Mary, Mother of God
Today is the feast of St Cyril of Alexandria. When we say the ‘Hail Mary’ we conclude with the words ‘Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now
Continue readingFriday’s Reflection
This picture (and I don’t know its origin) is labelled ‘The fear of Zedekiah’. Presumably the king, not long installed as a puppet by the Babylonian potentate Nebuchadnezzar, is frightened
Continue reading“The Kings and their Gods”
Today’s first reading at Mass (2 Kings 24:8-17) describes briefly one of the key climactic points of the history of the Jewish people – the destruction of the city of
Continue readingThe Nativity of St John the Baptist
The feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist is historically and culturally very important in this country because it’s a ‘Quarter day’, one of the signposts in the
Continue readingSt Etheldreda
St Etheldreda, or Aethelthryth (the name is also the original of the name Audrey) was one of the great female saints of Anglo Saxon England. If you’ve ever watched (as
Continue readingSaints John Fisher and Thomas More
Today is a very special feast day in this country – Saints John Fisher and Thomas More – they weren’t martyred on the same day in 1535 – Fisher was
Continue reading“Do not be afraid” – Sunday’s Reflections
The first reading at Mass today, the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is from Jeremiah 20: 10-13. It shows how the prophet is aware that those who oppose him are
Continue readingThe Immaculate Heart of Mary
In the Church’s calendar the day after the feast of the Sacred Heart is the feast day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This stresses the closeness, the intimacy, between
Continue readingNo Place for Racism: A Message from your Bishops to Young People
We have received a special message from the Archbishop and Bishops of Southwark addressed to the young people of the diocese. To read the letter: click here (PDF). The letter
Continue readingFeast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Today is the feast of the Sacred Heart. I have written about the feast for this weekend’s parish newsletter. The readings for today this year (Deuteronomy 7: 6-11, 1 John
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