The Comedian and the Archbishop . . .

Those of you who are familiar with Twitter will know there is an option to 'favourite' a Tweet. It can be used in various ways but I use it in the same way as I might 'bookmark' a web site or page so that I can easily find it when I want to come back to it later.

A while ago I had 'favourited' a link to a discussion between the comedian Frank Skinner and the Archbishop of Canterbury. I had heard favourable reports of this event and thought I'd come back to it when I had time to read it or listen to it in full.

If you haven't already heard it you'll find a link here both to the audio version or, if you prefer, a transcript of the discussion.

I do think it was well worth the half hour or so I spent reading the transcript. I was very taken with Frank Skinner's ability to talk about his faith and, even in the written word, the spark between the two men was apparent. I think there was a mutual respect between the two.

I wouldn't say I agreed with Frank Skinner on everything he mentioned but quite of lot of what he, and the Archbishop, said resonated with me. Here are a few examples . . .

- but when I go to church on a Sunday morning I feel like we are discussing the most profound important serious things in the middle of a children's playground, and I find it quite difficult often just to even hear what's being said in a homily, for example. In the Catholic church I imagine this is even worse, because we are not that big on contraception as you may have heard. So there are a lot of kids screaming and shouting. I think it's a real problem. I think it makes church - I love kids and I love kids being around - but I kind of go there to be inspired. I kind of go there to be given something by the priest that I will take away with me and it will get me through that week.

and . . .

- And my point is, I’m not sure and in fact I think faith, that kind of complete and utter blind faith, is a very dangerous thing. I see myself as a person of doubt, and I think doubt is absolutely at the centre of being a human being, and is important. I worry when I hear religious people who have no doubt, just fundamentalist beliefs, and I worry when I hear atheists who seem to have no doubt at all. I think that that is an essential part of being a human being. And I think that when Jesus is on the cross and says “my Lord, my Lord, why have you forsaken me?” that’s the moment when he completely becomes a human being - and then he can die because he's done the full works. So I don't think anyone in this church tonight who believes in God should feel bad if there are days when they find it very very hard to believe.

And even slightly . . .

I sometimes wonder if maybe it's not a bad thing that churches don't have as many people in as they used to. I’m quite keen on quality rather than quantity. There was a time when there was a big social pressure to go to church, so a lot of the people there didn’t really want to be there and weren’t that interested. I know it often looks like the people there are not that interested, but I often look around during a sermon - just for something to do really - and I look at the people and people are looking at their shoes but I think, you never know actually – someone can look bored but inside they might be thinking very profound spiritual thoughts about their life. I would never assume. I think anyone who’s at church now, unless they’re a child who’s been dragged along, are there because they’ve made that decision. There is certainly no social pressure to go to church. On the contrary. So it might be good to have less people who are more committed.

So if you've get a few moments to spare, have a look or listen and see what you think.

St Cosmas and St Damian . . .

This one is for all you 'plantsmen' out there . . .

Here is one half of the fourth century martyred twins whose memorial falls today.

Well, for years I was under the impression that it was Saint Cosmos and Saint Damian and that was probably where the flower got its name from for some obscure reason! Of course I'm much older and wiser now . . .

So this beautiful photo is for all doctors and those who care for the sick with a prayer for them all.

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Harvest Sunday . . .

According to our Diocesan Directory, tomorrow is Harvest Sunday.

I don't how this is remembered in your area but I always feel it's a bit of a non-event somehow.

I was brought up in the Anglican tradition with great emphasis put on our annual parish Harvest Supper; a church building where every possible nook and cranny was crammed with some sort of natural produce.

Even though it was an urban parish, it really was an amazing sight to a youngster who came from a family where food was always adequate but not usually abundant.

To see real sheaves of corn and the amazing skill of local bakers who had lovingly produced the huge (to my eyes) harvest loaves in the shape of sheaves of corn and 'cottage' loaves appetisingly placed on windowsills that were just out of reach (probably just as well) was an absolute delight.

And what Harvest Festival Sunday Eucharist was complete without 'We Plough the Fields and Scatter' sung with great gusto by all present.

I remember my first experience of a Harvest Sunday in a Catholic Church and was struck by the contrast between the celebration of Harvest today and my childhood memories. It was hardly marked at all. Perhaps a reference in the Prayers of Intercession but I don't think there was any other reference to giving thanks to God for his bountiful provision for us through his creation.

Perhaps it has changed in the Anglican church too.

A beautiful Mass . . .

Well, where to start? I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the special Mass at Westminster Cathedral today in Thanksgiving for the Anniversary of Pope Benedict's visit to the UK.

I say 'fortunate' but I also felt very privileged to be there. We were luck to have excellent seats with a very clear view of the altar. Not being particularly tall, to put it mildly, I was quite prepared for having to sit behind some fairly tall people, or even 'women in hats' as we were advised that the dress code was 'smart'.

We were seated for about an hour and half before Mass began and I was impressed with the reverent silence all around. Sadly, this isn't always the case, I've found, when large groups of Catholics gather.

Before the clergy processed into the cathedral we were treated to a procession of Knights (and Dames) and other dignitaries; a splendid spectacle. Instantly recognisable are the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and the Knights of Malta. Who are the Knights in dark green uniform? Are they the Knight of St Gregory?

It's always encouraging to see so many young seminarians. They moved around the cathedral giving out programmes before Mass, smiling and courteous, naturally. A marvellous sign of hope for the future.

We were wondering about the music for the Mass; would we hear any of the new Mass settings? As it happened we were treated to Mozart's Spatzenmesse and, one of my favourites, Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus, at Holy Communion. I think I floated on air all the way back to Victoria station.

It was frustrating as I had a fantastic view to take photographs but naturally didn't as I couldn't have done it unobtrusively. Maybe I'll have to think about getting a 'serious' camera that I can use to take photos inside without using a flash. Do such things exist? I do like taking 'snaps' with my little 'point and shoot' camera but it is very basic.

I did manage to take one sneaky picture before Mass began but the external shot is one I took on my last visit.

A cure for most things . . .

I was really looking forward to a lazy day off today. Things have been very busy recently and I usually find when I'm getting over tired and stressed, a few extra hours in bed has an amazingly restorative effect.

Being a firm believer in the saying, 'pictures speak louder than words' this is what I had planned for today:

Plus

Equals

Or, even . . .

Sadly, this was not to be as our neighbour had decided that today, and in particular, as early as possible today, would be a good time for this . . .

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr . . . .

I'm off to find a peaceful coffee shop for the second best remedy to all ills - a good cappuccino!

Is it really a year ago . . . ?

I was really pleased to receive my invitation to the Mass of Thanksgiving at Westminster Cathedral in the post today. I was a little anxious as there were a few administrative problems at the time of the Papal Visit which meant that our parish, and a few others, didn't receive any Pilgrim Packs for those who went to the Hyde Park event. I'm relieved that all has gone smoothly this time.

In some ways, it's hard to believe it's a year ago that we were all glued to the TV/Computer/Twitter etc. hanging on every word that the Holy Father said, and delighting in the images relayed from the various places Pope Benedict visited during his visit to the UK.

I can vividly remember the huge 'high' we were on at the time, and dashing back from our parish Mass to catch as much as possible 'live' of the Beatification at Cofton Park.

We have recently shared in a repeat of some of those heady days in following the coverage of the recent World Youth Day in Madrid.

It will be a wonderful privilege to be present for the Mass of Thanksgiving at Westminster Cathedral. I'm really looking forward to it.

Something old, something new . . .

How was your weekend? Ours was great.

Something old? . . . . You don't get many things much older than a Royal Castle that dates back to the Norman Conquest. To celebrate the birthday of our older son we had an outing to Windsor Castle on Saturday, at his request. It's many years since our last family visit but vague memories returned as we strolled passed the queue of waiting tourists to collect our pre-booked tickets (wise move!)

It was a gloriously sunny day on Saturday and Windsor was very busy but the castle is large enough not to feel crowded.

It was difficult to take any photos without including lots of strangers but here are a few shots anyway.

Of course we had to walk along the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park.

St George's Chapel. Not a brilliant view but we were rushing to have enough time to have a good look inside before the last entry at 4pm.

A beautiful peaceful spot. One never knows quite what to do with a redundant moat, does one?

Visitors everywhere but Queen Victoria looks on unperturbed. Perhaps she was actually 'amused' to see some many people interested in looking around one of her old castles.

And the something new? . . . Naturally, I'm referring to the first Sunday Mass using the New Translation of the Missal.

From the point of view of one of those sitting in the pews, I think it went very well. I hope our PP thought so too. Of course they were a few times during the Mass when people nearby could be heard automatically using the old responses. It's difficult to tell whether this was because they'd taken their eyes off the New Translation cards helpfully provided in the pews, or a momentary lapse in concentration.

Strangely it seems that one of the slight changes that one would imagine would be the easiest to grasp, i.e. from 'And also with you' to 'And with your spirit' seems to be the one that caused the most slip-ups.

Not only is it very straightforward but it also occurs several times during the Mass so we get a chance to practise it. I seemed to be able to get it right some of the time but not every time, and I certainly wasn't alone in this. I'm looking forward to more practice in the coming days and weeks.

We should be word perfect by Christmas, if not Advent!