Thursday, January 31, 2008

Where have I been? Well...

...in Durham, where I spoke to the Cathsoc at the University. Most enjoyable...a packed evening Mass in St Cuthbert's Church - which doubles as the University chaplaincy - and a convivial meeting over wine with a great group of students...my topic was "Celebrating traditional Feasts and Seasons", with talk of old customs and folklore, including pub signs (eg "The Crossed Keys", "The Salutation" - both of those have Catholic origins)...the Cathsoc is a v. friendly and lively group, with a good programme... recent speakers have included Sister Roseanne Reddy of the Sisters of the Gospel of Life...

I stayed at the hospitable home of Prof and Mrs Sheridan Gilley...books, talk, warm hospitality, more books, more talk...shelves of Robert Hugh Benson and Ronald Knox, books by and about John Henry Newman, books on thology, more books...a feast of reading and talking...

...and then on to Manchester where I was with the North West branch of the Catholic Writers Guild which meets at the Manchester University Catholic chaplaincy. The meeting was chaired by Eric Hester - whose book reviews in the Catholic Times, FAITH magazine, and elsewhere, are always a joy to read - and I went on to enjoy great hospitality at the Hesters' home, sitting late and agreeably, talking with Eric and Katherine...again a house with a feast of books...

...and finally, on to London and thence to Croydon, to Coloma School, ...a parents' meeting tackling issues concerning young people and the media...a friendly and positive evening...useful points were discussed and raised, such as how families should set guidelines about use of TV and the Internet...we looked a things like Tamezin magazine...books from Gracewing and from the CTS were on sale...This is a very popular school, and it was a huge pleasure to be there.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Wow Joanna! i can't believe we're getting you!