Wednesday, 10 February 2010
" Sacrifice "
Sacrifice
Quiet and soft my breathing
My soul in prayer engaging
Precious time
A loving time
A sacred time
Prayerful time
My soul is alive to grace
I can gaze upon his face
In reverence of silent listening
My prayer is flowing, cleansing
Helps me dwell upon why love came to visit us so briefly
It is a mystery, an incarnation, from glory to utter poverty
Swapping a throne to inherit a brutal crown of suffering
Placed on his head, sharp thorns, received as an offering
In obedience to a love that embraces us despite our sin
This love is not shaken, it is sent for our salvation to win
Loving, God does not abandon, despite our savage rejection
A twisted crown of suffering has won for us our redemption
A crown of sacrifice placed upon his head
Made to make an imprint after he is dead
I am humbled by such sheer love given to me
I pray I will allow his light to shine on all I see.
Patrick Brennan © 2010 Humble Piety here
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Saturday/Sunday Mass obligation? " DIES DOMINI "
Sunday morning Mass versus other times from excellent " Catholic Answers Forum " here & below...recently we were told that the Saturday vigil Mass was only for those who could definitley not make Sunday & that it didn't mean we'd got 'that over with!'
Is there anything that would make it preferrable to go to Mass at the traditional time on Sunday morning if you could go at any one?Particularly: Is it ok to go on Saturday evening and/or Sunday afternoon instead?
In his 1998 Apostolic Letter Dies Domini ("The Lord's Day"), Pope John Paul II wrote:
4. Until quite recently, it was easier in traditionally Christian countries to keep Sunday holy because it was an almost universal practice and because, even in the organization of civil society, Sunday rest was considered a fixed part of the work schedule. Today, however, even in those countries which give legal sanction to the festive character of Sunday, changes in socioeconomic conditions have often led to profound modifications of social behaviour and hence of the character of Sunday.
The custom of the "weekend" has become more widespread, a weekly period of respite, spent perhaps far from home and often involving participation in cultural, political or sporting activities which are usually held on free days. This social and cultural phenomenon is by no means without its positive aspects if, while respecting true values, it can contribute to people's development and to the advancement of the life of society as a whole. All of this responds not only to the need for rest, but also to the need for celebration which is inherent in our humanity.
Unfortunately, when Sunday loses its fundamental meaning and becomes merely part of a "weekend", it can happen that people stay locked within a horizon so limited that they can no longer see "the heavens". Hence, though ready to celebrate, they are really incapable of doing so.The disciples of Christ, however, are asked to avoid any confusion between the celebration of Sunday, which should truly be a way of keeping the Lord's Day holy, and the "weekend", understood as a time of simple rest and relaxation.
This will require a genuine spiritual maturity, which will enable Christians to "be what they are", in full accordance with the gift of faith, always ready to give an account of the hope which is in them (cf. 1 Pt 3:15). In this way, they will be led to a deeper understanding of Sunday, with the result that, even in difficult situations, they will be able to live it in complete docility to the Holy Spirit.[...]49. Because the faithful are obliged to attend Mass unless there is a grave impediment, Pastors have the corresponding duty to offer to everyone the real possibility of fulfilling the precept.
The provisions of Church law move in this direction, as for example in the faculty granted to priests, with the prior authorization of the diocesan Bishop, to celebrate more than one Mass on Sundays and holy days,(85) the institution of evening Masses(86) and the provision which allows the obligation to be fulfilled from Saturday evening onwards, starting at the time of First Vespers of Sunday.(87) From a liturgical point of view, in fact, holy days begin with First Vespers.(88)
Consequently, the liturgy of what is sometimes called the "Vigil Mass" is in effect the "festive" Mass of Sunday, at which the celebrant is required to preach the homily and recite the Prayer of the Faithful.(85) Cf. Code of Canon Law, Canon 905, 2.(86) Cf. Pius XII, Apostolic Constitution Christus Dominus (6 January 1953): AAS 45 (1953), 15-24; Motu Proprio Sacram Communionem (19 March 1957): AAS 49 (1957), 177-178. Congregation of the Holy Office, Instruction on the Discipline concerning the Eucharist Fast (6 January 1953): AAS 45 (1953), 47-51.(87) Cf. Code of Canon Law, Canon 1248, 1; Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, Canon 881, 2.(88) Cf. Missale Romanum, Normae Universales de Anno Liturgico et de Calendario, 3.
Is there anything that would make it preferrable to go to Mass at the traditional time on Sunday morning if you could go at any one?Particularly: Is it ok to go on Saturday evening and/or Sunday afternoon instead?
In his 1998 Apostolic Letter Dies Domini ("The Lord's Day"), Pope John Paul II wrote:
4. Until quite recently, it was easier in traditionally Christian countries to keep Sunday holy because it was an almost universal practice and because, even in the organization of civil society, Sunday rest was considered a fixed part of the work schedule. Today, however, even in those countries which give legal sanction to the festive character of Sunday, changes in socioeconomic conditions have often led to profound modifications of social behaviour and hence of the character of Sunday.
The custom of the "weekend" has become more widespread, a weekly period of respite, spent perhaps far from home and often involving participation in cultural, political or sporting activities which are usually held on free days. This social and cultural phenomenon is by no means without its positive aspects if, while respecting true values, it can contribute to people's development and to the advancement of the life of society as a whole. All of this responds not only to the need for rest, but also to the need for celebration which is inherent in our humanity.
Unfortunately, when Sunday loses its fundamental meaning and becomes merely part of a "weekend", it can happen that people stay locked within a horizon so limited that they can no longer see "the heavens". Hence, though ready to celebrate, they are really incapable of doing so.The disciples of Christ, however, are asked to avoid any confusion between the celebration of Sunday, which should truly be a way of keeping the Lord's Day holy, and the "weekend", understood as a time of simple rest and relaxation.
This will require a genuine spiritual maturity, which will enable Christians to "be what they are", in full accordance with the gift of faith, always ready to give an account of the hope which is in them (cf. 1 Pt 3:15). In this way, they will be led to a deeper understanding of Sunday, with the result that, even in difficult situations, they will be able to live it in complete docility to the Holy Spirit.[...]49. Because the faithful are obliged to attend Mass unless there is a grave impediment, Pastors have the corresponding duty to offer to everyone the real possibility of fulfilling the precept.
The provisions of Church law move in this direction, as for example in the faculty granted to priests, with the prior authorization of the diocesan Bishop, to celebrate more than one Mass on Sundays and holy days,(85) the institution of evening Masses(86) and the provision which allows the obligation to be fulfilled from Saturday evening onwards, starting at the time of First Vespers of Sunday.(87) From a liturgical point of view, in fact, holy days begin with First Vespers.(88)
Consequently, the liturgy of what is sometimes called the "Vigil Mass" is in effect the "festive" Mass of Sunday, at which the celebrant is required to preach the homily and recite the Prayer of the Faithful.(85) Cf. Code of Canon Law, Canon 905, 2.(86) Cf. Pius XII, Apostolic Constitution Christus Dominus (6 January 1953): AAS 45 (1953), 15-24; Motu Proprio Sacram Communionem (19 March 1957): AAS 49 (1957), 177-178. Congregation of the Holy Office, Instruction on the Discipline concerning the Eucharist Fast (6 January 1953): AAS 45 (1953), 47-51.(87) Cf. Code of Canon Law, Canon 1248, 1; Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, Canon 881, 2.(88) Cf. Missale Romanum, Normae Universales de Anno Liturgico et de Calendario, 3.
Next " Converts Course " meeting..Reminder!
Week Two: Friday 12th February 2010 7-8 pm
" The Pope : Visible Steward of Christ ". ALL welcome.
Discussion & questions on any aspect of Catholicism.
Refreshments provided.
" The Pope : Visible Steward of Christ ". ALL welcome.
Discussion & questions on any aspect of Catholicism.
Refreshments provided.
Apostolic Visit to Great Britain confirmed..
01/02/2010
Press release
Issued by the CBCEW
Pope Benedict confirms Apostolic Visit to Great Britain
The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about his forthcoming Apostolic Visit to Great Britain in his address to the Bishops of England and Wales on the occasion of their ad Limina visit to Rome. This General Audience took place on the morning of Monday 1 February 2010.
The Apostolic Visit is taking place in response to an invitation extended by the State. Full details are yet to be confirmed.The Holy Father said:
“Even amid the pressures of a secular age, there are many signs of living faith and devotion among the Catholics of England and Wales. I am thinking for example of the enthusiasm generated by the visit of the relics of St Thérèse, the interest aroused by the prospect of Cardinal Newman’s beatification and the eagerness of young people to take part in pilgrimages and World Youth Days.
"On the occasion of my forthcoming Apostolic Visit to Great Britain, I shall be able to witness that faith for myself and as Successor of Peter, to strengthen and confirm it.
"During the months of preparation that lie ahead, be sure to encourage the Catholics of England and Wales in their devotion and assure them that the Pope constantly remembers them in his prayers and holds them in his heart."
The Cause of the Canonisation of Ven John Henry Cardinal Newman
Thought for Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Whatever troubles come on you, of mind, body, or estate; from within or from without; from chance or from intent; from friends or foes;—what ever your trouble be, though you be lonely, O children of a heavenly Father, be not afraid! … when it is over, Christ will receive you to Himself, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
From the sermon ‘Warfare the Condition of Victory’ (1838)
Whatever troubles come on you, of mind, body, or estate; from within or from without; from chance or from intent; from friends or foes;—what ever your trouble be, though you be lonely, O children of a heavenly Father, be not afraid! … when it is over, Christ will receive you to Himself, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
From the sermon ‘Warfare the Condition of Victory’ (1838)
Please note! The fact that I'm posting info on Medjugorje does NOT indicate any instabilty on my part. In fact, my mental state is excellent!
Medjugorje - Adoration I attended several over the years & met Fr Slavko on many occasions. He was a lovely, prayerful & inspiring priest.
Cardinal Christoph Schonborn in Medjugorje.WARNING! He's celebrating in LATIN!
I find the Cardinal very orthodox. He supports very authentic teaching centres in the UK. He nor I anticipate the final judgement of the Church. You may notice during his visit to the Holy Father recently that no statements regarding Medjugorje were issued. People are at liberty to visit & priests to provide the Sacraments for pilgrims of which there are & have been millions.
Monday, 8 February 2010
Before the day's over...Prayers & thanksgiving.
Please say a prayer for my great grandmother Mary who died 60 years ago today. May she rest in peace. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, & let perpetual light shine upon her. Amen.
Continuing to get lovely stories of conversions..one lady telling me her journey from Mormonism, & how helpful our small group & literature is proving. Deo gratias.
Continuing to get lovely stories of conversions..one lady telling me her journey from Mormonism, & how helpful our small group & literature is proving. Deo gratias.
Regarding " The Tablet " I know who wrote this!
Well, ...., Father Tim faces an interesting dilemma ...
Tablet, or not Tablet: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous Pepinster,
Or to take arms against a sea of calumnies,
And by opposing end them?
To die: to sleep; No more; and by a fight to say we end
The confusion and the thousand natural heresies
That dissent is heir to,'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd.For my own part, I wish the Bard of Blackfen all the best in his Crusade, and say to the Tabletistas:
"Hence, horrible villain, or I'll spurn thine eyes like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head,
Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd'in brine,
smarting in lingering pickle
" Ceterum autem censeo,
Tabulam esse delendam
Please also check out John Smeaton here
Wonderful afternoon of prayer..
Thanks to all those who turned up for our afternoon of prayer! It went very well considering it was daytime & most of our group were at work. No doubt we will receive many blessings from Our Blessed Lord & the Adoration & Benediction. The venue was excellent...more details soon for the second afternoon of Rosary & Exposition. Let me know which Churches you complete the day for Holy Mass so that our prayer covers much of Birmingham.
" PAX TRAVEL " write...& Me...I'd go for the O2 Arena...well we saw The Eagles there!
The Managing Director’s BlogJanuary 21st, 2010
I should like to offer my sincere congratulations to Fr Richard Duffield, who will take up his new post as Provost of the Birmingham Oratory in early February. Fr Richard has led several pilgrimages for Pax Travel over the past decade especially to all parts of Italy, including our themed pilgrimage ‘Newman in Rome’ in June 2009. This will have been a good preparation for what I am sure will be a major part that Fr Richard will play in the organisation of the ceremonies for the Beatification of the greatest English churchman of the modern era, John Henry Newman. In case I am unable to get tickets for Pope Benedict’s Mass at the O2 Arena in London, I hope to hotfoot it to the Midlands for the Beatification on Sunday 19th September. By the end of February, the exact venue for the Beatification will be revealed. I know where I feel sure it will be held, but for the moment, “silentium”!
More info here
Well I was thinking of using them for our Medjugorje Pilgrimage but if they're a Secret Society who know things! Err don't we all?? Beatifications are such fun for "conspiracy theories " don't y'all think? Streuth!
I should like to offer my sincere congratulations to Fr Richard Duffield, who will take up his new post as Provost of the Birmingham Oratory in early February. Fr Richard has led several pilgrimages for Pax Travel over the past decade especially to all parts of Italy, including our themed pilgrimage ‘Newman in Rome’ in June 2009. This will have been a good preparation for what I am sure will be a major part that Fr Richard will play in the organisation of the ceremonies for the Beatification of the greatest English churchman of the modern era, John Henry Newman. In case I am unable to get tickets for Pope Benedict’s Mass at the O2 Arena in London, I hope to hotfoot it to the Midlands for the Beatification on Sunday 19th September. By the end of February, the exact venue for the Beatification will be revealed. I know where I feel sure it will be held, but for the moment, “silentium”!
More info here
Well I was thinking of using them for our Medjugorje Pilgrimage but if they're a Secret Society who know things! Err don't we all?? Beatifications are such fun for "conspiracy theories " don't y'all think? Streuth!
Cardinal Schonborn & my plans to visit Medjugorje for the 6th time!
Padre Steve at DA MIHI ANIMAS here & below talks of Cardinal Schonborn's view of Medjugorje. I met the Cardinal in Vienna on a Path to Rome Conference organised by Miles Jesu. I can't remember if he was in Avila too. He was very orthodox in his views. Most of you know I was very pro- Medjugorje. Indeed Mgr Tom Gavin introduced our family to the Oratory as devotees of Our Lady of Medjugorje. I have to say after 5 visits there, one during the war, we evangelised a large part of Coventry & saw many of our friends convert to Catholicism.Btw I just received my " Path to Rome " because I'd given my original away..which saddens me because along with Ian Ker, Dwight Longenecker, Ann Widdecombe etc ..Mgr Graham Leonard had signed it. There is something I need to check out with Priscilla Leonard..the fact that I'm pretty sure she & Mgr Leonard accompanied us to Medjugorje many years ago..there were hushed tones about this priest that was married! I'm sure it was him...
Anyway, after writing a review of Donal Foley's book " Understanding Medjugorje " & certain events last year that I feel were of a diabolical nature, I'm of the opinion that Medjugorje may not be the " forgery " some think. Regarding the Divine Mercy, we pretty much prayed it most of our lives, but only now has is it really become authorised & established. We know just because there are good fruits doesn't make a devotion authentic. However, it is pretty obvious that those who believe in the apparitions of Our Lady Queen of Peace, have quite an outstanding depth to their faith & as Padre Steve reports, often fill the seminaries.
I'm finding as my children become teenagers & young adults they are gravitating towards a more "youthful" expression of Catholicism & I've been very pleased in their Catholic schools that they enjoy the Masses & are looking to youth ministry, especially since we have no provision for under 18s in the Parish. They also appreciate the Latin Mass too. The charismatic movement has much to offer our children, Youth 2000 etc & I think Medjugorje too.
Certain events of a spiritual nature have occured to me in the last 5/6 months or so & have pointed me towards Medjugorje, as a moving on point from Fatima. Fatima is important to us since our 8th child, first son was born May 13th & our last child that led to horrendous suffering, was named Jacinta. I have become very disturbed by some aspects surrounding the Fatima message & feel some people don't grasp it entirely correctly. The magazine " The Flock " & the movement associated with it & other types of publications are extremist in my view & that of others.
Anyway, it is likely that I will organise a Pilgrimage to Medjugorje in the near future. Any priest wishing to accompany us in an unofficial capacity would naturally travel free. About 25 members of my family have visited Medjugorje & they are extremely active Catholics & role models for the youth. Any questions either post a comment or contact me on rosary@blueyonder.co.uk
Padre Steve writes: here & below
Cardinal Schonborn: If it were not for Medjugorje our Seminaries would be empty.
I found this at In God's Company and was struck by what the Cardinal had to say:
Cardinal Schonborn has frequently, forthrightly, and now almost famously said "if it were not for Medjugorje our Seminaries would be empty. Half our new priests come to us directly or indirectly because of Medjugorje".
He has also spoken of the "great fruits" of Medjugorje and in his answer to the earnest young lady's question this afternoon he mentioned, not once but twice, how he sees that Medjugorje brings young people back to the Church.
So now we ask is Cardinal Schonborn hinting that the solution to the dire state of Christianity in Europe is perhaps found in Medjugorje. Is His eminence subtly encouraging us to look to Our Blessed Mother for guidance in these uncertain times and to look to Her for direction as She points us to the Way.
Is Cardinal Schonborn suggesting, perhaps not in his words but maybe in his heart that Medjugorje is, as some have said, "The hope of the world?" Half our new priests come to us directly or indirectly because of Medjugorje".
" You Wear it Well !! " Turn it up real LOUD!!!
ROD STEWART SINGING YOU WEAR IT WELL, VAGABOND HEART TOUR 1992.
I had nothing to do on this hot afternoon but to settle down and write you a line I been meaning to phone ya, but from Minnesota Hell, it's been a very long time You wear it well A little old fashioned but that's all rightI suppose you're thinking how Betty's thinking or she wouldn't get in touch with me For I ain't begging or losing my head I sure do want you to know That you wear it well There ain't a lady in a land so fine oh my Remember their basement parties,your brothers courted All day rock and roll shows the homesick blues and the radical views haven't left a mark on you You wear it well A little loud at times but I don't mind But I ain't forgetting that you were once mine but I blew it without even trying Now I'm eating my heart out trying to get a letter through Since you've been gone it's hard to carry your weightI want to write about the birthday gown that I bought in town that you sat down and cried on the stands You knew it didn't cost me up, but for what it's worth you made me feel like a millionaire and you wear it well Madame O'nasis got nothing on you When my copies cold and I'm being told that I gotta go back to work So when the sun goes low and you're home alone try not to think of me and laugh and I wear it wellI don't mind if you call collect But I ain't forgetting that you were once mine but I blew it without even trying Now I'm eating my heart out trying to get back to you Since that's been said, what's left to address?
I had nothing to do on this hot afternoon but to settle down and write you a line I been meaning to phone ya, but from Minnesota Hell, it's been a very long time You wear it well A little old fashioned but that's all rightI suppose you're thinking how Betty's thinking or she wouldn't get in touch with me For I ain't begging or losing my head I sure do want you to know That you wear it well There ain't a lady in a land so fine oh my Remember their basement parties,your brothers courted All day rock and roll shows the homesick blues and the radical views haven't left a mark on you You wear it well A little loud at times but I don't mind But I ain't forgetting that you were once mine but I blew it without even trying Now I'm eating my heart out trying to get a letter through Since you've been gone it's hard to carry your weightI want to write about the birthday gown that I bought in town that you sat down and cried on the stands You knew it didn't cost me up, but for what it's worth you made me feel like a millionaire and you wear it well Madame O'nasis got nothing on you When my copies cold and I'm being told that I gotta go back to work So when the sun goes low and you're home alone try not to think of me and laugh and I wear it wellI don't mind if you call collect But I ain't forgetting that you were once mine but I blew it without even trying Now I'm eating my heart out trying to get back to you Since that's been said, what's left to address?
" The Homily " - ours was excellent this week as I wrote about previously..
The Homily
What a treasure the homily can be, Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his Apostolic Exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis in 2007:
The homily46. Given the importance of the word of God, the quality of homilies needs to be improved. The homily is "part of the liturgical action" (139), and is meant to foster a deeper understanding of the word of God, so that it can bear fruit in the lives of the faithful.
Hence ordained ministers must "prepare the homily carefully, based on an adequate knowledge of Sacred Scripture" (140). Generic and abstract homilies should be avoided. In particular, I ask these ministers to preach in such a way that the homily closely relates the proclamation of the word of God to the sacramental celebration (141) and the life of the community, so that the word of God truly becomes the Church's vital nourishment and support (142).
The catechetical and paraenetic aim of the homily should not be forgotten. During the course of the liturgical year it is appropriate to offer the faithful, prudently and on the basis of the three-year lectionary, "thematic" homilies treating the great themes of the Christian faith, on the basis of what has been authoritatively proposed by the Magisterium in the four "pillars" of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the recent Compendium, namely: the profession of faith, the celebration of the Christian mystery, life in Christ and Christian prayer (143).
H/T A Catholic Mum Climbing the Pillars here
What a treasure the homily can be, Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his Apostolic Exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis in 2007:
The homily46. Given the importance of the word of God, the quality of homilies needs to be improved. The homily is "part of the liturgical action" (139), and is meant to foster a deeper understanding of the word of God, so that it can bear fruit in the lives of the faithful.
Hence ordained ministers must "prepare the homily carefully, based on an adequate knowledge of Sacred Scripture" (140). Generic and abstract homilies should be avoided. In particular, I ask these ministers to preach in such a way that the homily closely relates the proclamation of the word of God to the sacramental celebration (141) and the life of the community, so that the word of God truly becomes the Church's vital nourishment and support (142).
The catechetical and paraenetic aim of the homily should not be forgotten. During the course of the liturgical year it is appropriate to offer the faithful, prudently and on the basis of the three-year lectionary, "thematic" homilies treating the great themes of the Christian faith, on the basis of what has been authoritatively proposed by the Magisterium in the four "pillars" of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the recent Compendium, namely: the profession of faith, the celebration of the Christian mystery, life in Christ and Christian prayer (143).
H/T A Catholic Mum Climbing the Pillars here
" The Gargoyle Code " by Fr Dwight - reading for Lent
The Gargoyle Code
Not since the Screwtape Letters has there been such a devastatingly diabolical collection of correspondence. Master Tempter Slubgrip writes daily to trainee tempter devil Dogwart, advising him on the temptation of a confused young Catholic, while he struggles to control his own 'patient', an older man who is facing a serious illness. Meanwhile, Slupgrip has to watch his back, ieep control of various under devils who are plotting to take control of his territory and send him to the banqueting house of his Father below.
The Gargoyle Code makes for un-put-downable reading at any time, but it is especially designed as a book to be read during Lent. The letters from the tempters begin on Shrove Tuesday and follow day by day, taking the reader on an entertaining enlightening and sobering journey to Easter Day.
When will C of E bishops stop arsing about?
EF Pastor Emeritus asks here & below
When will C of E bishops stop arsing about?
Why do I bother, even to ask that question, I ask myself, and indeed anybody else who might be inclined to pay any attention to anything that a a C of E bishop might say?
Sadly because they seldom open their mouths without covering society with mental diarrhoea. They prevaricate and waffle. A recent example is the Archbishop of York's statement that those Anglicans who join the Catholic Church under the new Apostolic Constitution wont be real Catholics! As if a Protestant Archbshop could decide who will and wont be Catholic!
Yet another example is the report produced by the Revision Committee set up by the C Of E Synod in respect of women bishops and pastoral care ( they wont get any!) for those who cannot accept them, i.e. chiefly Anglo-Catholics, so called. For the full report, due to given today by the Bishop of Manchester to Synod. go to Ruth Gledhill in the Times or Damian Thompson in The Telegraph.A third example is the news that some C of E Bishops want to postpone a decision in respect of recognising those Christians in North America who reject "gay" bishops . and vicars who openly flout traditional Christian teaching. Some C of E bishops have tabled a proposal that Synod postpone recognising the breakaway groups in America. Would that be because the breakaway groups are more Christian than the C of E ?
The fourth and almost laughable example is what the Archbishop of Canterbury says in his foreword to a book of essays to be published next week. the Archbishop states that loss of faith in politicians is damaging Britain!Nothing about the damage done by the loss of faith in bishops who seem to have lost faith in God, or who regard God's Word as a regrettable inconvenience to be smoothed over, or should that be smothered?, by garrulous reports produced by ad hoc committees. Setting up Committees means that the C of E bishops can avoid taking decisions. Heaven forbid that a C of E bishop should have to take a decision for truth instead of following and pandering to the lowest form of popular "culture". But that's the C of E for you.
It was founded to favour the sexual proclivities of Henry VIII,and thereby struck a blow, against Marriage, and society, and has never departed from sanctioning aberrant sexual proclivities, or indeed sanctioning anything that continues to strike against Marriage. But then...it is being true to the purpose for which it was founded. And they talk about damaging society!
Pass me the sick bag, please.
Err just an extra..can we ask the same question of some Catholic bishops?
When will C of E bishops stop arsing about?
Why do I bother, even to ask that question, I ask myself, and indeed anybody else who might be inclined to pay any attention to anything that a a C of E bishop might say?
Sadly because they seldom open their mouths without covering society with mental diarrhoea. They prevaricate and waffle. A recent example is the Archbishop of York's statement that those Anglicans who join the Catholic Church under the new Apostolic Constitution wont be real Catholics! As if a Protestant Archbshop could decide who will and wont be Catholic!
Yet another example is the report produced by the Revision Committee set up by the C Of E Synod in respect of women bishops and pastoral care ( they wont get any!) for those who cannot accept them, i.e. chiefly Anglo-Catholics, so called. For the full report, due to given today by the Bishop of Manchester to Synod. go to Ruth Gledhill in the Times or Damian Thompson in The Telegraph.A third example is the news that some C of E Bishops want to postpone a decision in respect of recognising those Christians in North America who reject "gay" bishops . and vicars who openly flout traditional Christian teaching. Some C of E bishops have tabled a proposal that Synod postpone recognising the breakaway groups in America. Would that be because the breakaway groups are more Christian than the C of E ?
The fourth and almost laughable example is what the Archbishop of Canterbury says in his foreword to a book of essays to be published next week. the Archbishop states that loss of faith in politicians is damaging Britain!Nothing about the damage done by the loss of faith in bishops who seem to have lost faith in God, or who regard God's Word as a regrettable inconvenience to be smoothed over, or should that be smothered?, by garrulous reports produced by ad hoc committees. Setting up Committees means that the C of E bishops can avoid taking decisions. Heaven forbid that a C of E bishop should have to take a decision for truth instead of following and pandering to the lowest form of popular "culture". But that's the C of E for you.
It was founded to favour the sexual proclivities of Henry VIII,and thereby struck a blow, against Marriage, and society, and has never departed from sanctioning aberrant sexual proclivities, or indeed sanctioning anything that continues to strike against Marriage. But then...it is being true to the purpose for which it was founded. And they talk about damaging society!
Pass me the sick bag, please.
Err just an extra..can we ask the same question of some Catholic bishops?
Mary, intercede for us
You are a beacon of hope, Mary, mother, filled with grace,
Sinners cling to you, as you intercede in each pitiful case
Your children gaze in awe at you, serenely peaceful maiden
Refuge of scoundrels, joy of the just, desperate sinners haven
A sword pierced you, struck right to your heart, gave you insight
Wounded souls find you in prayer, you lead them to God’s light
Help me in my hour of need, mother who housed God’s only Son
Remind me the price your Son has paid, the salvation he has won.
Patrick Brennan © 2010 Humble Piety here
Sinners cling to you, as you intercede in each pitiful case
Your children gaze in awe at you, serenely peaceful maiden
Refuge of scoundrels, joy of the just, desperate sinners haven
A sword pierced you, struck right to your heart, gave you insight
Wounded souls find you in prayer, you lead them to God’s light
Help me in my hour of need, mother who housed God’s only Son
Remind me the price your Son has paid, the salvation he has won.
Patrick Brennan © 2010 Humble Piety here
Sunday, 7 February 2010
" Dear Lord And Father of Mankind "
Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind ..was sung at Vespers this evening. I was thrilled to know this one really well from my early childhood, onwards & could manage an attempt at singing! Whilst my grandmother & mother & children can sing like WOW! at a microphone! I haven't the same gift! The words were fabulous though to pray..more verses in the version we sang & this may not be the version we used..But he who sings prays twice! I also rather like the new Vespers seating arrangements! Cosy!
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives thy service find,
In deeper reverence praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
Beside the Syrian sea,
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow thee.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with thee
The silence of eternity,
Interpreted by love!
Drop thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and
O still small voice of calm! (repeat last lines)
Seeking Spiritual Direction...& Director wanted!
At those times in my life that I am without a Spiritual Director as is now the case I rely on the lives of the Saints, St Francis de Sales & others but particularly my favourite St Pio. Using my blog for spiritual purposes I often find many blogs rich with Spiritual Direction to feed my mind & soul. Actually, that was another thing Fr Dermot mentioned in his outstanding homily last night..the " mind ". Obviously that area intrigues me because I'm fascinated by the workings of the mind due to my condition. The advantage of my bipolar disorder is that my thoughts can reach the depths & the heights of human thought & experience, & this is a great aid to prayer & meditation & union with God. So it confers many advantages for which I'm truly grateful. I know it's usual to approach a priest to ask for Spiritual Direction, but since I've 'knackered! ' all the ones I know! Well it's the truth! (Almost!) Have we a Saintly Rev Fr out there willing to take me on? Obviously I will keep confidential all replies & there's no interview! You don't need to know Latin! Seriously I will pray Our Lord sends me a holy priest able to cope with..well you've all read mah blog!
A priest I have received advice & direction from recently explains how psychological difficulties are no barrier to holiness & he had lots more insight about the situation in which I find myself. So temporarily, Our Lord sent someone very experienced in these areas. He is too far away for me for regular direction.
This is what I find helpful... This lady was exactly the same age as I am now, though single. She wrote 'reams' to Fra Pio & he replied every few days with several pages of Spiritual Direction. She would ignore his instructions, knowing better (as if I'd ever do that! lol) & then he would chastise her, but he kept, her on his books, so to speak & led her along the arduous path to sanctity. Both had health difficulties, the lady..problems with her family, money, housing , unbelievers, a relative commiting suicide, persecutions, being unable to go to Mass & receive Our Lord for long periods, all kinds of difficulties people face today. Obviously we know what St Pio was facing.
I've had Spiritual Directors help me enormously for a few years, but often due to changed circumstances, one has to manage without for a time. I'm not so sure if ALL priests are called to give in depth Spiritual Direction & I'm not sure if it's a particular gift suited to some. I'm not sure ALL priests have the depth & expertise needed. There are formulas etc for choosing the right director but I think the best is to pray & see who Our Lord provides. Keeping to the Sacraments & a Confessor is best in the mean-time.
A LETTER
My Dearest Daughter,
Jesus reigns in your heart to overwhelm it with His holy love! I am sorry I do not have adequate answers to all of the questions you asked in your last letter. Please forgive me for being brief in answering you, I am in bed sick for three days, but generally I assure you to be calm in regard to condition of your spirit, it is pleasing to God. I cannot really believe and absolve you from meditating solely because it does not seem to you that you are reaping any benefits. The holy gift of prayer, my good daughter, it is in the right hand of the Savior; and in such measure that you will be empty of your own corporal love and will, and be instead rooted in holy humility, the Savior will thus communicate it to your heart.
Have patience in persevering in the holy exercise of meditation, and be content to progress in slow steps until you have legs to run and wings with which to fly. Be content to obey; which is never a small thing for the soul who has chosen God as his portion, and resign yourself to be for now a small hive bee able to make honey. Be always humble and loving in front of God and men, because God talks to those whose heart is humble in front of Him, and enriches them with His gifts.
But the real reason that you do not meditate well is, I think that you approach meditation in an altered state, coupled with a great anxiety to find something with which to console your spirit – and that is sufficient not to allow you to find what you are looking for and to be unable to bring your mind into the meditation of truth and your heart empty of affections. Daughter of mine, be aware that when one seeks with great hurry and avidity something lost, one will touch it, one will see it a hundred times and yet will never notice it. From this vain and useless anxiety you can derive nothing but a great tiredness of spirit and a blurred mind. I only know of the following remedy: come out of this anxiety, because it is the worst traitor that real virtue and devotion could ever have; it feigns to work well, but it does not – it only slows us and does not let us run in order for us to fall down. This is why I must repeat that I told you loudly before, that one needs to look well at all times, especially during prayers. In order to pray well it is good to remember that the styles and graces are not waters of this earth but of the heavens, so that all of your efforts are not sufficient to make it fall; it is necessary that our disposition be put forth with great diligence, and always with humility and tranquility. We need to keep the heart open to the heavens, and wait for the heavenly dew.
Do not forget, my daughter, to have with you these considerations when you go to pray, because this way you will come near to God, and you will put yourself in His presence for two principal reasons: The first to render God the honor and respect we owe Him, because this obligation is performed with recognition that He is our God, and us His unworthy children who are prostrated with our spirit in front of Him waiting for His commands.
How many courtesans are there who come and go a hundred times in the presence of kings, none to talk or speak to him but simply to be seen by him, and doing so assiduously they let themselves be known as his real servants. This manner of staying in front of God to attest to our willingness to be know as His servants is very holy, very excellent, and of the purest and greatest perfection. Go ahead and laugh, but I am serious about what I have said.
The second reason why one puts oneself in the presence of God when praying is, in talking to Him hear His voice through his illuminations and inspirations so that He reaches us within and otherwise, and this gives us great delight for it is a grace given us to talk to such a great God, who when He answers us covers us with very precious unguents and a thousand balms which engulf the heart with joy.
Now my good daughter, one of these two riches is always you in prayer. If you can talk to God laud Him, listen to Him. If you cannot talk to Him because you were crude do not feel bad in the ways of the spirit – stop in your room, disguise yourself as the courtesan and curtsy and revere Him. He will see and appreciate your patience, He will favor your silence, and next time you will be consoled – he will take you by the hand, talk to you, take a hundred strolls with you in the paths of the garden of prayers, and if this will not take place (although they say that is impossible because such a tender father’s heart could not stand t o see His child in perpetual agony) be content just the same because we are obliged to follow Him, taking into consideration what a great miracle it is and what honor it is for Him to tolerate our presence. In this way you will not be despised when you talk to him. In prayer, then when you find yourself following God, talk to him if you can – if you cannot stop, consider your truths, let Him see your soul and do not trouble yourself further. You are always in my prayers which you speak of because I cannot forget you, who cost me many sacrifices and whose birth I have offered to God with a heart overwhelmed with grief. I confide in charity, that in your prayers you do not forget who carries the cross for all.
I bless you with all my heart and please take care.
From the booklet Counsels Exhortations Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy
Abp Fulton Sheen reflects..on wasting your life..
Our world suffers from apathy and indifference. Does our Lord suffer more from indifference than on the cross? The reason we are bored is because we do not love anything. When we use things just for ourselves we spoil them. When we save knowledge, money and resources just for ourselves they are wasted. As sanctity and holiness declines, energy declines. If your faith is strong you can do wonders. We sometimes think that the Lord has no concern when we have problems. When we are generous, we give, give, give, this is what the Lord requires of us. Generously give with energy, kindness, charity, helpfulness. Then you will be real Christians.
H/T Love Undefiled here
" Sent to Coventry! "
'Send someone to Coventry'
If you send someone to Coventry, you refuse to talk to them or co-operate with them.
My friend ........& I a photographer & film maker were discussing recently a few technical things. He said " Jackie, ah you've been sent to Coventry, like me! " It made me laugh as I haven't heard that phrase in years..it was common when I was growing up.
As it happens we lived very happily in Coventry for a number of years.
So " sent to Coventry? " Well, in a way I suppose I have but am I boverred??
This is not strictly true..only applying to very few people. Also only a couple of people you really wouldn't want to be involved with anyway for the sake of your sanity!
To send one to Coventry; a punishment inflicted by officers of the army on such of their brethren as are testy, or have been guilty of improper behaviour, not worthy the cognizance of a court martial. The person sent to Coventry is considered as absent; no one must speak to or answer any question he asks, except relative to duty, under penalty of being also sent to the same place. On a proper submission, the penitent is recalled, and welcomed by the mess, as just returned from a journey to Coventry.
" Full in the Panting Heart of Rome " " God Bless Our Pope! " Turn it up real LOUD!!
H/T Stuart Smyth
Saturday, 6 February 2010
" AN AUTHENTIC HUMAN SEXUALITY "
At the First Mass of Sunday this evening, the priest said so much I can't remember in his homily! One thing that struck me was he explicitly said we MUST teach the young " AN AUTHENTIC HUMAN SEXUALITY "..right from the pulpit! I was recently in a Christian Practice Doctors Surgery with one of my children. On the notice board behind my head was the dreaded Young Peoples Board ie Sexual Health! So we had the Brook Advisory, Chlamydia testing, HIV testing, pregnancy testing ie abortion info, the jab what's it called the one I keep throwing back at my girls' school..the cervical cancer thingy...Now the best thing about this board was the CLEAR message that children under 16 could get totally confidential advice..let's take that to be treatment too..oh goodness me I'm a bit tired..of course I forgot the condoms, morning after pill..well anything you like..EXCEPT...I HAVE TO TAKE MY 13 14 15 year olds to their orthodontist appointments! So they won't put braces on my kids teeth without mommy or daddy but hey a surgical abortion or powerful drugs or dangerous vaccines..oh they can have the jabs if they want even if you've signed that they can't! Duh! Who IS the parent? Ah the STATE!!
Well our priest went on about the people in power & governments & I'd just been reading " The Lamb's Supper " by Scott Hahn & the book of Revelation & how he explains the Beast is in the Corrupt Governments etc. As another aside! There was a lady e-mailed me recently about our Convert's Course & couldn't make it last night but was eager to join. Well we don't go to that Mass usually & I don't usually take Scott down to Mass..it's OK Rev Frs it's only a book! Anyway I met Dawn & the book was for her! Amazingly providential..
Father moved on to the Pope & his visit & we must pray the rosary so I will arrange something whereby we can perhaps all pray at the same time for the Holy Father until his visit. Fr said that people will start getting 'noisy' if we speak the truth as the Pope will do over & over again. We must raise our heads above the parapet.(mine's up & it sure does keep getting knocked!). Now is the time to stand up & speak, not judgementally just assuredly..he talked about how the disciples must have been worn out fishing all night & not catching anything. They had failed & then this carpenter chap tells them go out into the deep & put your nets down..well I imagine they were probably right " p*****d off ! Err sorry Fr..that bit's mine..the Fr I'm talking about is the one in the Confessional 9 hours a day so it's OK I can mention the swearing ( Oh a lot of the converts don't understand confession..I had q a lot of fun explaining a bit of how it works..kinda like one priest, pulls back the curtain & says Hi Jackie! Another bursts out laughing..another says that's enough no need to embarrass yourself..when I was just getting into my stride & not in the least bit embarrassed..err then my cradle Catholics asked me..well Mary P did..well what could you have done Jackie? Well err MORE on Confession next week!)..oh I hope the Clergy ARE reading this & I haven't seen Annie for days so I'm pretty safe!
But really we are living in exhausting times, but like the little group we have running & the Bishop's Group which I need to arrange our next meeting..in response to Eric Hester's meeting with Bishop McMahon especially since the poor bishop's into Civil Partnerships now by the sounds of it. I hope he means people like my maiden great aunts who never married & lived all their lives together..because you know what? THEY HAVE NO RIGHTS! BUT GAY COUPLES ARE TO BE GIVEN THEM...no doubt!
Regarding this First Mass of Sunday on Saturday which was hopefully valid though I don't mind hearing 3 Masses on a Sunday anyway..this evening it was particularly beautiful for Andrew & I, since it was sooo still & quiet! No music, no chatting, very calm, reverent, & quiet! My ears HURT due to the silence! There were however 5 servers all lovely boys..a little distracted coz they were all together.
I was reading Scott during Mass ..I can't help it since I was about 3 I have to read..& he was mentioning the Book of Revelation & Our Lady being the New Eve & how Protestants could believe any yarn but the fact that the woman giving birth & would crush the serpent was Mary. Fr reminds us of the power of the rosary in these times.
My mentor was there too..Monica..so faithful & dear to me. I'm very blessed.
I must support our priests even more..their gift of celibacy to the Church is crucial. I love my married priests also but our celibate priests giving their virginity to the Church & Almighty God makes them especially precious & beloved of Our Lady. One of my dear friends..said I must be specially beloved of Our Lord because of my cross of bi-polar..which was a very kind thing to say..but I think now is the appointed time to stand behind our dear priests, who need our prayers, love & support.
What am I going on about..well all I can say the Mass was "well !" good! Oh Scott mentioned "parousia" I love that word..what's it mean? Rotflol
Well our priest went on about the people in power & governments & I'd just been reading " The Lamb's Supper " by Scott Hahn & the book of Revelation & how he explains the Beast is in the Corrupt Governments etc. As another aside! There was a lady e-mailed me recently about our Convert's Course & couldn't make it last night but was eager to join. Well we don't go to that Mass usually & I don't usually take Scott down to Mass..it's OK Rev Frs it's only a book! Anyway I met Dawn & the book was for her! Amazingly providential..
Father moved on to the Pope & his visit & we must pray the rosary so I will arrange something whereby we can perhaps all pray at the same time for the Holy Father until his visit. Fr said that people will start getting 'noisy' if we speak the truth as the Pope will do over & over again. We must raise our heads above the parapet.(mine's up & it sure does keep getting knocked!). Now is the time to stand up & speak, not judgementally just assuredly..he talked about how the disciples must have been worn out fishing all night & not catching anything. They had failed & then this carpenter chap tells them go out into the deep & put your nets down..well I imagine they were probably right " p*****d off ! Err sorry Fr..that bit's mine..the Fr I'm talking about is the one in the Confessional 9 hours a day so it's OK I can mention the swearing ( Oh a lot of the converts don't understand confession..I had q a lot of fun explaining a bit of how it works..kinda like one priest, pulls back the curtain & says Hi Jackie! Another bursts out laughing..another says that's enough no need to embarrass yourself..when I was just getting into my stride & not in the least bit embarrassed..err then my cradle Catholics asked me..well Mary P did..well what could you have done Jackie? Well err MORE on Confession next week!)..oh I hope the Clergy ARE reading this & I haven't seen Annie for days so I'm pretty safe!
But really we are living in exhausting times, but like the little group we have running & the Bishop's Group which I need to arrange our next meeting..in response to Eric Hester's meeting with Bishop McMahon especially since the poor bishop's into Civil Partnerships now by the sounds of it. I hope he means people like my maiden great aunts who never married & lived all their lives together..because you know what? THEY HAVE NO RIGHTS! BUT GAY COUPLES ARE TO BE GIVEN THEM...no doubt!
Regarding this First Mass of Sunday on Saturday which was hopefully valid though I don't mind hearing 3 Masses on a Sunday anyway..this evening it was particularly beautiful for Andrew & I, since it was sooo still & quiet! No music, no chatting, very calm, reverent, & quiet! My ears HURT due to the silence! There were however 5 servers all lovely boys..a little distracted coz they were all together.
I was reading Scott during Mass ..I can't help it since I was about 3 I have to read..& he was mentioning the Book of Revelation & Our Lady being the New Eve & how Protestants could believe any yarn but the fact that the woman giving birth & would crush the serpent was Mary. Fr reminds us of the power of the rosary in these times.
My mentor was there too..Monica..so faithful & dear to me. I'm very blessed.
I must support our priests even more..their gift of celibacy to the Church is crucial. I love my married priests also but our celibate priests giving their virginity to the Church & Almighty God makes them especially precious & beloved of Our Lady. One of my dear friends..said I must be specially beloved of Our Lord because of my cross of bi-polar..which was a very kind thing to say..but I think now is the appointed time to stand behind our dear priests, who need our prayers, love & support.
What am I going on about..well all I can say the Mass was "well !" good! Oh Scott mentioned "parousia" I love that word..what's it mean? Rotflol
First Mass of Sunday..????
First Mass of Sunday..Receiving Our Lord & Bank Holidays!
Lately it's been explained to us at the Sunday Vigil Mass on Saturday evening, that this Mass should only be used by those who definitely couldn't make Sunday. I wonder if with declining Mass attendance it's best to welcome the parishioners to any Mass. I think it should be put in the notices Saturday 5.45 pm ONLY for those special circumstances.
I felt sorry for the servers..did they need to come back the next day? Oh, how are we fixed the same time Christmas Eve? First Mass of Christmas or should we not really go to that one? As it happens we had the first Mass of Christmas this year at 4 pm in the afternoon of Christmas Eve & it was announced it fulfilled our obligation. Now why doesn't the Saturday evening fulfill the Sunday in the same way?
What about the Easter Vigil? Do we need to go to Mass on Easter Sunday too? Finally, why does our house of prayer close on Bank Holidays after 11 am? I must be a bit thick. I can't understand how a Catholic Church goes with a secular Bank Holiday. There must be an explanation..if anyone can help out.
Regarding the Irish Community's Bank Holiday, there is a Confirmation taking place which prevents the usual St Patrick's Holy Day celebrations. I don't think we would have Confirmations on an English Bank holiday which is rather a shame..
Lately it's been explained to us at the Sunday Vigil Mass on Saturday evening, that this Mass should only be used by those who definitely couldn't make Sunday. I wonder if with declining Mass attendance it's best to welcome the parishioners to any Mass. I think it should be put in the notices Saturday 5.45 pm ONLY for those special circumstances.
I felt sorry for the servers..did they need to come back the next day? Oh, how are we fixed the same time Christmas Eve? First Mass of Christmas or should we not really go to that one? As it happens we had the first Mass of Christmas this year at 4 pm in the afternoon of Christmas Eve & it was announced it fulfilled our obligation. Now why doesn't the Saturday evening fulfill the Sunday in the same way?
What about the Easter Vigil? Do we need to go to Mass on Easter Sunday too? Finally, why does our house of prayer close on Bank Holidays after 11 am? I must be a bit thick. I can't understand how a Catholic Church goes with a secular Bank Holiday. There must be an explanation..if anyone can help out.
Regarding the Irish Community's Bank Holiday, there is a Confirmation taking place which prevents the usual St Patrick's Holy Day celebrations. I don't think we would have Confirmations on an English Bank holiday which is rather a shame..
My " meditation " today...
ST PADRE PIO OF PIETRELCINA
Tribulations & trials have always been the heritage and the portion of chosen souls. The more Jesus intends to raise a soul up to perfection, the more He tries it by suffering. Rejoice, I say to you, in seeing yourself so privileged, in spite of your own unworthiness. The more you are afflicted, the more you ought to rejoice, because in the fire of tribulation the soul will become pure gold, worthy to be placed and to shine in the heavenly palace.
God alone knows what violence I did to His divine Heart in order that you might come out of the state without injury to your soul! Never have I prayed the divine mercy for you with such insistence as I did during those days of your deep spiritual mourning. I know that I presented you during that period not less than 100 times a day to our most merciful Lord..
Don’t be discouraged if you experience spiritual dryness. This does not mean that the Lord has abandoned you, as that ugly wretch, Satan, would unfortunately have you believe. You are too dear to the Heart of Jesus, and all that is happening in your soul is due to the exquisitness of Jesus’ love for you. He wants you entirely for Himself. He wants you to place all your trust and affection in Him alone and it is precisely for this reason that He sends you this spiritual aridity, to unite you more closely to Him, to rid you of certain attachments which do not appear as such to us and which in many cases we do not detect.
I am aware that the state of the soul placed in such straits is a sad one, when it really seems to us that all is ended and that the Lord has left us for good because He is tired of bearing with us. Instead, things are quite different. The Lord is never so pleased with us as He is at such times as this. He is always there, close to us, or rather within us, invisibly encouraging us to endure the combat. Don’t worry, then, because the Lord will fight for you and never withdraw from you.
LETTERS VOL. 2
CORRESPONDENCE WITH RAFFAELINA CERASE, NOBLEWOMAN ( 1914 -1915 )
PISCES wm
The Pisces WM website is currently being updated due to company expansion. PISCES wm is a unique ‘not for profit’ enterprise established to create, develop and manage partnership based projects and programmes throughout the West Midlands.
Pisces wm is a unique Community Interest Company with its H.Q base at the EVCAP centre in Ettingshall.
It is a venue that has been deliberately chosen as a reflection of the values to which we subscribe namely the promotion and strengthening of community cohesion and social inclusion as an integral part of our activity.
Pisces wm c.i.c has a board of Directors who reflect the wide range of activities in which the organisation is now involved throughout the West Midlands, Britain and Europe. At the latest count it was collaborating in a significant way with over 100 different individuals, groups, organisations, agencies and companies.
Its principle aim is to broker Partnerships across all sectors, identify new opportunities for development and actively seek resources to make things happen at grass roots level.
PISCES wm is not actively seeking to be a direct deliverer of services except around management consultancy and project development. It operates on the basis that it is far better to build upon other people's capacity and skills than reinvent wheels.
As an informed, professionally based and 'neutral' organisation it is ideally suited to breaking down barriers and creating allegiances, many of which may not always be evident at first glance. It challenges territorialism and insularity, conscious or otherwise, and also reacts against undue bureaucracy which so frequently is a barrier to actually getting things done.
The Visit of the Pope to Britain & The Cardinal Newman Heritage Project
PiSCES wm looks set to become a major benefactor from the visit of the Pope to Britain announced yesterday to mark the possible beatification of Cardinal John Newman.
Representations are being made at the highest level including to the Vatican and Cabinet offices for the Pope to visit a project developed and managed by PISCESwm in the Ladywood ward of Birmingham where Cardinal Newman spent a great deal of his later life. The project which has been developed in partnership with the Oratory Junior School, the Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory and Birmingham City Council has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and will involve the complete community including residents of the Norman Power Centre for older people.
The Cardinal Newman Heritage Project was launched at the Norman Power Centre on Tuesday 23rd September by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham.
Executive Director , John White believes that the argument for the Pope to visit Birmingham and the Ladywood Project is overwhelming.
“Ladywood is the most deprived ward in Britain in terms of Child poverty and families from over 24 Catholic Countries who have settled in the area use the school and receive support from its staff on a daily basis.
“The project itself reflects the unique ability of our organisation to broker community based partnerships particularly with a school and intergenerational focus, something that is bound to attract the interest and attention of advisers both of the British Government and the Vatican”
The project, which will now last until the visit of the Pope will feature intergenerational visits to places associated with Cardinal Newman, provide Static Displays in community venues and also the production of a DVD by the Children and the Community about the life and work of Cardinal Newman both in Birmingham and elsewhere in Britain.
The DVD will also have the potential of being distributed to Catholic communities across the world.
The project has been developed by Robin Taylor a founder Director of PISCES wm and will be lead by a prominent local historian Norman Bartlam. It has already had extensive coverage on local radio through the popular Carl Chinn show which features the history and heritage of Birmingham and the Black Country.
PISCESwm is now anticipating extensive interest to add to its growing reputation as one of the West Midlands most radical and innovative 3rd Sector organisations.
For company information contact John@pisceswm.org.uk or via 07860 653377/01902 498734( Add International; Code and please, check and amend existing data = believe my mobile might be wrong.)
For details of project please contact robin@pisceswm.org.uk
Oratory Primary Powerpoint Presention re our visit to Oxford
As a follow up to our visit to Oxford & Littlemore we met at the Norman Power Centre, where we produced powerpoint presentations. I had never done one before being a mere blogger but the children were excellent, particularly Jacinta! Good heavens I'd never seen such expertise in typing with her little fingers with the nail-varnish on! We were treated to a full cooked lunch again. Many thanks to all staff & facilitators. Where are we off to next?
Wow! Converts group!!
This first session was excellent..& the 4 converts & other Catholics inspired us greatly..more details to follow, It was so worth it!! Thanks to everyone who came last night to the first "converts" session. We had a lively discussion on the " Myth of Over-population ", the de- Christianisation of Europe from the Raymond De Souza DVD, the Catholic Church's teaching on contraception & abortion & the wisdom of "Humanae Vitae" as a prophetic document over 40 years on. Also a discussion of the effectiveness of nfp & abstinence as a prevention of AIDS in Africa etc. Copies of Scott Hahn's book " Signs of Hope " were given out. Thankyou to Sue for the most mega homemade cake I ever did see! Thanks to everyone coming along..next week we look at " The Pope : Visible Steward of Christ " but also perhaps more discussion & answers to other questions. Please come along even if you can only make one or two sessions. Next 5 Fridays 7-8 pm (or a little longer coz it was so amazing listening to the reasons why people became Catholic..the honesty of everyone was refreshing.). All are welcome & we had cradle Catholics too..Our experiences enrich each other's faith. A lovely, inspiring evening of Catholic Apologetics! I know we have more who can come next week. Contact me on rosary@blueyonder.co.uk for more details. God bless.
Friday, 5 February 2010
Next book..
A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation St. Thomas More Written by More whilst awaiting execution, this is a fictional dialogue set in 16th century Hungary between a young man and his dying uncle. Vincent, the young man, is paralysed with fear by an impending Turkish invasion which could force him to betray his faith to Islam or die a martyr.
The uncle, Anthony (in reality More), responds calmly, looking at the comforts God offers in difficulties, the benefits of suffering, atonement for evil, despair and the temptation to suicide, and scrupulosity.
" Quote of the Day "
Don't give in to discouragement. If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about people's opinions. Be obedient to truth. For with humble obedience, you will never be disturbed.
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Ad Limina 2010 Ad Limina 2010 Mass in the Chapel of the Three Kings, where Newman was ordained a Catholic priest
Please credit Mazur/catholicchurch.org.ukAd Limina 2010 Ad Limina 2010 Mass in the Chapel of the Three Kings, where Newman was ordained a Catholic priest
Please credit Mazur/catholicchurch.org.ukI didn't know about this Chapel of the three Kings! It's very MILES JESU!
YEYYY!! WAY TO GO POPE BENEDICT!!!
British government retreats after Pope's critique of Equality Bill
London, England, February 3 (CNA) .- After criticism from national religious leaders and Pope Benedict XVI, The British Government has retreated from plans to implement an Equality Bill many saw as oppressive of religious freedom.
The rules of the failed anti-discrimination proposal could have barred groups from requiring Christian sexual ethics from youth leaders. Some warned it could have also made the male-only priesthood of the Catholic Church illegal.
On Monday Pope Benedict said the proposed laws imposed "unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs."
A source at 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Gordon Brown's residence, told The Telegraph, "We are clear that these parts of the Equality Bill should not go forward. The Pope's intervention has been noted."
Many Catholic Labour Ministers of Parliament are reportedly upset that the new bill has provoked such strong reaction from Rome.
Naomi Phillips, head of Public Affairs at the British Humanist Association, characterized the pope's remarks as an attack on "modern, liberal values" and said they further motivated her group's opposition to the Pope's state visit to the United Kingdom.
Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols told BBC Radio 4 that the Pope was "certainly not" getting involved in party politics but was trying to give his "reasoned voice" a hearing in the public debate.
The Archbishop thought Pope Benedict's words will find an echo among many in Britain who are "uneasy" that an unintended consequence of recent legislation would "drive religious belief and practice into the sphere of the private only."
London, England, February 3 (CNA) .- After criticism from national religious leaders and Pope Benedict XVI, The British Government has retreated from plans to implement an Equality Bill many saw as oppressive of religious freedom.
The rules of the failed anti-discrimination proposal could have barred groups from requiring Christian sexual ethics from youth leaders. Some warned it could have also made the male-only priesthood of the Catholic Church illegal.
On Monday Pope Benedict said the proposed laws imposed "unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs."
A source at 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Gordon Brown's residence, told The Telegraph, "We are clear that these parts of the Equality Bill should not go forward. The Pope's intervention has been noted."
Many Catholic Labour Ministers of Parliament are reportedly upset that the new bill has provoked such strong reaction from Rome.
Naomi Phillips, head of Public Affairs at the British Humanist Association, characterized the pope's remarks as an attack on "modern, liberal values" and said they further motivated her group's opposition to the Pope's state visit to the United Kingdom.
Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols told BBC Radio 4 that the Pope was "certainly not" getting involved in party politics but was trying to give his "reasoned voice" a hearing in the public debate.
The Archbishop thought Pope Benedict's words will find an echo among many in Britain who are "uneasy" that an unintended consequence of recent legislation would "drive religious belief and practice into the sphere of the private only."
" CONVERTS COURSE " " TRUE GOD TRUE MAN "
Week One: Friday 5th February 2010
" Which Religion Contains the fullness of Truth? "
Week Two: Friday 12th February 2010
" The Pope : Visible Steward of Christ "
Week Three: Friday 19th February 2010
" The Eucharist : Jesus Among Us "
Week Four: Friday 26th February 2010
" The Mass: Meal or Sacrifice "
Week Five: Friday 5th March 2010
" Mary, Mother of Jesus " Rosary & Marian apparitions & Devotions
Week Six: Friday 12th March 2010
" Confession/Indulgences "
Each week there will be opportunity off topic to ask random questions. The topics are just a guide from our friend Raymond de Souza who many of you met on his visit here. We will watch a short clip each week of his DVD. Details below. All meetings
" Which Religion Contains the fullness of Truth? "
Week Two: Friday 12th February 2010
" The Pope : Visible Steward of Christ "
Week Three: Friday 19th February 2010
" The Eucharist : Jesus Among Us "
Week Four: Friday 26th February 2010
" The Mass: Meal or Sacrifice "
Week Five: Friday 5th March 2010
" Mary, Mother of Jesus " Rosary & Marian apparitions & Devotions
Week Six: Friday 12th March 2010
" Confession/Indulgences "
Each week there will be opportunity off topic to ask random questions. The topics are just a guide from our friend Raymond de Souza who many of you met on his visit here. We will watch a short clip each week of his DVD. Details below. All meetings
7- 8 pm with refreshments provided & time for discussion. Very informal. All welcome, converts new & old & enquirers to the Catholic faith & lifelong Catholics, lapsed or practicing. Contact me on rosary@blueyonder.co.uk for more details.
" True God and True Man "
Catholic Apologist Raymond de Souza investigates Jesus' claim of divinity in this enlightening EWTN Home Video series. By reviewing detailed prophecies about Christ in the Old Testament, Christ's numerous miracles and astounding proclamations in the New Testament, Mr. de Souza argues convincingly for the Divinity of Christ. This series will bring you face to face with the truth; Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God made Man.
This series is particularly important in our days of de-Christianization and the cultural Islamization of general Western society.
Cardinal Newman miracle man Jack Sullivan visits Oratory - An exclusive TNT News interview
Deacon Jack Sullivan from Boston USA, who was cured of a crippling spinal disease after praying to Cardinal Newman, founder of the Oratory Church, visited Ladywood on 11 November 2009. In an exclusive interview with TNT he told how the Vatican earlier this year approved the cure as a miracle and Newman is likely to be made Blessed this year
St Blaise - Blessing of throats..
I received this blessing from Fr PaulThrough the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr,
may God free you from illness of the throat and from any other sort of ill.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
may God free you from illness of the throat and from any other sort of ill.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Eric Hester's Letter to the Editor of The Telegraph re our bishops..Excellent!
Letter to the editor of The Daily Telegraph
SIR – Your leading article (February 2) rightly stresses the importance of the Pope's words to the English bishops about what the Government is doing in Britain.
The Pope's message is a rebuke to the bishops. He says: "I urge you as Pastors to ensure that the Church's moral teaching be always presented in its entirety and convincingly defended." This suggests that the teaching is not convincingly being defended.
This Government is attacking Christians on many fronts, especially through the Equality Bill and the Education Bill, which will force politically determined sex education on all maintained schools. It is the Church of England bishops who have magnificently resisted these proposals. The Catholic bishops have offered only a few quiet words backstage about the Equality Bill and have actually given support to the proposal to make sex education compulsory.
Eric Hester
Bolton, Lancashire"
SIR – Your leading article (February 2) rightly stresses the importance of the Pope's words to the English bishops about what the Government is doing in Britain.
The Pope's message is a rebuke to the bishops. He says: "I urge you as Pastors to ensure that the Church's moral teaching be always presented in its entirety and convincingly defended." This suggests that the teaching is not convincingly being defended.
This Government is attacking Christians on many fronts, especially through the Equality Bill and the Education Bill, which will force politically determined sex education on all maintained schools. It is the Church of England bishops who have magnificently resisted these proposals. The Catholic bishops have offered only a few quiet words backstage about the Equality Bill and have actually given support to the proposal to make sex education compulsory.
Eric Hester
Bolton, Lancashire"
Straight - A schoolchildren at higher risk of bipolar research claims..My friend Eric Hester sends me this from The Daily Telegraph
Straight-A schoolchildren have a much higher risk of suffering from bipolar disorder than less intelligent pupils, according to new research.
Published: 7:30AM GMT 03 Feb 2010
Clever children are almost four times more likely to suffer from the condition, which is also known as manic depression.
The latest finding, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, supports a commonly held belief that exceptional intellectual ability is associated with the mental illness.
Famous sufferers include Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson, Alexander The Great, Michelangelo, Picasso, Mozart, Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens, Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Christopher Columbus.
Researchers analysed the exam results of more than 700,000 Swedish teenagers and discovered those with the most excellent performance were nearly four times as likely to develop bipolar disorder as adults, compared to those with average grades.
This increased risk even remained after they made allowances for other factors such as parental education and socioeconomic status.
Students with the poorest grades were also at a moderately increased risk of bipolar disorder. They were almost twice as likely to develop bipolar compared to those with average grades.
Psychiatrist Dr James MacCabe, of King's College London, said: "We found achieving an A grade is associated with increased risk for bipolar disorder, particularly in humanities and to a lesser extent in science subjects.
"A-grades in Swedish and Music had particularly strong associations, supporting the literature which consistently finds associations between linguistic and musical creativity and bipolar disorder."
The researchers, who teamed up with colleagues at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, put forward several possible explanations for the link. First, people in a state of hypomania, a mild period of mania or elevated mood, can often be witty and inventive, and able to link ideas in innovative ways.
Second, people with bipolar disorder often experience unusually strong emotional responses, which may help their talent in art, music and literature. Third, people with hypomania often have extraordinary stamina and can keep concentrating for long periods of time.
These types of cognitive style may help students perform better in creative school subjects - but also predispose them to bipolar disorder in later life. The opposite of this mechanism may explain the link between poor school performance and bipolar disorder.
Some people who go on to develop bipolar disorder, particularly those with depressive symptoms, may have cognitive styles that impair their academic performance. It is also possible that disturbed behaviour, substance misuse or undiagnosed depression may affect their studies.
Historical studies and anecdotal reports of famous and creative individuals suggest a link between high IQ and bipolar disorder - but until now, the scientific evidence for such a connection has been fairly weak.
All children in Sweden take compulsory exams between 15 and 16, and the results are standardised nationally. The researchers used the Swedish national school register to obtain the grades of all students graduating from compulsory education between 1988 and 1997.
They then used the Swedish hospital discharge register to test associations between the students' academic achievement and admission to hospital with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder between the ages of 17 and 31.
A total of 713,876 individuals were included in the study.
The study also showed the association between high grades and risk of later bipolar disorder appears to be stronger in males than females. But the finding was not statistically significant and more research is needed to determine if the link is truly stronger in males.
Dr MacCabe added: "Although having A grades increases your chance of bipolar disorder in later life, we should remember that the majority of people with A grades enjoy good mental health."
My investigations of studies show equal numbers of men & women suffer from bipolar. I can relate to the "A" grade phenomena but think that children of high-achieving parents also with bipolar achieve high grades even if they don't suffer from the illness themselves. I think there are a number of factors..a small one people can't work out how I write prolifically, but the fast flow of thoughts, moods & associations on an intellectual, emotional, psychological & spiritual level, are too much for most people to keep up with. I am concerned because we have 2 children with an early diagnosis & concerns for a 3rd & we don't know about the rest. The chances are usually 1 in 10 on a heredity basis but we are way over this statistic. Unfortunately all my children are clever & extremely good-looking! Oh well..bipolar is 'fashionable' these days! Exhausting, exasperating, infuriating, wonderful, amazing, likeable,..I was saying to some friends after Mass yesterday that I think I experienced every single emotion going yesterday & I do sooo love to share them!
Published: 7:30AM GMT 03 Feb 2010
Clever children are almost four times more likely to suffer from the condition, which is also known as manic depression.
The latest finding, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, supports a commonly held belief that exceptional intellectual ability is associated with the mental illness.
Famous sufferers include Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson, Alexander The Great, Michelangelo, Picasso, Mozart, Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens, Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Christopher Columbus.
Researchers analysed the exam results of more than 700,000 Swedish teenagers and discovered those with the most excellent performance were nearly four times as likely to develop bipolar disorder as adults, compared to those with average grades.
This increased risk even remained after they made allowances for other factors such as parental education and socioeconomic status.
Students with the poorest grades were also at a moderately increased risk of bipolar disorder. They were almost twice as likely to develop bipolar compared to those with average grades.
Psychiatrist Dr James MacCabe, of King's College London, said: "We found achieving an A grade is associated with increased risk for bipolar disorder, particularly in humanities and to a lesser extent in science subjects.
"A-grades in Swedish and Music had particularly strong associations, supporting the literature which consistently finds associations between linguistic and musical creativity and bipolar disorder."
The researchers, who teamed up with colleagues at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, put forward several possible explanations for the link. First, people in a state of hypomania, a mild period of mania or elevated mood, can often be witty and inventive, and able to link ideas in innovative ways.
Second, people with bipolar disorder often experience unusually strong emotional responses, which may help their talent in art, music and literature. Third, people with hypomania often have extraordinary stamina and can keep concentrating for long periods of time.
These types of cognitive style may help students perform better in creative school subjects - but also predispose them to bipolar disorder in later life. The opposite of this mechanism may explain the link between poor school performance and bipolar disorder.
Some people who go on to develop bipolar disorder, particularly those with depressive symptoms, may have cognitive styles that impair their academic performance. It is also possible that disturbed behaviour, substance misuse or undiagnosed depression may affect their studies.
Historical studies and anecdotal reports of famous and creative individuals suggest a link between high IQ and bipolar disorder - but until now, the scientific evidence for such a connection has been fairly weak.
All children in Sweden take compulsory exams between 15 and 16, and the results are standardised nationally. The researchers used the Swedish national school register to obtain the grades of all students graduating from compulsory education between 1988 and 1997.
They then used the Swedish hospital discharge register to test associations between the students' academic achievement and admission to hospital with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder between the ages of 17 and 31.
A total of 713,876 individuals were included in the study.
The study also showed the association between high grades and risk of later bipolar disorder appears to be stronger in males than females. But the finding was not statistically significant and more research is needed to determine if the link is truly stronger in males.
Dr MacCabe added: "Although having A grades increases your chance of bipolar disorder in later life, we should remember that the majority of people with A grades enjoy good mental health."
My investigations of studies show equal numbers of men & women suffer from bipolar. I can relate to the "A" grade phenomena but think that children of high-achieving parents also with bipolar achieve high grades even if they don't suffer from the illness themselves. I think there are a number of factors..a small one people can't work out how I write prolifically, but the fast flow of thoughts, moods & associations on an intellectual, emotional, psychological & spiritual level, are too much for most people to keep up with. I am concerned because we have 2 children with an early diagnosis & concerns for a 3rd & we don't know about the rest. The chances are usually 1 in 10 on a heredity basis but we are way over this statistic. Unfortunately all my children are clever & extremely good-looking! Oh well..bipolar is 'fashionable' these days! Exhausting, exasperating, infuriating, wonderful, amazing, likeable,..I was saying to some friends after Mass yesterday that I think I experienced every single emotion going yesterday & I do sooo love to share them!
" Let Your Love Flow " " Turn it up real Loud! "
Bellamy Brothers - Let your love flow 1976
There's a reason for the sunshine in the sky
There's a reason why I'm feelin' so high
Must be the season
When that lovelight shines all around us
So let that feeling grab you deep inside
And send you reeling
Where your love can't hide
And then go stealing through the moonless night
With your lover.
Just let your love flow
Like a mountain stream
And let your love grow
With the smallest of dreams
And let your love show
And you know what I mean
It's the season
Let your love fly
Like a bird on a wing
And let your love bind you
To all living things and
Let your love shine
And you'll know what I mean
That's the reason.
There's a reason for the warm sweet nights
And there's a reason for the candle lights
Must be the season
When those love rites shine all around us
So let that wonder take you into space
And lay you under its loving embrace
Just feel the thunder as it warms your face
You can't hold back.
Just let your love flow
Like a mountain stream
And let your love grow
With the smallest of dreams
And let your love show
And you know what I mean
It's the season
Let your love fly
Like a bird on a wing
And let your love bind you
To all living things and
Let your love shine
And you'll know what I mean
That's the reason.
Just let your love flow
Like a mountain stream
And let your love grow
With the smallest of dreams
And let your love show
And you know what I mean
It's the season
Let your love fly
Like a bird on a wing
And let your love bind you
To all living things and
Let your love shine
And you'll know what I mean
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
WOW!!! That was some day! Actually now I come to think of it those Oratorians aren't that bad really!!
All I can say is I received several graces of quite an unexpected nature & they were to do with the Oratorian congregation throughout the world. I am very consoled & have a great peace of soul after the recent turmoil.
Just back from the beautiful Mass & quite shattered but on another note Fr Richard in his homily mentioned the Purification..my mother this morning kept calling it the Feast of the Purification & ignorant me asked had she got the right day! Just a brief point coz I didn't get chance to ask a priest..so I asked Frank & Andrew instead (which was a bit of a waste of time!) coz my question was " why do only the women need to be purified?" Frank did launch into the deep but I ran off! lol Also Fr Richard mentioned Life & Death being in God's hands...do you know it's a strange thing but as your baby is delivered into the world, the time of birth is recorded..so my eldest Jenny was born 20 th December at 6.19 a.m. yeah kept me up all night & for the next 5 years too!! Rotflol. I have little experience of death though I think Andrew's mother died 15th March 9.30 a.m....so I agree with Fr Richard (oh gee he will be so pleased..err ) but it crosses your mind sometimes at a birth well it did mine. I find this Feast very moving..particularly having delivered 10 children..take it from me & my low pain threshold that it's completely miraculous! The phrase " a sword shall pierce your soul" to Our Lady..yes as a mother I've watched my children suffer & experienced pain I'm sure of that sort though Our Lady being sinless would have greater suffering. I have myself described to people earlier in the day that the pain I feel due to my illness cuts through the heart & soul like a knife & in agony & anguish.
But then the reward later in the day..the deep consolation, the deep love & gratitude, the prayer of V Card Newman came to me after receiving Our Lord, " God has created me to do Him some definite service.." & also He has done the same for my children..I received a great spiritual gift today & I am very moved.
May God bless the 3 English Oratories all who were represented this evening but particularly Fr Paul Chavasse & Fr Richard Duffield.
Just back from the beautiful Mass & quite shattered but on another note Fr Richard in his homily mentioned the Purification..my mother this morning kept calling it the Feast of the Purification & ignorant me asked had she got the right day! Just a brief point coz I didn't get chance to ask a priest..so I asked Frank & Andrew instead (which was a bit of a waste of time!) coz my question was " why do only the women need to be purified?" Frank did launch into the deep but I ran off! lol Also Fr Richard mentioned Life & Death being in God's hands...do you know it's a strange thing but as your baby is delivered into the world, the time of birth is recorded..so my eldest Jenny was born 20 th December at 6.19 a.m. yeah kept me up all night & for the next 5 years too!! Rotflol. I have little experience of death though I think Andrew's mother died 15th March 9.30 a.m....so I agree with Fr Richard (oh gee he will be so pleased..err ) but it crosses your mind sometimes at a birth well it did mine. I find this Feast very moving..particularly having delivered 10 children..take it from me & my low pain threshold that it's completely miraculous! The phrase " a sword shall pierce your soul" to Our Lady..yes as a mother I've watched my children suffer & experienced pain I'm sure of that sort though Our Lady being sinless would have greater suffering. I have myself described to people earlier in the day that the pain I feel due to my illness cuts through the heart & soul like a knife & in agony & anguish.
But then the reward later in the day..the deep consolation, the deep love & gratitude, the prayer of V Card Newman came to me after receiving Our Lord, " God has created me to do Him some definite service.." & also He has done the same for my children..I received a great spiritual gift today & I am very moved.
May God bless the 3 English Oratories all who were represented this evening but particularly Fr Paul Chavasse & Fr Richard Duffield.
MAKE RIGHT TO DIE LEGAL - TERRY PRATCHETT
Sir Terry Pratchett is to use a prestigious lecture to say that the "time is really coming" for assisted suicide to be legalised.
Terrible news for the depressed & mentally ill. When I was at my worst, people said "they wouldn't treat an animal like this"..so what does that mean? If the means were available would I avail myself of a "final solution?". Maybe. Don't ever think you wouldn't..how do you know how much suffering you can bear? Like abortion we will start with the one or two cases & before we know it we will have the duty to die! Scary!
Oh no! Damien Johnson Please Don't Go!
Plymouth Argyle have bolstered their ranks with the permanent signing of midfielder Damien Johnson from Birmingham City. Damien Johnson, 31, has penned a two-and-a-half year deal at Home Park after making just three first-team appearances for the Premier League club this season. "I've come down here and I want to give it 100 per cent and do well," the Northern Ireland international told his new club's official website.
"I've been frustrated at Birmingham this season and, like any player, I want to play. "I'm hopefully going to get the opportunity to play down here and I look forward to the opportunity to do well for Plymouth. "It's a big challenge and the Championship is a tough league. It's a hard league and there is not much in it between the teams.
"Any team is capable of going on a run and, hopefully, Plymouth can go on a run and get themselves just a couple of places higher up the table."
( I chose this picture of Damien because he's kneeling! He is a daily Mass goer, advocate of the Holy Rosary & unbelievable role model of a devout young Catholic man. Now as you know I have 8 daughters! Every now & then I put my arm round Damien in Church & do my Mrs Bennet & go down the list of their names & attributes! Damien bows his head & just dies of embarrassment! But I mean my friend Fr Tim's sister..well you know that family can be very strong-minded..& the fact that Jane's one of my bestest friends doesn't come into it when she's got daughters also to arrange marriages for! Her young son is a very keen footballer too! Jane..what we gonna do? Throw a party & get him betrothed before he goes?? lol He will be a great loss to the Oratory Parish. God bless you Damien! Keep watching the blog!)
Ah bless her! Ms Clare Short..misled over IRAQ!
Err Ms Short..what about the tiny babies in the womb? Who misled you over them?
Still on our " Converts " Group! This takes place irrespective of my health difficulties.
Don't forget folks..first session of our Converts group 7-8 pm this Friday 5th February 2010. Have some great Scott Hahn materials & some fab people coming! You don't need to be a convert..just enjoy the discussion & questions you always wanted to ask about our glorious faith! Refreshments provided.
Angels sent to comfort me! Into the deep....
This morning I forced myself out of bed & went into school briefly. Almighty God sent me a true guardian Angel to enfold me in love & prayer. This Angel reminded me of my lovely family, house & home. So true..who do you know with 10 beautiful children? The Angel recognises all this coming from an exceptionally compassionate family which includes one of my most precious friends.
We talked a little of my illness & I'm reminded I have 2 daughters with the diagnosis too. It is a highly genetic disease. They are doing well on their own medications. In fact they are to be admired.
Currently my mood is depressed & my thoughts hopeless & despairing. Suicidal thoughts are common. I will never forget when I first had those thoughts 9 years ago..I couldn't believe it would happen to me. In fact I've never been so shocked at suffering depression for the first time age 38 after the 10th child was born.
When I was at St Paul's Grammar School, we studied for A Level Gerard Manley Hopkins & I remember saying to the English teacher, that it was all in Hopkins mind & that people could snap out of it! Can they now??!!! Strangely we also did Ted Hughes..well you know about his 2 women killing themselves...
Anyway Fr Gareth told me one day when I was very down, " it will pass " & of course it will. I'm going to clean today that always helps with the feeling of having accomplished something worthwhile.
Also there is silence in the house for a couple of hours so I will turn to Our Lord & thank Him for the grace yesterday & to show me His will & the ability to carry it out. I move today " into the deep.." I offer my 12 children to the Lord..presenting them to Him in gratitude for the many blessings poured out on our family.
Just to describe some of the most hurtful things you can say to a manic-depressive
1. You aren't as ill as you think. 2. You only use the illness when it suits you. 3. You are just badly behaved. I hope & pray to almighty God, that such people never find themselves with a depressive illness. Actually the people who say things like this are generally "depressives" of a different sort..kind of "smiling" depressives covering a multitude of personality defects. The manic-depressive generally has fewer problems than that type of person having a simple biological imbalance. The personality disordered OCD types are far more difficult to treat.
Manic - depressive illness....
Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
Feeling helpless, guilty, or worthless
Hopeless or pessimistic feelings
Loss of pleasure in usual activities
Decreased energy
Loss of memory or concentration
Irritability or restlessness
Sleep disturbances
Loss of or increase in appetite
Persistent thoughts of death
Psychological treatment often focuses on the life adjustment problems that develop because of the manic episodes, and in helping the individual recognize the onset of a manic episode and take corrective action. Supportive counseling is needed, to help the individual accept that he/she has a chronic psychological problem that will have a major impact on life management. Anyone with bipolar disorder should be under the care of a psychiatrist skilled in its diagnosis and treatment, as well as a psychologist. Psychologists provide the individual and his/her family with support, education, coping skills training, They also help monitor the symptoms and encourage the individual to continue medical treatment. The psychiatrist monitors the medication that is usually required with this disorder.
Most people with manic depressive illness can be helped with treatment.
Almost all people with bipolar disorder--even those with the most severe forms--can obtain substantial stabilization of their mood swings. One medication, lithium, is usually very effective in controlling mania and preventing the recurrence of both manic and depressive episodes. Most recently, the mood stabilizing anticonvulsants carbamazepine and valproate have also been found useful, especially in more refractory bipolar episodes. Often these medications are combined with lithium for maximum effect.
Some scientists have theorized that the anticonvulsant medications work because they have an effect on kindling, a process in which the brain becomes increasingly sensitive to stress and eventually begins to show episodes of abnormal activity even in the absence of a stressor. It is thought that lithium acts to block the early stages of this kindling process and that carbamazepine and valproate act later.
Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder are generally treated with lithium, but carbamazepine and valproate are also used. Valproate has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of acute mania. The high potency benzodiazepines clonazepam and lorazepam may be helpful adjuncts for insomnia. Thyroid augmentation may also be of value.
For depression, several types of antidepressants can be useful when combined with lithium, carbamazepine, or valproate. Constructing a life chart of mood symptoms, medications, and life events may help the health care professional to treat the illness optimally. Because manic-depressive illness is recurrent, long-term preventive (prophylactic) treatment is highly recommended and almost always indicated.
Famous People & Bi-Polar
Many famous people have been affected by bipolar disorder. It is often suggested that genius and mental illness are linked. In the case of bipolar disorder, many of those who suffer from the disorder also have exceptional gifts. Above average creativity is sometimes considered a symptom of bipolar disorder. Manic episodes or hypomania may lead to times of intense productivity. Living with bipolar disorder is not a smooth road to creative genius. Those who suffer from the disorder walk a tightrope of mania or hypomania occasionally accompanied by ideas and aspirations hanging over a pit of depression and hopelessness.
Some actors and actresses have revealed their bipolar disorder diagnosis. Richard Dreyfuss, Carrie Fisher, Stephen Fry, Linda Hamilton, Vivian Leigh, Ben Stiller, and Jean Claude Van Damme are known to have bipolar disorder. Patty Duke wrote a book describing her personal turmoil of living with bipolar disorder. Maurice Bernard, from the soap opera "General Hospital," has discussed his diagnosis and promotes awareness about the disorder. Marilyn Monroe is also thought to have suffered from the disorder.
Many authors and poets are thought to have suffered from bipolar disorder. Hans Christian Anderson, Charles Dickens, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain, and Virginia Woolf are famous writers who had bipolar disorder. Lord Byron, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Keats, and Sylvia Plath are poets who suffered from manic depression.
Vincent Van Gogh and Edvard Munch are famous artists who had bipolar disorder. Ludwig van Beethoven and Robert Schumann are famous composers who suffered the highs and lows of bipolar disorder. Musicians Jimi Hendrix, Axl Rose, Courtney Love, Ozzy Osborne, Steven Page, Tom Scholz, Scott Weiland, and Jim Morrison lived with this condition. Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton are historic figures who are thought to have suffered from some form of bipolar disorder. Patrick Kennedy suffers from bipolar disorder.
Florence Nightingale lived with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Isaac Newton, Ludwig Boltzmann, and Emil Post are mathematicians who had bipolar disorder. Athletes Frank Bruno, Chris Kanyon, Neil Lennon, Jimmy Piersall have bipolar disorder.
Kay Redfield Jamison is a psychologist who wrote extensively about her experiences with bipolar disorder. She wrote memoirs that described her personal battle with the disorder. She also wrote a book that examines the link between bipolar disorder and artistic creativity.
People who have bipolar disorder have touched our lives in countless ways. Bipolar disorder has indirectly affected us by touching the lives of those who have made contributions to humanity.
The next time you listen to a classical music piece by Beethoven or Schumann or read a poem by Keats or Emerson, remember that the creators of those works of art were living the extremes of bipolar disorder. And though bipolar disorder causes great distress for those who live it, it is difficult to deny that it may also be a gift.
Missing Fr Paul already!
Fr Paul Chavasse has proved to me personally to be all that is lovely, holy & exemplary in a priest. He quietly goes about his ministry with a calm good humour. He never failed to acknowledge me whether I was in the depths of despair or more animated. He has mentored our sons & I have fond memories of my youngest son serving his Benedictions. In recent times when things have been hard for me I know he has quietly prayed for me & not ignored me as some have. He has been amazing in organising the visit of Deacon Jack Sullivan & arranged a special blessing for me. He has visited my Book Club & organised the visit at the Oratory of a high profile speaker. He has been my kind confessor. He has understood my illness & never been disrespectful or harsh with me. He is a devoted son of St Philip & a wonderful beacon of light in the Oratory. I hope he comes to the Oratory a lot as it won't be the same without him. ( I also miss Fr Gareth Jones a great deal ). I feel happy that he is able to use his gifts for the Lord abroad.God bless you Fr Paul from all the Parkes family & Happy Feast Day!
Today is 40 days since Christmas Day, and so we celebrate the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.
H/T Deacon Peter Simpson here
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
James Montgomery (1771-1854)
Happy Feast!
H/T Deacon Peter Simpson hereAngels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
James Montgomery (1771-1854)
Happy Feast!
Monday, 1 February 2010
My evening meditation " The Way " Josemaria Escriva
" You are crying? Don't be ashamed of it. Yes, cry: men also cry like you, when they are alone and before God. Each night, says King David, I soak my bed with tears. With those tears, those burning manly tears, you can purify your past and supernaturalize your present life. "
( On Penance 216 )
( On Penance 216 )
" Love is the "greatest gift "
Love is the 'greatest gift,' Pope Benedict declares at Angelus
Vatican City, January 31 (CNA) .-
Pope Benedict XVI in his address before the Angelus discussed St. Paul's "hymn of love" and the importance of love as the "badge of the Christian" and the "greatest" gift.
In First Corinthians, the Holy Father said, St. Paul shows us the "way of perfection" in the verses of his "hymn to love." Benedict XVI called the verses of Sunday's reading "one of the most beautiful pages in the New Testament."According to Paul, he continued, the way "does not consist of possessing exceptional qualities: speaking other languages, knowing all of the mysteries, having a prodigious faith or doing heroic acts.
It consists, rather, of love - agape ... true love, that which God has revealed to us in Jesus Christ."Love is the 'greatest' gift, that gives value to all the others," taught the Holy Father.After quoting excerpts regarding the nature of this love and its manifestation from St. Paul's letter, Pope Benedict added:
" In the end, when we find ourselves face-to-face with God, all of the other gifts will disappear; the only one that will remain eternally will be love, because God is love and we will be like Him, in perfect communion with Him.""For now, while we are in this world, love is the badge of the Christian ... it is what he believes and that which he does."Citing his first encyclical "Deus Caritas Est," the Holy Father recalled that love has two aspects: "its meaning and ... its practical realization."
"In Jesus Christ, these two aspects form a perfect unity," he explained. "He is the incarnate Love. This Love is fully revealed to us in Christ crucified."Benedict XVI concluded by reflecting on the Saints, among whom are a "variety" of spiritual gifts and human characters, but each one's life is "a 'hymn to love,' a living canticle to the love of God!"
He ended his address by remembering St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesian Family and patron saint of young people, whose feast is celebrated on Sunday. The Holy Father asked for his intercession "so that priests are always educators and fathers of young people, and that, experiencing this pastoral love, many young people welcome the call to give their lives for Christ and the Gospel."
Vatican City, January 31 (CNA) .-
Pope Benedict XVI in his address before the Angelus discussed St. Paul's "hymn of love" and the importance of love as the "badge of the Christian" and the "greatest" gift.
In First Corinthians, the Holy Father said, St. Paul shows us the "way of perfection" in the verses of his "hymn to love." Benedict XVI called the verses of Sunday's reading "one of the most beautiful pages in the New Testament."According to Paul, he continued, the way "does not consist of possessing exceptional qualities: speaking other languages, knowing all of the mysteries, having a prodigious faith or doing heroic acts.
It consists, rather, of love - agape ... true love, that which God has revealed to us in Jesus Christ."Love is the 'greatest' gift, that gives value to all the others," taught the Holy Father.After quoting excerpts regarding the nature of this love and its manifestation from St. Paul's letter, Pope Benedict added:
" In the end, when we find ourselves face-to-face with God, all of the other gifts will disappear; the only one that will remain eternally will be love, because God is love and we will be like Him, in perfect communion with Him.""For now, while we are in this world, love is the badge of the Christian ... it is what he believes and that which he does."Citing his first encyclical "Deus Caritas Est," the Holy Father recalled that love has two aspects: "its meaning and ... its practical realization."
"In Jesus Christ, these two aspects form a perfect unity," he explained. "He is the incarnate Love. This Love is fully revealed to us in Christ crucified."Benedict XVI concluded by reflecting on the Saints, among whom are a "variety" of spiritual gifts and human characters, but each one's life is "a 'hymn to love,' a living canticle to the love of God!"
He ended his address by remembering St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesian Family and patron saint of young people, whose feast is celebrated on Sunday. The Holy Father asked for his intercession "so that priests are always educators and fathers of young people, and that, experiencing this pastoral love, many young people welcome the call to give their lives for Christ and the Gospel."
This is what Our Lord's face looked like in my mind..
I find it strangely consoling. I know all will be well..I was talking on another blog "Convert Journal" " No Rush, take Your Time " here & thinking of Joanna Bogle's sentiment that we must be ready & not waste a moment. On two occasions when I needed serious surgery & on one, nearly dying, my first prayer was "Into your hands Lord I commend my spirit" & on another the words " Jesu, Maria ". I don't worry anymore about dying because I've seen if these names are on our lips in life, so too will they be at our death.A great agony of mind..
Since yesterday evening I have been afflicted by a great agony & torment of mind. Btw I don't suffer from visions, hallucinations or delusions! These are just normal aspects of the spiritual life & also possibly depressions. I suffered for most of the night & towards early morning a friend from church whom I thought I'd lost, got in touch with me giving reassurance that all was well. This comforted me a lot. I was unable to get up early enough for the school run so Andrew took the children.
I felt very sad today because I like to go to the afternoon of prayer of exposition & adoration but I feel they don't want me to go. I feel they don't want me in the church either. At about 3 pm this afternoon I was thinking it must all be my fault & in a flash I saw Jesus hanging lifelessly on the cross from the side with His head lying drooping forward in a collapsed way. I think He had just died. It was as though His body had relaxed & " It Was Finished". Strangely the 'picture' given in my mind comforted me, because it was as though He knew I was suffering terribly & understood my poor attempts at prayer & reconciliations. I didn't really think of Our Lady then..but yesterday I remember thinking to myself..Lord I'm always thinking of your Mother..& then I see today she led me to her crucified Son. I think I might start again to pray the Prayer before a Crucifix. Do you know we learned that in St Annes, Digbeth, Primary.
I have that tight band of pressure round my head again & I know my Confessor told me years ago my depression was my 'crown' so I will try & cope & not cause the family distress & I'm sorry if I have upset anyone in church or elsewhere. I do feel very desolate & I know people find me hard to deal with. I do so like them which makes it worse. Although the sun is shining the tears are dripping off the keyboard like a waterfall..I can't see any light or hope..but for all that I'm comforted by what I saw.
How can we expect to suffer less if Our Lord shows us the way? I offer my share of suffering as a purification of my sins particularly those of impurity. Another friend from church had dropped round for a few minutes with a booklet about Our Lady Mediatrix of all graces & Our Lady Queen of the Home..from a Dublin source.
To be ctd.
I felt very sad today because I like to go to the afternoon of prayer of exposition & adoration but I feel they don't want me to go. I feel they don't want me in the church either. At about 3 pm this afternoon I was thinking it must all be my fault & in a flash I saw Jesus hanging lifelessly on the cross from the side with His head lying drooping forward in a collapsed way. I think He had just died. It was as though His body had relaxed & " It Was Finished". Strangely the 'picture' given in my mind comforted me, because it was as though He knew I was suffering terribly & understood my poor attempts at prayer & reconciliations. I didn't really think of Our Lady then..but yesterday I remember thinking to myself..Lord I'm always thinking of your Mother..& then I see today she led me to her crucified Son. I think I might start again to pray the Prayer before a Crucifix. Do you know we learned that in St Annes, Digbeth, Primary.
I have that tight band of pressure round my head again & I know my Confessor told me years ago my depression was my 'crown' so I will try & cope & not cause the family distress & I'm sorry if I have upset anyone in church or elsewhere. I do feel very desolate & I know people find me hard to deal with. I do so like them which makes it worse. Although the sun is shining the tears are dripping off the keyboard like a waterfall..I can't see any light or hope..but for all that I'm comforted by what I saw.
How can we expect to suffer less if Our Lord shows us the way? I offer my share of suffering as a purification of my sins particularly those of impurity. Another friend from church had dropped round for a few minutes with a booklet about Our Lady Mediatrix of all graces & Our Lady Queen of the Home..from a Dublin source.
To be ctd.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
I rather like this Thought for the Day off the Newman Cause site via someone else
O my Lord and Saviour, in Thy arms I am safe; keep me and I have nothing to fear; give me up and I have nothing to hope for. I know not what will come upon me before I die. I know nothing about the future, but I rely upon Thee.
I believe time is of the essence..Joanna Bogle wrote something as did another person will find tomorrow..but I realise I waste an awful lot of time on futile efforts. I need to use my considerable energies where they are best suited & Eric Hester would be delighted to hear me say in my family!
Blog viewing & stats continue to rise!
I think Eric Hester is right..well sorry Eric I mean of course you are! But the less time I spend blogging the more people arrive although it's pretty much up to 250 readers a day. Now then, what I need to know is how come all those who say they NEVA read my blog know ALL about it? Do they a) really read it! b) get someone else to read it & tell them about it? or c) some other way? Just kinda interested really Mrs W!!!!!! I'm so dead in the morning! C'mon admit it you read it before you go teach don't you for inspiration of a spiritual, psychological, academic type! Or it could be " torture " I spose! What I meant to say about to hit 50, 000 soon & that's my 4th blog so about a quarter of a million readers! I know Fr Tim hit a million a while back but hey, he's been blogging longer than me!
Oh WOW!! New baby ALERT in Mass this morning!
Over at Lacrimarum Valle here
Was that baby gorgeous or what! Matt & Wendy & their daughter looked very relaxed & fulfilled! & so they should! Getting a son at no 2 when some of us had to wait until no 8! Only kidding girls! As I always say we wanted a large family or shall I qualify I wanted one! What Jackie wants..she usually gets!
Anyway, many congratulations & blessings to the Doyle family. Gosh Candlemas will be so special..I want one! lol
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Fr Pat Brennan's Sunday Sermon..
Taken from Humble Piety here
If we can cope with the rejection, the ridicule, the peer pressure, the apathy, the cynicism levelled in our direction or attacking us from within, then the gift of faith is just that a truly wonderful gift!
The 2nd reading from St Paul is a demonstration of a faith that has endured and matured. It is worth reflecting upon the positive influence of faith. St Paul states that: Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
If we can cope with the rejection, the ridicule, the peer pressure, the apathy, the cynicism levelled in our direction or attacking us from within, then the gift of faith is just that a truly wonderful gift!
The 2nd reading from St Paul is a demonstration of a faith that has endured and matured. It is worth reflecting upon the positive influence of faith. St Paul states that: Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
" Avoiding Shipwrecks " Jesus calms the Storm
We’re familiar with the Gospel accounts of when Jesus stepped into a boat and His disciples followed; and then a great storm arose which caused the disciples to be fearful, while through it all Jesus slept. And finally the disciples woke Him up and He calmed the storm (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-40, & Luke 8:22-25).
Saint Augustine splendidly applies these Gospel accounts to the storms of life which we all face from time-to-time. Here’s what he wrote.
Have you received an insult, it is the wind: are you provoked to anger, it is the buffeting of the waves. As the wind rises, and the waves mount up, your ship is in peril; your heart is buffeted by waves, your soul is endangered. Swift on the insult you are eager for revenge: and lo you are revenged, and yielding to a new disaster, you are shipwrecked. And why? Because in you Christ sleeps.
What does this mean: in you Christ sleeps? It means you have forgotten Christ. Then awaken Christ, bring Him to mind; let Christ keep watch in you: look upon Him.What was it you desired? To be revenged. Has it gone from your memory what He said while they crucified Him: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). He Who was sleeping in your heart sought not to be revenged. Awaken Him, remember Him. Remembrance of Him is remembrance of His words: and to remember Him is to obey Him.
And should Christ awaken in you, you will say to yourself: What kind of man am I that I should seek to be revenged? Who am I that I should utter threats against another?It may be that I shall die before I can be revenged. And when breathing my last, on fire with anger, thirsting for revenge, I go forth from this body, He shall not receive me Who desired no revenge: He shall not receive me Who said: Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given unto you (Luke 6:37-38).
Therefore shall I bridle my anger, and return to the peace of my heart. Christ commanded the sea, and there came a great calm.
H/T Secret Harbour here
Friday, 29 January 2010
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