If a 'new' Nativity took place tomorrow - where would Christ be born?

The question came to mind as I listened to the unctuous broadcast tones of Anglican Canon Giles Fraser, late of St Paul's Cathedral and, in the course of his broadcast, on pilgrimage in the Holy Land.

This was first aired on Sunday 13th November on Radio 4 at c. 7.45 am.

"If Jesus was born again" said the good Canon "He would be born in a tent along with the anti capitalist protestors" (ie outside St Paul's, a Protestant Cathedral).

Really? 

Gosh Canon, that conjures up all sorts of exciting and, err.....dodgy images. Would His earthly father spend each day waving a placard stating 'Down with the State?' and his Blessed Mother, would she, perhaps, be linking arms with the other girls and chanting anarchic slogans?

And would the Word made Flesh allow himself to be inserted into this ramshackle rent-a-mob situation?

I don't think so. But just where would the infant child choose to be born (if, indeed He was to come again in this manner)?




"Upon the clouds of Heaven....."
 That is how He will come!

 Southern Sudan? Knightsbridge? Scarsdale NY? Cowbridge?

None of those smart stockbroker type belts I suspect; although Jesus Christ is a Man more than capable of confounding us in our thought processess and it could just be that He would choose to go among the bankers (the sinners, maybe) in today's world.

Where is Bethlehem 2011? A sink estate in Belfast? A hovel of rubble in Tripoli? A Council house in Merthyr Tydfil? A penthouse in Mayfair?

My best guess would be that it would be somewhere where the Palestine - Rome situation of His birth was replicated to some degree.

Iraq, Cuba, China........quem sabe?

"I left my heart in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

I left my kidneys in Swansea town"......can you imagine ol' blue eyes singing this lovely ballad....no? Neither can I.

The heart of Wales!

But it is true or, at least, it is probably going to be true because the extremely sound and all knowing intellectual Welsh Assembly Government aka The Mushroom Morons, is seeking consultation on the introduction of a law to make organ donation compulsory, (after death you will be pleased to know).
 Although, nothing about the Welsh Assembly would surprise me.

After all, the Health Minister involved in this move is none other than Edwina Hart - you couldn't make it up!

Why should this worry anyone? Well, for a start it is 1984 come to life, Big Brother wants control of our key body parts; I mean, my liver, lungs and other organs are mine, specifically and unequivocally mine and no earthly body  organisation can legitimately lay claim to them.

If, after death, I wish my organs to be buried along with the rest of my mortal remains, that should be possible - but that's not going to be the case in Stalinist Wales!

Please do not misunderstand me, I am firmly in favour of organ donation, it's just that this sort of decision belongs with the individual not with the state.

But let's take a quick LOTH straw poll as to what people believe on this topic:-

Anglican Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan -
"....is concerned the law would consider peoples' organs as "assets of the state" instead of them being donated voluntarily." Good man!

The British Humanist Society - "Welcomes the move" No change there then!

Academic John Harris of Manchester University, expert on bio ethics -
 "In Spain, which admittedly has a different culture regarding medicine and medical ethics, the introduction of the opt-out donation system has meant the shortage of donors has been entirely eliminated and the country is now a net exporter of organs."
Hmm...along with Spain's other exports of dodgy Sangria and imitation castanets!

Another Academic, Edinburgh University's Alan Trench -

"The Government’s White Paper is problematic, for a number of legal and policy reasons, quite apart from the moral issues involved. There are potential issues of compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly Article 9 (Freedom of thought, conscience and religion)".

Ah! At last, someone has mentioned 'religion' - good but Human Rights and EU Law = bad!

John Smeaton of SPUC commented -
"Presuming consent isn't the same as obtaining it, so it's not really consent at all, and such an presumption effectively nationalises everyone's bodies".
Thank the Lord for a rational approach!

Paul Botto, SPUC's Information Officer for Wales wrote -

Some countries which presume consent actually get fewer organs than are obtained in this country where consent is still needed. While organ donation can be a generous act, none of us is morally required to do it and government has no right to require it of us.

Good again!

And a spokesman spokesperson for the Catholic Church in Wales said......

............................................................................................................well, we're still waiting for that one, did you see that stone move?

Perhaps the last word on the subject should be left with someone who is not afraid to speak out, not afraid to stand up to the socialist pinkos or the Tory weasels, someone who cares not for political correctness - this is what Pope Benedict had to say on the issue back in 2007 -

'Pope Benedict began his address to the conference entitled, “A Gift for Life. Considerations on Organ Donation.” by applauding the great advances of medical science in the realm of issue and organ transplants. Though these measures give hope to people who are suffering, he lamented the problem of a limited availability of organs, as evidenced “in the long waiting lists of many sick people whose only hopes of survival are linked to a minimal supply which in no way corresponds to effective need."Despite the fact that the supply of organs is limited, the Pontiff emphasized that people can only donate, “if the health and identity of the individual are never put at serious risk, and always for morally-valid and proportional reasons. Any logic of buying and selling of organs, or the adoption of discriminatory or utilitarian criteria ... is morally unacceptable,” he stressed'.
H/T to A Catholic View

There.....no arguing with that point of view!

Oh, and BTW, there is a *fifty pound note awaiting the person who can drink 3 pints of Reverend James and then pronounce the Welsh place name of -

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch -
 A Reluctant Sinner is barred from entering this competition! (as are all Welsh speakers)

* Whilst standing on their head...I am nothing if not cautious as far as money is concerned.

When we remember the war dead.....

....we remember the British, the Anzacs,  Canadians, Americans, Indians, many Africans and other allied forces who gave their lives or their limbs that we might be free.

But do we also remember the Germans?

"With banners furled, and clarions mute,
An army passes in the night;
And beaming spears and helms salute
The dark with bright..."  Herman Melville
The German Cemetery at Cambie, Normandy

Of course, we must; war is a great leveller and forgiveness is a keystone of our faith.

But, what about the Japanese? Have they been airbrushed out of our Remembrance prayers and thoughts?

Hard, isn't it? Is there just a small speck of racism here?

Germans equal white European; Japanese equal slant eyes Asian.....but, in God's eyes there are no such distinguishing features - only souls that He created.

"No one travels
Along this way but I,
                             This autumn evening."  Matsuo Basho

A Sung Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Therese of Lisieux Church, Sandfields, Port Talbot at 5pm Sunday 13th November

The best November hymn for the Holy Souls

Help Lord the souls.....


"in prison for the debt unpaid...."

 By far and away the best and probably most effective lament on behalf of the Holy Souls.

I could not find a Youtube clip worth listening to so I sang the hymn myself....if you turn up the volume on your PC (why do people say "turn it up real loud?") you may hear a rather crackly but fine baritone voice.....

Here are the words......

Help, Lord, the souls which Thou hast made,

The souls to Thee so dear,

In prison for the debt unpaid

Of sins committed here.

Those holy souls, they suffer on,

Resign'd in heart and will,

Until Thy high behest is done,

And justice has its fill.

For daily falls, for pardon'd crime,

They joy to undergo

The shadow of Thy cross sublime,

The remnant of Thy woe.

Help, Lord, the souls which Thou hast made,

The souls to Thee so dear,

In prison for the debt unpaid

Of sins committed here.

Oh, by their patience of delay,

Their hope amid their pain,

Their sacred zeal to burn away

Disfigurement and stain;

Oh, by their fire of love, not less

In keenness than the flame,

Oh, by their very helplessness,

Oh, by Thy own great Name,

Good Jesu, help! sweet Jesu, aid

The souls to Thee most dear,

In prison for the debt unpaid

Of sins committed here.

   Blessed Cardinal John Newman - Pray for the Holy Souls - Pray for us!



                                       

                                    Every letter helps

The decision by Tescos, to sponsor the homosexual march in London (London Pride), is causing outrage amongst the Christian community - or some of them.
Many people have written to Tescos CEO, Phillip Clarke, to complain; here is one letter kindly sent to me by GM (my comments in red):


Dear G
Thank you for your comments regarding our involvement in London Gay Pride. I am grateful for the opportunity to explain our position on this matter.

Tesco is an inclusive business and we seek to reflect the communities we serve. (Just what does that mean? Do they serve Smokers? Bank Robbers? Islamists? Gypsies? Left handed people - or the Left footed ones?)This enables us to keep improving the shopping experience for our customers and the working environment for colleagues.(How, precisely?)
Everyone (except Christians) is welcome at Tesco. As part of this commitment, we support a number of organisations and partners which reflect the diversity of cultures (really? homosexual acts are cultural?) throughout the country and who shop and work with this business. This year we are supporting the Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer's Scotland as our charity of the year, working with Whizz-kidz to provide placements for young wheelchair users and working with Remploy and others to offer job opportunities to disabled and disadvantaged people. (So how much cash are you putting up?) We are proud to have been invited to support World Pride in 2012 among a variety of community and charitable events.

When taken together, our support for community based activities are (?) the expression of our company values which are: 'No-one tries harder for customers' and 'treat people as we like to be treated'. This means that we do not campaign for or promote any particular position but seek to operate in a way which means we 'live' these values. As a diverse business in a country of varied culture (sic) and background (sic), we believe it is right to embrace that diversity and to reflect the lives our customer’s lead, which is inclusive of both faith and sexual orientation in all their difference.
(Excellent, when can we expect the animal rights terrorists, the paedophiles' society and the goat lovers club to be included in this exciting range of diverse embracings?) I respect your point of view and understand that there are others who share it. However, our position is simply that 'Everyone is Welcome at Tesco' (except shoplifters, the homeless and the unwashed) which means that sometimes we find ourselves in a position where the interests of one may come up against the beliefs of another. Our hope is that this leads to a sense of inclusion for everyone who shops and works with us. (Pass the bucket please nurse).Thank you for taking the time to contact us. I trust that I have clarified our position on this matter.

Kind Regards


Dominic Wheeler
Tesco Customer Service

Having read all of this dire hogswash you may wish to write to them yourself if you have not already done so:-



 

                                             Mr P Clarke

                                             Tesco Stores Ltd

                                             New Tesco House

                                             Delamere Road

                                             Cheshunt

                                             EN8 9SL

PS: They might even wish to sponsor SPUC, that would be inclusive......don't hold your breath!

A commentator has reminded me of the email address for Tescos...

Here is the message....

"You can email your concerns at this contact:
 Andrew Higginson or Philip Clarke  to tesco.service@tesco.co.uk Please post this on to as many families and friends as possible. Health Protection Agency. http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpr/archives/2011/news2211.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5aohq3jms8 (note sex workers marching in parade) http://vimeo.com/25960835 (note man and his dog at 3:50 seconds) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DemJI-Ewgl8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sWaTGLmppg (hatred directed towards those who reject gay marriage)

Richard, Bishops? This is the second reformation remember. So everybody, speak out now, use the time you have left with the freedom to do so, the world chastisement is here and getting denser with it's darkness. Church Militant here we come. Pius Xth naturally"

Sorry! No Mass this Christmas

I see from the *LMS magazine 'Mass of Ages' that Westminster Archdiocese does not have an EF Mass anywhere on Christmas Day this year.

 The EF Mass is outlawed in Westminster this Christmas!

So, let's do the sums.....

1 Archbishop

+ 3 Bishops

+1 Retired Cardinal

+ 300 plus priests (est)

+216 parishes

---------------------

= 0

                           

That adds up to zero EF Masses on Christmas Day!

So, please don't ask for a Latin Mass as a smack in the mouth often offends!

*I believe that the above information is correct at time of publication but, I have to say that the LMS Mass listings are...how shall I phrase it without arousing ire?......a little ambiguous. There.......that was nice and subtle wasn't it...no choking over the Lapsang Souchong in Macklin Street over that!

Ten things the devil wants us to believe



1. We have plenty of time
2. Satan does not exist
3. All faiths are equal
4. Sin is old fashioned
5. Charity involves accepting perversion
6. Free will is the ultimate deciding factor
7. Life is for now, not after we are dead
8. Tarot cards, Ouija boards and astrology are good fun
9. A child in its mother’s womb is not a ‘life’
10. The Pope is not infallible

Any advance on 10?

Be a hero - for the sake of the Holy Souls

Make an heroic Act of Charity, (but it's not to be undertaken lightly), you give up all of your 'satisfactory value' towards the alleviation of your own time in Purgatory in order to release souls now. Here's how, courtesy of Fisheaters -

                                               Heroic Act of Charity

An "Heroic Act of Charity" is the offering of the satisfactory value (not the merits) of all of our sufferings and works of the rest of our lives and of any time we may spend in Purgatory for the relief of the souls in Purgatory. We do this by first deciding to do so, and then praying (using our own words or the more formal prayer below) to offer these things to God through Mary's hands.

Doing this is not a matter of taking a vow; it doesn't bind under pain of sin, and it is revokable (unless one vows never to revoke the Act). But it is a tremendous sacrifice, hence the name. It is truly heroic, a giving up of one's own earned relief from the temporal effects of sin -- even relief of the sufferings of Purgatory -- for the good of others.

In addition to asking God to use their satisfactory works for the souls in Purgatory, those who make this Act also receive a plenary indulgence (under the usual conditions) for the souls in Purgatory each time they receive Communion, and each time they hear Mass on Mondays for the sake of the departed.

Words to a formal Act of Heroic Charity are as follows:

O Holy and Adorable Trinity, desiring to aid in the relief and release of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, through my devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I cede and renounce, on behalf of these souls, all the satisfactory part of my works, and all the suffrages which may be given to me after my death. In their entirety, I offer them to Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God, that she may use them, according to her good pleasure, for those souls of the faithful departed whom she desires to alleviate their suffering. O my God, deign to accept and bless my offering which I make to Thee through the most august Queen of Heaven and Earth.

        Amen.

Phew! I feel a little faint!

The actress and the bishop!

Be honest, your thoughts raced down all sorts of corridors when you read that headline, and most of them were pretty murky - correct?

But it is an honest headline, so please let me explain (and many thanks to Liz for reminding me of this true story).

                                    The young Fulton Sheen - future saint!

It concerns the great priest, Bishop and, finally, Archbishop, Fulton Sheen - soon, Deo volente, to be canonised.

It was London in the late 1920s and Father Sheen, as he then was, had been seconded to teach at the seminary at St Edmond's Ware.
In addition to those duties he became an unofficial curate at St Patrick's Church, Soho Square.

 November in London in those days meant being immersed in a dense and foul fog (I don't remember that, by the way, but it was the same in the Fifties).

Fr Sheen went to open the church one foggy morning only to find a young woman of uncertain sobriety in the doorway.

To cut to the point, the good Father engaged her in conversation and made her a cup of strong coffee. It transpired that she was a Catholic and the star of a musical then on the London stage and that she was involved with three men and life had become unbearable for her.

Drink had become her refuge and her friend.

Fr Sheen then asked her to come back the following day when he would show her a painting by Rembrandt and talk with her further.

She agreed to return on one condition; that Father Sheen would not ask her to go to confession.

This he agreed to. but that was not enough. "Promise me that you will not ask me to go to confession" pleaded the actress.

"OK, I promise that I will not ask you to go to confession" said the priest.

That satisfied the woman and the next day, sure enough, she did return.

As they walked up the church towards the sanctuary they passed a confessional and without further ado, Father Sheen pushed her into it!

She made a full confession, the first for many years and, a short time later she entered the community of enclosed nuns at Tyburn and she was still there forty years later when the then Bishop Sheen related the story to his television audience.

As Archbishop Sheen said to his audience: "I didn't ask her to go to confession, I pushed her in"

Many years ago St Patrick's was my parish church and I have a great affection for it, most especially as it has been restored and renovated to a very high standard by the PP, Fr Sherbrooke.

.
The anniversary of his death is 9th November.

May God have mercy on his soul and may Archbishop Fulton Sheen come to the aid of the Catholic Church today.

ARCHBISHOP FULTON JOHN SHEEN RIP

 8 MAY 1895 - 9 NOVEMBER 1979

The Catholic brand

This month especially we pray "to empty Purgatory" - a wondrous ambition.

A priest friend of mine always makes a point of visiting any non Catholic cemetery he happens to be passing in order to say an eternal rest or three for those buried there. That is an admirable practice.

Those souls have no one to pray for them and they carry the stain of their earthly sin until such time that recompense has been judged to have been made.

They are branded with the infection of sin; sin that needs to be eradicated just as an infected wound is cauterized, by fire.

And to carry the metaphor still further, iron loses its properties (sin) in fire and then, if heated to the correct degree and annealing takes place, it becomes harder and stronger then before.

It becomes perfect just as our souls will become perfect so that we may enter into God's kingdom for all  time.

Cristobal de Morales - Missa Pro de Defunctis

Catholic identity? It doesn't exist

Talks of attacks on Catholic identity seem to overlook one vital element - it does not exist. At least, not in any volume or force.

It takes more than an ID card to be Catholic

Catholic identity is knowledge of what is reverent and what is sacred.

It is not reverent or sacred to attend church and gossip at the top of one's voice.

It is not reverent or sacred (in a westernised world), to have no knowledge of what being a Catholic entails.

It is not reverent or sacred to miss Mass on Sunday - just because you were busy or idle.

It is not reverent or sacred (again, in a western world) to not be concerned about abortion, IVF, euthanasia, embryo experimentation.

It is not reverent or sacred to not pay due courtesy and consideration to the Body and Blood of Christ at Communion.

It is not reverent or sacred to ignore the guidance of the Holy Father.

It is not reverent or sacred to stick one's head in the sand and carry on regardless.

And it is not reverent or sacred to be woolly and indecisive about one's faith.

How far the faithful of the church have drifted.
What they do today would have been a cause for scandal 50 years ago.

That, in itself should be a cause for reflection.

Misere mei Deus.....

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.
                                          May they rest in peace. Amen.