Chesterton Knew The Importance of Ecumenical Dialogue

Chesterton Knew The Importance of Ecumenical Dialogue

Tuesday 29 June 2010

English FA, Knock England Out of World Cup!


Just a few days ago I blogged about the English Football Team Helping to End Abortion Then on Sunday morning I read in The Catholic Times that the Football Association had stopped Wayne Rooney answering questions about his Faith, Germany 4 England 1. Mr Rooney, a Catholic was asked about his Faith after he was seen wearing a Rosary while training. 'I've been wearing them for about four years now and you don't usually watch training (to see them). I obviously can't wear them in games. It's my religion.'

Mark Whittle, the FA's head of media relations, then interrupted Mr Rooney saying, 'We don't do religion.' Germany 4 England 1. In point of fact Whittle, Mr Rooney does do religion, he is a Catholic, so a bit less of the Royal 'we', Germany 4 England 1, from you would be a good start! Even if you do not believe in God, Whittle, telling one of your players that they cannot talk about the most important thing in their lives is hardly a great way to motivate them, Germany 4 England 1.

Friday 25 June 2010

Bishop to Lead Pro-Life Vigil


BISHOP THOMAS MCMAHON of Brentwood will lead a Pro-Life vigil to Marie Stopes abortuary, 88 Russell Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 5QB, on 10TH July, 2010.


We should all be there, unless we are praying at another abortuary at that time. Rememder that 100% of the Bishops in Brentwood will be there!

STARTING FROM ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY CHURCH, 557/559 HIGH ROAD,
WOODFORD GREEN, IG8 ORB.

TIMES (APPROX.) ARE AS FOLLOWS:

9.00AM HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS AT ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY CHURCH
9.45AM PRAYERFUL AND PEACEFUL PROCESSION TO MARIE STOPES ABORTION CENTRE, PROCESSING WITH IMAGE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, HOLY ROSARY AND HYMNS
12.00PM RETURN PROCESSION WITH PRAYERS AND HYMNS
12.30PM BREAK FOR TEA AND GET TOGETHER. PLEASE BRING PACKED LUNCH

Directions: From London - Central Line Tube to South Woodford (Loughton, Debden or Epping train – NOT HAINAULT), cross to the westbound platform by the station footbridge (or via subway outside the station) for a W13 bus at the stop outside the station, to Woodford Wells; or Victoria Line Tube or National Rail to Walthamstow Central and then 20 bus. Bus stop is just past St. Thomas’ Church. Car parking in church car-park.

PLEASE JOIN US – YOU REALLY DO MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. AND PLEASE TRY TO BRING SOMEONE WITH YOU.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE UNABLE TO JOIN THE PROCESSION, PLEASE BE WITH US SPIRITUALLY.


THE HELPERS OF GOD’S PRECIOUS INFANTS is an international pro-life group founded by Msgr. Philip Reilly under the direction of Bishop Thomas Daily of New York. Its main apostolate is prayer vigils at abortion facilities. To date, 5 Cardinals and over 100 Bishops worldwide participate including, in the UK, Bishop Thomas McMahon, Brentwood, Bishop John Hine, Southwark and Bishop Arthur Roche, Leeds. The spirituality is one of solidarity with Jesus in the person of the forgotten poor: “Whatever you do for the least of these my brethren, you do for me.” Matt.25:40.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
THE HELPERS OF GOD’S PRECIOUS
INFANTS
P.O. BOX 26601, LONDON, N14 7WH
Telephone: 02082523109
E-mail: info@hgpi.co.uk
Web: http://www.hgpi.co.uk/

Thursday 24 June 2010

English Football Team Helping to End Abortion


The Cross of St George Flags will stay up longer across England, now that England are through to the final sixteen in the Football World Cup. Not only this, but by coming second to the USA they will be in the Cup until at least Sunday instead of playing on Saturday! This will mean that more people will have more time to pray each time they see a St George's Cross. Everytime you see one please say;

Great St George, Patron of England,

slay the dragon of Abortion

and give Mary back her dowry.

The Good Counsel Network have given out thousands of prayercards with this pray on. Contact them for copies; info@goodcounselnetwork.freeserve.co.uk also see their blog

Tuesday 22 June 2010

National Day of Prayer & Fasting for Life


Wednesday 23rd June 2010 is a National Day of Prayer & Fasting For Life

A great prayer for Life is urgently needed. Pope John Paul II

And He said to them; This kind (of demon) can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
(Gospel of Mark 9:29)

On Wednesday 23rd June please pray and fast for the end of abortion and euthanasia. Your prayer and fasting is urgently needed. For information on the days of Prayer and Fasting contact; The Good Counsel Network on 020 7723 1740. http://www.goodcounselnetwork.com/

And the people of Ninevah believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put
on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least…God saw their efforts to
renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which He
had threatened to bring on them, and He did not bring it.
(Jonah 3:5,10)

Monday 21 June 2010

Nicaragua will be Pro-Life



"We moderns believe in a great cosmopolitan civilisation, one which shall include all the talents of all the absorbed peoples--"

"The Señor will forgive me," said the President. "May I ask the Señor how, under ordinary circumstances, he catches a wild horse?"

"I never catch a wild horse," replied Barker, with dignity.
"Precisely," said the other; "and there ends your absorption of the talents. That is what I complain of your cosmopolitanism. When you say you want all peoples to unite, you really mean that you want all peoples to unite to learn the tricks of your people. If the Bedouin Arab does not know how to read, some English missionary or schoolmaster must be sent to teach him to read, but no one ever says, 'This schoolmaster does not know how to ride on a camel; let us pay a Bedouin to teach him.' You say your civilisation will include all talents. Will it? Do you really mean to say that at the moment when the Esquimaux has learnt to vote for a County Council, you will have learnt to spear a walrus? I recur to the example I gave. In Nicaragua we had a way of catching wild horses--by lassooing the fore feet--which was supposed to be the best in South America. If you are going to include all the talents, go and do it. If not, permit me to say what I have always said, that something went from the world when Nicaragua was civilised."

"Something, perhaps," replied Barker, "but that something a mere barbarian dexterity. I do not know that I could chip flints as well as a primeval man, but I know that civilisation can make these knives which are better, and I trust to civilisation."

"You have good authority," answered the Nicaraguan. "Many clever men like you have trusted to civilisation. Many clever Babylonians, many clever Egyptians, many clever men at the end of Rome. Can you tell me, in a world that is flagrant with the failures of civilisation, what there is particularly immortal about yours?"



The Napoleon of Notting Hill, chapter 2, The Man in Green, by GK Chesterton
I would have liked to quote much more from this great novel, but this is a blog and not a book. It came to mind again when reading John Smeaton's blog about the pro-death attack on Nicaragua.

Saturday 19 June 2010

Prophets and Priests


This excellent book, by Ann Farmer presents the true, sinister story of the Birth Control Movement; which is a far cry from the bowdlerised fantasy version its modern supporters have been anxious to promote. It is a story of elitism, racism, bigotry and abortion. It is a history of experimentation on women and the poor.

I read it a few years ago and have quoted from it a number of times in Pro-Life talks. I notice that it is now on sale at the reduced price of £5 plus p&p, from St Anthony Communications (tel 01834812643 or sales@saintant.com)

Friday 18 June 2010

A Parable For Those Who Blame God


For many years my Mother would say, "There is no God!" only to follow up with, "Why does He let people suffer....?" and I would ask,"Who?". I am pleased to say that she has now left atheism behind her and is calling herself agnostic! So the following 'story' is for my Mum and all those like her. So do pass it on.
All the people who had ever lived were assembled before the throne of God. They were a sullen lot. They all had complaints, and they began to murmur among themselves. Who does God think He is, anyway?

One of the groups was composed of Jews who had suffered persecution. Some had died in gas chambers and concentration camps - and they grumbled; how could God know of the suffering they had been through?

Another group was slaves - black men and women with brands on their brows, great hosts of them, who had suffered indignities at the hands of those who called themselves "God's people" - What could God know about their plight?

There were long lines of refugees driven from their lands - homeless people, who had never on this earth been able to make ends meet.

There were sick ones and sufferers of all kinds, hundreds of groups, each with a complaint against God. What could He know of what human beings were forced to endure?

From each group a leader was chosen and a commission appointed to draw up the case against the Almighty Himself. Instead of God judging them, they began judging Him. And the verdict was that God should be sentenced to live on earth as a human being with no safeguards to protect His Divinity. And here was a bill of particulars:

Let Him be born a Jew. Let Him be born poor. Let even the legitimacy of His birth be suspect. Give Him hard work to do and poverty that He might know the pinch. Let Him be rejected by His people. Give Him for friends only those who are held in contempt. Let Him be betrayed by one of His friends. Let Him be indicted on false charges, tried before a prejudiced jury, convicted by a cowardly judge. Let Him be abandoned by His friends and see what it is to be terribly alone. Let Him be tortured, and then let Him die at the hands of His enemies.

As each group announced its sentence on God, roars of approval went up from the throng. When the last had finished, the raucous noise had become almost deafening ... and then everyone turned toward the throne. And suddenly heaven was filled with shocked penitent silence. For where there had been a throne, now could be seen a Cross.

- Andrew Armstrong

From Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR book "Arise from Darkness" - (ISBN - 0898705258) and "The Cross atGround Zero" - (ISBN - 1-931709-30-0).

Father Groeschel notes - "I have been unable to discover any information about the author [Andrew Armstrong], but surely a Christian capable of writing this will rejoice to have it shared. - BJG."

Thursday 17 June 2010

Cardinal Hume and Communion in the Hand



Basil Cardinal Hume died 11 years ago today, may he rest in peace. In a speech prepared before his death the Cardinal said that, "Communion in the hand, moving the Blessed Sacrament from the high altar, failure to genuflect, have in my experience weakened the respect and devotion due to so great a sacrament." (my emphasis) (Catholic Herald 3rd September 1999)


When permission was given by Rome for Communion in the hand, Rome made it clear that,

"The condition [for this permission]is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist." My emphasis added. (Details here)

In Cardinal Hume's judgement then this condition has not been met. Far be it from me to disagree with the Cardinal, so when we take his (Head of the Church in Wales & England) comments, along with the above from Rome, there can be no doubt that Communion in the hand is illicit in Wales & England. Is there a Catholic Bishop in Wales & England who will now ban this abuse? Please do not hold your breath, but do kneel and hold out your tongue to recieve Our Lord.

Wednesday 16 June 2010

Abort Me or Not?

I don't know much about Andrea Bocelli , but his story bought a tear to my eye.

Monday 14 June 2010

Chesterton's Feast Day?


As Gilbert Keith Chesterton died on the 14th June 64 years ago today, it is to be hoped that one day soon this will be declared his Feast Day by the Church. Let us Pray;

God Our Father, Thou filled the life of Thy servant Gilbert Keith Chesterton with a sense of wonder and joy, and gave him a faith which was the foundation of his ceaseless work, a charity towards all men, particularly his opponents, and a hope which sprang from his lifelong gratitude for the gift of human life. May his innocence and his laughter, his constancy in fighting for the Christian faith in a world losing belief, his lifelong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his love for all men, especially for the poor, bring cheerfulness to those in despair, conviction and warmth to lukewarm believers and the knowledge of God to those without faith. We beg Thee to grant the favours we ask through his intercession, [and especially for ……] so that his holiness may be recognized by all and the Church may proclaim him Blessed. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

For printable prayercards in English, Spanish, Italian and a Pro-Life version see; http://www.catholicgkchestertonsociety.co.uk/

Friday 11 June 2010

Polyphonic Mass of thanksgiving for the ‘Year for Priests’


On Saturday 12th June 2010, 3pm, at St James’s Church, Spanish Place, 22 George Street, London W1U 3QY - kindly welcomed by Parish Priest Fr Christopher Colven - newly ordained British priest Fr Simon Harkins, FSSP will offer his first Solemn High Mass in England (in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite).

On this occasion, the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (i.e. FSSP) is pleased to invite you to pray in thanksgiving for the graces granted by God during the last 12 months of the ‘Year for Priests’ in response to the many prayers offered for the sanctification of priests and for priestly vocations worldwide and in Great Britain in particular.

Clergy: choir dress. Music: Tomás Luis de Victoria’s ‘Missa Simile est regnum coelorum’ and his ‘Gaude Virgo Maria’ motet. After Mass, Fr Harkins will give individual First blessings. Refreshments will follow.

· Nearest underground: Baker Street, Bond Street.

· Nearest car park: Welbeck Street Mscp, 74-77 Welbeck Street, London W1G 0BB - Distance: 0.22 km, 0.13 mi - Opening hours Monday-Sunday :24 Hours – Daily tariffs: 1 Hour £ 5.00; 1 To 2 Hours £ 10.00; 2 To 3 Hours £ 15.00; 3 To 4 Hours £ 20.00; 4 To 5 Hours £ 25.00; 5 To 6 Hours £ 30.00.
Please come and give thanks for a new British priest (formed according to the usus antiquior).

With 360 clergy serving in 110 dioceses (in the UK: Portsmouth, Northampton, Edinburgh) on 4 continents, the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter is the largest Extraordinary Form priestly community in full communion with the Holy See. British priests ordained for the FSSP: 2 in 2009; 1 in 2010; 1 in 2011. Also: 40 new seminarians starting this year in our two international seminaries. In Rome, Pope Benedict has granted us a personal parish in 2008.

Contact: FSSP, 17 Eastern Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5RU. Website: www.fssp.co.uk/england

Last Saturday in Edinburgh, Cardinal O’Brien attended in choir and preached at Fr Harkins’ First Solemn High Mass. See slideshow here.

Wednesday 9 June 2010

Pro-Life Mass


Feast of the Sacred Heart. On Friday 11th June 6.30pm at Corpus Christi Church Maiden Lane, London. A Sung Mass in the old form of the Roman Rite has been organised for the Good Counsel Network by the Latin Mass Society and will include a Consecration of the World to the Sacred Heart.

Monday 7 June 2010

The Secret of the Rosary


"Our Lady blesses not only those who preach her Rosary, but she highly rewards all those who get others to say it by their example.

Alphonsus, King of Leon and Galicia, very much wanted all his servants to honor the Blessed Virgin by saying the Rosary. So he used to hang a large rosary on his belt and always wore it, but unfortunately never said it himself. Nevertheless his wearing it encouraged his courtiers to say the Rosary very devoutly.

One day the King fell seriously ill and when he was given up for dead he found himself, in a vision, before the judgment seat of Our Lord. Many devils were there accusing him of all the sins he had committed and Our Lord as Sovereign Judge was just about to condemn him to hell when Our Lady appeared to intercede for him. She called for a pair of scales and had his sins placed in one of the balances whereas she put the rosary that he had always worn on the other scale, together with all the Rosaries that had been said because of his example. It was found that the Rosaries weighed more than his sins.

Looking at him with great kindness Our Lady said: "As a reward for this little honor that you paid me in wearing my Rosary, I have obtained a great grace for you from my Son. Your life will be spared for a few more years. See that you spend these years wisely, and do penance."

When the King regained consciousness he cried out: "Blessed be the Rosary of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, by which I have been delivered from eternal damnation!"

After he had recovered his health he spent the rest of his life in spreading devotion to the Holy Rosary and said it faithfully every day."

St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort

Saturday 5 June 2010

Parishioners Arriving Late Father?


Father are you sick and tied of watching your parishioners arriving late for Mass Sunday after Sunday?

Solve the problem, offer the Holy Sacrifice Ad Orientem.

Thursday 3 June 2010

Happy Feast of Corpus Christi!


Solemn Mass of Corpus Christi with Pope Benedict XVI, live from the Basilica of Saint John Latern, Rome. Today at 6pm on Sky 589 or online.

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Irish Proverb


You worship God in your way and I'll worship Him in His.

Irish Proverb