tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72280602626304674862024-03-14T03:29:21.638+00:00Porta CaeliPatriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.comBlogger592125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-73426784203518622422023-03-04T17:47:00.000+00:002023-03-04T17:47:29.535+00:00Good speech...<p> is silver but silence, so I am told, is pure gold. </p><p>I am threatening to return!<br /></p>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-72082396785212796882022-10-11T17:48:00.003+01:002022-10-11T17:52:23.807+01:00New Test<p> Just another test to see if my bog still works.</p><p>Back soon!</p><p>BLOG!!<br /></p>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-29446503216158214002022-03-19T09:13:00.000+00:002022-03-19T09:13:14.320+00:00Update Test<p> This is a test checking whether or not my blog is still working. If it is I shall be back soon. If not...who knows?<br /></p>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-58665146118078303402018-05-20T00:46:00.001+01:002018-05-20T00:46:09.014+01:00Testing<span style="font-size: x-large;">Testing</span>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-49527434536364271742017-02-16T09:42:00.001+00:002017-02-16T09:42:02.386+00:00Westminster v. Canterbury<span style="font-size: large;">"Sign of peace" trumps "dodgy handshake"!</span>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-27878257395254197492016-06-19T16:39:00.000+01:002016-06-19T16:40:16.736+01:00Change Europe for the better...<span style="font-size: x-large;">...by<i> leaving</i>?</span>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-76732846863187953172015-09-01T18:54:00.001+01:002016-10-08T09:08:39.327+01:00<br />
<br />Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-62208913899371904862015-05-07T11:01:00.002+01:002015-05-07T20:48:21.584+01:00A Meeting with the Holy Shroud 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iA80C4M8Ens/VUsuCQBIiTI/AAAAAAAABFY/y-OedVW9meA/s1600/2015_0502Turin0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iA80C4M8Ens/VUsuCQBIiTI/AAAAAAAABFY/y-OedVW9meA/s320/2015_0502Turin0059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">On Wednesday of last week, 29th April, I had the great privilege of</span><span style="font-size: large;"> standing before the Holy Shroud exposed in the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Turin. My immediate impression was of the sheer physicality- the enormous presence- of the object presented, as it was, within its large frame. Having pored over photographs- both positives and negatives- over many years, and accustomed to coping with- or attempting to see past the" visual noise" or interference resulting from the process of mechanical reproduction it was a moment of real insight when I was able to view, unmediated, the Shroud itself. No longer interpreting, I was seeing for myself. The visit itself being a gift (for my earlier birthday), I had come to the experience as one unseeking. True, the Holy Shroud had, indeed <i>has,</i> been a subject of abiding interest for the greater part of my life- at least since I acquired the CTS booklet by the Rev. Langton Fox in 1968. Ten years later, in 1978, I bought and devoured the Penguin edition of Ian Wilson's masterly tome and, following that, many less worthy publications. (The Shroud numbers a fair quantity of nutters among its devotees). Most written accounts stress that it was only with the first photographs that the image on the Shroud began to give up its secrets and, on that account, I saw no reason to seek out an actual view of the cloth. Shortly after 11a.m. on the appointed day I realised that there was indeed no substitute for a real sight of it. Whether authentic or not, it is in my, view, a most holy icon of Our Lord's Passion. I found myself profoundly moved and I hope, in due course, to share some of the insights granted to me. For the present the above image is given as a gentle warning to any other would-be pilgrims to Turin: photographs are not allowed and expect a lengthy journey into the exposition. There is nothing quite like seeing for oneself. </span><br />
<br />
<br />Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-85835730869019680852015-04-01T23:50:00.003+01:002015-04-02T00:24:06.824+01:00A very interesting piece- Some thoughts<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have not fully absorbed everything at the following link but it rings a lot of bells for me. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://onthesideoftheangels.blogspot.co.uk/">http://onthesideoftheangels.blogspot.co.uk/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">It has seemed to me for some time that, immensely important as is the grave matter to be discussed at the forthcoming synod, the synod itself, is of yet weightier moment than even the subjects for discussion. A comparison I have in mind is with the unfolding of "the King's Great Matter" as Henry VIII sought an annulment of his marriage in the late 1520s when, as it transpired, much more was at stake than one dynastic marriage. In spite of a subsequent effort of restoration the real outcome, then, was the death of Catholic England. What seems to be at stake now is...even more.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">One of the words trotted out by those pushing the "Kasper line" is "development". This is not, to my mind, the "Development" of Blessed John Henry Newman. Newman's concept has a kind of organic character. It is about the unfolding or opening out of what is pre-existing. It does not involve violence to the original deposit. Dissidents' use of "development" involves an essentially Hegelian model- the clashing opposition, or struggle, of thesis and antithesis in order from their annihilation to bring forth a synthesis(- thanks to which we have such delights as Marxism, "Mein Kampf" and "the Survival of the Fittest" ). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The notion behind this, of course, is that we are in a state of ignorance and that we are to advance by a process of refining guesswork. Were we studying the material nature of the Universe this approach might have something to recommend it. The Church, however, is not in ignorance since it has the truth revealed by Christ- the incarnate Word of God.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I reckon that the dissidents need to wake up to the Incarnation. And the rest of us have some real praying to do.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-16756561591983975872015-03-29T14:26:00.000+01:002015-03-29T14:26:08.355+01:00In support of our priests, our families and our Church<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Today, this blog and others are taking part in a somewhat
unprecedented event. This post is going to appear on a good number of lay blogs
in the UK, in an attempt to demonstrate the depth of support among the laity,
for authentic Catholic teaching as expressed in the Magisterial teachings of
the Catholic Church.<br />
<br />
You may have seen the recent <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/03/24/nearly-500-priests-in-england-and-wales-urge-synod-to-stand-firm-on-communion-for-the-remarried/">letter</a>
from more than 450 priests in support of the Church’s teaching on marriage.</div>
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<br />
We would like to invite you to sign the letter below, to be sent to the press
in support of them, and to encourage others to sign it.<br />
<br />
To sign, please leave your name and your diocese in the comments box below, or
if you prefer email them to me or to one of the coordinators:<br />
Mark Lambert (<a href="mailto:mark@landbtechnical.com">mark@landbtechnical.com</a>)
or Andrew Plasom-Scott (<a href="mailto:andrewplasom_scott@me.com">andrewplasom_scott@me.com</a>)<br />
<br />
We hope to demonstrate a groundswell of support for the priests who have stood
firmly by us and Christ, a love of the Church, and a desire for sound doctrine
and catechesis.<br />
<br />
The Letter:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Dear Sir,<br />
<br />
We, the undersigned, wish to endorse and support the letter signed by over 450
priests in the recent edition of the <a href="http://bit.ly/19kuBkl" target="_blank">Catholic Herald</a>.<br />
<br />
As laity, we all know from our own family experiences, or those of our friends
and neighbours, the harrowing trauma of divorce and separation, and we
sympathise with all those in such situations.<br />
<br />
It is precisely for that reason that we believe that the Church must continue
to proclaim the truth about marriage, given us by Christ in the Gospels, with
clarity and charity in a world that struggles to understand it.<br />
<br />
For the sake of those in irregular unions, for the sake of those abandoned and
living in accordance with the teachings of the Church, and above all for the
sake of the next generation, it is essential that the Church continues to make
it quite clear that sacramental marriage is indissoluble until death.<br />
<br />
We pray, and expect, that our hierarchy will represent us, and the Church’s
unwavering teaching, at the Synod this autumn.<br />
<br />
Yours faithfully, </b></div>
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Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-5579184142527647062014-10-14T23:56:00.003+01:002014-10-14T23:57:05.184+01:00Just in case...<b><i>"Declaration of the Director of the Holy See Press Office on behalf of the General Secretariat of the Synod</i></b><br />
<b><i> </i></b> The General Secretariat of the Synod, in response to reactions and discussions following the publication of the <i>Relatio post disceptationem</i>,
and the fact that often a value has been attributed to the document
that does not correspond to its nature, reiterates that it is a working
document, which summarises the interventions and debate of the first
week, and is now being offered for discussion by the members of the
Synod gathered in the Small Groups, in accordance with the Regulations
of the Synod.<br />
The work of the Small Groups will be presented to the Assembly in the General Congregation next Thursday morning."<br />
<br />
So that's all right, then...? Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-2871244401253474452014-09-18T09:41:00.001+01:002014-09-18T09:41:29.827+01:00Quote of the Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6u4gQz0UEs/VBqY_P7JDCI/AAAAAAAABEs/PXfd2Olcpyo/s1600/Guy%2BFawkes%2Band%2BConspirators_no_text%2BL_tcm4-559834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6u4gQz0UEs/VBqY_P7JDCI/AAAAAAAABEs/PXfd2Olcpyo/s1600/Guy%2BFawkes%2Band%2BConspirators_no_text%2BL_tcm4-559834.jpg" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"I wanted to blow you back to your Scottish mountains"</span><i>-</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Guy Fawkes to King James I</i></span><br />
<br />Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-54199799469855497052014-07-25T23:09:00.001+01:002014-07-25T23:19:28.493+01:00In Solidarity with the Christians of Iraq<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ei3r9_hR94s/U9LVjoBrzGI/AAAAAAAABEU/i2fNtlt6H_Y/s1600/i_am_a_christian.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ei3r9_hR94s/U9LVjoBrzGI/AAAAAAAABEU/i2fNtlt6H_Y/s1600/i_am_a_christian.png" height="320" width="225" /></a></div>
also- a helpful link: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://citizengo.org/en/9810-save-iraqi-christian-community?m=5&tcid=5550856">http://citizengo.org/en/9810-save-iraqi-christian-community?m=5&tcid=5550856</a>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-49491014901202684032014-07-04T23:49:00.000+01:002014-07-04T23:51:22.617+01:00Blogging- why not?<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am one of those bloggers whose output has tailed off somewhat in the last couple of years. Initially it was because I found myself going through a period of intense learning during which it seemed prudent to spend some time reflecting and getting my thoughts in order before beginning to write. Before I was ready, however, we had the papal abdication and the arrival of Pope Francis as a consequence of which, despite my best efforts, I find myself feeling very confused. I have no wish to spread this confusion or cause scandal. Hence the present break- which, however, is not intended to be permanent.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">God bless all who pass this way.</span></span><br />
<br />Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-49099793436255812642014-04-19T18:31:00.003+01:002014-04-19T18:31:59.393+01:00Exsultet iam angelica turba caelorum!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gZFaZWi2uSI" width="560"></iframe><br />Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-46546389401298786512014-04-12T23:43:00.001+01:002014-04-12T23:46:50.900+01:00Gloria Laus et Honor Tibi Sit<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DIiE7p_aYe4" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/r8oOj92rqxA" width="560"></iframe><br />Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-33584535391705731382014-04-10T20:57:00.004+01:002014-04-10T20:58:15.366+01:00In case you've ever wondered...<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">...how come our legislators seem determined to promote evil of the most bestial kind - take a look at this:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/sexual-harassment-culture-in-parliament-exposed-westminster-commons">http://www.channel4.com/news/sexual-harassment-culture-in-parliament-exposed-westminster-commons</a></span></span><br />
<br />Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-77147180614270323262014-04-01T20:48:00.000+01:002014-04-01T22:38:34.788+01:00The Surgical Solution...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ukDAfF0-8q8" width="560"></iframe><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">...was surprisingly unpopular!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks to Chant Cafe, Fr Zed...and many more besides! </span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-56359300478777500262014-03-25T10:38:00.000+00:002014-03-25T10:38:21.048+00:00Lady Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p6ORtFes66A/UzFcauh1zmI/AAAAAAAABEE/AT9AwvlXVOQ/s1600/Annunciation_FraAngelico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p6ORtFes66A/UzFcauh1zmI/AAAAAAAABEE/AT9AwvlXVOQ/s1600/Annunciation_FraAngelico.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-89161240618792518892014-03-17T16:28:00.001+00:002014-03-17T16:28:02.174+00:00To all Patricians...<span style="color: red;"><u><i><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Feastday!</span></span></b></i></u></span>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-62967371657578656202014-01-19T11:05:00.001+00:002014-01-19T11:05:44.944+00:00A Prayer for the unity of Christians<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">O Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon
England thy Dowry and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in
thee. By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given to the
world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us
thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the cross, O
sorrowful Mother! intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one
true fold they may be united to the chief Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son.
Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all
deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home. Amen.</span>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-85746772765991176592014-01-09T23:35:00.002+00:002014-01-09T23:35:52.085+00:00A Strange Day !<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today has been a strange day in the Blogosphere. First of all there was the video which appeared on two blogs and seemed to show German bishops being appallingly rude to our former holy father. Then they disappeared. Next a whole blog disappeared and subsequently other postings vanished from other blogs. Are these things related or merely coincidental? Regarding one of the video postings- I returned to check it out because I had left a comment which I was beginning to feel had been, perhaps, a little intemperate, however, even that had been removed. Was it a hoax? Had we been "had"? </span></span>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-21410427385494924212014-01-03T15:41:00.000+00:002014-01-19T11:06:15.547+00:00Aw! Shucks!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gab3-MQNX4/UsWTIytRElI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/F0ur8-jWAaw/s1600/sunshineaward1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gab3-MQNX4/UsWTIytRElI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/F0ur8-jWAaw/s1600/sunshineaward1.jpg" style="height: 295px; width: 224px;" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am not a little ('Ow you say in Eengleesh?) overwhelmed ? embarrassed ?...I know not what....to find this little blog the recipient of a nomination...thingy...of a "Sunshine Award" from such amazingly respectable and esteemed bloggers as Signor Trovato, the Countercultural Father, and Mrs Parkes of the Catholic Orthodoxy blog. I feel quite undeserving of any such award at present, having been a relatively quiet blogger these last couple of years. Indeed there has been much for me to ponder on in the Catholic reaches of the blogosphere in that time - good and not so good- to the extent that I have tended to restrain my typing finger on the basis that, as somebody once said, it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and banish all doubt! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Among the conditions of receiving the award, I understand that I have to publish ten pieces of information about myself. So here goes:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. I was born on the Second Sunday in Lent in the sixteenth year of the pontificate of Pius XII.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. I was baptised exactly three weeks later on the Sunday when all the statues in the church were veiled.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. My first Communion took place during the pontificate of the Blessed Pope John XXIII</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. I was confirmed by Archbishop Francis Grimshaw during the papal sede vacante of 1963 and recall going into the church a few days later to sing "God Bless Our Pope" upon the election of Paul VI.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. I sang in a church choir from the age of eight until I went away to college at eighteen. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">6. I graduated in Fine Art(Painting), was specially commended for my studies in the History of Art and qualified as a teacher.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">7. I taught for several years but didn't enjoy school.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">8. I married the perfect wife (see O.T. job spec.Proverbs ch 31) in the year that has a novel named "after" (or should that be "before"?) it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">9. I have two (adult) children in this world.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">10. I help out with the music at mass most Sundays.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, as may be seen, quite a show-off- a real exhibitionist!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">My ten positively and creatively inspiring fellow bloggers:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. <a href="http://ccfather.blogspot.co.uk/">Countercultural Father</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. <a href="http://catholicorthodoxy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/pope-repeats-that-same-sex-marriage-is.html">Catholic Orthodoxy</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. <a href="http://exlaodicea.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/some-preliminary-good-news-i-think/#comments">Laodicea</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. <a href="http://idlespeculations-terryprest.blogspot.co.uk/">Idle Speculations</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. <a href="http://offerimustibidomine.blogspot.co.uk/">Offerimus Tibi Domine</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">6. <a href="http://mulier-fortis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/will-it-be-whitewash.html">Mulier Fortis</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">7. <a href="http://linenonthehedgerow.blogspot.co.uk/">Linen on the hedgerow</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">8. <a href="http://bara-brith.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/happy-christmas.html">Bara Brith</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">9. <a href="http://romanchristendom.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/the-feast-of-three-kings-or-magi.html">Roman Christendom</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">10.<a href="http://ecclesandbosco.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/new-year-honours.html"> Eccles and Bosco is Saved</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I do not necessarily agree with everything published on the above blogs but even when I don't am inclined to think that they all have hearts in, about, the right place.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-55456530310526802762013-12-25T17:25:00.004+00:002013-12-25T17:25:46.723+00:00Christmas 2013<span style="font-size: large;">A happy Christmas to all who pass here!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(Rather busy at present!) </span>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228060262630467486.post-66327015298932350292013-12-21T23:04:00.003+00:002013-12-21T23:45:44.167+00:00Has Deacon Nick Unhinged?<span style="font-size: large;">I was somewhat shocked at reading the latest headline on the <span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><a href="http://protectthepope.com/?p=9503">"Protect the Pope"</a></i></span> blog,<span style="font-weight: normal;"> <i>"Pope Francis tells Holy See’s curia to stop inspecting and questioning the local churches because it hinders the Holy Spirit"</i></span>. So shocked, in fact, that I looked at the original on the .<a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-extends-christmas-greetings-to-curia">Vatican website</a>. I reproduce it below in full and I submit that Deacon Nick's take is completely off the wall.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Your Eminences, <br />Dear Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Brothers and Sisters, <br />Once
again the Lord has enabled us to journey through Advent, and all too
quickly we have come to these final days before Christmas. They are days
marked by a unique spiritual climate made up of emotions, memories and
signs, both liturgical and otherwise, such as the crèche. It is in this
climate that this traditional meeting takes place with you, the
superiors and officials of the Roman Curia, who cooperate daily in the
service of the Church. I greet all of you with affection. Allow me to
extend a special greeting to Archbishop Pietro Parolin, who recently
began his service as Secretary of State, and who needs our prayers! <br />While
our hearts are full of gratitude to God, who so loved us that he gave
us his only-begotten Son, it is also good to make room for gratitude to
one another. In this, my first Christmas as the Bishop of Rome, I also
feel the need to offer sincere thanks to all of you as a community of
service, and to each of you individually. I thank you for the work which
you do each day: for the care, diligence and creativity which you
display; and for your effort – I know it is not always easy – to work
together in the office, both to listen to and to challenge one another,
and to bring out the best in all your different personalities and gifts,
in a spirit of mutual respect. <br />In a particular way, I want to
express my gratitude to those now concluding their service and
approaching retirement. As priests and bishops, we know full well that
we never really retire, but we do leave the office, and rightly so, not
least to devote ourselves more fully to prayer and the care of souls,
starting with our own! So a very special and heartfelt “thank you” goes
to those of you who have worked here for so many years with immense
dedication, hidden from the eyes of the world. This is something truly
admirable. I have such high regard for these “Monsignori” who are cut
from the same mould as the curiales of olden times, exemplary persons.
We need them today, too! People who work with competence, precision and
self-sacrifice in the fulfilment of their daily duties. Here I would
like to mention some of them by name, as a way of expressing my esteem
and my gratitude, but we know that, in any list, the first names people
notice are the ones that are missing! Besides, I would also risk
overlooking someone and thus committing an injustice and a lack of
charity. But I want to say to these brothers of ours that they offer a
very important witness in the Church’s journey through history. <br />This
mould and this witness make me think of two hallmarks of the curial
official, and even more of curial superiors, which I would like to
emphasize: professionalism and service. <br />Professionalism, by which I
mean competence, study, keeping abreast of things. This is a basic
requisite for working in the Curia. Naturally, professionalism is
something which develops and is in part acquired; but I think that,
precisely for it to develop and to be acquired, there has to be a good
foundation from the outset. <br />The second hallmark is service: service
to the Pope and to the bishops, to the universal Church and to the
particular Churches. In the Roman Curia, one learns – in a real way,
“one breathes in” – this twofold aspect of the Church, this interplay of
the universal and the particular. I think that this is one of the
finest experiences of those who live and work in Rome: “to sense” the
Church in this way. When professionalism is lacking, there is a slow
drift downwards towards mediocrity. <br />Dossiers become full of trite
and lifeless information and incapable of opening up lofty perspectives.
Then, too, when the attitude is no longer one of service to the
particular Churches and their bishops, the structure of the Curia turns
into a ponderous, bureaucratic customs house, constantly inspecting and
questioning, hindering the working of the Holy Spirit and the growth of
God’s people. <br />To these two qualities of professionalism and service,
I would also like to add a third, which is holiness of life. We know
very well that, in the hierarchy of values, this is the most important. <br />Indeed,
it is basic for the quality of our work, our service. And I want to say
here that in the Roman Curia, there have been and there are saints; I
have said this in public more than once, to thank the Lord. Holiness
means a life immersed in the Spirit, a heart open to God, constant
prayer, deep humility and fraternal charity in our relationships with
our fellow workers. It also means apostleship, discreet and faithful
pastoral service, zealously carried out in direct contact with God’s
people. For priests, this is indispensable. <br />Holiness in the Curia
also means conscientious objection to gossip! We rightfully insist on
the importance of conscientious objection but perhaps we, too, need to
exercise it as a means of defending ourselves from an unwritten law of
our surroundings, which unfortunately is that of gossip. So let us all
be conscientious objectors; and mind you, I am not simply preaching!
Gossip is harmful to people, our work and our surroundings. <br />Dear
brothers and sisters, let us feel close to one another on this final
stretch of the road to Bethlehem. We would do well to meditate on Saint
Joseph, who was so silent yet so necessary at the side of Our Lady. Let
us think about him and his loving concern for his Spouse and for the
Baby Jesus. This can tell us a lot about our own service to the Church!
So let us experience this Christmas in spiritual closeness to Saint
Joseph. <br />I thank you most heartily for your work and especially for
your prayers. Truly I feel “borne aloft” by your prayers and I ask you
to continue to support me in this way. I, too, remember you before the
Lord, and I impart my blessing as I offer my best wishes for a Christmas
filled with light and peace for each of you and for all your dear ones.
Happy Christmas!</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To this blogger, at least<i>,</i> it is clear that the holy father is congratulating members of the curia and contrasting their praiseworthy professionalism and service with a hypothetical alternative-<i> "when professionalism is lacking". </i>He is not issuing instructions for radical change.<i> </i>There are enough enemies of the truth distorting the holy father's message out there. It hardly behoves his supposed friends to do likewise.</span>Patriciushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08906131174326742939noreply@blogger.com0