Guilt-free couch potato . . .

I'm not interested in tennis most of the year but like lots of people I do like to watch Wimbledon if I have a chance. I expect some serious tennis fans don't think much of people like me who suddenly get interested in the sport for two weeks in the year and just as quickly forget all about it but I don't mind.

It's not just the actual tennis, it's everything that goes with it; the reappearance of the stars of my 'yoof' reincarnated as commentators (the likes of John McEnroe and Boris Becker are still great entertainment); the endless discussions about the weather and examining the clouds - will it or won't it rain? This year we've have had the added question - will we get to see the roof in action?

Then there's the tennis fashions - who's wearing what this year? Another point for discussion seems to be who can 'grunt' the loudest? Sounds more like a scream to me sometimes! Either way, I'm not a fan.

And don't forget the strawberries and cream. You just have to indulge at this time of year. (At least that's what I tell myself!)

Best of all, it's one of the few times of the year when it's perfectly acceptable to say you spent hours slouched in front of the TV.

In fact it's one of the few times in the year when I actually want to sit in front of the TV - most of the year, I'm a radio fan.

Can't wait for the Ashes to start next!!

Talking of the Year of the Priest . . .

I've just been reading this very inspirational letter on Mulier Fortis' blog.

I'm sure we all appreciate our own parish priests and often thank them for various things that do for us like offering a Mass for our intentions, baptising a child, preparing our children for First Holy Communion and Confirmation etc. How often to we thank them for accepting the call to the priesthood and all that it entails every minute of their day (and often night too) ?

Do pop on over to Mac's blog and read it for yourself. It's well worth the effort.

That's my boy!

Oh I did have fun teasing number one son when his photo appeared on the front cover of our diocesan newspaper this month! I'm only just posting it now as I've been waiting for the online version to be posted on our diocesan website. I had scanned the photo in the newspaper but it really wasn't good enough to use.

I know it's really a picture of our bishop mixing the perfume and the oil to make the chrism at the Chrism Mass but there's no denying that is definitely our eldest standing there holding the book, as large as life.

It's a while ago now, of course, but it was a beautiful Mass and very moving to see so many of our clergy together in one place and reaffirming the promises they made at ordination. It's so encouraging for the rest of us 'ordinary folk in the pews.'

'A Woman . . . '

Thanks to Fr Leo for emailing me this . Well, obviously, I had to post it on the blog, didn't I?

This is written in the Hebrew Talmud, the book where all of the sayings and preaching of Rabbis are conserved over time. It says:

"Be very careful if you make a woman cry,

because God counts her tears.

The woman came out of a man's rib.

Not from his feet to be walked on.

Not from his head to be superior,

but from the side to be equal.

Under the arm to be protected,

and next to the heart to be loved."

Pass this on to all exceptional women that you know.. and to men so they know the value of a woman.

Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly . . .

Lavender's blue . . . Oh, I don't know, I'd say it was more purple.

I had a feeling this lavender bush in front of the house was going to put on a good show this year. I think I managed to cut it back at just the right time . . . for a change.

Here's another purple plant that's doing well in our garden this year. We had three clematises (what is the plural of clematis?) on this particular fence and we seem to have lost two over the winter . . . poor John Paul II (the clematis, not the Pope!) and a small-flowered late-flowering variety that I've forgotten the name of. Still at least this Jackmanii is making good use of the extra space without any competition this year. I shall have fun choosing a replacement or two.

Looking ahead . . .

As Sunday is 21st June and officially the first day of Summer, I thought I'd indulge in a spot of day-dreaming about holidays and the like . . .

This quiz is just a bit of fun but I can certainly identify with some of it. Now, tiramisu for example, I'm happy to have that any day, even in damp and miserable Britain.

We've actually not planned any holidays during the school holidays but are going to Prague for a few days in September so yes, the quiz was right again, it is Europe for us again this year.

You Should Spend Your Summer in Europe

You're in to almost all forms of culture - art, music, architecture, food... And spending a summer at the beach sounds pretty darn boring to you. So head off to Europe, where you can have your tiramisu (and even eat it on the beach!)

Where Should You Spend Your Summer?

Year of the Priest . . .

I thought I'd try and get in early with a few words on the Year of the Priest.

Pope Benedict will open the special year with Vespers at the Vatican tomorrow, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the day for the sanctification of priests.

I found these excellent quotes on the Westminster Diocesan website on the vocations page.

“Heralds of the Gospel are needed, who are experts in humanity, who have penetrated the depths of the heart of the men and women of today, who share their joys and hopes, their anguishes and sorrows, but are the same time contemplatives, in love with God.”
Pope John Paul II

“A good priest is a truly human person who expresses his love for God in prayer and in love for people. These gifts are sanctified and focused through the grace of ordination when he becomes ‘a man for others’.” Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor

I wouldn't dream of trying to improve on something said by Pope John Paul II or even Cardinal Cormac. I just wanted to say 'thank you' to all our priests for answering God's call to the priesthood in the first place and for all that you do for us.

Here is a beautiful prayer for priests by St Thérèse of Lisieux- very fitting in this year when the relics of St Thérèse will be visiting various sites in England.

Prayer for Priests
by St. Thérèse of Lisieux

O Jesus, eternal Priest,
keep your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart,
where none may touch them.
Keep unstained their anointed hands,
which daily touch Your Sacred Body.
Keep unsullied their lips,
daily purpled with your Precious Blood.
Keep pure and unearthly their hearts,
sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.
Let Your holy love surround them and
shield them from the world's contagion.
Bless their labours with abundant fruit and
may the souls to whom they minister

be their joy and consolation here

and in heaven their beautiful and
everlasting crown. Amen.