Just in case...

"Declaration of the Director of the Holy See Press Office on behalf of the General Secretariat of the Synod
The General Secretariat of the Synod, in response to reactions and discussions following the publication of the Relatio post disceptationem, 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.
The work of the Small Groups will be presented to the Assembly in the General Congregation next Thursday morning."

So that's all right, then...?

Quote of the Day

"I wanted to blow you back to your Scottish mountains"-

 Guy Fawkes to King James I

In Solidarity with the Christians of Iraq

also- a helpful link:

http://citizengo.org/en/9810-save-iraqi-christian-community?m=5&tcid=5550856

Blogging- why not?

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.
God bless all who pass this way.

Exsultet iam angelica turba caelorum!

Gloria Laus et Honor Tibi Sit

In case you've ever wondered...

...how come our legislators seem determined to promote evil of the most bestial kind - take a look at this:

http://www.channel4.com/news/sexual-harassment-culture-in-parliament-exposed-westminster-commons

The Surgical Solution...

...was surprisingly unpopular!
Thanks to Chant Cafe, Fr Zed...and many more besides!

Lady Day!

To all Patricians...

Happy Feastday!

A Prayer for the unity of Christians

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.

A Strange Day !

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"?

Aw! Shucks!!

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!

Among the conditions of receiving the award, I understand that I have to publish ten pieces of information about myself. So here goes:
1. I was born on the Second Sunday in Lent  in the sixteenth year of the pontificate of Pius XII.
2. I was baptised exactly three weeks later on the Sunday when all the statues in the church were veiled.
3. My first Communion took place during the pontificate of the Blessed Pope John XXIII
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.
5. I sang in a church choir from the age of eight until I went away to college at eighteen. 
6. I graduated in Fine Art(Painting), was specially commended for my studies in the History of Art and qualified as a teacher.
7. I taught for several years but didn't enjoy school.
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.
9. I have two (adult) children in this world.
10. I help out with the music at mass most Sundays.
So, as may be seen, quite a show-off- a real exhibitionist!

My ten positively and creatively inspiring fellow bloggers:
1. Countercultural Father
2. Catholic Orthodoxy
3. Laodicea
4. Idle Speculations
5. Offerimus Tibi Domine
6. Mulier Fortis 
7. Linen on the hedgerow
8. Bara Brith
9. Roman Christendom
10. Eccles and Bosco is Saved



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.