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D-Day – The Normandy Invasion
We have heard the service men and women speak of their memories, of the comradeship they shared, of the ideals that inspired them to be willing to sacrifice…
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Nationalism and Patriotism
I admire patriotism, the love of one’s country, of one’s people but I dislike nationalism, the placing of one’s own country as superior to others. Nationalism sees rivals, foreigners, immigrants, outsiders; patriotism shares love of country with all who share similar values. “My country first” shouts Nationalism. “All peoples together” sings Patriotism, recognising others’ love…
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A Daily Brexit Prayer
A research chemist had built up a huge backlog of studies. He handed the papers to his secretary with a sincere apology for the amount of work he was giving her. “That’s all right” she said, pleasantly. “How will you manage it all?” he asked. She smiled sweetly “One at a time.”
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An Angel Called
In those days an angel appeared to the British government as it sat round the squaring-up table in the cabinet office. “Hwyl” said the angel, which surprised the cabinet. They did not know angels speak in Welsh because they live in God-zone country.
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Holy Week 2019
The beauty of Holy Week has once more enveloped me. I hope it has you. The suffering of the Passion story on Palm Sunday, the sadness of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, the strange beauty of Good Friday, and the joy of new life at the Easter Vigil and on Sunday.
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God’s Love For Us
They are suffering because they deserve to. They missed mass on Sunday and committed a mortal sin so they deserve hell. I was taught like that at school and I know how deeply those teachers must now regret having taught the Catholic Faith in that way. Poor, pathetic, loathsome teaching – teachers, priests, grandparents,
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Lapsed Catholics
In last week’s Sunday Times, Josh Glancy wrote about being a lapsed Catholic. He spoke about Cardinal Newman’s being canonized and the miracles attributed to him. A friend of his asked who could believe in miracles. Josh used to believe, he said, he genuinely believed he had a second father in heaven who would intercede…
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Loneliness & Poetry
On Wednesday we have a Requiem mass for Sue Davidson. Sue has no family. She called the parish her family. When she was able her carers brought her to Saturday evening mass in her wheelchair, but for some years she has not been able to come and has received Holy Communion regularly at home and…
Daily Prayers
Prayer is Love, I want to Love