General Chat

Secular groups said it was “nonsense” that people can’t celebrate Christmas.

Christians must feel free to talk openly about their faith and about Christmas without fearing a negative reaction, the prime minister has said.

Theresa May said in the Commons that people of faith had the right to speak freely, but also “respectfully and responsibly”, about their religion.

(The Times 01.12.16).

Good morning :-)


Has anyone realised that this thread has been going for almost 4 years. I have just had a quick look back at how it was first received - it makes for interesting reading :-D

Haven't heard for JustJohn for a long time - I do hope he is okay. The boards have certainly been quieter since he (and a couple of others ) have gone.


Our Advent journey day 4


God of strength and protection,
I turn to you because I need help.
I long to be free enough
to trust that I can lean on you.
But I become afraid.
Help me to trust in you, Lord.
Your strength and power
are a gentle place of protection.
Be a safe refuge when I am being trampled.
I long for your help, your protecting care.
Help to deliver me from the cold
loneliness of these dark nights.
Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


When I first started to read that Dermot, I thought you were referring to yourself :-D


Our Advent journey.......day 3

Lord of all,
you are a God of plenty, a Lord who provides
for us in our need.
As I begin these early days of Advent
help me to believe that you know what I need.
Give me the courage to listen to your voice
and the freedom
to open my heart to the graces you are
offering me to place my trust in you.
Amen.



Today is also St. Andrew's Day.

Andrew was one of the original 12 apostles of Christ, and the brother of another apostle, Simon Peter. Both lived and worked as fishermen in Galilee. Very little else is known about Andrew's life.

He is said to have travelled to Greece to preach Christianity, where he was crucified at Patras on an X-shaped cross. This is represented by the diagonal cross, or 'saltire', on Scotland's flag.

Andrew's connection with Scotland relates to the legend that some of his remains were kept at the site that is now the town of St Andrews. A chapel was built to house the remains and became a place of pilgrimage.

St Andrew is also the patron saint of Greece and Russia.


Cx :-)

I always desired to become a saint, but in comparing myself with the saints, I have always felt that I am as far removed from them as a grain of sand, trampled underfoot by the passer-by, is from the mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds.

Instead of feeling discouraged by such reflections, I concluded that God would not inspire a wish which could not be realised and, in spite of my littleness, I might aim at being a saint. “It’s impossible”, I said, “for me to become great, so I must bear with myself and my many imperfections”.

But I will seek out a means of reaching heaven by a little way - very short, very straight and entirely new. We live in an age of inventions. There are lifts which save us the trouble of climbing stairs. I will try to find a lift by which I may be raised to God, for I am too small to climb the steep stairway of perfection.

St Thérèse of Lisieux.

Good morning :-)


Hopefully it was a comfort Emma - people certainly looked relaxed as they left the service. There was also tea and coffee for anyone who needed it.

I am just coming round after another fidgety night for my husband....that's two on the trot...........matchsticks needed please :-D


Continuing our walk through Advent...

God of forgiveness,
I turn to you in my great weakness
and beg for your help.
Let me feel the joy growing in my heart
as I anticipate your coming.

I hear the message of the prophets of old and know that the Messiah will bring new life and new ways of living.

From the humbleness of my life,
help me to grow and bloom
and hear the words
that will change the world. Amen.

Cx :-)

I think that is a lovely idea Cynthia and what a comfort
for all x

Good morning :-)

Lots of folk turned up for our Annual Service of Remembrance yesterday......and it all went really well considering the circumstances. There were tears and hugs and smiles as people listened to the sermon and then moved forward to light a candle in memory of their loved one and receive a lovely bookmark with comforting words. It all took place within the context of our Holy Communion service and was very fitting.

Today we enter the church season of Advent where we wait for the Coming of Christ...

Loving God,
I sense that all is your creation
and everything, and all of us,
are being drawn back toward your loving heart.
Help me to be a person of peace,
To speak about it in an uneasy world,
And to live it among the people
you have put into my life every day.
Light in me a desire to prepare for your coming
to stand in the darkness, waiting, eager and filled with joy.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I'm so pleased that you both managed to get a bargain over the weekend - to be honest I haven't had time to go looking for anything else - I am trying to get the parish magazine typed up :-D

Today is the First Sunday of Advent.....

Collect (special prayer) for today.

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Gospel reading tells the story of The Good Shepherd.

This morning we will see the lighting of the first Advent Candle in our Advent wreath and, during the service, we will be remembering by name, those who have died during the last year. We usually do this earlier but, shortage of clergy etc has thrown things a bit haywire.


Love to all. Cx :-)

I'm with you Cynthia and Emma. I don't wait in line for bargains I might not get but it's very nice when a bargain comes my way. I was lucky yesterday as well. I have had my eye on a lovely rug for my hall but I didn't feel I could justify the cost (it was expensive). Yesterday we were in the store and I got it nearly 50% cheaper :-). I also got a good bargain online with the present I wanted for our 1 year old great niece.

Interesting prayers this week Cynthia, they have made me think. Thank you.

Thinking of all in need of strength and support today.

Kandj and hubby <3

Like you Cynthia I don't do standing in line for a store
to open bargain or not but....
Son ordered on line a Christmas present I want for OH
and also got a bargain for me :-)

Remembering those in need of comfort and prayer x

Good morning :-)

I certainly didn't camp outside a shop in order to get a bargain but, I unwittingly saved 20% on an electrical item I was ordering for my daughter on line. I was a very happy bunny! :-D

Heavenly Father,

You know every decision we need to make and every challenge we face.
Please forgive us for the times we have tried to figure this life out on our own.
We need you, we need your Holy Spirit to give us strength, wisdom and direction.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Do take care if you are bargain hunting today.....maybe this prayer will put things into perspective :-)



Dear God
Let me be content with who I am,
What I have, and where you are leading me.
Help me to have a mindset of confidence, courage
And thankfulness all day long.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


There may be embarrassment in some circles Dermot, but I do think that this pope has brought a breath of fresh air to the RC church. Most leaders within the church and in other organisations wear different hats in their role. The most important thing, is that the head which bears the responsibility of fulfilling that role is true to its calling and, if that means breaking with tradition........so be it. :-)


For today....


Dear God
If I am wrong, right me
If I am lost guide me.
If I start to give up, keep me going
Lead me in light and love. Amen.


Cx :-)

The Pope’s abortion comments have provoked confusion.

The furore caused by Misericordia et Misera is a damning indictment of those surrounding the Pope.

Pope Francis is not an expert in canon law. I do not think His Holiness would mind me putting it that bluntly. In fact I rather suspect that, given his personal style, he would happily agree. It is far from heresy to point out that a Pope might not be a born canonical expert, anymore than it would be unreasonable to suggest that Donald Trump has no particular natural expertise in American constitutional law.

The Pope wears a number of different hats (three, if you take a look at the papal coat of arms) and he is sometimes speaking as a priest, sometimes a teacher, and sometimes as the head of a coherent legal society. The roles are not distinct in how they are exercised, or at least they shouldn’t be, and what he does, or wants to do, as one necessarily has a direct impact on the other two.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*I dare not copy any more of the printed article on here - but it is available in its entirety in The Catholic Herald website. An embarrassing episode to say the least!

Thank you for The knots prayer Cynthia Had never
heard of it before.

My thoughts and prayers to kandj and her husband x

Good morning.... :-)


That's quite a turnaround for the RC church Dermot and I am all for absolution which involves full repentance. In fact, the sermon we heard on Sunday gave a similar message and one which made you think. Thanks for your contributions.

For today :

The knots prayer

Please untie the knots that are in my mind my heart my life.
Remove the have nots, the can nots and the do nots
That I have in my mind.

Ease the will nots, the may nots the might nots
That find a home in my heart.

Release me from the could nots should nots and would nots
That obstruct my life.

And most of all, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life all the am nots that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought that I am not good enough.

I ask this in your name Amen.


Cx :-)

“I henceforth grant to all priests, in virtue of their ministry, the faculty to absolve those who have committed the sin of procured abortion,” Pope Francis decreed.

The Pope has granted all priests the right to forgive abortion, rendering permanent a temporary measure he introduced for his holy year of mercy, which ended on Sunday.

“I henceforth grant to all priests, in virtue of their ministry, the faculty to absolve those who have committed the sin of procured abortion,” he wrote in an apostolic letter published yesterday, which highlighted his push for a more forgiving church.

According to the Catholic Church, the sin of abortion incurs excommunication for the mother and the person who performs the abortion. Previously, in some parts of the world, only bishops or a special confessor have been allowed to give absolution and rescind the excommunication.

(Excerpt from today’s Times newspaper.)

I can now appreciate the oft used expression:- 'Expect the unexpected'.

Good morning :-)


Two very wise quotations greet me this morning. Thank you both. :-)


Father God
Thank you for your gracious hand which is upon my life
I give you glory today for all that you have done in the past,
All that you are doing today
And all that you will do in the future.
I love you and trust you in all things
Knowing that your love surrounds me like a shield
In Jesus name

Amen.


Love to all. Cx :-)

'Admonish sin without putting on airs or being a hypocrite.

Offering counsel & admonishing sinners are works of mercy, but they are not a license to pretend to be better than others, said Pope Francis speaking to people gathered in St Peter’s Square on 16th November.

To counsel others is a chance to see how well you, too, measure up to essential standards'.

(From The Catholic Universe.)

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days

give you happiness
and bad days give
you experience.

Both are essential in life.

All are God's blessings.