my Blog about a glorious roof at Gorimg-by-sea, Sussex? Well, there's a DVD about the artist who did it! Look at this website...
Fabulous story. Awesome.
Monday, August 18, 2008
A family time...
with wet weather, happy talk, laughter, by the sea & the moors...why blog? Sometimes it's just family & that's that.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Fawley...
...Court near Henley in Oxfordshire is a glorious Jacobean mansion with wide green lawns and a stretch of water as you look out from a magnificent drawing-room down towards the river Thames. More prosaically, in its extensive grounds it has a modern conference centre which, because the whole place is currently owned by the Polish Marist Fathers, is dedicated to Pope John Paul II and has a large modern church with a shrine to the Divine Mercy.
And here we were, last Friday evening, driving up alongside soaking meadows on a rainswept evening, for a great gathering of Catholic young people: the Evangelium Conference.
It was terrific! Some wonderful speakers - including Walter Hooper, friend and biographer of CS Lewis, Roy Schoeman author of Salvation is from the Jews, Father Jerome Bertram whose latest book on prayer I had just been sent by Family Publications (it's brilliant) and more. Much more. The conference was packed, the daily liturgies a source of great inspiration, the atmosphere fizzing with hope and enthusiasm.
That very first evening, when we gathered for the Church's beautiful night prayer in the chapel, with the Divine Mercy picture gazing down at us across rows of flickering candles beneath the wooden beams of the chapel, I think we all knew that we were taking part in something extraordinary.
And so it proved to be. A time of exhiliarating talk, intellectual stimulation, challenge to action. From Roy Shoeman's powerfully moving personal testimony and revelation of aspects of God's covenant love which I for one had never really pondered before.... through a short but powerful talk from John Pontifex of ACN about the needs of the persecuted Church (remembering China, relevant at this time)... to Fr Jerome's excellent demolition-job on those who claim that the Gospels are irrelevant forgeries...and on to a presentation of the superb Evangelium project which aims to teach the Faith anew in parishes and youth groups and Confirmation classes and more...it was a time to cherish.
Who was there? The young people came from a wide range of groups. Some were from a Charismatic prayer-group sort of background, others had links with the FAITH Movement, several had some involvement with one of the new movements in the Church. When we sang the Latin chant at Mass, there was a general response and a familarity with things like the Credo and Sanctus, as with the concept of Evening Prayer and the singing of the Salve Regina. There was great reverence at Adoration of the Bl. Sacrament, and as we all knelt there in the candlelit chapel, many people went to confession. There was lively talk and laughter and socialising at the bar and in the teams that formed for the Saturday night quiz. What this conference brought together was a sense of the emergence of the next generation in the Church.
"The Church is alive - and the Church is young."
And here we were, last Friday evening, driving up alongside soaking meadows on a rainswept evening, for a great gathering of Catholic young people: the Evangelium Conference.
It was terrific! Some wonderful speakers - including Walter Hooper, friend and biographer of CS Lewis, Roy Schoeman author of Salvation is from the Jews, Father Jerome Bertram whose latest book on prayer I had just been sent by Family Publications (it's brilliant) and more. Much more. The conference was packed, the daily liturgies a source of great inspiration, the atmosphere fizzing with hope and enthusiasm.
That very first evening, when we gathered for the Church's beautiful night prayer in the chapel, with the Divine Mercy picture gazing down at us across rows of flickering candles beneath the wooden beams of the chapel, I think we all knew that we were taking part in something extraordinary.
And so it proved to be. A time of exhiliarating talk, intellectual stimulation, challenge to action. From Roy Shoeman's powerfully moving personal testimony and revelation of aspects of God's covenant love which I for one had never really pondered before.... through a short but powerful talk from John Pontifex of ACN about the needs of the persecuted Church (remembering China, relevant at this time)... to Fr Jerome's excellent demolition-job on those who claim that the Gospels are irrelevant forgeries...and on to a presentation of the superb Evangelium project which aims to teach the Faith anew in parishes and youth groups and Confirmation classes and more...it was a time to cherish.
Who was there? The young people came from a wide range of groups. Some were from a Charismatic prayer-group sort of background, others had links with the FAITH Movement, several had some involvement with one of the new movements in the Church. When we sang the Latin chant at Mass, there was a general response and a familarity with things like the Credo and Sanctus, as with the concept of Evening Prayer and the singing of the Salve Regina. There was great reverence at Adoration of the Bl. Sacrament, and as we all knelt there in the candlelit chapel, many people went to confession. There was lively talk and laughter and socialising at the bar and in the teams that formed for the Saturday night quiz. What this conference brought together was a sense of the emergence of the next generation in the Church.
"The Church is alive - and the Church is young."
Thursday, August 07, 2008
A glorious...
...evening at the Faith Summer Session. These events bring back happy memories of my own youthful attendance at this annual summer gathering organised by the FAITH Movement, with good speakers and a wonderful atmosphere. This time, after a particularly busy day, and a complicated journey by bike and train, I arrived at Woldingham School, rented for the week, and cycled down that beautiful valley road. It was a fabulously lovely evening. The folds of the hill were lapped in evening sunshine. The cows moo-ed agreeably in the meadows. I sang. And, just coming down the lane towards me, was a friend, O., who greeted me joyously - "Joanna! I was just thinking of you!" She had brought along something needed for my mother's house - she's a wonderful friend and with her husband has been visiting M. to chat and be cheerful - and it was perfect timing by Providence that brought us into the lane together...
On to the school, and hugs and greetings from my wonderful nieces and nephew and friends...joy, joy. Much talk and catching-up on news with all sorts of people. Then Evening Prayer in the chapel. What a huge crowd! Two or three hundred crammed in, and pouring out of the doors at the back into the summer evening...the strong voices of this great asembly of young people in a roaring wave answering up the prayers, going turn-and-turn about with the verses of the Pslams. Then the hymn "The day thou gavest, Lord...." These are moment you want to hold in your heart for always...
A lively evening of entertainment was to follow, with a concert and talent show, everyone enjoying themselves. I talked to many friends old and new. There are always so many priests at these FAITH events, including lots of young ones. Then I had to get home. The weather was now hot and humid - and suddenly broke into a magnificent thunderstorm. I cycled back through the last of it, revelling in the rain. Lightening lit up the sky across the hills in great zig-zags. I sang again. Sitting in the quiet station all alone I got on with some work, refreshed and exhilirated. Home to Jamie and mugs of tea.
On to the school, and hugs and greetings from my wonderful nieces and nephew and friends...joy, joy. Much talk and catching-up on news with all sorts of people. Then Evening Prayer in the chapel. What a huge crowd! Two or three hundred crammed in, and pouring out of the doors at the back into the summer evening...the strong voices of this great asembly of young people in a roaring wave answering up the prayers, going turn-and-turn about with the verses of the Pslams. Then the hymn "The day thou gavest, Lord...." These are moment you want to hold in your heart for always...
A lively evening of entertainment was to follow, with a concert and talent show, everyone enjoying themselves. I talked to many friends old and new. There are always so many priests at these FAITH events, including lots of young ones. Then I had to get home. The weather was now hot and humid - and suddenly broke into a magnificent thunderstorm. I cycled back through the last of it, revelling in the rain. Lightening lit up the sky across the hills in great zig-zags. I sang again. Sitting in the quiet station all alone I got on with some work, refreshed and exhilirated. Home to Jamie and mugs of tea.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Today...
...in the Daily Telegraph, there is a description of visiting a cinema where a pack of twelve year-olds ran riot for the duration of the film. No one dared to reprove them, much less to take any firm action. The audience cowered through the film - which they could not hear for the shrieking and shouting - and then cowered out. Cinema staff were cowed into submission too. The children ran shouting and yelling into the street to enjoy more bullying and intimidation, shrieking with power.
The solution, according to the columnist? That people should ask for their money back on such occasions.
Hopeless. The issue at stake here - and it really is at stake, it involves our whole future - is whether or not we have the courage to claim back the right to raise the young. Today, Britain has gross and ludicrous laws (created by Euro-bureaucrats, one assumes, but with the full force of legality in our country) which ensure that anyone who challenges, reproves or in any way moves to restrain a vicious child can be arrested and imprisoned, facing serious charges of assaut. Children know this and yell "I'll get the p'leece on yer!" when challenged in any way. So everyone is frightened of children - some of whom of course now carry knives, and some of whom are likely to be drunk.
Restoring the natural right of grown-ups to protect life and property when terrorised by children won't make everything better in Britain, but it will enable us to create a sense of order in which solutions to our myriad of other problems can be found.
The solution, according to the columnist? That people should ask for their money back on such occasions.
Hopeless. The issue at stake here - and it really is at stake, it involves our whole future - is whether or not we have the courage to claim back the right to raise the young. Today, Britain has gross and ludicrous laws (created by Euro-bureaucrats, one assumes, but with the full force of legality in our country) which ensure that anyone who challenges, reproves or in any way moves to restrain a vicious child can be arrested and imprisoned, facing serious charges of assaut. Children know this and yell "I'll get the p'leece on yer!" when challenged in any way. So everyone is frightened of children - some of whom of course now carry knives, and some of whom are likely to be drunk.
Restoring the natural right of grown-ups to protect life and property when terrorised by children won't make everything better in Britain, but it will enable us to create a sense of order in which solutions to our myriad of other problems can be found.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Look....
...at this
link for a very delightful interview with a very delightful person - Dr Tracey Rowland, whose excellent book about Pope Benedict's theology is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand what his influence on the Church will be, and what a gift he is to us all....
Hectic few days here: Mother not too well (better now), much work to do on some lectures to give later this month, and a massive stack of administrative work on the Schools Bible Project.
This Project is for all secondary schools in Britain and next year will mark its 20th anniversary. American readers will be interested to know about it - the situation re. Religious Education is v. different here, and British schools are expected to teach about Christianity...
The judging etc for this year's Project is just completed. A friend, Amanda H., loyally came and helped with a huge stack of administrative work, envelopes and certificates, beavering away on a hot afternoon. Today, as I toiled up Sutton High street on my bike, the street-market was in full swing, a voice bellowing "Luvly roses! C'mon, ladies, get a narce buncha roses!" And they were indeed nice - lovely golden buds just unfolding. So I got some and dropped them off at A's as a thank-you...
As I cycle between Mother's place and ours, I pass a house with a crab-apple tree in its small garden. Nothing else, just one tree, and simply laden with the fruit, the small lawn carpeted with it, and hundreds more still green and bending the branches low with their weight. I knocked on the door and asked if I could gather some of the windfalls to make jelly. The chap couldn't have been nicer - yes, please, take as many as you like, only too happy - and I said I'd leave them a couple of jars as a thank-you....each evening I've been gathering the fruit into my bicycle-basket, and bringing it home...and now have amost satisfactory array of jars glowing with the pink/golden glow of perfect jelly. It tastes good, too - took some to Mother and she gave it top marks...
link for a very delightful interview with a very delightful person - Dr Tracey Rowland, whose excellent book about Pope Benedict's theology is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand what his influence on the Church will be, and what a gift he is to us all....
Hectic few days here: Mother not too well (better now), much work to do on some lectures to give later this month, and a massive stack of administrative work on the Schools Bible Project.
This Project is for all secondary schools in Britain and next year will mark its 20th anniversary. American readers will be interested to know about it - the situation re. Religious Education is v. different here, and British schools are expected to teach about Christianity...
The judging etc for this year's Project is just completed. A friend, Amanda H., loyally came and helped with a huge stack of administrative work, envelopes and certificates, beavering away on a hot afternoon. Today, as I toiled up Sutton High street on my bike, the street-market was in full swing, a voice bellowing "Luvly roses! C'mon, ladies, get a narce buncha roses!" And they were indeed nice - lovely golden buds just unfolding. So I got some and dropped them off at A's as a thank-you...
As I cycle between Mother's place and ours, I pass a house with a crab-apple tree in its small garden. Nothing else, just one tree, and simply laden with the fruit, the small lawn carpeted with it, and hundreds more still green and bending the branches low with their weight. I knocked on the door and asked if I could gather some of the windfalls to make jelly. The chap couldn't have been nicer - yes, please, take as many as you like, only too happy - and I said I'd leave them a couple of jars as a thank-you....each evening I've been gathering the fruit into my bicycle-basket, and bringing it home...and now have amost satisfactory array of jars glowing with the pink/golden glow of perfect jelly. It tastes good, too - took some to Mother and she gave it top marks...
Monday, July 28, 2008
Take a look...
at this new DVD initiative on English history
I was sent a review copy of this new DVD about St Philip Howard. I wondered if it would be any good - it's produced by a new young team. I enjoyed it and others will, too. It would work well for Catholic schools, or a parish Confirmation group. Or just be interesting to watch in its own right. Watch out for more productions from this group.
I was sent a review copy of this new DVD about St Philip Howard. I wondered if it would be any good - it's produced by a new young team. I enjoyed it and others will, too. It would work well for Catholic schools, or a parish Confirmation group. Or just be interesting to watch in its own right. Watch out for more productions from this group.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
A searingly hot day...
...as I cycled to Wimbledon for Mass. I had decided to do this as my route would take me past a splendid blackberrying patch (running parrallel with Worple Road, but beyond the railway track, backing on to those school playing-fields, for those who know it. Blackberries galore). The Sacred Heart Church has a sung Latin Mass at 11.15 am. In common with those of other parishes, the choir was taking a brief summer break, but the congregation did a rousing job of the Credo and Sanctus and Agnus Dei etc without them, and it was good to be there.
I got HOT picking blackberries on my way home, and making jam isn't a cool excercise, so it was rather annoying that a burst water main at Colliers Wood had deprived this whole corner of London of its water this morning...however, to the relief of us all it was back again by teatime and I was able to get everything done, and a picnic packed up for the evening - which J. and I intend to spend, as we did yesterday evening, by the river. Yesterday we sat on the riverbank by Hampton Court - those who have seen A man for All Seasons would know the exact place, although the film cheats a bit by using that double-little flight of steps that leads into the Home Park as the pretended entrance to Thomas More's garden...
I got HOT picking blackberries on my way home, and making jam isn't a cool excercise, so it was rather annoying that a burst water main at Colliers Wood had deprived this whole corner of London of its water this morning...however, to the relief of us all it was back again by teatime and I was able to get everything done, and a picnic packed up for the evening - which J. and I intend to spend, as we did yesterday evening, by the river. Yesterday we sat on the riverbank by Hampton Court - those who have seen A man for All Seasons would know the exact place, although the film cheats a bit by using that double-little flight of steps that leads into the Home Park as the pretended entrance to Thomas More's garden...
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
A hot day...
...in London yesterday and again today. I met the Blogger of Blackfen near Victoria station and we enjoyed a chat and a laugh about things.
Summer weather means blackberries, and I've been gathering the first-fruits of this year's crop, and turning them into jam. Want to buy some? You''ll have to come to the Festival of Catholic Culture on Sat Nov 8th at Westminster Cathedral Hall.....
Summer weather means blackberries, and I've been gathering the first-fruits of this year's crop, and turning them into jam. Want to buy some? You''ll have to come to the Festival of Catholic Culture on Sat Nov 8th at Westminster Cathedral Hall.....
Some friends are organising...
...a conference for Catholic families. It sounds rather good. Find out more about it here.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
It's just absurd...
...that the British media has got it wrong about World Youth Day and failed to see the real news story. Get the full picture of this extraordinary event here.
If you want a book...
...to pass to people who say "What do Catholics believe?", buy this one. It's a highly readable paperback, with just that title. By Leonie Caldecott, an excellent writer with three growing-up daughters of her own, it's thoughtful, up-to-date, and answers the sorts of questions that people are really asking, not the ones that experts often think they ask. It tackles the Faith in an interesting way, looking at the Sacraments, the concept of the Communion of Saints, the papacy, an overview of two thousand years of history, and the role of the Church in the world. It's a very "now" book, very BXVI in its non-confrontational, quietly explanatory tone and its gentle exploration of themes that echo some of today's concerns - consumerism, people's sense of alienation, the longing for love. Try it: What do Catholics Believe? Granta Books, £6.99p
Monday, July 21, 2008
Here is auntie...
...having distributed prizes and certificates to young winners in the Schools' RE Project run by the Association of Catholic Women and the CTS! I'm the one at the back...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Haven't the Aussies...
...and the young people from all over the world who took part in World Youth Day in Sydney, done the Church and the Pope proud? A wonderful event, which we've been following via out computer as we have so many friends involved. There's an excellent account of it here
and here.
Things to note: the joyful, exuberant, courteous, friendly behaviour of all the pilgrims, the Holy Father's strong message of hope and optimism coupled with that of self-discipline and acceptance of great responsibilities, the way in which noisy and at time vicious opposition to the event melted away in the face of its reality, and the sense of continuity within the Church combined with a vision of the future opening up, as the "Great South Land of the Holy Spirit" welcomed youth to one of the first great events of the 21st century...
and here.
Things to note: the joyful, exuberant, courteous, friendly behaviour of all the pilgrims, the Holy Father's strong message of hope and optimism coupled with that of self-discipline and acceptance of great responsibilities, the way in which noisy and at time vicious opposition to the event melted away in the face of its reality, and the sense of continuity within the Church combined with a vision of the future opening up, as the "Great South Land of the Holy Spirit" welcomed youth to one of the first great events of the 21st century...
In Dorset...
... with the family, by the sea, for several glorious days. Exhiliarating swims in a crystal-clear sea, views of extraordinary beauty across the bay, walks along the clifftop paths, talkative family meals, discovery of local history and enjoyable pottering about via pleasing coffee-shops, evenings with Hercule Poirot or Lord Peter Wimsey on DVD. The sort of holiday that sneering Anonymous commentators to this blog will be able to quote as evidence of my appallingly suburban myopia. On which subject, I've decided to ditch my previous policy which was to publish nasty comments if they were being horrible about me, but not if they were being horrible about God, the Church, Jewish people, or other objects of people's venom. From now on, I simply won't publish nasty anonymous stuff at all: if you want to be really rude about me, have the courage to put your name to it. I won't publish your name if you don't wish it to be known, but I do want to know who you are if you are attacking me.
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