially.
Prayed, using the lovely prayers in Magnificat...
Thursday, December 13, 2012
A traditional...
...and beautiful funeral Mass at Westminster Cathedral for Mrs Brigid Utley. Celebrated by Bishop John Sherrington with a number of concelebrants including Canon Stuart Wilson of St Mary's, Cadogan Street, who preached. He recalled her at Fr Michael Hollings' parish in Baywater, helping with costumes for the Notting Hill Carnival, and later as a dedicated parishioner of the Cathedral where she was always seen at daily Mass. The Utleys are a family of writers and journalists...oh, and much more, read here, and here... and the Cathedral was filled with friends. Afterwards, over drinks and delicious food much talk....conversations ranging over the ghastliness of Cameron's loopy same-sex marriage scheme with its all-too-easy-to-unpick "quadruple lock", and on to the general hopelessness of the Cameron project generally...
Monday, December 10, 2012
A presentation...
... of the retreats run by Grief to Grace, a new and neccessary psychological and spiritual programme for victims of sexual abuse. This is very important. Pope Benedict has said that in tackling the whole question of sexual abuse, the Church's first concern must be for the victims. But we have ignored that: the first concern has been to apportion blame, or to debate how it could all have happened, or to talk about the implications for the Church, or....or...
Grief to Grace offers a real and practical response. I was impressed by Dr Theresa Burke, who gave a full presentation of the whole programme at the invitation of Fr Dominic Allain, who is organising the project in Britain.
There has often been a somewhat panicky approach on the part of officials in the Church towards victims, with a rush to use expensive therapists who shun anything spiritual and whose approach is strongly verbal and emphasises a sense of continuation year on year. There is a real need to look at the huge developments in psychology of recent decades...we should not remain in the 1950s/60s. Grief to Grace marks a turning-point in psychological approaches and is based on methods which have emerged over the past half-century.
We have great responsibilities here. Any reader who is aware of some one who needs help: go to the link given.
Grief to Grace offers a real and practical response. I was impressed by Dr Theresa Burke, who gave a full presentation of the whole programme at the invitation of Fr Dominic Allain, who is organising the project in Britain.
There has often been a somewhat panicky approach on the part of officials in the Church towards victims, with a rush to use expensive therapists who shun anything spiritual and whose approach is strongly verbal and emphasises a sense of continuation year on year. There is a real need to look at the huge developments in psychology of recent decades...we should not remain in the 1950s/60s. Grief to Grace marks a turning-point in psychological approaches and is based on methods which have emerged over the past half-century.
We have great responsibilities here. Any reader who is aware of some one who needs help: go to the link given.
London...
..and a procession through the streets of theatreland and Soho, to mark the feast of the Immaculate Conception. This is an annual event, and starts with an International Mass at St Patrick's, Soho Square: this year it was concelebrated by young clergy led by an Ordinariate priest. I arrived a little bit late, and it was a joy to be drawn in to the glorious Latin chant and to find a place in the well-filled pews. Young people read the Bidding Prayers in various languages, there was a sermon in English repeated in Spanish. At the end, four men lifted the statue of Our Lady aloft and we gradually formed up in front and behind and went out into the streets, singing. We scooped up handfuls of medals as we left the church, to distribute to passers-by: there were also small gifts-bags for the same purpose, each containing a Scripture verse, a medal, a small leaflet, and a sweet.
There are some touching encounters as we give out the medals, wishing people a Merry Christmas and saying "God bless you". Some people fumble as if for money and one has to say "No, no - this is just a gift!" Most say "thank you!" and are glad, some cross themselves. A few refuse, none rudely.One girl asked for prayers...
We complete the procession at the Church of Notre Dame de France, where we pray a decade of the Rosary and sing the Salve Regina...
There are some touching encounters as we give out the medals, wishing people a Merry Christmas and saying "God bless you". Some people fumble as if for money and one has to say "No, no - this is just a gift!" Most say "thank you!" and are glad, some cross themselves. A few refuse, none rudely.One girl asked for prayers...
We complete the procession at the Church of Notre Dame de France, where we pray a decade of the Rosary and sing the Salve Regina...
Baptism..
...of the latest addition to the family. We all gathered at the church - it was a big gathering because there were not only grandparents and godparents and uncles and aunts and so on but also a number of parishioners because the family are longstanding members of the local church... Enchanting new baby (number 4) , lovely lively brothers and sister all jumping about, a beautiful baptism by a priest-great uncle and with a young uncle and aunt doing the Scripture readings. Mulled wine and mince pies and celebration in the adjoining hall, with hugs and news and gifts and a happy atmosphere.
Auntie suddenly found herself thinking: for hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years, down all the generations, on both sides of the family, every new child has been baptised, every baby's head recieving water and the words pof baptism "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". This child, and her siblings, are the first who are recieving this sacrament in a Britain where the majority of people are no longer baptised, and growing up in a Britain where the Christian faith which has written our history and through which our years are numbered, is no longer the central dominant reality in our culture.
Our family's faith and culture remains vibrant and was renewed again by this happy day, the young voices ringing out in affirmation of it in union with the older generation. The new baby and her siblings have been given the Faith one by one as they joined the family that had crossed the threshold of a new millenium. They will need lots of love and prayers in the bleak Britain in which they will be living it...
Auntie suddenly found herself thinking: for hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years, down all the generations, on both sides of the family, every new child has been baptised, every baby's head recieving water and the words pof baptism "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". This child, and her siblings, are the first who are recieving this sacrament in a Britain where the majority of people are no longer baptised, and growing up in a Britain where the Christian faith which has written our history and through which our years are numbered, is no longer the central dominant reality in our culture.
Our family's faith and culture remains vibrant and was renewed again by this happy day, the young voices ringing out in affirmation of it in union with the older generation. The new baby and her siblings have been given the Faith one by one as they joined the family that had crossed the threshold of a new millenium. They will need lots of love and prayers in the bleak Britain in which they will be living it...
Bishop Egan...We are with you!
...in this excellent message to David Cameron.
Bishop Philip Egan says:
"If the prime minister proceeds with his intentions, he will pervert authentic family values, with catastrophic consequences for the well-being and behaviour of future generations. He will smother the traditional Christian ethos of our society and strangle the religious freedom of the Catholic Church in Britain to conduct its mission.
Of course, we will need to wait for the results of the current consultation-exercise. But in the meantime, I would like to ask Mr. Cameron: What about my rights as a Christian? Will you exempt the Church, its resources and property, from having to support your harmful ideology? Will Catholic schools, societies and institutions be free (and legally safeguarded) to teach the full truth of Christ and the real meaning of life and love?
The institution of marriage has its ups and downs, but will we ever forget that it was the leader of the Conservative Party who finally destroyed marriage as a lasting, loving and life-giving union between a man and a woman?"
Bishop Philip Egan says:
"If the prime minister proceeds with his intentions, he will pervert authentic family values, with catastrophic consequences for the well-being and behaviour of future generations. He will smother the traditional Christian ethos of our society and strangle the religious freedom of the Catholic Church in Britain to conduct its mission.
Of course, we will need to wait for the results of the current consultation-exercise. But in the meantime, I would like to ask Mr. Cameron: What about my rights as a Christian? Will you exempt the Church, its resources and property, from having to support your harmful ideology? Will Catholic schools, societies and institutions be free (and legally safeguarded) to teach the full truth of Christ and the real meaning of life and love?
The institution of marriage has its ups and downs, but will we ever forget that it was the leader of the Conservative Party who finally destroyed marriage as a lasting, loving and life-giving union between a man and a woman?"
Saturday, December 08, 2012
Chatting to...
...young Catholics in their 20s/30s. Enthusiastic, committed to their Faith. Active with pro-life groups, have been to World Youth Days, Youth 2000 etc. Talked about campaigning in the 1970s and 80s...they cannot really imagine a time when it was normal to have Parliament voting to ban the promotion of homosexual propaganda in schools (Section 28 of the Education Act 1988). They did not know the name Mary Whitehouse. They could not grasp the idea that a campaigner for morality on TV could possibly be awarded a public honour like the CBE.
As I look back 30 years, it is such a very different Britain: it was still possible to speak openly of male/female marriage as the foundation for any society, and it would have been impossible for anyone in public life to be taken seriously in proposing that two people of the same sex could marry. Supporters of abortion still felt obliged to preface their speeches with some statement to the effect that abortion was in general regrettable before continuing with "but...choices...cases of neccesity...". And it was still normal to expect that anyone who wanted to be active in public life should not cohabit but should marry, or live as a single person. It's very difficult now to convey all of this: today's young Catholics simply cannot really know what it was like to live in a culture where some moral norms, while under steady attack, were still praised in public. And in our praying and campaigning, we had public support: in the 1970s it was still possible to muster 80,000-100,000 people in London to cheer pro-life speeches and to march to Downing Street, and the 1980s saw huge pro-life prayer-vigils, candle-lit processions, packed cathedrals...
But the 1990s brought Blair and a whole new raft of legislation. People "wanted a change", a phrase one heard a lot at that time. . (And I remember naivety about the Blairs being "a Catholic family in Downing Street" Oh dear! ). The 1980s were denounced as an evil era, and "Section 28" became a byword for oppression and horror. The public funding of contraception for teenagers, controversial in the 80s, was now standard. Marriage was presented as a "lifestyle choice". And as a new century opened, new areas of biotechnology rolled in, seeming almost to overwhelm us: IVF, embryo experimentation, endless and repeated pressure to accept euthanasia, ghastly evidence of its active practice in hospitals...the pro-life movement kept abreast and kept going, but the political and financial waves beat against it relentlessly...
Young Catholics today tend to assume that the future will include some active persecution of the Church.They feel alienated from most officialdom, having grown up in a world where Government is associated with "gay rights" and promotion of abortion and so on. They tend to see the Church as confident: this is the John Paul II/Benedict generation, which rather relishes a counter-cultural Church and doesn't expect any favours from the State. They have inherited a tradition of campaigning on pro-life and pro-family issues and tend to think that they will do better than us oldies. They don't expect political victories, but look to a transformation of culture.They have plenty of vigour and look ahead with zest. They are listening when BXVI speaks about the New Evangelisation.Their world-view is formed from their perspective and not from Auntie's. Some day they too will look back and ponder.
As I look back 30 years, it is such a very different Britain: it was still possible to speak openly of male/female marriage as the foundation for any society, and it would have been impossible for anyone in public life to be taken seriously in proposing that two people of the same sex could marry. Supporters of abortion still felt obliged to preface their speeches with some statement to the effect that abortion was in general regrettable before continuing with "but...choices...cases of neccesity...". And it was still normal to expect that anyone who wanted to be active in public life should not cohabit but should marry, or live as a single person. It's very difficult now to convey all of this: today's young Catholics simply cannot really know what it was like to live in a culture where some moral norms, while under steady attack, were still praised in public. And in our praying and campaigning, we had public support: in the 1970s it was still possible to muster 80,000-100,000 people in London to cheer pro-life speeches and to march to Downing Street, and the 1980s saw huge pro-life prayer-vigils, candle-lit processions, packed cathedrals...
But the 1990s brought Blair and a whole new raft of legislation. People "wanted a change", a phrase one heard a lot at that time. . (And I remember naivety about the Blairs being "a Catholic family in Downing Street" Oh dear! ). The 1980s were denounced as an evil era, and "Section 28" became a byword for oppression and horror. The public funding of contraception for teenagers, controversial in the 80s, was now standard. Marriage was presented as a "lifestyle choice". And as a new century opened, new areas of biotechnology rolled in, seeming almost to overwhelm us: IVF, embryo experimentation, endless and repeated pressure to accept euthanasia, ghastly evidence of its active practice in hospitals...the pro-life movement kept abreast and kept going, but the political and financial waves beat against it relentlessly...
Young Catholics today tend to assume that the future will include some active persecution of the Church.They feel alienated from most officialdom, having grown up in a world where Government is associated with "gay rights" and promotion of abortion and so on. They tend to see the Church as confident: this is the John Paul II/Benedict generation, which rather relishes a counter-cultural Church and doesn't expect any favours from the State. They have inherited a tradition of campaigning on pro-life and pro-family issues and tend to think that they will do better than us oldies. They don't expect political victories, but look to a transformation of culture.They have plenty of vigour and look ahead with zest. They are listening when BXVI speaks about the New Evangelisation.Their world-view is formed from their perspective and not from Auntie's. Some day they too will look back and ponder.
Friday, December 07, 2012
Letter dated...
...April 19th 2012, from 10 Downing Street London SW1, to Mrs Joanna Bogle:
"We are proposing no changes to how religious organisations define and solemnise religious marriages and we are very clear that a marriage through a religious ceremony and on religious premises will continue to be only legally possible between a man and a woman." (emphasis original)
Now read the latest statement from David Cameron, of 10 Downing Street London SW1.
That April letter went on "We recognise the vital role that religious organisations have in our society, and we are clear on the importance of religious freedom. That is why the Government are listening and working with all religious organisations tht have concerns about this. I hope you will find that reassurring."
No, I did not find it reassurring. And I was right.
Nothing that Cameron could now say - ever - would reassure me.
"We are proposing no changes to how religious organisations define and solemnise religious marriages and we are very clear that a marriage through a religious ceremony and on religious premises will continue to be only legally possible between a man and a woman." (emphasis original)
Now read the latest statement from David Cameron, of 10 Downing Street London SW1.
That April letter went on "We recognise the vital role that religious organisations have in our society, and we are clear on the importance of religious freedom. That is why the Government are listening and working with all religious organisations tht have concerns about this. I hope you will find that reassurring."
No, I did not find it reassurring. And I was right.
Nothing that Cameron could now say - ever - would reassure me.
Ghastly news...
...the Govt's plans to force through the scheme to redefine marriage. Read here. And, very importantly, here...
Cameron is attempting to hurry this through because he knows how unpopular it is, and is trying to get it forced on us well before the next election.
Make no mistake: this is the big issue of our days. Don't get deflected: this needs letters to Cameron and to your MP and it also needs a lot of prayer.
Cameron is attempting to hurry this through because he knows how unpopular it is, and is trying to get it forced on us well before the next election.
Make no mistake: this is the big issue of our days. Don't get deflected: this needs letters to Cameron and to your MP and it also needs a lot of prayer.
Thursday, December 06, 2012
St Nicholas' Day...
...so I left a parcel with bags of (chocolate) gold coins on the doorstep of friends, knocked on the door and heard the children scuffling to answer it, and hurried off up the street in the December darkness.. Satisfying.
Depressing news as the Govt seems intent on its insane plan to redefine marriage.
Evensong and Mass with Ordinariate group, and a lively get-together in the pub afterwards. Everyone cheerful, lots to discuss (liturgy: they want the Mass they are used to, ie the Ordinary Form of the Roman rite in English, with good music). Things got gloomy when conversation turned to current political/state of the nation scene...Govt's ghastly schemes (see above), increasing intolerance of public expressions of Christianity, etc. One member of the group had just been at her grandson's school concert - a "Winter Concert" with no mention of the Nativity whatever. Not carol, not a crib scene, nothing. It was a big community event bringing together several schools including some Catholic ones.
Depressing.
Depressing news as the Govt seems intent on its insane plan to redefine marriage.
Evensong and Mass with Ordinariate group, and a lively get-together in the pub afterwards. Everyone cheerful, lots to discuss (liturgy: they want the Mass they are used to, ie the Ordinary Form of the Roman rite in English, with good music). Things got gloomy when conversation turned to current political/state of the nation scene...Govt's ghastly schemes (see above), increasing intolerance of public expressions of Christianity, etc. One member of the group had just been at her grandson's school concert - a "Winter Concert" with no mention of the Nativity whatever. Not carol, not a crib scene, nothing. It was a big community event bringing together several schools including some Catholic ones.
Depressing.
Working...
...on next book (due out in 2013, text to be w. publishers before the end of this year) has involved revisiting the topic of Fatima at some length. Golly, there's a lot of nonsense out there on the Internet about it. Best book on the subject is this one which carries a Foreword by the excellent Cardinal Raymond Burke of the Apostolic Signatura.
My book isn't on Fatima, but includes some material on the subject, so I needed to check it all out...
My book isn't on Fatima, but includes some material on the subject, so I needed to check it all out...
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
A delightful group...
...of young people from various schools across Britain, all gathering with their parents and teachers at the Houses of Parliament to recieve their Bible Prizes in the 2012 SCHOOLS BIBLE PROJECT. It was a joy to meet them all, to show them around Parliament and tell them something of the history (Westminster Great Hall, St Thomas More, Winston Churchill, the lot...) and then take them across to Millbank House for tea and a splendid Prizegiving, with Lord Alton giving out the Bible prizes. A happy day.
David Alton's talk to the young people was excellent. He emphasised the glory and the importance of the Scriptures - for this life and the next. He told us that Parliament still starts every morning with a Scripture reading (Deo gratias!) and also talked about the fact that the Bible is still banned in some places - including North Korea which he visited recently. Christians there risk terrible punishments in order to read a Bible...how much we should value our freedom to read the Scriptures here...
David Alton's talk to the young people was excellent. He emphasised the glory and the importance of the Scriptures - for this life and the next. He told us that Parliament still starts every morning with a Scripture reading (Deo gratias!) and also talked about the fact that the Bible is still banned in some places - including North Korea which he visited recently. Christians there risk terrible punishments in order to read a Bible...how much we should value our freedom to read the Scriptures here...
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
Enthusiastic...
...young people at St Patrick's, Soho Square, including a couple of seminarians from Australia working in the parish, all take part in a Catholic History Walk. We explore Holborn, St Giles, Lincolns Inn Fields, Ely Place. The Aussies are delighted to encounter the Ship Inn, where Bishop Richard Challoner used to meet and teach Catholics in penal times: they had been taught about this and now were actually visiting the pub itself! We walk down High Holborn, pray in St Etheldreda's and I show them the plaque we placed there commemorating the long link of the church to the Catholic Writers' Guild. It still seems odd to realise that Fleet Street simply doesn't have any link with newspapers any more, and that when we use the term "Fleet Street" meaning the press, it is for historical reasons. Golly, I'm old...
Monday, December 03, 2012
Uncomfortably...
...a good many conversations among Catholics in these days converge on the subject of a coming loss of religious freedom, of our rights as Catholics in Britain to speak clearly and openly about Christ, and about the truth and beauty of his message. In ways that I could never have imagined when younger, we talk about religious persecution, not as something belonging to far away or long ago but as something that relates to Britain, to a possible and imaginable future...
The Holy Father spoke. movingly and beautifully, today to students at the English College in Rome, where our young men study for the priesthood. This is a College which has a noble tradition of martyrs, a tradition which each succeeding generation of students holds in high honour. The Holy Father spoke of this throughout his speech, and ended thus:
"When I visited the United Kingdom, I saw for myself that there is a great spiritual hunger among the people. Bring them the true nourishment that comes from knowing, loving and serving Christ. Speak the truth of the Gospel to them with love. Offer them the living water of the Christian faith and point them towards the bread of life, so that their hunger and thirst may be satisfied. Above all, however, let the light of Christ shine through you by living lives of holiness, following in the footsteps of the many great saints of England and Wales, the holy men and women who bore witness to God’s love, even at the cost of their lives. The College to which you belong, the neighbourhood in which you live and study, the tradition of faith and Christian witness that has formed you: all these are hallowed by the presence of many saints. Make it your aspiration to be counted among their number.
Please be assured of an affectionate remembrance in my prayers for yourselves and for all the alumni of the Venerable English College. I make my own the greeting so often heard on the lips of a great friend and neighbour of the College, Saint Philip Neri, Salvete, flores martyrum...
The Holy Father spoke. movingly and beautifully, today to students at the English College in Rome, where our young men study for the priesthood. This is a College which has a noble tradition of martyrs, a tradition which each succeeding generation of students holds in high honour. The Holy Father spoke of this throughout his speech, and ended thus:
"When I visited the United Kingdom, I saw for myself that there is a great spiritual hunger among the people. Bring them the true nourishment that comes from knowing, loving and serving Christ. Speak the truth of the Gospel to them with love. Offer them the living water of the Christian faith and point them towards the bread of life, so that their hunger and thirst may be satisfied. Above all, however, let the light of Christ shine through you by living lives of holiness, following in the footsteps of the many great saints of England and Wales, the holy men and women who bore witness to God’s love, even at the cost of their lives. The College to which you belong, the neighbourhood in which you live and study, the tradition of faith and Christian witness that has formed you: all these are hallowed by the presence of many saints. Make it your aspiration to be counted among their number.
Please be assured of an affectionate remembrance in my prayers for yourselves and for all the alumni of the Venerable English College. I make my own the greeting so often heard on the lips of a great friend and neighbour of the College, Saint Philip Neri, Salvete, flores martyrum...
Sunday, December 02, 2012
Ealing Abbey...
...is a magnificent church, and I went there this morning for the Conventual Mass. Last visit was for a wedding on a seriously hot day a few summers back - today the gardens of Ealing were all frosted and the leaves crunching icily beneath my feet as I made by way from the Tube station. The Abbey church is high-arched and with wide clean lines with a great spacious feel: it's not actually very old (19th century, damaged by bombing in WWII, etc) but somehow you feel linked to the early centuries of the church. I was wondering if such a large building could actually be filled for Mass, but it is, and indeed there are six Masses there each Sunday, and judging by the crowds still milling from the earlier one, it is a very popular parish.
There is a fine choir, all robed and walking in procession ahead of the monks who fill the sanctuary. There is a sense of timelessness about the Mass and it was a perfect place to mark the First Sunday of Advent.
I met some friends after Mass and they invited me back for coffee: two of their sons have sung with the Vaughan Schola at the TOWARDS ADVENT Festival and I was touched to discover that they remembered this with pleasure and still have the little prayer-books that we give to choir members each year as a commemorative gift. This year's Towards Advent choir was in fact from St Benedict's School, Ealing, and I noticed the choirmaster in the robed procession at Mass...
Main reason for being in Ealing this Sunday was to visit a friend, Prof Dennis O'Keeffe, to talk about Poland. With Roger Scruton and others, he was a visiting lecturer in Poland in the 1980s, in the v. difficult days of martial law, giving lectures to the "flying university" in various private homes...fascinating to hear about all of this, and also to discuss issues of today's Europe and its future...
There is a fine choir, all robed and walking in procession ahead of the monks who fill the sanctuary. There is a sense of timelessness about the Mass and it was a perfect place to mark the First Sunday of Advent.
I met some friends after Mass and they invited me back for coffee: two of their sons have sung with the Vaughan Schola at the TOWARDS ADVENT Festival and I was touched to discover that they remembered this with pleasure and still have the little prayer-books that we give to choir members each year as a commemorative gift. This year's Towards Advent choir was in fact from St Benedict's School, Ealing, and I noticed the choirmaster in the robed procession at Mass...
Main reason for being in Ealing this Sunday was to visit a friend, Prof Dennis O'Keeffe, to talk about Poland. With Roger Scruton and others, he was a visiting lecturer in Poland in the 1980s, in the v. difficult days of martial law, giving lectures to the "flying university" in various private homes...fascinating to hear about all of this, and also to discuss issues of today's Europe and its future...
Saturday, December 01, 2012
The number of young men...
..applying to become priests is steadily rising...and we need more...read this Vocations Blog for more info...and pray that the numbers entering our seminaries continues to rise and rise over the next five years.
Read...
...the latest issue of The Portal, in which Auntie has a feature...and in which there is a splendid account of the TOWARDS ADVENT Festival, with pic. It's noted that the Westminster Cathedral Hall seems rather too small for the large crowds that attend, which is true...
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