The scale of the universe

Have a look at this : awesome is the only word. Use the bar at the bottom of the picture once the programme is loaded to move back and forward. If you click on the individual objects, there is more information.

When I look at thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,

the moon and the stars which thou hast established;

What is man that thou art mindful of him,

and the son of man that thou dost care for him? (Psalm 8:3-4)

Stand up for marriage

A new campaign has been launched: the Coalition for Marriage. The aim is to stop the Government redefining marriage to include same-sex relationships.

A nationwide petition can be signed here : paper copies will be available after Mass.

Ash Wednesday

Today Pope Benedict spoke on the meaning of the ashes that we have placed on our foreheads (in some places they are sprinkled on the top of the head). They are a symbol not only of the curse of sin and therefore our own death, but also of the resurrection which comes afterwards. So even on the first day of Lent we are looking forward to Easter.

What makes us truly Christian?

Listen to this Radio 4 Link

Famous atheist Richard Dawkins was made to look slightly silly by Vicar Giles Fraser when he could not correctly name Charles Darwins' book. (Dawkins had said many people in the 2001 Census could not have been real Christians since they could not correctly name the first book of the New Testament).

Even given the fact that modern biblical scholars greatly dispute which is actually the first book of the New Testament  (Matthew or Mark), ours is ultimately not a Religion of the Book, as Pope Benedict stresses in Verbum Domini,  but a Religion of the Word, who is a living person - Jesus Christ.

Bishop's Visitation

Last weekend, Bishop Christopher made his three-yearly pastoral visit to the parish, preaching at all three masses and meeting parishioners.
 He also kindly brought the Bene Merenti medal for Mary Lloyd.

Mary moved into the parish 53 years ago from Lancaster to run a boys' home with her husband George (RIP 1993). She has been extraordinarily efficient and generous in her work for the parish, helping run the SVP and CWL, organising hall bookings, parish fetes, the repository, church cleaners, flower arrangers, readers and extraordinary ministers. She has run a club for the housebound; monthly whist drives; sings in the choir; organises the parish lottery; is a member of the social committee and visits the housebound. And she still plays table tennis every week...

She has also been the (unpaid) housekeeper to at least 6 parish priests here.