Last weekend, I bought my usual copy of The Irish Catholic, issue dated Thursday 4th January 2007, and read something that nearly made me die laughing.
It's by author and journalist Aubrey Malone, who regularly writes film reviews. But with tongue firmly in cheek, he has come up with "Movie Predictions for 2007".
Grateful thanks to Editor Garry O'Sullivan for permission to reproduce here.
JANUARY
Shirley MacLaine claims Marlon Brando has come back to life as her new goldfish. Plans biopic to mark the occasion.
Jack Black signs contract with Columbia to make 17 films about a dysfunctional vegetable salesman with cross-dressing issues.
Julia Roberts gets a barring order against Danny Moder because he keeps wearing the same turquoise shirt.
Kevin Costner to make new 4-hour epic about shoelaces.
FEBRUARY
New James Bond for the screen, with orange hair.
Jennifer Aniston changes her name to Jennifer Jolie to annoy Brad Pitt.
Burt Reynolds announces screen comeback, as a chimpanzee.
Robert de Niro in Raging Bull prequel, Raging Calf. The make-up will take 3 years.
Robert Downey Junior becomes barman in Betty Ford Clinic.
Sean Penn announces he will appear in John Lennon biopic. To get "into" the part he's going to have himself shot for real, with five rounds of ammunition. He's to receive $20,000 for the part, but his medical bills will be another $150 million onto that.
MARCH
Robert de Niro cameos in Fair City.
Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger to make a film about a couple who are trying to murder one another. Baldwin accuses the director of typecasting.
National Enquirer scoop: "James Dean Spotted Shooting Up In The Viper Room".
Vince Vaughan moves in with Brad Pitt.
Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie announce plans for new chick flick.
APRIL
Matt Damon sues the Enquirer for accusing him of being interesting. In a startling court development, he wins the case after removing his glasses in front of the jury.
Nick Nolte plays binliner in new Oscar-nominated blockbuster which will also feature Ashton Kutcher as a soother.
Robert de Niro does cameo in The Simpsons.
Latest Enquirer exclusive: Elvis Plotted To Assassinate Marilyn Monroe.
New Michael Barrymore biopic mooted. Barrymore applies to play the lead role but is rejected because deemed to be "too tall".
MAY
Kiera Knightley to star as the new "Jane" Bond. (Pierce Brosnan now wants to be Q).
Jack Black announces he's currently shooting Dodgeball 2 - he will play the ball.
Quentin Tarantino to cut mother's arm off in new martial arts flick. "She's philosophical about it", he explains, "she knows it's in the cause of art".
JUNE
Michael Jackson to play the part of a toy train in new Disney "vehicle".
Jessica Simpson sells her teeth for a record six figure sum. They're to be used as piano keys in a Liberace biopic.
National Enquirer scoop: "I Saw Neil Jordan Smile". Jordan, in his defence, says it was unintentional. "I tried to grimace and it went wrong". He wants to re-shoot the piece of footage in question.
Robert de Niro to audition for The X Factor.
Elsewhere, Oliver Stone announces details of his new John F. Kennedy movie which claims that JFK was a love-child of Adolf Hitler and conspired with Marilyn Monroe to assassinate Fidel Castro. "It will be the usual meat and two veg affair", says Stone to a bunch of critics attending a sneak preview in Cannes.
JULY
Tom Cruise says he wants to re-marry Katie Holmes, the ceremony to take place on the sofa on Oprah.
Sequel to The Da Vinci Code planned with the Pope as the assassin of a curator in this version.
Charlize Theron says she'll marry Stuart Townsend in 2019. A caterer in Howth has been inked in to make the wedding cake.
Elvis Presley comes back from the grave to make new movie: I Shot John Lennon.
AUGUST
Angelina Jolie adopts 37 babies from Biafra as Brad Pitt loads up on the Pampers in his local Starbucks. Brad has third thoughts about his second thoughts about Angelina Jolie, thereby reverting to his first ones.
New re-make of Jaws mooted, with Jay Leno in title role.
SEPTEMBER
Oprah Winfrey suggests Brad Pitt should marry Katie Holmes. Holmes in tabloid rumour of relationship with Angelina Jolie.
Warren Beatty attends birth of next wife.
Sharon Stone to appear in another Basic Instinct sequel, this time as the ice pick.
Sean Penn says he still loves Madonna and is going to name his first ulcer after her.
Demi Moore appears in new movie fully clothed, but nobody recognises her.
Brokeback Mountain sequel planned. This time Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhall will be straight, but the horse will be gay.
OCTOBER
Ben Affleck publishes his autobiography but publishers reject it when they find it contains just one sentence: "My name is Ben Affleck".
Robert de Niro to guest-host Tubridy Tonight.
National Enquirer sensation: "Elvis Had JFK Wiped Out Because Of Secret Infatuation With Marilyn".
Ben Stiller inked in for sequel to Meet The Parents - Meet The Divorce Attorneys.
Madonna becomes born-again atheist.
Cher dedicates her latest song to her plastic surgeon: "Everytime You Go Away (You Take A Part Of Me With You)".
NOVEMBER
Jessica Simpson drops out of Helen Keller biopic because: "I couldn't remember the dialogue".
Catherine Zeta Jones agrees to auction Michael Douglas' zimmer frame for charity.
National Enquirer scoop: "Marilyn Monroe And Elvis Presley Still Alive And About To Make New Movie In Catskills". It will be about a bunch of extra terrestrials trying to take over Hollywood and turn it into a theme park for demented cyborgs.
DECEMBER
Bob Dylan to appear in a movie about his life, but refuses to talk to the director because "He keeps asking me questions about myself".
Ben Affleck nominated for Oscar for playing a wardrobe in latest David Lynch chiller.
National Enquirer scoop: "Marlon Brando Populated The Entire Island Of Tetiorea".
New James Bond for the screen - with pink feet.
Sienna Miller dating Jude Law's babysitter.
Angelina Jolie delivers Brad Pitt's baby. They call it Brangelina. Nobody is quite sure if it's a boy or girl. "What does it matter if the name fits", Brad tells interviewers at the hospital.
Tom Cruise allows Katie Holmes to get pregnant, but only on condition that she promises to keep quiet during the birth.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Agenda for 2007!
Happy New Year to you all, and sorry for being away from here so long.
So 2007 has arrived, and I have decided on my New Year's Resolutions for 2007.
Answer: none whatsoever, so I don't have to go through the demotivating experience of failure.
So what's happening in 2007? Well, in Ireland, the first main event looks like being the General Election, which will probably be in either April, May or June this year. It won't be too early in the year, because the weather won't be as good and that might cause a small turnout; and it won't be in July or August because many people go on holidays then as our schools will be closed. So my prediction is May.
What looks interesting about this year is the prospect of what the Irish Independent described last week as Ireland's "dirtiest" EVER General Election.
Fianna Fail, in their bid to stay in power, have engaged an American political consulting firm named Shrum, Devine, Donilan. And the largest opposition party, Fine Gael, have taken on board a different American firm of gurus, Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner.
If you have an interest in psephology, I recommend visiting Elections Ireland, to which I have linked in the sidebar.
Before the General Election, in Spring, we will have the Six Nations' rugby Championships, and a good performance here by Ireland could result in much hype and expectation for the Rugby World Cup in the autumn.
In Ireland, the "ordinary" people play Gaelic football, hurling, or soccer, and spectate at horse racing. Rugby was always just behind these in popularity, but the success in the last few years, culminating in Munster's European Cup success in 2006, has been a huge boost for the sport - and thus Ireland has not been left behind following the introduction of professionalism into the game.
I remember several years ago doing some research in the National Library in Kildare Street, when I accidentally came across an article in a sporting newspaper either from 1948 or 1949; I can't remember which but I'm pretty sure it was from whatever year Ireland won the Grand Slam. There was a photograph of the 15-man team, and an article describing the players, and also comparing them with past Irish players; but what I noticed most was that this piece had no reference whatsoever to a coach, trainer, or manager.
And of course, most especially we can look forward to the Cheltenham Festival in March.
So 2007 has arrived, and I have decided on my New Year's Resolutions for 2007.
Answer: none whatsoever, so I don't have to go through the demotivating experience of failure.
So what's happening in 2007? Well, in Ireland, the first main event looks like being the General Election, which will probably be in either April, May or June this year. It won't be too early in the year, because the weather won't be as good and that might cause a small turnout; and it won't be in July or August because many people go on holidays then as our schools will be closed. So my prediction is May.
What looks interesting about this year is the prospect of what the Irish Independent described last week as Ireland's "dirtiest" EVER General Election.
Fianna Fail, in their bid to stay in power, have engaged an American political consulting firm named Shrum, Devine, Donilan. And the largest opposition party, Fine Gael, have taken on board a different American firm of gurus, Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner.
If you have an interest in psephology, I recommend visiting Elections Ireland, to which I have linked in the sidebar.
Before the General Election, in Spring, we will have the Six Nations' rugby Championships, and a good performance here by Ireland could result in much hype and expectation for the Rugby World Cup in the autumn.
In Ireland, the "ordinary" people play Gaelic football, hurling, or soccer, and spectate at horse racing. Rugby was always just behind these in popularity, but the success in the last few years, culminating in Munster's European Cup success in 2006, has been a huge boost for the sport - and thus Ireland has not been left behind following the introduction of professionalism into the game.
I remember several years ago doing some research in the National Library in Kildare Street, when I accidentally came across an article in a sporting newspaper either from 1948 or 1949; I can't remember which but I'm pretty sure it was from whatever year Ireland won the Grand Slam. There was a photograph of the 15-man team, and an article describing the players, and also comparing them with past Irish players; but what I noticed most was that this piece had no reference whatsoever to a coach, trainer, or manager.
And of course, most especially we can look forward to the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Richard Dawkins on The Late Late Show . . .
. . . which was broadcast on Friday 8th December (coincidence?).
He was "marked" by Dr Gerard Casey, who was the guest on "The Journey Home" on EWTN talking to Marcus Grodi a few months ago.
Here is the link to the download page. You'll have to scroll down a bit.
He was "marked" by Dr Gerard Casey, who was the guest on "The Journey Home" on EWTN talking to Marcus Grodi a few months ago.
Here is the link to the download page. You'll have to scroll down a bit.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Tickets please!
Apparently, there is a Mass in Ireland which is so popular that, for Christmas, the parish has decided to make it an "all ticket" affair.
It will be at Christmas, and is described as a "Family Mass" in the parish of St. Maur, in the town of Rush, in north County Dublin.
Rush used to be a village, and now it is a growing dormitory town about 18 miles north of Dublin city centre. If you ever want to go there, just go to www.dublinbus.ie and search for the schedule for route 33.
This story broke on Monday on RTE' Radio One's Liveline programme.
If you go to here, scroll down the page to the Listen Back point and click on Monday. The item starts about four and a half minutes into the programme.
News story from Catholic Ireland website.
Photos of the church itself are available from the architects' website.
And here is something else from another online newspaper, including a quote from the curate.
One thing I do know about this church is that it is next door to another one which is about a hundred years older; I can't remember the full story, but the decision was made to build a new one, I think partly because of population growth, partly because of the state of the original church; in fact, I haven't been in that town for years, and I don't even know for certain if the old church is still standing.
Now I have never been at this Family Mass, so I can't pass judgement; but reference to "Irish dancing" taking place makes me a little nervous.
It will be at Christmas, and is described as a "Family Mass" in the parish of St. Maur, in the town of Rush, in north County Dublin.
Rush used to be a village, and now it is a growing dormitory town about 18 miles north of Dublin city centre. If you ever want to go there, just go to www.dublinbus.ie and search for the schedule for route 33.
This story broke on Monday on RTE' Radio One's Liveline programme.
If you go to here, scroll down the page to the Listen Back point and click on Monday. The item starts about four and a half minutes into the programme.
News story from Catholic Ireland website.
Photos of the church itself are available from the architects' website.
And here is something else from another online newspaper, including a quote from the curate.
One thing I do know about this church is that it is next door to another one which is about a hundred years older; I can't remember the full story, but the decision was made to build a new one, I think partly because of population growth, partly because of the state of the original church; in fact, I haven't been in that town for years, and I don't even know for certain if the old church is still standing.
Now I have never been at this Family Mass, so I can't pass judgement; but reference to "Irish dancing" taking place makes me a little nervous.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Does YOUR bishop publicly reveal his salary?
If you live in the northern part of County Mayo, the answer is Yes.
The full story is here. In the paragraph with salary details, all amounts are in euro.
More here from another local paper. This paper describes a committee of priests which works at setting the levels of priests' salaries.
BISHOP John Fleming, in a letter to the priests and people of Killala diocese, has launched an appeal for funds for the parishes and the diocese of Killala.
The full story is here. In the paragraph with salary details, all amounts are in euro.
More here from another local paper. This paper describes a committee of priests which works at setting the levels of priests' salaries.
Priest savagely attacked in robbery
In the interview with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, which I have linked to below, the one thing he said that surprised me most was when he was asked what surprised him the most when he came back to Dublin from Rome.
His answer: the level of violence in modern Irish society, especially in Dublin city.
Less than a fortnight ago, which was after that interview was broadcast, there was a man shot dead on a street within about 500 metres of the Archbishop's residence.
Nowadays in the Republic of Ireland there are about one or two murders per week. I don't have the exact statistics here, but in the early fifties, a murder was something which would have shocked the nation so much because they were so rare.
Now, I've just been watching Fr Benedict Groeschel on Fr Mitch Pacwa's programme on EWTN, and he said that his order, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, are shortly to start operations in Limerick.
Fr. Benedict used the phrase "Stab City" to describe Limerick, a phrase which, to be honest, won't win him any friends in a city which is trying to shake off that unfortunate moniker - but trying without much success. My own gut feeling is that Limerick has "rough" areas and "nice" areas, just like virtually any other city, including Dublin. But you won't see headlines in the paper such as: "Man Walks Down Street And Arrives Home Safely".
For example, Detroit used to have a bad reputation, and earlier this year I spent three very enjoyable, and safe, days in Motor City.
The act of violence against a priest in rural Kerry is described here: but this has been "pushed off" the front pages by something even worse - the shooting dead of a mother of two young children, in what looks like a contract killing, in the large town of Swords, north of Dublin. Go to RTE's Homepage if you wish to read more.
His answer: the level of violence in modern Irish society, especially in Dublin city.
Less than a fortnight ago, which was after that interview was broadcast, there was a man shot dead on a street within about 500 metres of the Archbishop's residence.
Nowadays in the Republic of Ireland there are about one or two murders per week. I don't have the exact statistics here, but in the early fifties, a murder was something which would have shocked the nation so much because they were so rare.
Now, I've just been watching Fr Benedict Groeschel on Fr Mitch Pacwa's programme on EWTN, and he said that his order, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, are shortly to start operations in Limerick.
Fr. Benedict used the phrase "Stab City" to describe Limerick, a phrase which, to be honest, won't win him any friends in a city which is trying to shake off that unfortunate moniker - but trying without much success. My own gut feeling is that Limerick has "rough" areas and "nice" areas, just like virtually any other city, including Dublin. But you won't see headlines in the paper such as: "Man Walks Down Street And Arrives Home Safely".
For example, Detroit used to have a bad reputation, and earlier this year I spent three very enjoyable, and safe, days in Motor City.
The act of violence against a priest in rural Kerry is described here: but this has been "pushed off" the front pages by something even worse - the shooting dead of a mother of two young children, in what looks like a contract killing, in the large town of Swords, north of Dublin. Go to RTE's Homepage if you wish to read more.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
My Archbishop speaks!
RTE's "One To One" series kicked off last month featuring an interview with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. It wasn't put up on the RTE website until about two or three weeks later; and it's quite hard to find on the website. So here is the link to the audio/video file.
Evangelisation in India!
Carole, an American girl based in Ireland, who produces the blog A Light To The Nations, is currently on a trip to India to spread the Gospel.
Go here for her story, which, as I write, is far from finished. Scroll down to 9th November and start there.
Go here for her story, which, as I write, is far from finished. Scroll down to 9th November and start there.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
This is worth checking out
The folks at ProLife Search have put together the "Essential Classics of Catholic Spirituality", which will be available shortly. ProLife Search is your alternative to Google; and the revenue generated goes to good causes.
Get a Free Sneak Preview of the Essential Classics of Catholic Spirituality collection
Get a Free Sneak Preview of the Essential Classics of Catholic Spirituality collection
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Poster contest
Following a tip-off from Fr. Tim, I decided to enter The Lapped Catholic's motivational poster competition.
Here is my entry, in the "Humorous" category.
Here is my entry, in the "Humorous" category.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Blessed Columba Marmion, pray for us
Since we in Ireland have relatively few "properly" canonised and beatified people, it is good now and then to blow the trumpet for a saintly Dubliner.
Today, 3rd October, is the feast of Blessed Columba Marmion.
Today, 3rd October, is the feast of Blessed Columba Marmion.
What's In A Name?
Story in today's Irish Examiner:
Link to story here.
Update: the latest news is that he has withdrawn his legal action.
A FATHER was yesterday granted a High Court injunction restraining his former partner from naming their baby because he was not properly consulted.
Mr Justice Frank Clarke heard the father of the month-old baby girl had proposed dozens of names but the mother didn’t consider any of them.
The couple concerned, who have split up, cannot be named for legal reasons and an injunction was granted to that effect yesterday in the High Court.
In an affidavit opened to the High Court, the father said he was extremely concerned that the mother would proceed with registration and his child’s names will be chosen without any meaningful engagement with him.
Link to story here.
Update: the latest news is that he has withdrawn his legal action.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Final profession for an Ursuline sister
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Two new vocations for Sisters of Mercy
Despite what the pessimists think, the call to religious life is still being heard by some.
Here is the news page from the Sisters of Mercy website, including a photo of the pair; I am assuming this photo was taken on the day of the big event, though I'm not 100% sure of that.
Speaking of that Order, I blogged in June about an event in Rosscarbery, Co Cork; here is something else on the matter, including a photo, again from the official Sisters of Mercy website. The photo clearly looks as if it was simply scanned from the newspaper in which the story originally appeared.
Here is the news page from the Sisters of Mercy website, including a photo of the pair; I am assuming this photo was taken on the day of the big event, though I'm not 100% sure of that.
Speaking of that Order, I blogged in June about an event in Rosscarbery, Co Cork; here is something else on the matter, including a photo, again from the official Sisters of Mercy website. The photo clearly looks as if it was simply scanned from the newspaper in which the story originally appeared.
A day's work!
If you are fortunate enough to be gainfully employed in a job you enjoy, and lucky enough to work with nice people, with generally good working conditions, then spare a thought for those who are not as fortunate as you.
Such as the people whom Rev. Stephen Miller deals with in his work with the Anglican Mission to Seafarers.
Read this: it's from the magazine of the International Transport Workers Federation.
And yes, there is a Catholic equivalent, the Apostleship of the Sea.
Such as the people whom Rev. Stephen Miller deals with in his work with the Anglican Mission to Seafarers.
Read this: it's from the magazine of the International Transport Workers Federation.
And yes, there is a Catholic equivalent, the Apostleship of the Sea.
Monday, August 28, 2006
If this blog isn't enough for you. . .
. . .you will soon have more opportunities to read my musings on the Catholic England and Wales blog. I have been invited to join this blog, and I am very happy to accept.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Absolutely hilarious!
This post by Paulinus really made me laugh.
And then, after I'd finished, I was thinking to myself: "I hope it's not based on fact!"
And then, after I'd finished, I was thinking to myself: "I hope it's not based on fact!"
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Wedding day story and pics
No not me, but blogger Antonia of Antonia's World got hitched a couple of weeks ago.
Story of the big day here.
Best wishes to the happy couple.
Story of the big day here.
Best wishes to the happy couple.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
I am guessing that this priest was Irish!
Today's Racing Post features an interview with trainer Criquette Head-Maarek, probably the leading female racehorse trainer in the world. I had the pleasure of briefly visiting her yard at Chantilly in October 1994, when I went to the Arc de Triomphe weekend as part of a tour group; a Saturday morning trip to Chantilly was included. Chantilly is about thirty/forty miles north of Paris, and is the main training centre of racehorses in France, the French equivalent of the Curragh or Newmarket.
The interview was by veteran France-based reporter, Desmond Stoneham.
Apparently Criquette had cancer last year, but thankfully she seems to have made a good recovery. For many years, she has been able to speak English fluently; I had heard her quoted as saying that she learnt English by reading The Sporting Life.
But I hadn't known that she went to school in England, and the most interesting part of the piece is as follows:
I don't know what age she is - I would estimate she's about sixty. So she would have been at school in the early sixties or thereabouts.
The interview was by veteran France-based reporter, Desmond Stoneham.
Apparently Criquette had cancer last year, but thankfully she seems to have made a good recovery. For many years, she has been able to speak English fluently; I had heard her quoted as saying that she learnt English by reading The Sporting Life.
But I hadn't known that she went to school in England, and the most interesting part of the piece is as follows:
"As a teenager, I spent three years at school in Guildford and Eastbourne", she says. "I spent many days going racing with the local priest and never missed a meeting at Epsom. I was always reading The Sporting Life.
I don't know what age she is - I would estimate she's about sixty. So she would have been at school in the early sixties or thereabouts.
If you've never been to Switzerland, then you don't know what you're missing!
It's not cheap, but it's a fabulous place to visit.
So for the moment, I have put up, in the sidebar, a link to the Swiss Federal Railways journey planner. At the second attempt, I have done it properly.
Just choose two towns/cities in Switzerland, type them into the boxes provided, and click Search Connection, and away you go!!
Enjoy yourselves and start planning your trip!
So for the moment, I have put up, in the sidebar, a link to the Swiss Federal Railways journey planner. At the second attempt, I have done it properly.
Just choose two towns/cities in Switzerland, type them into the boxes provided, and click Search Connection, and away you go!!
Enjoy yourselves and start planning your trip!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Belated birthday greetings!
Someone once said that the best thing ever to come out of Scotland was the road to England!
This, of course, is absolutely false!!
The best thing to come out of Scotland is, of course, the ferry to Ireland!!!
But I digress! Because among the best other things to come out of Scotland is The Moral Highground.
Master of TMH, Jamie McMorrin, had a birthday during the week gone past. I won't say how old (or how young!) he is; go and see for yourself and wish him Ad Multos Annos!
This, of course, is absolutely false!!
The best thing to come out of Scotland is, of course, the ferry to Ireland!!!
But I digress! Because among the best other things to come out of Scotland is The Moral Highground.
Master of TMH, Jamie McMorrin, had a birthday during the week gone past. I won't say how old (or how young!) he is; go and see for yourself and wish him Ad Multos Annos!
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Bad news for Dublin's morally degenerates!!
Members of the Legion of Mary who joined the protests of local residents outside a Stringfellow lap dancing club in central Dublin, have expressed their delight at the recent closure of the club.
Read the full story here from catholicireland.net.
The best bit is the quote from the operating company:
"In addition to this, the ongoing protests outside the club, which have continued to date, resulted in a reluctance of the vital corporate sector to embrace the club," the company said.
By coincidence (or Divine Providence!?) this place was located not very far from the old red-light district of Dublin, which, in the early twenties, was shut down by the then-fledgling Legion of Mary. Frank Duff wrote about it in a book called "Miracles On Tap", which, I learned later, altered many of the street names in order to protect the innocent.
One of Dublin's daily tabloid papers last week put this story on the front page with the headline: "NO NUDES IS GOOD NUDES".
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Article definitely worth reading . . .
. . .from The Word, which is published by the Divine Word Missionaries.
It's by Fr. Vincent Twomey, one of Ireland's leading theologians. He especially became more famous (and in more demand from the general media!) after the election of Cardinal Ratzinger, because he's a past pupil!
Here is the article, on the touchy subject of In Vitro Fertilisation.
It's by Fr. Vincent Twomey, one of Ireland's leading theologians. He especially became more famous (and in more demand from the general media!) after the election of Cardinal Ratzinger, because he's a past pupil!
Here is the article, on the touchy subject of In Vitro Fertilisation.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Springfield, Illinois
One place I visited on my recent American trip was Springfield, the capital of Illinois.
Sadly, in Ireland, the city is best known as the home of Homer Simpson and family.
I got the first train that Thursday morning from Chicago to Springfield; there were no left luggage lockers at the Amtrak station, but Amtrak staff very kindly allowed me to leave my bags there - otherwise I would have been up the creek.
What I could not believe about Springfield was the traffic congestion; there is none! The streets seemed unbelieveably quiet. This was a Thursday in mid-May.
Frankly, the only reason why I paid a visit to Springfield is that it was the home of Abraham Lincoln, and being a history enthusiast, this is a place I had wanted to visit for years.
My first stop was the brand new Abraham Lincoln Museum, which I thoroughly recommend. It uses audio-visual displays very effectively; the exhibition feature which I found most interesting was the display of cuttings and cartoons from contemporary newspapers; suffice to say that those who, in the darkest days of the Civil War, wrote rather "unflattering" words about Lincoln (and that's putting it mildly!), would be very surprised to come back to Earth in 2006 and discover that America has virtually "canonised" the man. It made me wonder: what will the American people think of George W. Bush in 140 years time?
Next stop was the restored Lincoln Home; I was particularly impressed by the fact that the National Park Service has not only restored the house, but the whole block, and the object is to have the whole block in the style of the 1850s and 60s.
As well as showing us the house, our National Parks Service guide posed a question: who was the first American President to be born in a hospital? The answer is Jimmy Carter.
Afterwards I walked around a bit, really looking for a bus or taxi to the presidential grave; on the way, I accidentally came across a good Catholic bookstore; sorry I can't remember the address.
I was now under a bit of pressure for time; I wanted to get to the Lincoln Tomb on the northside of the city before closing time, pay my respects, and then get back to the Cathedral in town for evening Mass, which was either 5 or 5.30 (can't remember now), but Springfield seemed to have no taxi-cabs whatsoever.
After over half an hour, I got one beside the Museum, and got out to the Tomb.
There was a mob of schoolkids inside ahead of me already. But I waited for them to move a bit before I went in myself.
Actually, he is not buried in the inscribed sarcophagus; he is about ten feet under this, under concrete, because years ago someone tried to break in and steal his remains. Behind my back when I took the photo is a wall, and behind this wall are the last resting places of his widow, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their sons. Their eldest son, Robert, the only one of the four to live to adulthood, chose to be buried at Arlington, Virginia.
After that I walked through the cemetery, knowing I wouldn't get to the Cathedral in time for Mass, but decided to pay a visit there anyway. I got a bus from the cemetery to close to the Cathedral; there are some nice stained glass windows, including one of St. Brendan!
And there is a stained glass window depicting Lincoln (needless to say!) and one depicting that fine Freemason, George Washington!!
One of the most memorable episodes of Bishop Fulton Sheen's series Life Is Worth Living is the one about Abraham Lincoln. He finishes: "George Washington will always be the father of our country; but Abraham Lincoln will always be its saviour."
Sadly, in Ireland, the city is best known as the home of Homer Simpson and family.
I got the first train that Thursday morning from Chicago to Springfield; there were no left luggage lockers at the Amtrak station, but Amtrak staff very kindly allowed me to leave my bags there - otherwise I would have been up the creek.
What I could not believe about Springfield was the traffic congestion; there is none! The streets seemed unbelieveably quiet. This was a Thursday in mid-May.
Frankly, the only reason why I paid a visit to Springfield is that it was the home of Abraham Lincoln, and being a history enthusiast, this is a place I had wanted to visit for years.
My first stop was the brand new Abraham Lincoln Museum, which I thoroughly recommend. It uses audio-visual displays very effectively; the exhibition feature which I found most interesting was the display of cuttings and cartoons from contemporary newspapers; suffice to say that those who, in the darkest days of the Civil War, wrote rather "unflattering" words about Lincoln (and that's putting it mildly!), would be very surprised to come back to Earth in 2006 and discover that America has virtually "canonised" the man. It made me wonder: what will the American people think of George W. Bush in 140 years time?
Next stop was the restored Lincoln Home; I was particularly impressed by the fact that the National Park Service has not only restored the house, but the whole block, and the object is to have the whole block in the style of the 1850s and 60s.
As well as showing us the house, our National Parks Service guide posed a question: who was the first American President to be born in a hospital? The answer is Jimmy Carter.
Afterwards I walked around a bit, really looking for a bus or taxi to the presidential grave; on the way, I accidentally came across a good Catholic bookstore; sorry I can't remember the address.
I was now under a bit of pressure for time; I wanted to get to the Lincoln Tomb on the northside of the city before closing time, pay my respects, and then get back to the Cathedral in town for evening Mass, which was either 5 or 5.30 (can't remember now), but Springfield seemed to have no taxi-cabs whatsoever.
After over half an hour, I got one beside the Museum, and got out to the Tomb.
There was a mob of schoolkids inside ahead of me already. But I waited for them to move a bit before I went in myself.
Actually, he is not buried in the inscribed sarcophagus; he is about ten feet under this, under concrete, because years ago someone tried to break in and steal his remains. Behind my back when I took the photo is a wall, and behind this wall are the last resting places of his widow, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their sons. Their eldest son, Robert, the only one of the four to live to adulthood, chose to be buried at Arlington, Virginia.
After that I walked through the cemetery, knowing I wouldn't get to the Cathedral in time for Mass, but decided to pay a visit there anyway. I got a bus from the cemetery to close to the Cathedral; there are some nice stained glass windows, including one of St. Brendan!
And there is a stained glass window depicting Lincoln (needless to say!) and one depicting that fine Freemason, George Washington!!
One of the most memorable episodes of Bishop Fulton Sheen's series Life Is Worth Living is the one about Abraham Lincoln. He finishes: "George Washington will always be the father of our country; but Abraham Lincoln will always be its saviour."
Monday, July 10, 2006
Fr. Liam Lawton
Here is some information about one of Ireland's best-known priests, Fr. Liam Lawton. Rightly or wrongly, he is better known in Ireland as a musician than a priest. I have a theory that some person or persons in the music "industry" have told him to "tone down" the religious bit.
The above link is to a page from the official site of his diocese, the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. The cathedral town of this diocese is Carlow, about sixty miles south-west of Dublin. Curiously, most of County Kildare is actually in the Archdiocese of Dublin!!
The above link is to a page from the official site of his diocese, the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. The cathedral town of this diocese is Carlow, about sixty miles south-west of Dublin. Curiously, most of County Kildare is actually in the Archdiocese of Dublin!!
Friday, June 30, 2006
Well, not all Sisters of Mercy are dancing in a circle today. . .
Today is June 30th, and despite what you might have been thinking, I am NOT in Co Cork at a solstice circle dance!
But this weekend's The Irish Catholic print this Letter to the Editor, from Sr. Aloysius McVeigh, of the Sisters of Mercy, Derry:
But this weekend's The Irish Catholic print this Letter to the Editor, from Sr. Aloysius McVeigh, of the Sisters of Mercy, Derry:
My shared reaction to the article in The Irish Catholic about Catholic nuns celebrating a pagan ritual on June 30 in West Cork, is one of puzzled concern.
Sr. Twomey's statement that paganism itself is a religion is at odds with my dictionary's explanation that a pagan is one whose outlook is irreligious, and it is definitely at variance with the Christian teaching that a pagan is one who does not worship the true God.
We sisters have often to remind ourselves that we are first and foremost confirmed members of the Catholic Church, before we are Sisters of Mercy, and that it is the truths of the Catholic faith that underpin our vocation. As a Sister of Mercy myself I pray for our sisters in Pairc a Tobair, and for all of us, that God, who is not an "other worldly God", but who is with us always, everywhere, will, in the words of Psalm 85. . . show us its way, show us its way, and guide our hearts, so that we may walk in His Truth.
Yours etc,
Sr. Aloysius McVeigh, Sisters of Mercy, Derry.
Monday, June 12, 2006
So what are you doing on June 30th?
This story, by Michael Kelly, appears on page three of the latest edition of The Irish Catholic, issue dated June 8th:
And on the back page of the same paper, in the Notebook column, David Quinn gives a short but pointed response:
A Mercy nun has claimed that Christianity has much to learn from pagans.
Sr. Margaret Twomey, who is among a group of Mercy Sisters organising a celebration of the pagan festival of solstice later this month, told The Irish Catholic that "traditional religions such as paganism have much to teach us about how to live in harmony with other beings."
Countering criticism that the festival of solstice is not centred on Christ, Sr. Twomey said that "maybe sometimes we could focus too much on God and forget God's ways.
"If we are very focused on an other (sic) worldly God we can forget that God works through all God creates. In that forgetting we cannot treat it with the awareness or respect that it deserves."
She said that "maybe we have denigrated paganism too much, paganism itself is a religion, we can learn from it."
Sr. Twomey is one of a number of sisters who will gather in a West Cork field to sing, light a bonfire and perform a traditional circle dance on June 30.
"I wouldn't describe it as a liturgy", she said. "We call it a ritual in terms of a space where we gather. Prayer has different meanings for different people, some people are obviously from the Christian background, but many people come from other faiths or other belief systems.
"We emphasise what unites us rather than what divides us, in that sense we pray with people to whoever God is for them, if they use that word", she said.
The sisters, who live in a Dutch-built wooden house near the village of Rosscarbery, run the Pairc a Tobair centre to emphasies the interconnectedness of nature. "It's funded entirely by the Mercy Order" Sr. Twomey explained. "We see the park as an expression of our ministry of education and healing".
She explained how "the leadership of the Order wanted to make a practical response to questions about the damage humankind was doing to the planet, and also to our knowledge that all of life is interconnected."
The land was available, and the Order appointed two nuns to run the project initially, and there are currently three sisters engaged in the ministry, which, Sr. Twomey says has a threefold dimension:
1. restoring biological diversity,
2. healing and education,
3. self sufficiency.
"We are trying" Sr. Twomey said, "to develop a way of life that integrates the whole of our life".
And on the back page of the same paper, in the Notebook column, David Quinn gives a short but pointed response:
"A group of nuns are to celebrate the summer solstice at the end of this month in a ceremony of some sort. This strikes me as very strange. It is no part of the Christian tradition, and never has been. Christianity should have the care of nature as one of its concerns, but it is not a nature-centred religion. It is a Christ-centred religion, and its ceremonies, its rituals and its liturgy must always reflect this. It must be Son-centred, not sun-centred".
Friday, June 09, 2006
South Dakota gets on RTE News
Wednesday evening last, on RTE's Six One news bulletin, the network's Washington Correspondent, Robert Shortt, filmed a report on the recent abortion legislation passed in South Dakota.
To see the report, you must do the following. Go to here:
On the left, there is a drop-down menu titled News Archive. Make sure this is dated 07 June 2006.
Then below the drop-down menu, click the link: Watch the NEWS.
The whole programme is over fifty minutes, but the South Dakota item starts at 35 minutes and last about two and a half minutes, so you'll have to use the scrolling buttons.
Two points: first, at the very end of the piece, in his final piece to camera, Shortt noticeably uses the words "the right to choose", but almost uses the words as if he assumes he is addressing a converted audience.
Second, watch out for the VISA sign on the wall of the abortion clinic.
To see the report, you must do the following. Go to here:
On the left, there is a drop-down menu titled News Archive. Make sure this is dated 07 June 2006.
Then below the drop-down menu, click the link: Watch the NEWS.
The whole programme is over fifty minutes, but the South Dakota item starts at 35 minutes and last about two and a half minutes, so you'll have to use the scrolling buttons.
Two points: first, at the very end of the piece, in his final piece to camera, Shortt noticeably uses the words "the right to choose", but almost uses the words as if he assumes he is addressing a converted audience.
Second, watch out for the VISA sign on the wall of the abortion clinic.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Hurry! While stocks last!!
This is in the current edition of the London-published satirical magazine Private Eye.
It's the "I-Spy" feature, where readers send in photos of strange things they have seen.
The magazine is published every fortnight, and the website changes, so I have kept the photo, and here it is, before they take it down. The photo was (the magazine states) taken opposite Rosslyn Chapel, Edinburgh.
And I hereby announce that, henceforth, this blog is a DaVC-free zone!
It's the "I-Spy" feature, where readers send in photos of strange things they have seen.
The magazine is published every fortnight, and the website changes, so I have kept the photo, and here it is, before they take it down. The photo was (the magazine states) taken opposite Rosslyn Chapel, Edinburgh.
And I hereby announce that, henceforth, this blog is a DaVC-free zone!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Surprised By Detroit!
Fancy going to Detroit for a holiday? No, stop, don't ring up the men in white coats yet!
Detroit has the Detroit Institute of Arts; OK, it's not big, but there is reasonable quality material there. The best known work there is probably the series of large murals by Diego Rivera based on the Ford River Rouge plant.
You could also spend a pleasant morning walking around downtown Detroit admiring the architecture, if you're interested in that sort of thing. The heyday of the city was the first few decades of the twentieth century, and one place definitely worth dropping into is the Guardian Building. Here is the art-deco style entrance:
But especially, you could spend two days at the Henry Ford in Dearborn in the western suburbs. You get SMART bus 200 from downtown to the Fairlane Mall, and then bus 250 to the Henry Ford. There is the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, and tours to the River Rouge plant. I suggest one day for the Museum and River Rouge, and one full day for Greenfield Village.
I spent one day there and I got to the Museum and the Village. But frankly you could spend a full, enjoyable day at the Village.
Henry Ford created Greenfield Village; he moved the homes of some famous people lock stock and barrel, piece by piece, and rebuilt, such as the homes of Harvey Firestone, the Wright Brothers, Robert Frost, and the house where he himself was born. And other buildings which interested him. He also moved and re-built Thomas Edison's New Jersey laboratory.
So don't write off Detroit for your trip across America. And, by the way, I am not being sponsored by the Tourist Board to write this!!
Detroit has the Detroit Institute of Arts; OK, it's not big, but there is reasonable quality material there. The best known work there is probably the series of large murals by Diego Rivera based on the Ford River Rouge plant.
You could also spend a pleasant morning walking around downtown Detroit admiring the architecture, if you're interested in that sort of thing. The heyday of the city was the first few decades of the twentieth century, and one place definitely worth dropping into is the Guardian Building. Here is the art-deco style entrance:
But especially, you could spend two days at the Henry Ford in Dearborn in the western suburbs. You get SMART bus 200 from downtown to the Fairlane Mall, and then bus 250 to the Henry Ford. There is the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, and tours to the River Rouge plant. I suggest one day for the Museum and River Rouge, and one full day for Greenfield Village.
I spent one day there and I got to the Museum and the Village. But frankly you could spend a full, enjoyable day at the Village.
Henry Ford created Greenfield Village; he moved the homes of some famous people lock stock and barrel, piece by piece, and rebuilt, such as the homes of Harvey Firestone, the Wright Brothers, Robert Frost, and the house where he himself was born. And other buildings which interested him. He also moved and re-built Thomas Edison's New Jersey laboratory.
So don't write off Detroit for your trip across America. And, by the way, I am not being sponsored by the Tourist Board to write this!!
Vermont
I realise now that it was probably Bob Newhart's sitcom series (where he ran an Inn) that planted the seed inside me to visit Vermont. For years, I have been meeting Vermonters at the Holiday Fair in Dublin each January, and saying: "One day!"
Last month I made it. I got a bus from Boston to Burlington, then a taxi to the airport, where I picked up a rental car (they gave me a Toyota Corolla). This was the first time I had ever driven on "the wrong side of the road". It took me about twenty minutes to get used to it; I was slightly more distracted by trying to navigate my way out of Burlington, as there were plenty of road works.
Frankly, I still have reason to go there, because I didn't go to Stowe and the mountains region. I drove that day just to get the ferry across Lake Champlain to Essex. And on that road to the ferry, I drove over a hump in the road, and saw a view of the Adirondacks which reminded me of what Hilaire Belloc wrote in The Path To Rome when he described seeing the Alps. Here is a photo, actually taken when I travelled in the opposite direction.
On another day, I drove north and crossed the bridge near Rouses Point into Vermont, intending to visit St Anne's Shrine. I discovered when I got there that it was closed. Tough luck. But that area is very nice, and reminded me of Ireland, with the green fields and farms.
Last month I made it. I got a bus from Boston to Burlington, then a taxi to the airport, where I picked up a rental car (they gave me a Toyota Corolla). This was the first time I had ever driven on "the wrong side of the road". It took me about twenty minutes to get used to it; I was slightly more distracted by trying to navigate my way out of Burlington, as there were plenty of road works.
Frankly, I still have reason to go there, because I didn't go to Stowe and the mountains region. I drove that day just to get the ferry across Lake Champlain to Essex. And on that road to the ferry, I drove over a hump in the road, and saw a view of the Adirondacks which reminded me of what Hilaire Belloc wrote in The Path To Rome when he described seeing the Alps. Here is a photo, actually taken when I travelled in the opposite direction.
On another day, I drove north and crossed the bridge near Rouses Point into Vermont, intending to visit St Anne's Shrine. I discovered when I got there that it was closed. Tough luck. But that area is very nice, and reminded me of Ireland, with the green fields and farms.
Friday, April 28, 2006
As the sun sets over a glorious scenic view. . .
. . .let me apologise for not posting something sooner.
Right now, I am in Lake Placid, in upstate New York in the Adirondack Mountains. The sun is just beginning to set, as I sit here, look out the window, and see the glorious view of Mirror Lake with the mountains as a wonderful backdrop.
I'll post pix of my trip later.
N.B: Please remember in your prayers: a friend of mine is undergoing major surgery on May 5th.
Right now, I am in Lake Placid, in upstate New York in the Adirondack Mountains. The sun is just beginning to set, as I sit here, look out the window, and see the glorious view of Mirror Lake with the mountains as a wonderful backdrop.
I'll post pix of my trip later.
N.B: Please remember in your prayers: a friend of mine is undergoing major surgery on May 5th.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
On St Louis-Marie de Montfort
Yes, I know his feast day is not until April 28th, but I thought I should put this up now anyway.
When I went on my own Tour de France in 2002, one place I visited was St Laurent-sur-Sevres.
This is the village in the Vendee region where the saint is buried; it is a minor basilica, and was also visited by Pope John Paul II, who, as we all know, was a devotee of De Montfort and his True Devotion.
There is, as far as I am aware, no bus service to the village, so you can take the train to Cholet, a good-sized town seven miles to the north, and get a taxi from there. I believe there is one hotel in St Laurent, though it was full when I got to the area, so I stayed Saturday night in Cholet, and got a taxi to St Laurent for 1030 Mass.
At the time, I was using just a simple, cheap single-use disposable camera, so the photos are not good. Apologies!
Here is the basilica from the bridge:
Here is the tomb of the saint:
And here is the stained glass window over the main entrance. Each of the five vertical parts of the window represents the various religious orders and lay movements which the saint either founded or inspired:
When I went on my own Tour de France in 2002, one place I visited was St Laurent-sur-Sevres.
This is the village in the Vendee region where the saint is buried; it is a minor basilica, and was also visited by Pope John Paul II, who, as we all know, was a devotee of De Montfort and his True Devotion.
There is, as far as I am aware, no bus service to the village, so you can take the train to Cholet, a good-sized town seven miles to the north, and get a taxi from there. I believe there is one hotel in St Laurent, though it was full when I got to the area, so I stayed Saturday night in Cholet, and got a taxi to St Laurent for 1030 Mass.
At the time, I was using just a simple, cheap single-use disposable camera, so the photos are not good. Apologies!
Here is the basilica from the bridge:
Here is the tomb of the saint:
And here is the stained glass window over the main entrance. Each of the five vertical parts of the window represents the various religious orders and lay movements which the saint either founded or inspired:
I admire this man. . .
. . .who features in this news story which happened today.
Even though his girlfriend became blind and brain damaged in an accident, he stood by her and married her last year.
I have no connection with anybody involved, and I have no knowledge of the accident, and I assume that there was no guarantee, when they got married, that the court proceedings would conclude in their favour.
But I can think of some men who, faced with this situation, would have dumped the girlfriend.
Two phrases come to my mind: the first is that love is not an emotion, but an act.
And the second: "My yoke is easy and my burden light". You might think it is going to be a heavy cross for him to bear looking after his wife, but I have a feeling that, sometimes, what seems to us to be a cross, to someone else could be regarded as a blessing.
Even though his girlfriend became blind and brain damaged in an accident, he stood by her and married her last year.
I have no connection with anybody involved, and I have no knowledge of the accident, and I assume that there was no guarantee, when they got married, that the court proceedings would conclude in their favour.
But I can think of some men who, faced with this situation, would have dumped the girlfriend.
Two phrases come to my mind: the first is that love is not an emotion, but an act.
And the second: "My yoke is easy and my burden light". You might think it is going to be a heavy cross for him to bear looking after his wife, but I have a feeling that, sometimes, what seems to us to be a cross, to someone else could be regarded as a blessing.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Feeling better
Well, I feel much better, but whatever infection I got in the first place hasn't totally gone away.
Originally, I was prescribed antibiotics for only seven days; I am assuming that the doctor who treated me in A+E was of the opinion that I would get to see a specialist within seven days.
I heard nothing from the hospital, so on Thursday morning of Cheltenham week, I decided to go to the hospital to find the ear specialists' department and make some enquiries.
I found the Appointments office, and the lady there told me that the doctor had written a letter to that department explaining my situation, and that my case has been assigned to a specialist. She added that the specialist basically reads through all the cases he gets, and then decides on which ones are the more urgent. Then people are called to see him accordingly.
She added that I wouldn't hear anything for a week at least. She was right. I've heard nothing - apart from the €60 bill for my trip to A+E, which arrived the Thursday morning after my Sunday night visit there.
So the antibiotics came to an end after seven days, and I was slightly worried that the pain might return. The last tablet was taken Monday morning last and then I went back to work; but although there was a slightly different feeling in my ears Monday evening, I have experienced no pain at all since then.
Right now, there is a high-pitched tone around my ears, but it is at a very low volume. Generally, I hear everything at a lower volume than before, and in work I find myself asking people to repeat themselves and then I move closer to them.
Thus two weeks after getting the first feelings, symptoms and pain, I still do not know what exactly I got; I suspect it is a perforated eardrum, but I don't know for certain. I won't know until I see the specialist, but at the moment, God only knows when that will be.
Originally, I was prescribed antibiotics for only seven days; I am assuming that the doctor who treated me in A+E was of the opinion that I would get to see a specialist within seven days.
I heard nothing from the hospital, so on Thursday morning of Cheltenham week, I decided to go to the hospital to find the ear specialists' department and make some enquiries.
I found the Appointments office, and the lady there told me that the doctor had written a letter to that department explaining my situation, and that my case has been assigned to a specialist. She added that the specialist basically reads through all the cases he gets, and then decides on which ones are the more urgent. Then people are called to see him accordingly.
She added that I wouldn't hear anything for a week at least. She was right. I've heard nothing - apart from the €60 bill for my trip to A+E, which arrived the Thursday morning after my Sunday night visit there.
So the antibiotics came to an end after seven days, and I was slightly worried that the pain might return. The last tablet was taken Monday morning last and then I went back to work; but although there was a slightly different feeling in my ears Monday evening, I have experienced no pain at all since then.
Right now, there is a high-pitched tone around my ears, but it is at a very low volume. Generally, I hear everything at a lower volume than before, and in work I find myself asking people to repeat themselves and then I move closer to them.
Thus two weeks after getting the first feelings, symptoms and pain, I still do not know what exactly I got; I suspect it is a perforated eardrum, but I don't know for certain. I won't know until I see the specialist, but at the moment, God only knows when that will be.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Question: What can possibly spoil my enjoyment of watching the Cheltenham Festival this week on TV?
Answer: a perforated eardrum.
OK it doesn't spoil it too much, but I have to be a bit careful with how I set the volume control.
Right now, my ears are surrounded with a strange humming sound, similar to the sound made by your kitchen fridge when you plug it in. Occasionally, this humming is joined by whistling and/or bell ringing, all to the rhythm of my pulse rate.
I first felt all this Friday evening, and after two sleepless nights, I decided Sunday afternoon to head to the nearest hospital Accident and Emergency Dept to get either a complete cure or at least something to make me sleep at night. Anyway, I knew I wasn't going to be back at work Monday.
This was the first time in my life I had presented myself at an A+E hoping for treatment; I was also perfectly aware that my case was not necessarily an "emergency", because I knew that I was not likely to drop dead within half an hour.
I got there about 4.30 pm, registered at A+E Reception, and then about fifteen minutes later I was called into what they call an Assessment room. I told my story to a gentleman in a green surgical gown who told me that there were several people ahead of me, and it would be several hours before I would be treated.
So I went back home, had some dinner, and went back to the hospital to wait through the pain; I got back there about 7.30 pm, and I was called to see a doctor at 0140 am.
Now I have been prescribed anti-biotics, so I no longer suffer pain and at least I can sleep a bit at night. I will take this week off work, and I am awaiting the setting-up of an appointment with an ear specialist, but God only knows when that will be.
A lot of people in Ireland complain about what is known as the "two-tiered health system"; i.e., one category of health service for those who can afford it, and one for the normal punters, such as what I went through Sunday evening.
But I have come to the conclusion that in Ireland, the main reason why we have a two-tiered health system is because there are quite a number of people who want it that way. And if the two tiers here were brought much closer together, I predict that a certain class of people will go abroad in order to be treated as the superior class of person they think they are.
Sorry if I sound like I am waving a red flag.
OK it doesn't spoil it too much, but I have to be a bit careful with how I set the volume control.
Right now, my ears are surrounded with a strange humming sound, similar to the sound made by your kitchen fridge when you plug it in. Occasionally, this humming is joined by whistling and/or bell ringing, all to the rhythm of my pulse rate.
I first felt all this Friday evening, and after two sleepless nights, I decided Sunday afternoon to head to the nearest hospital Accident and Emergency Dept to get either a complete cure or at least something to make me sleep at night. Anyway, I knew I wasn't going to be back at work Monday.
This was the first time in my life I had presented myself at an A+E hoping for treatment; I was also perfectly aware that my case was not necessarily an "emergency", because I knew that I was not likely to drop dead within half an hour.
I got there about 4.30 pm, registered at A+E Reception, and then about fifteen minutes later I was called into what they call an Assessment room. I told my story to a gentleman in a green surgical gown who told me that there were several people ahead of me, and it would be several hours before I would be treated.
So I went back home, had some dinner, and went back to the hospital to wait through the pain; I got back there about 7.30 pm, and I was called to see a doctor at 0140 am.
Now I have been prescribed anti-biotics, so I no longer suffer pain and at least I can sleep a bit at night. I will take this week off work, and I am awaiting the setting-up of an appointment with an ear specialist, but God only knows when that will be.
A lot of people in Ireland complain about what is known as the "two-tiered health system"; i.e., one category of health service for those who can afford it, and one for the normal punters, such as what I went through Sunday evening.
But I have come to the conclusion that in Ireland, the main reason why we have a two-tiered health system is because there are quite a number of people who want it that way. And if the two tiers here were brought much closer together, I predict that a certain class of people will go abroad in order to be treated as the superior class of person they think they are.
Sorry if I sound like I am waving a red flag.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
A Monk's Life
I've just finished reading "The Monk Cardinal" by Anthony Howard, a biography of Cardinal Basil Hume, Archbishop of Westminster from 1976 until his death in June 1999.
Here is one of the highlights; it describes his domestic arrangements soon after moving in at Westminster:
Here is one of the highlights; it describes his domestic arrangements soon after moving in at Westminster:
"Yet, from the start at Westminster, there was perhaps a hint of strain in Basil's custom of having two boiled eggs and a choc ice before going straight up to his "cell" (bedroom) as soon after 10.30pm as could be managed. (There was only one exception to this rule: in the winter when Match of the Day was on BBC1 on Saturday nights, Basil postponed his bedtime and insisted on watching right through to the end.)"
New Bishop of Ferns appointed
A new Bishop of Ferns has been appointed, Monsignor Denis Brennan. The official press releases are here.
What seems to me to be the most interesting part is this paragraph from the state ment of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin:
"Archbishop Martin takes the occasion also to restate his appreciation of the
extraordinary contribution Bishop Walsh has made during his time as Apostolic
Administrator of Ferns, while not in any way neglecting his intense ministry
as Auxiliary Bishop in Dublin. The Archbishop feels certain the Archdiocese
of Dublin will benefit enormously from the experience and expertise which
Bishop Walsh acquired during his ministry in Ferns."
Two thoughts: firstly, this marks a significant step in moving on after the publication of the Ferns Report; the impression I got was that everybody in Wexford likes Bishop Walsh, yes, but everybody also felt that he was there temporarily to clean up the mess left by the two previous bishops. The RTE news item today emphasised that Monsignor Brennan is the first "local man" in a generation to become Bishop of Ferns.
Secondly, this means we can all resume a favourite sport of many, which is speculating about reshuffling bishops. There was a front-page story in last week's Irish Independent with rumours that Diarmuid Martin will shortly be off to a job in Rome, which may be the reason why he didn't get a red hat last week; and also that Bishop Eamonn Walsh will (or might) be the next Archbishop of Dublin.
I have met Bishop Walsh a few times and he is, honestly, a very nice and holy man. Suffice to say that if Diarmuid Martin does go back to the Vatican, then Eamonn Walsh will be the bookies' favourite to move into the big house in Drumcondra.
What seems to me to be the most interesting part is this paragraph from the state ment of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin:
"Archbishop Martin takes the occasion also to restate his appreciation of the
extraordinary contribution Bishop Walsh has made during his time as Apostolic
Administrator of Ferns, while not in any way neglecting his intense ministry
as Auxiliary Bishop in Dublin. The Archbishop feels certain the Archdiocese
of Dublin will benefit enormously from the experience and expertise which
Bishop Walsh acquired during his ministry in Ferns."
Two thoughts: firstly, this marks a significant step in moving on after the publication of the Ferns Report; the impression I got was that everybody in Wexford likes Bishop Walsh, yes, but everybody also felt that he was there temporarily to clean up the mess left by the two previous bishops. The RTE news item today emphasised that Monsignor Brennan is the first "local man" in a generation to become Bishop of Ferns.
Secondly, this means we can all resume a favourite sport of many, which is speculating about reshuffling bishops. There was a front-page story in last week's Irish Independent with rumours that Diarmuid Martin will shortly be off to a job in Rome, which may be the reason why he didn't get a red hat last week; and also that Bishop Eamonn Walsh will (or might) be the next Archbishop of Dublin.
I have met Bishop Walsh a few times and he is, honestly, a very nice and holy man. Suffice to say that if Diarmuid Martin does go back to the Vatican, then Eamonn Walsh will be the bookies' favourite to move into the big house in Drumcondra.
More bad news for the Welsh!
I've just gone to Catholic Ireland and looked at the Liturgical Notes in the top right hand corner; because it's Ash Wednesday, "St David is not celebrated this year". Poor Wales! And this after getting beaten at Lansdowne Road last Saturday.
Come to think of it, I have never been in Wales on St David's Day; nor have I ever been to the city of St David's - at least not yet!
But in March 2000, when Ash Wednesday occurred in the week before the Cheltenham Festival, I went over early on Ash Wednesday morning on the boat to Holyhead, and journeyed by bus to Aberystwyth. I really wanted to have a look at the National Library of Wales.
That evening I went to Mass here and there was a good crowd; Aberystwyth is a university town, and I guess the average age was about 20 or 21 - and I heard a lot of Irish accents.
I haven't been back there since. One day. . .
Come to think of it, I have never been in Wales on St David's Day; nor have I ever been to the city of St David's - at least not yet!
But in March 2000, when Ash Wednesday occurred in the week before the Cheltenham Festival, I went over early on Ash Wednesday morning on the boat to Holyhead, and journeyed by bus to Aberystwyth. I really wanted to have a look at the National Library of Wales.
That evening I went to Mass here and there was a good crowd; Aberystwyth is a university town, and I guess the average age was about 20 or 21 - and I heard a lot of Irish accents.
I haven't been back there since. One day. . .
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Everybody needs prayers
This story is from the excellent Catholic Ireland website.
An armed robber on a bus in Brazil, asked an Irish priest to pray for him after he discovered that he was a priest.
Please Officer; Can I Go Back To Jail?
There was a reference to this story in today's Racing Post and it literally made me laugh out loud.
And yes, it did make me feel a bit sorry for him.
A RECENTLY-RELEASED prisoner carried out a robbery at a betting shop because he wanted to return to jail, a court was told.
And yes, it did make me feel a bit sorry for him.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Memo to readers on the Western side of the Atlantic
Last September, I went to Italy, San Marino and Vatican City for my holidays (See Archive September 2005 on the left bar). This year I will go to America and Canada, and it will be after Easter.
I will be visiting New York, Boston, Chicago, St Louis, Detroit, Montreal and Toronto, though not necessarily in that order.
If anybody has any ideas for places to see, or tips on where to get Mass, or anything exciting, or places to avoid, the Comments box is below.
I will be visiting New York, Boston, Chicago, St Louis, Detroit, Montreal and Toronto, though not necessarily in that order.
If anybody has any ideas for places to see, or tips on where to get Mass, or anything exciting, or places to avoid, the Comments box is below.
Friday, January 27, 2006
I've said it before, and I'll say it again!
If anybody ever denies the existence of God, tell them to listen to Mozart.
If anybody ever tells you that human beings are simply the product of a random evolutionary process over millions of years, tell them to listen to Mozart.
A very happy birthday: Wolfgang Chrysostomos Johannes Theophilus Mozart! May you take your rightful place composing for and conducting the Heavenly Choirs!
If anybody ever tells you that human beings are simply the product of a random evolutionary process over millions of years, tell them to listen to Mozart.
A very happy birthday: Wolfgang Chrysostomos Johannes Theophilus Mozart! May you take your rightful place composing for and conducting the Heavenly Choirs!
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
As soon as I read this. . .
. . .I knew I simply had to write it down and preserve it forever. Now I am putting it up online.
About a week ago I was reading a book from the library called "Turn Left At Greenland" by Mark Little, who was RTE's Washington Correspondent from September 1995 to January 2001. Obviously, Bill Clinton features prominently.
In an early chapter, Little writes about Clinton's home town of Hot Springs, Arkansas; and he tells this story about the future President and his mother, Virginia:
During the 1992 campaign, a good friend of mine interviewed Virginia. While the cameras were on, she gave the approved text of the Clinton biography but when the cameras were turned off, she kept talking. One day, she told my friend, she was baking cookies while young Billy worked on his homework at the kitchen table. She put the cookies out to cool on a baking tray and then left the house on an errand. When she came back, Billy had finished his homework and the cookies were gone. She turned angrily to her young son and asked what had happened. "What cookies? You never baked any cookies", he replied. Billy kept talking until he had persuaded his mother that she had not baked that night. "That's when I knew he would be a politician", Virginia said.
About a week ago I was reading a book from the library called "Turn Left At Greenland" by Mark Little, who was RTE's Washington Correspondent from September 1995 to January 2001. Obviously, Bill Clinton features prominently.
In an early chapter, Little writes about Clinton's home town of Hot Springs, Arkansas; and he tells this story about the future President and his mother, Virginia:
During the 1992 campaign, a good friend of mine interviewed Virginia. While the cameras were on, she gave the approved text of the Clinton biography but when the cameras were turned off, she kept talking. One day, she told my friend, she was baking cookies while young Billy worked on his homework at the kitchen table. She put the cookies out to cool on a baking tray and then left the house on an errand. When she came back, Billy had finished his homework and the cookies were gone. She turned angrily to her young son and asked what had happened. "What cookies? You never baked any cookies", he replied. Billy kept talking until he had persuaded his mother that she had not baked that night. "That's when I knew he would be a politician", Virginia said.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Delving into the past
I've just finished reading A History of the Irish Church 400-700AD written by Fr. John R Walsh and Thomas Bradley; the former is a priest of the Diocese of Derry, and a former teacher in St Columb's College, one of the most renowned secondary schools in the region; the latter-named is one of his past pupils, and is now a history teacher in the same establishment.
It's relatively short at only 192 pages, and I can recommend it for those interested not only in early Irish Christianity, but early British Christianity as well.
One part I found particularly interesting was what they had to say about St Brendan; his father's name was Findlug, and his mother was named Cara. He worked in Wales and Scotland, and the authors credit him with establishing churches in Perthshire and the Isle of Tiree. Let me quote from the book:
So next time you hear one of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, think of an Irish monk braving the elements of the Scottish climate to bring the faith to the Picts.
So the evidence points to the fact that it was not St Brendan who made that legendary trip across the Atlantic - if anybody did! But I can't help feeling that if the story was so relatively widespread across Europe, surely it must have had an influence on others and inspired them to seek to explore new worlds.
Another section deals with St Canice of Aghaboe, who is remembered as the patron of the city of Kilkenny, which bears his name, and is home of St Canice's Cathedral (Anglican). The authors tell us that he worked for a while in Scotland with St Colmcille (of Iona fame), and state: "He is remembered in Scotland to this day as Saint Kenneth and is credited with founding churches on the islands of Coll, Tiree, Mull and South Uist."
Which means that if you have a friend named Kenneth, then his name is not really Kenneth - it's Canice.
So allow me to pay tribute to the distinguished football player, Canice Dalglish; the late actor, Canice More; and the tenor Voice of Scotland, Canice McKellar; does that sound all right?
It's relatively short at only 192 pages, and I can recommend it for those interested not only in early Irish Christianity, but early British Christianity as well.
One part I found particularly interesting was what they had to say about St Brendan; his father's name was Findlug, and his mother was named Cara. He worked in Wales and Scotland, and the authors credit him with establishing churches in Perthshire and the Isle of Tiree. Let me quote from the book:
His place in history is secured because a medieval document, the Navigatio (The Voyage), bears his name. Some people hold that this odyssey is based on an actual voyage which Brendan made to North America. The Voyage was a most influential work in medieval times. Its text survives in some one hundred and twenty manuscrpts, some of them in Latin and the others in early forms of modern continental languages. The earliest surviving manuscript dates from the late tenth century. The Voyage is usually, and probably correctly, ascribed to a late ninth-century Irish peregrinus ("pilgrim" or "missionary exile") working in the Netherlands or Germany. A fascinating conglomeration of fact, fantasy and plagiarism, its popularity on the Continent in the Middle Ages led to a cult of Saint Brendan there and means that the name of a comparatively obscure sixth-century Irish monk survives in the name of a thriving city in Germany, Brandenburg.
So next time you hear one of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, think of an Irish monk braving the elements of the Scottish climate to bring the faith to the Picts.
So the evidence points to the fact that it was not St Brendan who made that legendary trip across the Atlantic - if anybody did! But I can't help feeling that if the story was so relatively widespread across Europe, surely it must have had an influence on others and inspired them to seek to explore new worlds.
Another section deals with St Canice of Aghaboe, who is remembered as the patron of the city of Kilkenny, which bears his name, and is home of St Canice's Cathedral (Anglican). The authors tell us that he worked for a while in Scotland with St Colmcille (of Iona fame), and state: "He is remembered in Scotland to this day as Saint Kenneth and is credited with founding churches on the islands of Coll, Tiree, Mull and South Uist."
Which means that if you have a friend named Kenneth, then his name is not really Kenneth - it's Canice.
So allow me to pay tribute to the distinguished football player, Canice Dalglish; the late actor, Canice More; and the tenor Voice of Scotland, Canice McKellar; does that sound all right?
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
So who'll be the next Pope then?
Please. Listen. I'm not trying to be morbid or pessimistic; I'm not asking for or hoping for a new Pope; I'm quite happy with the one I have now.
You all may remember in April of 2005 the Irish bookmaker firm Paddy Power received miles of free publicity for the Next Pope market. But in fact, the nature of the business is that this market will, frankly, last as long as the Barque of Peter sails the stormy oceans of this world.
So here are their market leaders, and a few other names selected by myself. And I am not making any tips or predictions as to who the next Pope will be. But let's face it: George Pell should be far shorter than 66/1.
Angelo Scola (Venice) 6
Christoph Von Schoenborn (Austria) 7
Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga (Honduras) 7
J M Bergoglio (Argentina) 9
Francis Arinze (Nigeria) 10
Tarcisio Bertone (Italy) 10
Dionigi Tettamanzi (Italy) 10
Claudio Hummes (Brazil) 12
Francisco J E Ossa (Chile) 14
Karl Lehmann (Germany) 16
Camillo Ruini (Rome) 20
Wilfred Napier (South Africa) 20
Cormac Murphy-O'Connor (England) 40
Dario Castrillon Hoyos (Colombia) 50
Keith Patrick O'Brien (Scotland) 50
J-M Lustiger (Paris) 66
George Pell (Sydney) 66
Francis George (Chicago) 80
Bono (Ireland) 1000
You all may remember in April of 2005 the Irish bookmaker firm Paddy Power received miles of free publicity for the Next Pope market. But in fact, the nature of the business is that this market will, frankly, last as long as the Barque of Peter sails the stormy oceans of this world.
So here are their market leaders, and a few other names selected by myself. And I am not making any tips or predictions as to who the next Pope will be. But let's face it: George Pell should be far shorter than 66/1.
Angelo Scola (Venice) 6
Christoph Von Schoenborn (Austria) 7
Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga (Honduras) 7
J M Bergoglio (Argentina) 9
Francis Arinze (Nigeria) 10
Tarcisio Bertone (Italy) 10
Dionigi Tettamanzi (Italy) 10
Claudio Hummes (Brazil) 12
Francisco J E Ossa (Chile) 14
Karl Lehmann (Germany) 16
Camillo Ruini (Rome) 20
Wilfred Napier (South Africa) 20
Cormac Murphy-O'Connor (England) 40
Dario Castrillon Hoyos (Colombia) 50
Keith Patrick O'Brien (Scotland) 50
J-M Lustiger (Paris) 66
George Pell (Sydney) 66
Francis George (Chicago) 80
Bono (Ireland) 1000
Monday, January 09, 2006
On Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
This looks like the best online resource for information. It's worth remembering that she lived and studied in Dublin for several years!!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
A new Catholic publication worth checking out
The print edition is just over a year old, but now the online version of The Voice Today is up.
The newspaper itself costs €1.00 and is published weekly, exactly the same as The Irish Catholic. The Irish Catholic, first published in 1880-something, did have a website with articles some years ago, but no longer.
The current editor of The Voice Today, Simon Rowe, used to be Editor of The Irish Catholic. However, I do not detect any kind of rivalry or animosity between them, and I buy both every weekend; I suspect others do too.
The newspaper itself costs €1.00 and is published weekly, exactly the same as The Irish Catholic. The Irish Catholic, first published in 1880-something, did have a website with articles some years ago, but no longer.
The current editor of The Voice Today, Simon Rowe, used to be Editor of The Irish Catholic. However, I do not detect any kind of rivalry or animosity between them, and I buy both every weekend; I suspect others do too.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Christmas Vigil Mass with a Cardinal
Last night, Christmas Eve night, I decided to go to the Vigil Mass at 9.00 pm in Iona Road church. It was a very nice way to welcome the Saviour. And a very large crowd.
Our retired Archbishop, Desmond Cardinal Connell, was present to co-concelebrate, and he said a few special words after Communion. He started by admitting that he never expected to take part in a Conclave, because he expected Pope John Paul II to outlive everybody, and also because the man himself is approaching 80.
Obviously, Cardinal Connell did not reveal any of the secrets of the Conclave (OK, everybody, stop groaning!), and said he has been in Rome twelve times during 2005. (OK I admit, I'm a little jealous!!)
He described Benedict XVI by using a word I haven't heard anybody use before: "bouncing".
Cardinal Connell said that he recently went to one of the Wednesday General Audiences. He said that when anybody meets the Pope, he always asks them one thing: "Pray for me."
This morning, I watched Urbi et Orbi on the box, switching between both RTE and EWTN. My favourite part was when he stepped out onto the balcony to hear what sounded like screams of teenage girls at a Boyzone concert.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Diary of a trip to North Korea
Margaret Ward, a reporter with RTE, Ireland's broadcasting network, recently made a trip to North Korea with Concern, a third-world development charity. For some reason, the North Korean authorities allowed her in with a cameraman. The results will be shown tonight on Prime Time, RTE's main current affairs-analysis programme.
Here is the link which leads to her diary, including a description of going to Mass on Sunday morning. After the programme is broadcast, you'll be able to download it.
Here is the link which leads to her diary, including a description of going to Mass on Sunday morning. After the programme is broadcast, you'll be able to download it.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
OK. Now I'm going to make you all a little bit jealous
You wake up. You get out of bed. You walk out of your large white villa to the terrace for breakfast. And what do you see?
This.
Do you ever, ever want to leave this place?
This is the view from the Villa San Michele, Capri; home of Dr Axel Munthe, author of the classic "The Story of San Michele". If you haven't read it, I suggest you check your local library asap!
And sorry! The house ain't for sale!
This.
Do you ever, ever want to leave this place?
This is the view from the Villa San Michele, Capri; home of Dr Axel Munthe, author of the classic "The Story of San Michele". If you haven't read it, I suggest you check your local library asap!
And sorry! The house ain't for sale!
More evidence to show how clever Swiss people are
I get by e-mail the monthly newsletter from Swiss Federal Railways, and today brings news that will please lots of people.
Effective 11th December, all public transport in Switzerland will be smoke-free.
Good news. And also, in order to get the message across, they will gradually remove all the ashtrays from all rolling stock, so as not to tempt anybody to light up - a job which they state will take around six months.
But it's the last paragraph of the above-linked news item which is most interesting.
After all, what can you do with hundreds (thousands?) of ashtrays?
Recycle the metal? Or perhaps create a sculpture with them?
No; the clever Swiss are going to try and sell them.
As "a piece of Swiss railway history".
Hurry! Hurry! While stocks last!
Effective 11th December, all public transport in Switzerland will be smoke-free.
Good news. And also, in order to get the message across, they will gradually remove all the ashtrays from all rolling stock, so as not to tempt anybody to light up - a job which they state will take around six months.
But it's the last paragraph of the above-linked news item which is most interesting.
After all, what can you do with hundreds (thousands?) of ashtrays?
Recycle the metal? Or perhaps create a sculpture with them?
No; the clever Swiss are going to try and sell them.
As "a piece of Swiss railway history".
Hurry! Hurry! While stocks last!
Thursday, December 01, 2005
"We live in a pluralist Ireland. Pluralist, however, does not mean secular."
Here is more common sense from my Archbishop, Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin. This was a lecture at the National College of Ireland, which is a newer institution attached to Dublin's Financial Services Centre. The subject was "Leadership and the Church".
But it's the anecdotes and stories from his experiences in Italy and Geneva that I think are especially interesting.
But it's the anecdotes and stories from his experiences in Italy and Geneva that I think are especially interesting.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Rest In Peace, George
Quite special earlier this evening watching Sky Sports showing the ceremonies at Old Trafford. United are, as I write, leading West Brom 2- 0, and, fittingly, number 7, Ronaldo, scored the first goal.
I'm too young to remember him playing (honestly); but at work today, I was reminded that George Best played three games for the now-defunct club Cork Celtic in the League of Ireland. Read more here: one thing that this article does not mention is the strong rumour that George was offered strong financial incentive to play for the club.
I think it's quite important to understand the context of the previous week's events: the death of George Best invites us all to directly compare the game of football in 1968 with 2005; there are the obvious issues of television coverage, players' wages, money, and the related changing economics of the sport; but to the hardcore United fans (and I admit I am not one of these), it also makes the Glazer takeover slightly harder to bear.
Frankly, the boardroom events this summer mark an important watershed in the club's history; the club has been taken over by a family who seem to have no real interest in the game for the game's sake, or for the fans' sake; one good thing about the ceremony this evening was that the Glazer family were nowhere to be seen. If any of them had turned up on the pitch with the 1968 legends, they would have been booed off by the fans.
I'm too young to remember him playing (honestly); but at work today, I was reminded that George Best played three games for the now-defunct club Cork Celtic in the League of Ireland. Read more here: one thing that this article does not mention is the strong rumour that George was offered strong financial incentive to play for the club.
I think it's quite important to understand the context of the previous week's events: the death of George Best invites us all to directly compare the game of football in 1968 with 2005; there are the obvious issues of television coverage, players' wages, money, and the related changing economics of the sport; but to the hardcore United fans (and I admit I am not one of these), it also makes the Glazer takeover slightly harder to bear.
Frankly, the boardroom events this summer mark an important watershed in the club's history; the club has been taken over by a family who seem to have no real interest in the game for the game's sake, or for the fans' sake; one good thing about the ceremony this evening was that the Glazer family were nowhere to be seen. If any of them had turned up on the pitch with the 1968 legends, they would have been booed off by the fans.
I confess . . .
Jamie has tagged me with the Confiteor meme, so here goes:
I confess that I am a Manchester United fan, but I have never visited the grave of Liam Whelan, although I could walk to it in less than half an hour.
I confess that I once got Lester Piggott's autograph, and I have lost it!!
I confess that years ago I started reading St Louis Marie de Montfort's Treatise on the True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, but stopped about a quarter way through.
I confess that I have dozens of books on the shelves which I have not read.
I confess that, on the evening of April 2nd this year, I was in an Edinburgh hotel and watching TV and following the news; I turned on Ceefax, saw the Newsflash, and my first thought was disappointment; because it meant that I wouldn't get to see him again on my trip to Rome in September.
I confess that, if I was watching the Cheltenham Festival on the box next March, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup was about to start, and if the phone rang and if it was Papa Benedetto asking for my advice on something, I would probably say: "Er, sorry Your Holiness, but can I call you back?"
I confess that I am inspired by Marxist philosophy; that is, the philosophy of Groucho, Chico & Harpo!
I confess that I have travelled around Scotland; Stranraer, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen, John o'Groats, Orkney Islands, Skye, Iona, Fort William, Melrose, Kelso, Stirling, Oban, but I have never been to St Andrews.
There. Any tabloid newspapers want to put me on the front page now??
I confess that I am a Manchester United fan, but I have never visited the grave of Liam Whelan, although I could walk to it in less than half an hour.
I confess that I once got Lester Piggott's autograph, and I have lost it!!
I confess that years ago I started reading St Louis Marie de Montfort's Treatise on the True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, but stopped about a quarter way through.
I confess that I have dozens of books on the shelves which I have not read.
I confess that, on the evening of April 2nd this year, I was in an Edinburgh hotel and watching TV and following the news; I turned on Ceefax, saw the Newsflash, and my first thought was disappointment; because it meant that I wouldn't get to see him again on my trip to Rome in September.
I confess that, if I was watching the Cheltenham Festival on the box next March, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup was about to start, and if the phone rang and if it was Papa Benedetto asking for my advice on something, I would probably say: "Er, sorry Your Holiness, but can I call you back?"
I confess that I am inspired by Marxist philosophy; that is, the philosophy of Groucho, Chico & Harpo!
I confess that I have travelled around Scotland; Stranraer, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen, John o'Groats, Orkney Islands, Skye, Iona, Fort William, Melrose, Kelso, Stirling, Oban, but I have never been to St Andrews.
There. Any tabloid newspapers want to put me on the front page now??
Thursday, November 17, 2005
This might make you think for a few seconds
This is from a blog by a Magistrate in the South-East of England; his nom-de-plume is Bystander, but I don't know his real name.
Here he writes about a trip to a jail, which is interesting, especially the bit about the chapel.
Here he writes about a trip to a jail, which is interesting, especially the bit about the chapel.
Belated birthday greetings to The Maestro
I should have posted this on November 5th, but better late than never.
On 5th November 1935, he was born, in Wantage, England.
When he rode his first winner, Harry Truman was in the White House.
The figures speak for themselves: thirty English classics and Champion Jockey umpteen times on the flat in Britain; to be honest I don't know the exact number.
And what is most remarkable I feel was the longevity of his career. He was a fresh-faced teenager when he rode his first winner, and he was a grandfather when he won his last Classic on Rodrigo De Triano.
There are so many stories about him I can't repeat them here, because, like all legendary figures, there's no guarantee the stories are really true.
And, like all of us, he was a combination of saint and sinner; he has paid his debt to society as a guest of Her Majesty, an experience he describes in his autobiography as "just a waste of time".
But I remember the night when I was once in the same room as him; he was receiving a lifetime achievement award from a group of racing enthusiasts, and I will never forget the beaming smile on his face, which would have belied his usual stone-faced image that most people know him for.
So, here goes. Everybody join me in saying: "Happy Birthday, Lester Keith Piggott".
On 5th November 1935, he was born, in Wantage, England.
When he rode his first winner, Harry Truman was in the White House.
The figures speak for themselves: thirty English classics and Champion Jockey umpteen times on the flat in Britain; to be honest I don't know the exact number.
And what is most remarkable I feel was the longevity of his career. He was a fresh-faced teenager when he rode his first winner, and he was a grandfather when he won his last Classic on Rodrigo De Triano.
There are so many stories about him I can't repeat them here, because, like all legendary figures, there's no guarantee the stories are really true.
And, like all of us, he was a combination of saint and sinner; he has paid his debt to society as a guest of Her Majesty, an experience he describes in his autobiography as "just a waste of time".
But I remember the night when I was once in the same room as him; he was receiving a lifetime achievement award from a group of racing enthusiasts, and I will never forget the beaming smile on his face, which would have belied his usual stone-faced image that most people know him for.
So, here goes. Everybody join me in saying: "Happy Birthday, Lester Keith Piggott".
Friday, October 28, 2005
What inspired the title of this blog?
The phrase more or less struck me while reading the Breviary. Week 3 Saturday, Morning Prayer. The Old Testament piece is from the Book of Wisdom, chapter 9.
Years ago, before going on what I will describe here just as a "special task" with some colleagues, I asked a friend (a nun) to remember the success of the enterprise in her prayers. She suggested to me Wisdom 9. Looking back now, she was planting a seed, because when I started reading the Breviary regularly, I noticed Wisdom 9 and it rang a bell in my head. And the last line of the reading struck me as, well, a good title for a blog!
So over a year ago, when I decided to start a blog, the name was in the back of my mind; but in fact, I originally called it "Brendan's Blog", even though there was already a blog with the same name. I felt it was unfair to plagiarise, so I changed the title.
Now, I admit the text in the breviary actually reads: "and guard me with her glory", so I adapted it slightly; so I like to think that it is not just a blog title, but a prayer in honour of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom. In fact, the whole chapter is a prayer.
Though other Bible versions use: "and shall preserve me by her power"; "and safeguard me by her glory"; and the Darton Longman Todd New Jerusalem Bible which I generally use reads: "and will protect me with her glory". The Morning and Evening Prayer breviary I use actually takes its scripture texts from different scripture editions.
Now, I will tag some other bloggers and ask them to go public and reveal what inspired the titles of their blogs: the trio who bring us Laodicea, Jamie McMorrin of The Moral Highground, and Kelly Clark, the Pewlady.
Years ago, before going on what I will describe here just as a "special task" with some colleagues, I asked a friend (a nun) to remember the success of the enterprise in her prayers. She suggested to me Wisdom 9. Looking back now, she was planting a seed, because when I started reading the Breviary regularly, I noticed Wisdom 9 and it rang a bell in my head. And the last line of the reading struck me as, well, a good title for a blog!
So over a year ago, when I decided to start a blog, the name was in the back of my mind; but in fact, I originally called it "Brendan's Blog", even though there was already a blog with the same name. I felt it was unfair to plagiarise, so I changed the title.
Now, I admit the text in the breviary actually reads: "and guard me with her glory", so I adapted it slightly; so I like to think that it is not just a blog title, but a prayer in honour of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom. In fact, the whole chapter is a prayer.
Though other Bible versions use: "and shall preserve me by her power"; "and safeguard me by her glory"; and the Darton Longman Todd New Jerusalem Bible which I generally use reads: "and will protect me with her glory". The Morning and Evening Prayer breviary I use actually takes its scripture texts from different scripture editions.
Now, I will tag some other bloggers and ask them to go public and reveal what inspired the titles of their blogs: the trio who bring us Laodicea, Jamie McMorrin of The Moral Highground, and Kelly Clark, the Pewlady.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
SO THERE!!!
At the door of the church on San Giorgio island, Venice.
Basilica of St. Marinus, San Marino.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Papal General Audience - Wednesday September 21st
I had made attempts to discover how to get a ticket for the Pope's regular Wednesday audience. I had even written a letter, in the middle of August, addressed to Archbishop James Harvey at the Prefecture of the Papal Household, but got no response.
In the end, it was quite simple.
On Monday 19th, soon after arriving at Rome, I went to St. Peter's Square; and after a quick visit to the information office, I was directed to a door to the right of the colonnade (northern side). There was a Swiss Guard and another gentleman at the door; and I simply asked, and he gave me a ticket. It said "Ore 1030". Success!
So I proceeded with doing some of the things and visiting some of the sights and churches or Rome.
After two weeks of Mass in Italian, I somehow got the urge to hear Mass in English, so I decided to check out Santa Susanna, which is near Republica metro station. It is run by American Paulist priests, and is regarded as the church for American Catholics in Rome. So I went there Tuesday afternoon, and saw a note on the notice board stating that tickets for the Papal Audience would be handed out from 5pm on Tuesday.
5pm was not far away, so I hung on; meanwhile, the queue grew to about 30/40. It turned out they had all arranged in advance with the priest and he had all their names.
He advised us to get there about 0900/0930, and advised all to wear a hat and bring a bottle of water, because we would be exposed to the elemens, sun or rain.
So I set off next day; I didn't get off to a good start at Termini metro station, where a crowded train resulted in the doors closing on my arm and shoulder bag; but I pulled through successfully. Got the train to Ottaviano station, and walked the ten minutes or so south to the northern entrance to St. Peter's Square.
The queue and mass of humanity was fierce, and one could not tell where the queue began or ended; but the atmosphere was good, with American, Italians, Scots, and other nationalities mixing with good humour and patience. I could see through the columns, although the start time was over an hour away, probably just over half the seats in the square were occupied.
After the queue, we each went through the metal detectors, and all bags went through x-ray machines; then once into the square, you sit where you wish.
I decided to stay on the left side, and tried to get up into the top-left quarter, because it would be in the shade, with Bernini's columns between myself and the sun. I didn't expect to find seats free in this area, about 14 or 15 rows back from the very front rail. But I did.
Though the official start time was 1030, he actually came out soon after 1000 in his Popemobile; he came from the left side of the Basilica, and did a full circuit of the square so all could see him; except, of course, when some people decided to stand on the chairs and hold up flags and banners; so, I found myself doing the same and standing on the chair. The chairs are not particularly clean, and now I know why.
There were two sections on the "stage", to the left and right of him, obviously composed of special groups. I did see some wedding brides being escorted to the seats to the left side.
In case you don't have EWTN, this is generally what happens. One of the officials comes to the microphone, and greets the Holy Father on behalf of the pilgrims from a particular language group; on this occasion, first Italian, then French, German, English, Spanish/Portuguese, Polish; the official refers to special groups, such as "from such-an-such Parish, such-and-such city" which is usually followed by a cheer from the group in question. The Pope then makes his formal address in each language, today it was a commentary on Psalm 113.
Pope Benedict concludes with the singing of the Pater Noster in Latin.
Then he "pressed the flesh" on stage with who looked to be clergy and bishops, and then with the people in the large group to the left of the stage (as I looked). Some of the crowd in the square started to depart, but I started to edge closer forward, and I worked my way literally up to the fence as close to the stage as I could get.
The Pope was with the visitors for about 15/20 minutes, then he got into his Popemobile again, and slowly it started to come down the ramp (which was far to my right) and it approached the cheering crowd along the rail, and then turned right and slowly moved along the rail as he blessed the pilgrims.
The Popemobile proceeded to the wall to my left, where the sick and wheelchair-bound were lined up. He blessed them from the vehicle, but he did not get out of the vehicle at all except to take his seat at the microphone onstage.
Will I go again? Of course!! But I will arrive earlier and enjoy the experience more.
In the end, it was quite simple.
On Monday 19th, soon after arriving at Rome, I went to St. Peter's Square; and after a quick visit to the information office, I was directed to a door to the right of the colonnade (northern side). There was a Swiss Guard and another gentleman at the door; and I simply asked, and he gave me a ticket. It said "Ore 1030". Success!
So I proceeded with doing some of the things and visiting some of the sights and churches or Rome.
After two weeks of Mass in Italian, I somehow got the urge to hear Mass in English, so I decided to check out Santa Susanna, which is near Republica metro station. It is run by American Paulist priests, and is regarded as the church for American Catholics in Rome. So I went there Tuesday afternoon, and saw a note on the notice board stating that tickets for the Papal Audience would be handed out from 5pm on Tuesday.
5pm was not far away, so I hung on; meanwhile, the queue grew to about 30/40. It turned out they had all arranged in advance with the priest and he had all their names.
He advised us to get there about 0900/0930, and advised all to wear a hat and bring a bottle of water, because we would be exposed to the elemens, sun or rain.
So I set off next day; I didn't get off to a good start at Termini metro station, where a crowded train resulted in the doors closing on my arm and shoulder bag; but I pulled through successfully. Got the train to Ottaviano station, and walked the ten minutes or so south to the northern entrance to St. Peter's Square.
The queue and mass of humanity was fierce, and one could not tell where the queue began or ended; but the atmosphere was good, with American, Italians, Scots, and other nationalities mixing with good humour and patience. I could see through the columns, although the start time was over an hour away, probably just over half the seats in the square were occupied.
After the queue, we each went through the metal detectors, and all bags went through x-ray machines; then once into the square, you sit where you wish.
I decided to stay on the left side, and tried to get up into the top-left quarter, because it would be in the shade, with Bernini's columns between myself and the sun. I didn't expect to find seats free in this area, about 14 or 15 rows back from the very front rail. But I did.
Though the official start time was 1030, he actually came out soon after 1000 in his Popemobile; he came from the left side of the Basilica, and did a full circuit of the square so all could see him; except, of course, when some people decided to stand on the chairs and hold up flags and banners; so, I found myself doing the same and standing on the chair. The chairs are not particularly clean, and now I know why.
There were two sections on the "stage", to the left and right of him, obviously composed of special groups. I did see some wedding brides being escorted to the seats to the left side.
In case you don't have EWTN, this is generally what happens. One of the officials comes to the microphone, and greets the Holy Father on behalf of the pilgrims from a particular language group; on this occasion, first Italian, then French, German, English, Spanish/Portuguese, Polish; the official refers to special groups, such as "from such-an-such Parish, such-and-such city" which is usually followed by a cheer from the group in question. The Pope then makes his formal address in each language, today it was a commentary on Psalm 113.
Pope Benedict concludes with the singing of the Pater Noster in Latin.
Then he "pressed the flesh" on stage with who looked to be clergy and bishops, and then with the people in the large group to the left of the stage (as I looked). Some of the crowd in the square started to depart, but I started to edge closer forward, and I worked my way literally up to the fence as close to the stage as I could get.
The Pope was with the visitors for about 15/20 minutes, then he got into his Popemobile again, and slowly it started to come down the ramp (which was far to my right) and it approached the cheering crowd along the rail, and then turned right and slowly moved along the rail as he blessed the pilgrims.
The Popemobile proceeded to the wall to my left, where the sick and wheelchair-bound were lined up. He blessed them from the vehicle, but he did not get out of the vehicle at all except to take his seat at the microphone onstage.
Will I go again? Of course!! But I will arrive earlier and enjoy the experience more.
Day For Life - October 2nd 2005
Sunday October 2nd 2005 has been designated as Day for Life by the Irish Bishops; and at Saturday evening Vigil Mass earlier this evening, I picked up a copy of the pastoral letter, "Cherishing the Evening of Life".
Quote: "When a decision is taken to terminate the life of a person who is sick or elderly, on the grounds that his or her life is no longer worth living, this is euthanasia.
"Whether it is by doing something, or by doing nothing when something should be done; be it with or without the consent of the person who is killed, euthanasia comes down to the same thing in moral terms. It is the deliberate killing of a human being, and it is contrary to the law of God. God is the giver of life, and he alone has the right to decide when a life should end." (italics mine)
This link will lead you to a pdf of the pastoral letter.
Quote: "When a decision is taken to terminate the life of a person who is sick or elderly, on the grounds that his or her life is no longer worth living, this is euthanasia.
"Whether it is by doing something, or by doing nothing when something should be done; be it with or without the consent of the person who is killed, euthanasia comes down to the same thing in moral terms. It is the deliberate killing of a human being, and it is contrary to the law of God. God is the giver of life, and he alone has the right to decide when a life should end." (italics mine)
This link will lead you to a pdf of the pastoral letter.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
St Anthony of Padua
I am writing this in an internet cafe in Rome. I just popped in for five minutes to check for an urgent e-mail message, and the heavens have opened. So clearly God wants me to stay here a bit longer.
While staying in Venice, I took the half-hour or so trip by train to Padua, and got bus number 8 from the train station to a bus stop around the corner from what they call Basilica del Santo. They started to build it only a few years after St Anthony died.
When you walk in the door, his tomb is about halfway along on the left side. It is extremely ornate, and, we would say, highly decorated. His tomb doubles as an altar, with about six steps leading up to it so Mass can be said there, presumably on special occasions.
Visitors remain on "ground level" and can walk behind. At the back, there is a section of stone wall which is the actual wall of the tomb itself, and pilgrims place their hand(s) on the stone imporing the intercession of the Saint.
But all around the tomb, people have placed written messages, and, especially moving, pictures and photos of people; family, loved ones, maybe even themselves. There were even two photos of cars which clearly had been involved in accidents.
Did the occupants survive and they came to give thanks to St Anthony for saving them, or did they fail to survive and the grieving ones come to implore his help in conducting their souls to God? It doesn't say. We can only speculate.
Lots of pictures of babies, and especially wedding photos.
There is also a 30-minute or so audio/visual exhibition of the life of St Anthony, and a well-stocked souvenir and book shop.
You can also see the tongue of St Anthony in a separate reliquary. There is a confession chapel, similar, though slightly smaller, to the one at Lourdes.
I got Mass at 1700. Overall, I have to say everything is done in good taste.
While staying in Venice, I took the half-hour or so trip by train to Padua, and got bus number 8 from the train station to a bus stop around the corner from what they call Basilica del Santo. They started to build it only a few years after St Anthony died.
When you walk in the door, his tomb is about halfway along on the left side. It is extremely ornate, and, we would say, highly decorated. His tomb doubles as an altar, with about six steps leading up to it so Mass can be said there, presumably on special occasions.
Visitors remain on "ground level" and can walk behind. At the back, there is a section of stone wall which is the actual wall of the tomb itself, and pilgrims place their hand(s) on the stone imporing the intercession of the Saint.
But all around the tomb, people have placed written messages, and, especially moving, pictures and photos of people; family, loved ones, maybe even themselves. There were even two photos of cars which clearly had been involved in accidents.
Did the occupants survive and they came to give thanks to St Anthony for saving them, or did they fail to survive and the grieving ones come to implore his help in conducting their souls to God? It doesn't say. We can only speculate.
Lots of pictures of babies, and especially wedding photos.
There is also a 30-minute or so audio/visual exhibition of the life of St Anthony, and a well-stocked souvenir and book shop.
You can also see the tongue of St Anthony in a separate reliquary. There is a confession chapel, similar, though slightly smaller, to the one at Lourdes.
I got Mass at 1700. Overall, I have to say everything is done in good taste.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
In Rome. . .
Yesterday, I arrived in Rome, and in the afternoon I went to the Vatican. The first thing I wanted to do was to get a ticket for the General Audience on Wednesday (success!) and then I went to pay tribute to the late John Paul II.
Just before departure, I finished reading George Weigel's large biography of the man, and it made me realise actually how little I really knew about him. Or at least how much about him and his life and work that I either didn't know, or more accurately, didn't fully understand.
I made my way to the northern side of St Peter's Square and went through a metal detector. Then followed the crowd up the steps, and the path divides into three lines, one for entry to the Basilica, one to queue up for entry to the dome, and the third for the papal tombs.
On my previous visit (in 1998) I remember accessing the papal tombs from inside the Basilica, the staircase to the right of the baldachino. But now I entered through a door in the courtyard to the right of the basilica itself.
Along a corridor, and then out into the tombs area, which now looked familiar. On the right I saw the resting place of Paul VI, next on the left is John Paul I, and then on the right a slightly unusual one, if you'll pardon the expression: Queen Christina of Sweden, who was a convert.
Soon after that, on the right, is the last resting place of Joannes Paulus II, with the dates of his pontificate written on stone beneath his name. The queue was long, but moved quickly, as people briefly crossed themselves or genuflected. About eight feet back from the tomb, was a rope, behind which there were about four or five nuns on their knees. Other laypeople were kneeling as well.
In the corner of my eye, I noticed that the couple in front of me had handed their rosary beads and medals to one of the gentleman staff, and he had placed them on the tombstone, so I took out my own beads and gave them to him, and he did likewise, hoping that when I pray my Rosary, the late Holy Father will be praying with me and for me.
Understandably, the gentlemen on duty were keen to allow the line to move quickly and give as many people as possible a chance to pay homage. A recorded message over the speaker reminds everybody that this is a sacred place, and asks for silence.
Ever gone to a place like this and felt irritated about long queues? Me too (see post below about Venice and St Mark's Basilica). So from now on I will try, in this scenario, to imagine that such people are really my brothers and sisters in Christ, and they are going in to pray for me.
On this occasion, I was actually hoping in advance that the queue would be long, as a tribute to the man.
The beauty really is that this is not just a once-in-a-lifetime event. I know I will have other opportunities to come and visit his last resting place and say thank you.
But is it his last resting place? John XXIII was buried down in that area, but now he has been moved upstairs to the main basilica itself.
I got 1700 Mass at the altar under St Peter's Chair.
Today, visited Santa Maria Maggiore and got 12 noon Mass in St John Lateran. Also visited Santa Susanna, the church run by the American Paulists, which has 1800 weekday Mass which I will probably get some day this week. On Friday, from 1pm, they have a used book sale so I might pick up something good there.
One thing changed since my last visit is the introduction of the faster bus number 40, with fewer stops, from Termini Station to Piazza Pia, which is the square just on the west side of the Tiber at the beginning of Via della Conciliazione.
More Italy to follow. Watch this blog.
Just before departure, I finished reading George Weigel's large biography of the man, and it made me realise actually how little I really knew about him. Or at least how much about him and his life and work that I either didn't know, or more accurately, didn't fully understand.
I made my way to the northern side of St Peter's Square and went through a metal detector. Then followed the crowd up the steps, and the path divides into three lines, one for entry to the Basilica, one to queue up for entry to the dome, and the third for the papal tombs.
On my previous visit (in 1998) I remember accessing the papal tombs from inside the Basilica, the staircase to the right of the baldachino. But now I entered through a door in the courtyard to the right of the basilica itself.
Along a corridor, and then out into the tombs area, which now looked familiar. On the right I saw the resting place of Paul VI, next on the left is John Paul I, and then on the right a slightly unusual one, if you'll pardon the expression: Queen Christina of Sweden, who was a convert.
Soon after that, on the right, is the last resting place of Joannes Paulus II, with the dates of his pontificate written on stone beneath his name. The queue was long, but moved quickly, as people briefly crossed themselves or genuflected. About eight feet back from the tomb, was a rope, behind which there were about four or five nuns on their knees. Other laypeople were kneeling as well.
In the corner of my eye, I noticed that the couple in front of me had handed their rosary beads and medals to one of the gentleman staff, and he had placed them on the tombstone, so I took out my own beads and gave them to him, and he did likewise, hoping that when I pray my Rosary, the late Holy Father will be praying with me and for me.
Understandably, the gentlemen on duty were keen to allow the line to move quickly and give as many people as possible a chance to pay homage. A recorded message over the speaker reminds everybody that this is a sacred place, and asks for silence.
Ever gone to a place like this and felt irritated about long queues? Me too (see post below about Venice and St Mark's Basilica). So from now on I will try, in this scenario, to imagine that such people are really my brothers and sisters in Christ, and they are going in to pray for me.
On this occasion, I was actually hoping in advance that the queue would be long, as a tribute to the man.
The beauty really is that this is not just a once-in-a-lifetime event. I know I will have other opportunities to come and visit his last resting place and say thank you.
But is it his last resting place? John XXIII was buried down in that area, but now he has been moved upstairs to the main basilica itself.
I got 1700 Mass at the altar under St Peter's Chair.
Today, visited Santa Maria Maggiore and got 12 noon Mass in St John Lateran. Also visited Santa Susanna, the church run by the American Paulists, which has 1800 weekday Mass which I will probably get some day this week. On Friday, from 1pm, they have a used book sale so I might pick up something good there.
One thing changed since my last visit is the introduction of the faster bus number 40, with fewer stops, from Termini Station to Piazza Pia, which is the square just on the west side of the Tiber at the beginning of Via della Conciliazione.
More Italy to follow. Watch this blog.
Monday, September 19, 2005
The gift of the Priesthood
I caught his eye and he caught mine, though only for a split-second. I could see that he was elderly, I guess at least seventy. The seat beside him was free, and for a moment I was going to sit there; but then I noticed his magnifying glass and his breviary, so I decided to walk on to the rear end of the boat and let him say his Office in privacy.
This was a vaporetto boat, the 1530 service from Burano to Torcello; on Venice's public transport system, this is as far north as you can go. Today fewer than 100 people live on Torcello, but about a thousand years ago, Torcello was in fact the first part of Venice to be settled, and had, at one time, a population of up to 20,000.
Because of its relative remoteness and extremity, I wanted to visit Torcello; but I also intended to go to Mass at 4.30 pm. I assumed this would be in the byzantine Basilica. So the thought crossed my mind that he would be the celebrant.
The Byzantine influence on Venice is clear when you see St Mark's Basilica in the city proper, but also the fact that the Archbishop is not called Archbishop, but Patriarch.
The ferry made its five-minute trip, and arrived at Torcello pier, and I walked along the footpath. There are a few restaurants along the way. Getting to the Basilica took about ten minutes, so I first went into Santa Fosca church, beside the Basilica. Then I quickly went to the entrance of the Basilica, and prepared to pay the entry fee to the Basilica, as well as the Campanile.
I asked the young lady working there "Santa Messe, quatro mezzo" in my poor Italian. But she told me that it would actually be at four, and in Santa Fosca. It was nearly four now, so in I went and sat down. There were about a dozen to fifteen people in Santa Fosca church, mainly tourists, and I felt a bit embarrassed that the priest would come and say Mass to a possible one-person congregation. Then I saw him, with his bag in hand, as he went into a door to the right of the altar.
A young man came out with an ID around his neck indicating that he clearly worked there, and started to set up the altar, light the candles, and bring out the water and wine. At four, he came out robed in white vestments. I turned around, and saw that there were two ladies in the rear seat. Santa Fosca is quite a small church.
Also at four, the bells of the Basilica campanile began to ring, which would last nearly ten minutes. I could see the priest, with magnifying glass in right hand, often looking up from his lectionary to the door. The thought crossed my mind that he was probably expecting some "tourist" to walk in the front door and take a photo of the ceremony.
The young man served Mass and did the readings, and I tried to do the responses as best I could, either in English or what little Italian I have managed to learn.
When the time came for Holy Communion, I was ready to make my move; the priest consumed the host and drank from the chalice. But he made no move, and no attempt to distribute the Sacrament to the (very small) congregation.
Looking back, my opinion is that with the numbers of tourists who pass in and out, it has probably happened that people who are not Catholics have been receiving Communion. So better safe than sorry.
But it all reminded me of the gift to us of the Priesthood.
This was a vaporetto boat, the 1530 service from Burano to Torcello; on Venice's public transport system, this is as far north as you can go. Today fewer than 100 people live on Torcello, but about a thousand years ago, Torcello was in fact the first part of Venice to be settled, and had, at one time, a population of up to 20,000.
Because of its relative remoteness and extremity, I wanted to visit Torcello; but I also intended to go to Mass at 4.30 pm. I assumed this would be in the byzantine Basilica. So the thought crossed my mind that he would be the celebrant.
The Byzantine influence on Venice is clear when you see St Mark's Basilica in the city proper, but also the fact that the Archbishop is not called Archbishop, but Patriarch.
The ferry made its five-minute trip, and arrived at Torcello pier, and I walked along the footpath. There are a few restaurants along the way. Getting to the Basilica took about ten minutes, so I first went into Santa Fosca church, beside the Basilica. Then I quickly went to the entrance of the Basilica, and prepared to pay the entry fee to the Basilica, as well as the Campanile.
I asked the young lady working there "Santa Messe, quatro mezzo" in my poor Italian. But she told me that it would actually be at four, and in Santa Fosca. It was nearly four now, so in I went and sat down. There were about a dozen to fifteen people in Santa Fosca church, mainly tourists, and I felt a bit embarrassed that the priest would come and say Mass to a possible one-person congregation. Then I saw him, with his bag in hand, as he went into a door to the right of the altar.
A young man came out with an ID around his neck indicating that he clearly worked there, and started to set up the altar, light the candles, and bring out the water and wine. At four, he came out robed in white vestments. I turned around, and saw that there were two ladies in the rear seat. Santa Fosca is quite a small church.
Also at four, the bells of the Basilica campanile began to ring, which would last nearly ten minutes. I could see the priest, with magnifying glass in right hand, often looking up from his lectionary to the door. The thought crossed my mind that he was probably expecting some "tourist" to walk in the front door and take a photo of the ceremony.
The young man served Mass and did the readings, and I tried to do the responses as best I could, either in English or what little Italian I have managed to learn.
When the time came for Holy Communion, I was ready to make my move; the priest consumed the host and drank from the chalice. But he made no move, and no attempt to distribute the Sacrament to the (very small) congregation.
Looking back, my opinion is that with the numbers of tourists who pass in and out, it has probably happened that people who are not Catholics have been receiving Communion. So better safe than sorry.
But it all reminded me of the gift to us of the Priesthood.
Monday, September 12, 2005
La Serenissima
Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while, but things were a bit hectic as I had to get things in Dublin sorted out before going on holidays.
And now, I am typing this in an internet place in the city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. Try not to be too jealous.
Spent about twenty minutes queueing up to get into St Mark's Basilica, only to discover afterwards that there's a separate entrance if going to Mass, which is usually celebrated in a side chapel. This entrance is on the north side of the Basilica. Also paid visits to San Salvador, San Giorgio, the Gesuiti, and Mass this evening in SS Apostoli. Mass yesterday evening at the Scalzi church, the one nearest the rail station.
One handy thing: all the churches in Venice have a poster, printed by the Archdiocese, which gives all the Mass times around the city.
Earlier this week, a few nice days in Cortina d'Ampezzo, which has a wonderful Baroque-era church. Worth remembering that, up to Italy's entry into the War in 1915, Cortina was actually in the Austro-Hungarian empire.
More Italy to come. Ciao for now!
And now, I am typing this in an internet place in the city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. Try not to be too jealous.
Spent about twenty minutes queueing up to get into St Mark's Basilica, only to discover afterwards that there's a separate entrance if going to Mass, which is usually celebrated in a side chapel. This entrance is on the north side of the Basilica. Also paid visits to San Salvador, San Giorgio, the Gesuiti, and Mass this evening in SS Apostoli. Mass yesterday evening at the Scalzi church, the one nearest the rail station.
One handy thing: all the churches in Venice have a poster, printed by the Archdiocese, which gives all the Mass times around the city.
Earlier this week, a few nice days in Cortina d'Ampezzo, which has a wonderful Baroque-era church. Worth remembering that, up to Italy's entry into the War in 1915, Cortina was actually in the Austro-Hungarian empire.
More Italy to come. Ciao for now!
Friday, August 26, 2005
I love animals. . .
. . . boiled, fried, baked or roasted! Any way you like!!
Seriously, though I do not condone cruelty to animals, I do not believe that animals are equal to humans. Unlike some.
Thanks to reader David Martosko for the tip-off.
Seriously, though I do not condone cruelty to animals, I do not believe that animals are equal to humans. Unlike some.
Thanks to reader David Martosko for the tip-off.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Soothsayer story
At the moment, my television set is tuned to EWTN and Johnette Benkovic and guests discussing the New Age movement, something which, I am glad to say, I have had virtually no involvement. So I have no personal stories to tell!
Except one "close encounter" I nearly had with one of Ireland's better-known fortune tellers/soothsayers/psychic guides/con artists (tick as appropriate!).
It happened several years ago, in December, and it was a lunch-time party for Christmas. In the place I worked at the time, the nature of the work was such that we could not all go out for one meal together, but the Christmas party had to be split into two halves, so one half of the office could have a (rushed) social event together, while the other half did the work. Then the following day, the roles were reversed.
We went to a Chinese restaurant in Dublin city centre, a few minutes walk from the workplace.
About half-way through our dinner, the door opened, and in walked a man with a face familiar from television, and a face familiar from newspaper advertisements for his premium-rate fortune-telling phone lines where he (allegedly) will tell you, basically, how to live your life (though I have never, ever rung one of them, hence my use of the word "allegedly"). He also charges you a "nice" fee for the privilege. But because it goes on your phone bill, which you get several weeks later, this is what's known as the Buy Now, Pay Later syndrome. So you don't fully realise that you are spending your own money.
At this time, the place was full with several office groups, including us, having a pre-Christmas party. The gentleman came in, looked around, and soon was approached by one of the staff; they had a conversation, which we couldn't hear, and then he turned around and walked out the door again.
The place was full so he had to go somewhere else for lunch.
We all recognised him, and said to ourselves: "there's (name inserted here)". And then, after a pause for a few seconds, a thought crossed our minds . . .
. . .didn't he KNOW that the place was full??
That was several years ago; he doesn't appear on television very often nowadays (or rather, I don't see him on the box because I've better things to do!) but you can still ring up his premium-rate phone line. For anybody who does, I will make a prediction, which I am confident is far more accurate than any he will make:
Your Future Says: You Will Receive A Large Phone Bill.
Presumably, if he wasn't making a profit he wouldn't stay in the business, nor would his many competitors; so business must be fairly good. Frankly, my verdict is that anyone who rings one of these so-called psychic phone lines deserves to get ripped off.
Except one "close encounter" I nearly had with one of Ireland's better-known fortune tellers/soothsayers/psychic guides/con artists (tick as appropriate!).
It happened several years ago, in December, and it was a lunch-time party for Christmas. In the place I worked at the time, the nature of the work was such that we could not all go out for one meal together, but the Christmas party had to be split into two halves, so one half of the office could have a (rushed) social event together, while the other half did the work. Then the following day, the roles were reversed.
We went to a Chinese restaurant in Dublin city centre, a few minutes walk from the workplace.
About half-way through our dinner, the door opened, and in walked a man with a face familiar from television, and a face familiar from newspaper advertisements for his premium-rate fortune-telling phone lines where he (allegedly) will tell you, basically, how to live your life (though I have never, ever rung one of them, hence my use of the word "allegedly"). He also charges you a "nice" fee for the privilege. But because it goes on your phone bill, which you get several weeks later, this is what's known as the Buy Now, Pay Later syndrome. So you don't fully realise that you are spending your own money.
At this time, the place was full with several office groups, including us, having a pre-Christmas party. The gentleman came in, looked around, and soon was approached by one of the staff; they had a conversation, which we couldn't hear, and then he turned around and walked out the door again.
The place was full so he had to go somewhere else for lunch.
We all recognised him, and said to ourselves: "there's (name inserted here)". And then, after a pause for a few seconds, a thought crossed our minds . . .
. . .didn't he KNOW that the place was full??
That was several years ago; he doesn't appear on television very often nowadays (or rather, I don't see him on the box because I've better things to do!) but you can still ring up his premium-rate phone line. For anybody who does, I will make a prediction, which I am confident is far more accurate than any he will make:
Your Future Says: You Will Receive A Large Phone Bill.
Presumably, if he wasn't making a profit he wouldn't stay in the business, nor would his many competitors; so business must be fairly good. Frankly, my verdict is that anyone who rings one of these so-called psychic phone lines deserves to get ripped off.
The universality of the Church
Another site linking to here (grateful thanks) is from Gen X Revert; and this post emphasises that the word "catholic" means "universal".
It reminded me of the scenes on TV last week from Cologne.
So, anybody know when is World Middle-Aged Day?
It reminded me of the scenes on TV last week from Cologne.
So, anybody know when is World Middle-Aged Day?
Saturday, July 30, 2005
So what would YOU do with €115 million?
Well, I guess I would now have enough money to have my own stud farm and string of racehorses. Hey, I might even buy Ballydoyle!!
I would be able to buy some nice presents for some special people; donate a nice sum to two parishes - the parish where I live, and the parish where I grew up, both of which are doing some building/restoration work at the moment; buy a nice new car (BMW probably?).
Short term, I would probably do nothing; just put in into the bank and wait a couple of months while doing some research and making investment decisions.
Will it change my life? To an extent, yes, and that is ultimately why lotteries exist and what they trade on. And before you ask, No, I do not play the Euro Millions or the Lotto or any of the scratch card games. The odds are bad value!
But what would I do about all the begging letters?
Simple - I would just keep sending them!
I would be able to buy some nice presents for some special people; donate a nice sum to two parishes - the parish where I live, and the parish where I grew up, both of which are doing some building/restoration work at the moment; buy a nice new car (BMW probably?).
Short term, I would probably do nothing; just put in into the bank and wait a couple of months while doing some research and making investment decisions.
Will it change my life? To an extent, yes, and that is ultimately why lotteries exist and what they trade on. And before you ask, No, I do not play the Euro Millions or the Lotto or any of the scratch card games. The odds are bad value!
But what would I do about all the begging letters?
Simple - I would just keep sending them!
Thursday, July 21, 2005
I've Been Certified!
This evening, there was a brown envelope from the Government in my letterbox.
It contained a legal document with my name and address on it.
It is a Certificate of Professional Competence issued by the Department of Transport.
If I ever wanted to have my own Road Transport business, I require three things: Good Repute (i.e. clean slate over the past five years from a long list of offences), Financial Standing, and Professional Competence. I now have number three.
I got this because I passed the examination I did in June. Thanks for all the prayers and advice and help I got along the way.
This Certificate is permanent.
So I don't have to do the exam again. The next exam is in September - instead I will be on holidays!
It contained a legal document with my name and address on it.
It is a Certificate of Professional Competence issued by the Department of Transport.
If I ever wanted to have my own Road Transport business, I require three things: Good Repute (i.e. clean slate over the past five years from a long list of offences), Financial Standing, and Professional Competence. I now have number three.
I got this because I passed the examination I did in June. Thanks for all the prayers and advice and help I got along the way.
This Certificate is permanent.
So I don't have to do the exam again. The next exam is in September - instead I will be on holidays!
Friday, July 08, 2005
VOTF in Ireland
Each week, the back page of The Irish Catholic has a column titled "Notebook", which is basically a guest column.
This week, the Notebook is written by Sean O'Conaill. At the bottom, the paper states that Sean O'Conaill is Co-ordinator of Voice of the Faithful (Ireland).
He begins with a quote from Lumen Gentium. Basically, he calls for more accountability from bishops. "That is why our bishops also need to be more accountable in our Church - to restore their own authority and to deny the Church's enemies the gibe that our leaders are more likely to hide from the light than to lead us toward it. We laity too are accountable."
He continues: "Founded in Boston in 2002, following revelations of the disastrous reassignment of abusive priests by the archdiocese, Voice of the Faithful emerged out of the protest of committed laity - readers, eucharistic ministers, parents - determined to preserve their faith for their children. Very many were proudly Irish.
"Determined that this catastrophe should be the last of its kind, VOTF agreed the banner slogan "Keep the Faith: Change the Church". It agreed also three main goals: to support victims of child sex abuse by clergy; to support all priests of integrity; to work for Church structures that would prevent the Church from harming itself again. . .
"VOTF has also taken the position that to fund the leadership of the Church without demanding accountability from it is irresponsible - it encourages unaccountability and secrecy and therefore guarantees scandal. . .
"We Irish faithful also need to raise our voices in secular Ireland in celebration of what our Church has given us. My Catholic faith is by far my most important possession."
He concludes: "In the months ahead we plan to hold public meetings in Ireland to promote this programme. In the meantime www.votf.org will tell you more. The site includes a sign-up membership form - totally free of charge."
Note this is not the full article. The excerpts have been chosen by myself.
The paper prints a logo as part of the article: an outline of a church steeple, with the words "The Laity Speak: Accountability Now" and underneath that "A Convocation of Catholic Laity".
So I went in and had a quick look at the VOTF website, but I did not "Sign Up". I couldn't help seeing the page called "VOTF Positions" stating, among other things, that VOTF accepts the teaching authority of the Church, and that VOTF does not seek the ordination of women, ending of the celibacy rule, etc, etc, and does not ally itself to any particular lobby group.
Now, I have seen no evidence of VOTF activity in Dublin. Anything I have read about VOTF over the last couple of years does not paint a good picture.
But the fact that The Irish Catholic gives half of the back page to this piece is interesting. True, this is just a personal column, and not an editorial. I must also add that the paper still is, as it always has been, owned by individual Catholic laypeople (actually his name is Otto Herschans) and not directly owned or controlled by the Hierarchy or any diocese or bishop.
I'll post more here, if anything happens.
This week, the Notebook is written by Sean O'Conaill. At the bottom, the paper states that Sean O'Conaill is Co-ordinator of Voice of the Faithful (Ireland).
He begins with a quote from Lumen Gentium. Basically, he calls for more accountability from bishops. "That is why our bishops also need to be more accountable in our Church - to restore their own authority and to deny the Church's enemies the gibe that our leaders are more likely to hide from the light than to lead us toward it. We laity too are accountable."
He continues: "Founded in Boston in 2002, following revelations of the disastrous reassignment of abusive priests by the archdiocese, Voice of the Faithful emerged out of the protest of committed laity - readers, eucharistic ministers, parents - determined to preserve their faith for their children. Very many were proudly Irish.
"Determined that this catastrophe should be the last of its kind, VOTF agreed the banner slogan "Keep the Faith: Change the Church". It agreed also three main goals: to support victims of child sex abuse by clergy; to support all priests of integrity; to work for Church structures that would prevent the Church from harming itself again. . .
"VOTF has also taken the position that to fund the leadership of the Church without demanding accountability from it is irresponsible - it encourages unaccountability and secrecy and therefore guarantees scandal. . .
"We Irish faithful also need to raise our voices in secular Ireland in celebration of what our Church has given us. My Catholic faith is by far my most important possession."
He concludes: "In the months ahead we plan to hold public meetings in Ireland to promote this programme. In the meantime www.votf.org will tell you more. The site includes a sign-up membership form - totally free of charge."
Note this is not the full article. The excerpts have been chosen by myself.
The paper prints a logo as part of the article: an outline of a church steeple, with the words "The Laity Speak: Accountability Now" and underneath that "A Convocation of Catholic Laity".
So I went in and had a quick look at the VOTF website, but I did not "Sign Up". I couldn't help seeing the page called "VOTF Positions" stating, among other things, that VOTF accepts the teaching authority of the Church, and that VOTF does not seek the ordination of women, ending of the celibacy rule, etc, etc, and does not ally itself to any particular lobby group.
Now, I have seen no evidence of VOTF activity in Dublin. Anything I have read about VOTF over the last couple of years does not paint a good picture.
But the fact that The Irish Catholic gives half of the back page to this piece is interesting. True, this is just a personal column, and not an editorial. I must also add that the paper still is, as it always has been, owned by individual Catholic laypeople (actually his name is Otto Herschans) and not directly owned or controlled by the Hierarchy or any diocese or bishop.
I'll post more here, if anything happens.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
London 2012 - and 2005!
Yesterday, in London, they were celebrating. Today, they are in shock, and tomorrow they will mourn.
Would the bombs have gone off if the Olympics had been awarded to another city? But that is pure conjecture on my part.
I still can't honestly see the mentality why anyone would want to plan and carry out such deeds. And some of the victims could be devout Moslems.
May God grant the dead eternal rest and peace in His kingdom.
And the hardest prayer of them all is: Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.
Would the bombs have gone off if the Olympics had been awarded to another city? But that is pure conjecture on my part.
I still can't honestly see the mentality why anyone would want to plan and carry out such deeds. And some of the victims could be devout Moslems.
May God grant the dead eternal rest and peace in His kingdom.
And the hardest prayer of them all is: Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Appeal for information!
Does anybody know how do I get to one of the Wednesday General Papal Audiences? Do I have to reserve in advance? Do I need tickets? How much to they cost, etc, etc? Also, if I was planning to be in Rome on a certain Wednesday, how do I know whether or not BXVI will be having a General Audience, and not way somewhere?
Any help will be gratefully received.
Any help will be gratefully received.
The Glorious Triviality
I admit I hadn't fully noticed. I know there was a lot on my mind the last few weeks with the exam and work and everything, but the other day I looked through the Racing Post and noticed that the leading trainer in prize-money in Britain so far this season is the Master of Ballydoyle himself, Aidan O'Brien.
Just for the record, he (so far) has won nine races from fifty runs, a strike rate of 18%; and total prize-money of £1,031,022.
Currently second is Michael Bell, with £993,317. Obviously, Motivator is responsible for most of that, and Bell could be top of the table after the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown next Saturday.
Incidentally, Aidan's largest earners this season so far are:
Virginia Waters, £221,448;
Footstepsinthesand, £185,600;
Yeats, £145,000;
Ace, £77,000;
Gypsy King, £68,950;
Ad Valorem, £49,500;
Oratorio, £40,750;
Indigo Cat, £35,240;
Wolfe Tone, £31,990;
Mona Lisa, £29,532;
All Too Beautiful, £29,000.
Unfortunately, neither Footstepsinthesand nor Gypsy King will be running any more races for the Ballydoyle/Coolmore team. But I have a hunch that Ace could be the main standard bearer for Ballydoyle in Group 1 races for the rest of the season.
But if you look at bare statistics, do they mean that John Oxx is the leading Irish trainer? So far in Britain this season, his record is two runs, two victories, both at Royal Ascot at York (Azamour and Beautyandthebeast), for a total of £232,000 in prize-money and a 100% strike rate. So does that mean he's a better trainer than Aidan? Answers on a postcard!
P.S. I must acknowledge the Racing Post for statistics.
Just for the record, he (so far) has won nine races from fifty runs, a strike rate of 18%; and total prize-money of £1,031,022.
Currently second is Michael Bell, with £993,317. Obviously, Motivator is responsible for most of that, and Bell could be top of the table after the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown next Saturday.
Incidentally, Aidan's largest earners this season so far are:
Virginia Waters, £221,448;
Footstepsinthesand, £185,600;
Yeats, £145,000;
Ace, £77,000;
Gypsy King, £68,950;
Ad Valorem, £49,500;
Oratorio, £40,750;
Indigo Cat, £35,240;
Wolfe Tone, £31,990;
Mona Lisa, £29,532;
All Too Beautiful, £29,000.
Unfortunately, neither Footstepsinthesand nor Gypsy King will be running any more races for the Ballydoyle/Coolmore team. But I have a hunch that Ace could be the main standard bearer for Ballydoyle in Group 1 races for the rest of the season.
But if you look at bare statistics, do they mean that John Oxx is the leading Irish trainer? So far in Britain this season, his record is two runs, two victories, both at Royal Ascot at York (Azamour and Beautyandthebeast), for a total of £232,000 in prize-money and a 100% strike rate. So does that mean he's a better trainer than Aidan? Answers on a postcard!
P.S. I must acknowledge the Racing Post for statistics.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Thanks to everybody who helped
. . . and the saga of my examination is over - at least until I get the results.
By the way, the examination was for a Certificate of Professional Competence. See here for details.
You will have to go to the sidebar, and click Education/Training, and then click the link for Certificate of Professional Competence.
There are two papers, morning and afternoon. I must score a total of 60% average, but I must get minimum 55% in each paper. A certain amount of "compensation" is allowed, but you must score 55%.
If you fail, you do the exam again; but depending on the actual results, you might only have to repeat one paper.
Thanks to a lot of people in work who gave me useful advice. Thanks also to those who remembered me in their prayers.
I am very confident, but it will take about six weeks before I get the results.
By the way, the examination was for a Certificate of Professional Competence. See here for details.
You will have to go to the sidebar, and click Education/Training, and then click the link for Certificate of Professional Competence.
There are two papers, morning and afternoon. I must score a total of 60% average, but I must get minimum 55% in each paper. A certain amount of "compensation" is allowed, but you must score 55%.
If you fail, you do the exam again; but depending on the actual results, you might only have to repeat one paper.
Thanks to a lot of people in work who gave me useful advice. Thanks also to those who remembered me in their prayers.
I am very confident, but it will take about six weeks before I get the results.
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