General Chat

Like others, I like different hymns for different reasons.
We too had a song of praise as our school hymn, - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation. I quite like that one.

Lord of all hopefulness has been sung at family weddings and also funerals, so that has special linked memories too.

In more recent times, I've enjoyed the words of Lord for the Years, your love has kept and guided....... so I'm not sure that I could say that I have a favourite hymn.

Good morning :-)

...and good grief!! :-D

I thought I would nip on here and post for today before rushing off to get ready for church and what do I find?? A post which has been RR'd...someone having a baby at 80 (made me think of that lady in India this week and also Abraham and Sarah of course), the literal translation of the bible and then on to favourite hymns. I think I will go for a lie down and come back later as I know feel as old as Methuselah, but who's counting :-D :-D :-D


Nice to see so many popping in......all views welcome as long as they are expressed in a thoughtful and meaningful way <3


We have two baptisms today and the prep class was really interesting. The families had little to do with the faith to be honest, but that's not unusual, and we had a good bit of funny repartee. Hopefully, they will make the baptismal promises in honesty and truth.

The collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray
and to give more than either we desire or deserve:
pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid
and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask
but through the merits and mediation
of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.. Amen.


Cx :-)

Parents of Mary
Q:Who are Mary's parents?

A:The story of Mary's birth and details about her aging parents, Joachim and Anne, come from apocryphal writings known as the Protoevangelium of James the Lesser that was written by an unknown author. Apocryphal writings are often connected with Scriptural themes although they are not deemed part of the canon of the Catholic church.

The Rev. Bert Buby, S.M., a Marian scholar at the University of Dayton, calls the Protoevangelium account "a very imaginative, creative story about the birth of Mary, written about 150 A.D." In the beginning of the Protovangelium, Joachim is fasting in the wilderness and Anne is mourning in her garden, both of them lamenting their childlessness. An angel appears to Anne, promises her that she will conceive, and then directs her attention to her returning husband. Anne and Joachim share a tremendous embrace indicating their great confidence in God that a child will be born, and Anne does conceive. They dedicate their daughter, Mary, to God, keeping her from sin and evil. When she is three years old, Anne and Joachim present her in the temple, where Mary dances on the third step of the altar and "all the house of Israel loved her." Joseph is named as her protector when she reaches twelve or thirteen years of age. He's chosen as her betrothed after a sign from God--a dove came out of his staff.

The feast of the Birth of Mary is celebrated on Sept. 8, nine months after the Immaculate Conception. Joachim and Anne celebrate their feast day together on July 26. The feast of Mary's presentation in the temple is celebrated on Nov. 21.

Good morning :-)


I see you have been googling again David :-D Don't forget to look for reputable sites to get information from though ;-)


Lord our God, open us up to your Spirit living within us, that we may live fully each day of our lives.

ouch us, that we may become more aware of all that is around us, growing in a sense of wonder and awe, and in appreciation for all that we see and hear and touch and taste and smell.

May we live in such a way that we never take anything for granted, but always be appreciative and express our thanks to those who are part of our lives. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

The first hymn in church yesterday morning was Great Is Thy Faithfulness.... a real favourite of mine which I didn't mention earlier here. I'm usually teary eyed singing the last verse. No hiding place in God's house and I find comfort in this lovely hymn.

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence
To cheer and to guide,
Strength for today
and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings abound and ten thousand beside.
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me.

Sending hugs now to all who are feeling lonely or are struggling in any way.

Good morning :-D <3 Yes, I have been googling again Cynthia. It's

where I and so many others get our information. I am not qualified

to dispute it.

A favourite Hymn of mine is Amazing Grace. It was written by a man who

used to transport and sell slaves.

David .......

yes, we all Google for information, though some of us are very selective what we Google about.

For example, I very rarely Google for medical information re some symptom that I might have ............. it's too scary and information that I might find is 99% certain to be wrong!

The problem is that there are very many sites on Google that are posted by what might be called by some, idiots or scaremongers or weirdos and charlatans, as well as people with very strange ideas.

As Cyn so sensibly said above ............ do please be very selective about the sites that you find and be sure that you only use reputable ones.

I apologise Sylvia. I'm getting a lot wrong lately. No harm or offence intended.

Good morning :-)

I'm always careful when googling for Christian info - too many weird and wacky sites out there on the internet. I use Bible Gateway and Biblehub and, when looking for the history of something, have actually found the BBC religious page quite good. Crosswalk and Christianity.com are reasonable too. If I am being specific to my denomination, I will check C. of E. re whatever. The same goes for RC info.

Trying to think of which hymn it is that JoyLouise is trying to remember. 'Be still' comes to mind as a very peaceful hymn, but not with those sentiments. Also,
Turn your eyes upon Jesus', 'Abba Father' and 'Spirit of the Living God' are very peaceful and gentle. <3

We haven't had a poem recently - thinking of Emma

Our Father knows what's best for us,
So why should we complain
We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there must be rain

We love the sound of laughter
And the merriment of cheer,
But our hearts would lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear...

Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow,
He tests us, not to punish us,
But to help us meet tomorrow...

For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm,
And the sharp cut of a chisel
Gives the marble grace and form...

God never hurts us needlessly,
And He never wastes our pain
For every loss He send to us
Is followed by rich gain...

And when we count the blessings
That God has so freely sent,
We will find no cause for murmuring
And no time to lament...

For our Father loves His children,
And to Him all things are plain,
So He never sends us pleasure
When the soul's deep need is pain...

So whenever we are troubled,
And when everything goes wrong,
It is just God working in us
To make our spirit strong.

- Helen Steiner Rice

Cx :-)

Cynthia I was reading that poem from HSR the other day.

Thank you so much she is as you know one of my favourite writers x

My thoughts and prayers today for those affected by storms and fires
in their part of the world.

Good afternoon all :-D <3 The RC Encyclopedia is available online, and all

the denominations and schisms of today are descended from it (?)

Even Henry VIII after forming The Church of England was subservient to the Pope.

1978 may be remembered as 'The Year of three Popes'.

Good morning :-)

There isn't much which isn't on line these days to be honest David - it's a matter of being selective and careful :-D

Yes, the year of the 3 Popes Dermot....I remember it well.


Do you remember where you were, 18 years ago today?


On the morning of September 11 2001, 2,976 people from 93 nations lost their lives in New York, at the Pentagon, and on Flight 93.
Today, eighteen years on, we pause to remember that moment of horror and pray for those left scarred by those terrible events."

We remember the first time we heard the news.
We recall the first time we saw those images.
We remember the way our thoughts and prayers were with those families who lost loved ones.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them again today.
We remember those who survived.
We recall their heart-breaking stories.
We remember that their lives are forever scarred by those moments.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them again today.
We remember that you love the world.
We recall you sent your Son to bring reconciliation and salvation.
We remember your Spirit inhabits your Church.
Help us bring your comfort and peace to all. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning every one :-D <3 on this date 18 years ago today myself and

millions of watching on the horrific attack on the WTC

Amen to your prayer Cynthia.

I was at work and was told by a delivery driver who had just heard the news on the radio in his van. I just remember the feeling of utter disbelief.

Thinking of anyone affected by this terrible event and of the many atrocities that are still taking place.

My thoughts and prayers to those who live with these
terrible memories and their loss of loved ones.

Good morning :-)


A hymn to keep you singing through today..... :-D


The words of the song “Amazing Grace” were written by John Newton, who was born in 1725. His father was a ship’s captain, and his mother died when he was 7. He attended a boarding school and was so badly treated there that he ran away to sea. There he lived a very rough life and found himself “pressganged” - forced to join a ship of the Royal Navy.

Having escaped and been imprisoned, he got work on a slave-ship. By accident he came across a book called “The Imitation of Christ”, and he began to think seriously about his life. A very violent storm almost capsized his ship and, wrongly, he thought that he was “too late” to turn to God. The following morning, he was a changed person.

He became a preacher, and his most famous hymn is “Amazing grace”. He talks of “many dangers, toils and snares” that he has already come through. The word “grace” is sometimes used to mean God’s power in a person’s life.

We use the words of John Newton’s hymn as our prayer today, asking that we may be aware of God’s amazing grace in our daily lives:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found;
was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come.
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me;
his word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

Cx :-)

There are still thousands ill and dying due to 9/11

https://www.thejournal.ie/911-anniversary-4803738-Sep2019/

Good morning Pat and others :-D <3 I watched live TV coverage of the attack on

WTC 1, 2 and 7 (actually 7 was a controlled demolition) The owner had previously

renewed the mortgage on all three and made a phenomenal profit on their

destructing . There had previously been a huge spike in trading in insurance

on these three buildings.

Good morning :-)


That was a sad read Pat, and quite an eye opener. Thank you. x


Lord Jesus,

you said that no-one could have greater love than to give up their life for someone else. Remind us in our personal circumstances today that care and compassion and love and sacrifice can change everything. Amen

Cx :-)