...and dinner by the river yesterday evening, with the most glorious sunset over St Paul's...only marred by all the dreadful cranes, each one a menacing reminder that our city's skyline is being wrecked and destoyed again and again with vast ugly slabs of concrete and glass to burn heat into the streets below and to destroy views that held precious glimpses of history...
Come and learn about some of that history:... the next Catholic History Walk is on Wednesday June 15th, meet 6.30pm on the steps of St Paul's. All welcome - just turn up!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Back in London...and First Communion Day...
...at a very overcrowded church. So much so that after squeezing in I had second thoughts, and pondered briefly the possibility of going to Mass elsewhere. But it was going to be too difficult to get out of the church again due to the press of the crowd, so I stayed put. Modern London is mission territory: there were a number of baptisms as well as First Communions, and it was an impressive Mass. Then followed a great Corpus Christi Procession through the streets....for this, I joined the team of volunteers handing out small cards to passers-by explaining what the procession was about. I found that the quickest way to introduce it was simply to say "It's First Communion Day" and then to proffer the card.Most took it with a smile and a thank-you, a few refused, a few looked baffled...but the intriguing thing is that a great number said "Oh yes..." or words to that effect, and seemed vaguely to know what it was all about. Whereas words like "Corpus Christi" or "Blessed Sacrament" would not have any effect, somehow "First Communion" strikes a chord: is it because these days the white dresses and other trimmings are are a much bigger feature than they used to be, and so there is a commercial element which attracts attention? Even some local pubs make a feature of the thing, as families hire rooms for the celebration...
As J. was away for the weekend, I stayed in central London for the day, enjoying a lingering pub-and-chat lunch with friends, and then made my way to St Patrick's, Soho, for the annual International Procession through Soho's streets, with Benediction at St Giles-in-the-Fields. I walked to Soho Square from London Bridge, along the river and then across, and up through Seven Dials and along the Charing Cross Road. The tide was out along the river, and people were down on the beach, one group building a cairn from rocks and pebbles, others just pottering about. A lovely cool summer day, London busy and noisy but without the scorched heat of July/August and the full tourist crush.
The tradition in the Soho procession is to distribute medals and holy cards as well as leaflets, and I was given a large packet of all of these. Here, among the crowds spilling around pubs and clubs and bars and restaurants, the "It's First Communion day..." introduction proved even more effective in establishing contact. Lots of people said "Oh yes..." and there was a sort of nostalgia, or vague sense of involvement, or a cheerful instant recognition ("We're all Catholics - give me a couple more medals for my friends!") or a fleeting, slightly sad sort of "Oh...um...yes..." indicating mild regret...it's fairly rare to get a direct snub, and even refusals are mostly just people who are busy, or baffled.
Benediction in the churchyard at St Giles, the Tantum Ergo wafting up above the traffic noise. Then lots of talk over wine and fruit juice offered by the local (Anglican) clergy and team, much enjoyed after all the singing...
As J. was away for the weekend, I stayed in central London for the day, enjoying a lingering pub-and-chat lunch with friends, and then made my way to St Patrick's, Soho, for the annual International Procession through Soho's streets, with Benediction at St Giles-in-the-Fields. I walked to Soho Square from London Bridge, along the river and then across, and up through Seven Dials and along the Charing Cross Road. The tide was out along the river, and people were down on the beach, one group building a cairn from rocks and pebbles, others just pottering about. A lovely cool summer day, London busy and noisy but without the scorched heat of July/August and the full tourist crush.
The tradition in the Soho procession is to distribute medals and holy cards as well as leaflets, and I was given a large packet of all of these. Here, among the crowds spilling around pubs and clubs and bars and restaurants, the "It's First Communion day..." introduction proved even more effective in establishing contact. Lots of people said "Oh yes..." and there was a sort of nostalgia, or vague sense of involvement, or a cheerful instant recognition ("We're all Catholics - give me a couple more medals for my friends!") or a fleeting, slightly sad sort of "Oh...um...yes..." indicating mild regret...it's fairly rare to get a direct snub, and even refusals are mostly just people who are busy, or baffled.
Benediction in the churchyard at St Giles, the Tantum Ergo wafting up above the traffic noise. Then lots of talk over wine and fruit juice offered by the local (Anglican) clergy and team, much enjoyed after all the singing...
Friday, May 27, 2016
Archbishop Georg Gaenswein...
...and an interesting and useful conversation. He gave me a rosary from Pope Francis and one for my husband
Working with EWTN in Rome is a privilege and although this week has been busy it has also been deeply satisfying: I think that the feature on which we have all been busy will be worthwhile.
I don't tend to write about projects while they are still in hand...faithful readers of this Blog, along with everyone else, will be able watch the results of this week in Rome in due course, and I'll keep you all posted about it.
Working with EWTN in Rome is a privilege and although this week has been busy it has also been deeply satisfying: I think that the feature on which we have all been busy will be worthwhile.
I don't tend to write about projects while they are still in hand...faithful readers of this Blog, along with everyone else, will be able watch the results of this week in Rome in due course, and I'll keep you all posted about it.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Just been to...
...the Ven. English College and the Pontifical Scots College here in Rome. Extremely impressive young men, some of whom will be ordained priests this summer. It was encouraging and good to meet them - and also oddly moving. The number of young nmen coming forward to be trained as priests in Britain is small - much too small. But the quality is good: these men are dedicated, devout, cheerful, well-balanced, and full of enthusiasm. They are well-read and have been formed and influenced by, for example, Ratzinger on liturgy, and by a strong emphasis on studying the Fathers. - and above all by an emphasis on Christ and a personal relationship with him. They are well aware of the bleak spiritual void in which many of their generation in Britain live, the loneliness and lack of love. They are ready for mission and are open and realistic about what it involves - and have an evident joy in being part of the Church. They are men of prayer.It's inspiiring.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Monte Cassino...
...is one of Europe's most stunning sights, the great Abbey set like a fortress on the mountain top. Its history - over a thousand years of it - and its glorious setting make a visit unforgettable.
Great arches and gushing fountains, cool slabs of marble and vast thick walls, and from every side the views of distant mountain ranges, and the somehow cosy ordinariness of the town far below...
Somehow the WWII history is just all part of the ever-continuing drama of this place...
Great arches and gushing fountains, cool slabs of marble and vast thick walls, and from every side the views of distant mountain ranges, and the somehow cosy ordinariness of the town far below...
Somehow the WWII history is just all part of the ever-continuing drama of this place...
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Rome...
...and mercifuly, a cooler day...and a very busy one with lots of work for a new EWTN feature. It was, as always, a great pleasure to spend time with Joan Lewis, an excellent journalist and one with whom it is always a delight to work.
THE THIRD SECRET HAS BEEN REVEALED IN FULL SAYS POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT...
...in a special commique issued in Rome on Saturday. It is rare for Pope Emeritus to speak out, and this is a most significant intervention.
Here it is...
Here it is...
Monday, May 23, 2016
Pilgrims...
...are pouring into Rome, and there are signs signs directing them to the "Porta Sancta", with "Holy Door" in English underneath. A tent on the St Angelo Bridge is labelled MISERICORDIA and welcomes pilgrims, giving information and tickets, dealing with facilities for wheelchairs etc.
Yesterday as we went through the great door, we were behind a group of young Sisters, one of whom kissed the door devoutly as she entered, another reverently placed her hand on the feet of the crucified Christ on one of the panels...
The pilgrims are all sorts, all ages, all races - the main common item of dress is a baseball cap, sometimes worn over a nun's veil as the broad peak makes a good protection against the searing sun. Another crucial item is of course a mobile phone - and for many also a selfie-stick. A bright coloured scarf worn Scout-style around he neck is also a must, identifying the group and making it easier for the leader to gather them together. For younger pilgrims, obviously a teeshirt completes the outfit.... all this is esdsentially the modern equivalents of the Medieval pilgrim cloak and scallop-shell...
The Vatican Post Office is kept busy selling stamps and so on...they are endlessly patient. I hurried in today with a gift to be posted for a niece's 21st birthday...despite a cosmopolitan crush of people, the atmosphere was friendly and had something of the pleasant bustle of the suburban Post Offices of my youth, complete with friendly queuing.
Filming in Rome means getting special accreditation from the Holy See's press office in order to be allowed access to sites within the Vatican...and struggling against traffic noise and all the usual hassles when filming everywhere else. Just when you are well into your stride, on the third or fourth retake.... nee-naw, nee-naw, another police car or fire engine screams above the general roar...
I think we are getting there...and the work is satisfying and in many ways a great privilege.
Yesterday as we went through the great door, we were behind a group of young Sisters, one of whom kissed the door devoutly as she entered, another reverently placed her hand on the feet of the crucified Christ on one of the panels...
The pilgrims are all sorts, all ages, all races - the main common item of dress is a baseball cap, sometimes worn over a nun's veil as the broad peak makes a good protection against the searing sun. Another crucial item is of course a mobile phone - and for many also a selfie-stick. A bright coloured scarf worn Scout-style around he neck is also a must, identifying the group and making it easier for the leader to gather them together. For younger pilgrims, obviously a teeshirt completes the outfit.... all this is esdsentially the modern equivalents of the Medieval pilgrim cloak and scallop-shell...
The Vatican Post Office is kept busy selling stamps and so on...they are endlessly patient. I hurried in today with a gift to be posted for a niece's 21st birthday...despite a cosmopolitan crush of people, the atmosphere was friendly and had something of the pleasant bustle of the suburban Post Offices of my youth, complete with friendly queuing.
Filming in Rome means getting special accreditation from the Holy See's press office in order to be allowed access to sites within the Vatican...and struggling against traffic noise and all the usual hassles when filming everywhere else. Just when you are well into your stride, on the third or fourth retake.... nee-naw, nee-naw, another police car or fire engine screams above the general roar...
I think we are getting there...and the work is satisfying and in many ways a great privilege.
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Under a piercing blue sky...
...Rome sizzles in summer heat. A most beautiful Mass for Trinity Sunday in the blessed coolth of St Peter's. A choir sings the Missa de Angelis , sundry cardinals and bishops sit in the stalls, a priest preaches about the Trinity quoting much from Benedict XVI. We stand packed together, some people take pictures and are swiftly reproved...but there is surprising dignity and reverence, despite the crowding, as people go up to receive Communion. There are lots of pilgrim groups, wearing scarves or teeshirts and badges... Around the basilica, people wander, talk, pray, go to confession (yes, we took the opportunity of that too)...
We pray at the tomb of St John Paul II...always a good many people here, but as the crowds diminished after Mass I was able to go and kneel right up at the altar rails by the tomb, resting on the lovely cold marble...
Outside, a vast crowd in scorching St peter's Square greets Pope Francis as he leads the Angelus,, a tiny figure at that upstairs window, but made larger on immense TV screens at a couple of points in the Square. The great bells clash out across Rome.
We pray at the tomb of St John Paul II...always a good many people here, but as the crowds diminished after Mass I was able to go and kneel right up at the altar rails by the tomb, resting on the lovely cold marble...
Outside, a vast crowd in scorching St peter's Square greets Pope Francis as he leads the Angelus,, a tiny figure at that upstairs window, but made larger on immense TV screens at a couple of points in the Square. The great bells clash out across Rome.
Friday, May 20, 2016
Brompton Oratory...
...has played such a big part in my life, and it was rather moving, earlier this week, to be giving a talk there on a summer evening...in the room where a few years back J. and I held the celebrations for our Silver Wedding, and where I have attended so many other events...
The talk was part of the current series of Evenings of Faith, which are being held at various London locations (next is at Notting Hill Gate. Info here...)
Way, way back...before most readers of this Blog were born...before things like the Internet and mobile phones and baseball caps and texting-while-you-eat...loooong ago.... I had a dear little room, all Laura Ashley and pretty, just off Sloane Square, and was working in Parliament, and rushing around by bicycle, having a most wonderful time....and on Sundays I'd be at the 11 am Mass at the Oratory, and I was on the Oratory Parish Council, and a Governor of the London Oratory School. In due course the choir from the School came to sing at our wedding...and a picture of them with us stands in our study as I write this....the local newspaper ran a story under the headline "and the choir came too"...
And it was also at the Oratory, in those days and for a long while afterwards, that the Board of Aid to the Church in Need used to meet, all of us round the big table in one of the Parlours...and so in a sense it was from there that some of the great adventures in Auntie's life began...going to Poland at the heiught of martial law...
And now here we were, with a new generation, a good crowd, tackling the theme of "The Sacraments - Sunshine for the soul", with the evening light coming through the big windows, and with wine and conviviality and much talk....
The talk was part of the current series of Evenings of Faith, which are being held at various London locations (next is at Notting Hill Gate. Info here...)
Way, way back...before most readers of this Blog were born...before things like the Internet and mobile phones and baseball caps and texting-while-you-eat...loooong ago.... I had a dear little room, all Laura Ashley and pretty, just off Sloane Square, and was working in Parliament, and rushing around by bicycle, having a most wonderful time....and on Sundays I'd be at the 11 am Mass at the Oratory, and I was on the Oratory Parish Council, and a Governor of the London Oratory School. In due course the choir from the School came to sing at our wedding...and a picture of them with us stands in our study as I write this....the local newspaper ran a story under the headline "and the choir came too"...
And it was also at the Oratory, in those days and for a long while afterwards, that the Board of Aid to the Church in Need used to meet, all of us round the big table in one of the Parlours...and so in a sense it was from there that some of the great adventures in Auntie's life began...going to Poland at the heiught of martial law...
And now here we were, with a new generation, a good crowd, tackling the theme of "The Sacraments - Sunshine for the soul", with the evening light coming through the big windows, and with wine and conviviality and much talk....
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Small world....
...and a sense of community in the London suburbs When I embarked on some post-graduate study, I found I was sharing lectures with a Dominican sister from the community that I already knew well....and with Fr J., a priest working in a local parish, whom I had met when we were having a family dinner at a restaurant in the High Street and he was joining our parish priest and some other people at a neighbouring table...
Now at college the current - superb - lectures on church music are being given by the Music Director in the local parish. This evening, discussing music and choirs etc it turns out he knows my nephew and family...
This evening after lectures Fr J. gave me a lift as far as Kingston, and we reminisced about how we had met back at that meal on St Monica's day last year...and talked about local things...then at Kingston I hopped on a bus...to find myself greeted by another friend, who is working with me on the TOWARDS ADVENT Festival (Sat Nov 28th - make a note in your diary), and so we chatted away cheerily, and he told me about John Newton from Aid to the Church in Need giving a talk at a meeting organised recently by Churches Together in South London....
"People today often feel isolated". The solution is to live as people in our country have done for generation after generation after generation - as part of the Church. Quite apart from the central Divine importance of our faith, it is also a wonderful interlinking of us all...
Now at college the current - superb - lectures on church music are being given by the Music Director in the local parish. This evening, discussing music and choirs etc it turns out he knows my nephew and family...
This evening after lectures Fr J. gave me a lift as far as Kingston, and we reminisced about how we had met back at that meal on St Monica's day last year...and talked about local things...then at Kingston I hopped on a bus...to find myself greeted by another friend, who is working with me on the TOWARDS ADVENT Festival (Sat Nov 28th - make a note in your diary), and so we chatted away cheerily, and he told me about John Newton from Aid to the Church in Need giving a talk at a meeting organised recently by Churches Together in South London....
"People today often feel isolated". The solution is to live as people in our country have done for generation after generation after generation - as part of the Church. Quite apart from the central Divine importance of our faith, it is also a wonderful interlinking of us all...
Monday, May 16, 2016
COME TO......
.the Evening of Faith: Tuesday (May 17th), 7.30pm, in the hall at BROMPTON ORATORY, Auntie is speaker. All welcome. Topic is Confirmation: how to retain our young people.
These Evenings of Faith have proved immensely popular. Things conclude with wine and pizza...but then generally continue for many at a pub, with discussions until a late hour...
These Evenings of Faith have proved immensely popular. Things conclude with wine and pizza...but then generally continue for many at a pub, with discussions until a late hour...
Last weekend, late at night...
...a train out of Paddington heading west, to spend a weekend with the Anderson family. Clare and I work together on feature programmes for EWTN, and are shortly off to Rome on a new venture...it has involved a great deal of work and some anxiety as previous features have gone well and we are keen to make this one the best yet...
I'd spent the morning with Tadeusz, our brilliant producer/director, then hurried back across the suburbs to tackle a range of domestic duties at home including mowing the grass and tidying up our small London garden, in great heat, and hanging out washing, and more...while mentally still busy on the TV work.Then back into town, and at Paddington I bought a Spectator and settled on the train to relax and read for 40 mins...which was fine until I found I was marooned at Reading with no connecting train for over an hour, and everything running late...and my mobile phone in uncertain health, and my computer dead.
But people are kind. On this and subsequent days, I found people ready to offer the use of a mobile phone, info about trains, etc etc...
The Anderson family car arriving on a rescue mission was a glad sight. Then a long pleasant weekend of work and talk and planning, interspersed with family meals and talk and laughter.
And on returning to London, the computer problem sorted out by a wonderful nephew...see blog post below...
I'd spent the morning with Tadeusz, our brilliant producer/director, then hurried back across the suburbs to tackle a range of domestic duties at home including mowing the grass and tidying up our small London garden, in great heat, and hanging out washing, and more...while mentally still busy on the TV work.Then back into town, and at Paddington I bought a Spectator and settled on the train to relax and read for 40 mins...which was fine until I found I was marooned at Reading with no connecting train for over an hour, and everything running late...and my mobile phone in uncertain health, and my computer dead.
But people are kind. On this and subsequent days, I found people ready to offer the use of a mobile phone, info about trains, etc etc...
The Anderson family car arriving on a rescue mission was a glad sight. Then a long pleasant weekend of work and talk and planning, interspersed with family meals and talk and laughter.
And on returning to London, the computer problem sorted out by a wonderful nephew...see blog post below...
Extraordinary...
...how we have all come to rely on computers/internet/blogging/emails/thewholething...
When my laptop died with a crucial little bit of interconnecting metal dropping out from the back where some plastic had cracked, and falling on to the desk, I felt helpless...
Fortunately I have the most important safeguard and help for any computer user... what do people do if they haven't got nephews?
A poignant plea by text. A reassuring response. A train journey and soon I'm in a cheery house., tumbling with lively children, a wonderful family supper, and a dear nephew patiently working away at the kitchen table..a borrowed laptop all carefully adjusted to Auntie's needs...
HAVING NEPHEWS AND NIECES IS ONE OF THE GREATEST BLESSINGS IN LIFE!!!!
When my laptop died with a crucial little bit of interconnecting metal dropping out from the back where some plastic had cracked, and falling on to the desk, I felt helpless...
Fortunately I have the most important safeguard and help for any computer user... what do people do if they haven't got nephews?
A poignant plea by text. A reassuring response. A train journey and soon I'm in a cheery house., tumbling with lively children, a wonderful family supper, and a dear nephew patiently working away at the kitchen table..a borrowed laptop all carefully adjusted to Auntie's needs...
HAVING NEPHEWS AND NIECES IS ONE OF THE GREATEST BLESSINGS IN LIFE!!!!
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
The annual...
...Martyrs' Walk, honouring the Catholic martyrs of the 16th and 17th centuries, takes place on Sunday June 26th. Starts 1.30pm for 2pm, churchyard of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, near the Old Bailey. (Nearest tube: St Paul's). All welcome. We walk the route to Tyburn, praying the Rosary, and stopping at places of historical significance, including St Etheldreda's, Ely Place, SS Anselm and Cecilia in Holborn, and St Patrick's, Soho. Finishes with Benediction and Tea at Tyburn...
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
The Bishop of Portsmouth...
...has made an important announcement, which you can read here...
Sacred Heart Church in Bournemouth is a most beautiful building which this writer knows well from a lovely family wedding held there a few summers back. There is beautiful liturgy, glorious bells, a thriving parish... This new chapter will be a good one.
But the loss from the diocese of Southwark will be great, as Fr Peter Edwards at St Joseph's, New Malden, is a wonderful priest and his parishioners won't want him to leave. The Sunday Mass attendance is over a thousand, the parish teems with young people and families, and there are always people praying in the church, from early morning until evening. A bright pleasant Parish Centre - replacing a dank smelly old hall - has an excellent bookshop, a large hall for Confirmation groups and mother-and-baby groups, and lectures, and parish lunches, and tea-and-chat, and more, and rooms dedicated to different saints for a whole range of other evangelistic and charitable and educational activities. Fronting on to the main road, a lovely Mary Garden (incidentally featured on EWTN recently) invites passers-by to stop and pray and many do every day, leaving posies of flowers by the statue of Our Lady, and sometimes prayer-requests.
Some years back, a group of us started a THANK YOU TO OUR PRIESTS at the Holy Week Chrism Mass, and I am so glad we did as there is so much good work that is done to bring the Good News of the Gospel to modern Britain.
Sacred Heart Church in Bournemouth is a most beautiful building which this writer knows well from a lovely family wedding held there a few summers back. There is beautiful liturgy, glorious bells, a thriving parish... This new chapter will be a good one.
But the loss from the diocese of Southwark will be great, as Fr Peter Edwards at St Joseph's, New Malden, is a wonderful priest and his parishioners won't want him to leave. The Sunday Mass attendance is over a thousand, the parish teems with young people and families, and there are always people praying in the church, from early morning until evening. A bright pleasant Parish Centre - replacing a dank smelly old hall - has an excellent bookshop, a large hall for Confirmation groups and mother-and-baby groups, and lectures, and parish lunches, and tea-and-chat, and more, and rooms dedicated to different saints for a whole range of other evangelistic and charitable and educational activities. Fronting on to the main road, a lovely Mary Garden (incidentally featured on EWTN recently) invites passers-by to stop and pray and many do every day, leaving posies of flowers by the statue of Our Lady, and sometimes prayer-requests.
Some years back, a group of us started a THANK YOU TO OUR PRIESTS at the Holy Week Chrism Mass, and I am so glad we did as there is so much good work that is done to bring the Good News of the Gospel to modern Britain.
Sunday, May 08, 2016
...and just as I typed the word...
..."niece" she came through the doorway and we had a very happy time of news and chat...a real pleasure to be with her. Exams just over, and a job starting in September as a teacher, and meanwhile a summer ahead and it was lovely to hear her news and plans.
Auntie too has plenty of work to do - Editorial Board (see previous blog entry) full of ideas and plans. Meanwhile I gave myself the pleasure of a walk along the Royal Mile, and I've got some Tablet for J., who will appreciate the pun, as will some of my readers...
Auntie too has plenty of work to do - Editorial Board (see previous blog entry) full of ideas and plans. Meanwhile I gave myself the pleasure of a walk along the Royal Mile, and I've got some Tablet for J., who will appreciate the pun, as will some of my readers...
EDINBURGH...
...and a glorious sung Mass at this cathedral. A surpliced choir, magnificent music.
A most useful and enjoyable weekend with the FAITH Movement: an editorial board meeting on Friday, followed by a General Council meeting on Sat. Stayed overnight here...very comfortable accomodation in a splendid 19th c. building which has been variously a convent, a school, a seminary and is now HQ for the diocese with a most beautifully restored chapel and a warm welcome for visitors. Grand portarits of former Archbishops in splendid tiled corridors, and in the chapel a poignant WWI memorial, fine carved cruciifix and screen, beautiful sanctuary, and pleasing sense of peace as a priest was quietly praying his Office...
And now in Sunday sunshine I'm writing this in a cafe just off the Royal Mile awaiting arrival of a niece who has just completed her final exams at the University here...
A most useful and enjoyable weekend with the FAITH Movement: an editorial board meeting on Friday, followed by a General Council meeting on Sat. Stayed overnight here...very comfortable accomodation in a splendid 19th c. building which has been variously a convent, a school, a seminary and is now HQ for the diocese with a most beautifully restored chapel and a warm welcome for visitors. Grand portarits of former Archbishops in splendid tiled corridors, and in the chapel a poignant WWI memorial, fine carved cruciifix and screen, beautiful sanctuary, and pleasing sense of peace as a priest was quietly praying his Office...
And now in Sunday sunshine I'm writing this in a cafe just off the Royal Mile awaiting arrival of a niece who has just completed her final exams at the University here...
Thursday, May 05, 2016
Journeying...
... as dusk falls, after a hectic day. One of life's greatest pleasures is a train journey accompanied by a cup of tea and a good book, when the train provides reasonable comforts and isn't too crowded - and your destination a pleasant one.
I am on my way to Scotland for a meeting of the FAITH Movement. Always a cheering prospect - so many of us owe a lot to this excellent Movement which has organised retreats, events and conferences giving good teaching for over 40 years - and the added bonus is staying with the wonderful Sisters of the Gospel of Life who do such good work and are deservedly loved across Glasgow and beyond by the many families they have helped.
I am on my way to Scotland for a meeting of the FAITH Movement. Always a cheering prospect - so many of us owe a lot to this excellent Movement which has organised retreats, events and conferences giving good teaching for over 40 years - and the added bonus is staying with the wonderful Sisters of the Gospel of Life who do such good work and are deservedly loved across Glasgow and beyond by the many families they have helped.
Reading...
...Christ our Joy: The Theological Vision of Pope Benedict XVI by Mgr Joseph Murphy. It's a delight: readable, and inspiring.
The book includes BXVI's insights on freedom, liturgy, prayer, love, and our nature as children of God. He is particularly interesting on the whole notion of how worship of God, and getting this priority right, is what gives dignity to man and ensures his rights and security. Understanding this is central - and to understand it properly we must go ack to the Old Testament and understand God's covenant with his people...
Benedict/Ratzinger explains that love is the key to understanding what God is all about."God is the Lord of all things because he is their creator, and only therefore can we pray to him. For this means that freedom and love are not ineffectual ideas but rather that they are sustaining forces of reality." (Ratzinger In the beginning). Because of this, love "gives us the courage to keep on living, and it empowers us, comforted thereby, to take upon ourselves the adventure of life".
In today's often Godless Britain, the number of suicides is increasing, especially among the young. We need to show them the joy that Chrst came to bring.Summing up Benedict's message on this, Murphy writes:"We can know that it is truly a gift to be human only when we realise that we are not prodcuts of chance but that there is Someone who freely produced us out of love."
The book includes BXVI's insights on freedom, liturgy, prayer, love, and our nature as children of God. He is particularly interesting on the whole notion of how worship of God, and getting this priority right, is what gives dignity to man and ensures his rights and security. Understanding this is central - and to understand it properly we must go ack to the Old Testament and understand God's covenant with his people...
Benedict/Ratzinger explains that love is the key to understanding what God is all about."God is the Lord of all things because he is their creator, and only therefore can we pray to him. For this means that freedom and love are not ineffectual ideas but rather that they are sustaining forces of reality." (Ratzinger In the beginning). Because of this, love "gives us the courage to keep on living, and it empowers us, comforted thereby, to take upon ourselves the adventure of life".
In today's often Godless Britain, the number of suicides is increasing, especially among the young. We need to show them the joy that Chrst came to bring.Summing up Benedict's message on this, Murphy writes:"We can know that it is truly a gift to be human only when we realise that we are not prodcuts of chance but that there is Someone who freely produced us out of love."
Wednesday, May 04, 2016
Monday, May 02, 2016
May...
...and a traditional May Procession through the streets of The Borough, London Bridge.
We prayed the Rosary, sang "Ave, Ave, Maria..." and it was a golden sunny morning, and the streets were crowded and busy. It was glorious.
We prayed the Rosary, sang "Ave, Ave, Maria..." and it was a golden sunny morning, and the streets were crowded and busy. It was glorious.
Sunday, May 01, 2016
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