From THE CHURCH TIMES:
The Bishop of Buckingham, Dr Alan Wilson, who voted against the Covenant in Oxford diocesan synod, said that its defeat in the C of E was an “opportunity to grow up, to take stock, and to get real. It’s very sad that a large number of bishops were out of touch on this one.”
Stranger things have happened. I'm certainly reducing our friend's odds from 1000-1 down to 100-1. You wouldn't be silly to take a bit of that action.
Friday, 30 March 2012
HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE DECLARES
WAR ON AUSTRALIA
Pastoral Letter on the
True Meaning of Marriage from the
Catholic Bishops of Victoria
Dear Brothers & Sisters
We Australians live in a democracy which rightly places great value on human rights and protecting others from unjust discrimination. We Catholics also believe deeply that God loves human beings very much. He especially loves those who are wounded and suffering. God loves each of us so much despite the fact that we are all sinners, make mistakes and often do not live up to our responsibilities. The Church takes seriously that we must live the Gospel itself to be a credible witness to others. Deeply aware of Christ’s mission of compassion and justice - the Church cannot ignore the responsibility to speak the truth in love. Sometimes reminding people about the truth of the human person is one such task for all of us.
Some now seek to alter the very nature of the human person through legislation. Our Australian society is now at a critical turning point where truth is at stake. We speak of current debates about the nature of marriage in our public life. Often it seems as if this matter is simply about human rights and the removal of discrimination. But in addition to ‘human rights’ there are also ‘human responsibilities’. We are all blessed by God with the gift of our sexuality. The design itself comes from the Creator of Life. We all have a responsibility to follow that design. The Church firmly believes that marriage is founded on the wonderful fact of sexual difference and its potential for new life. Without this there would be no human beings and no future. Bringing new human life into the world is founded on the loving union in difference of male and female. Children are best nurtured by a mother and father.
As one theologian has put it eloquently: “The God of love can be present in every true love. But ‘gay marriage’ is impossible because it attempts to cut loose marriage from its grounding in our biological life. If we do that, we deny our humanity.”
This will be a ’hard saying’ for some. It in no way implies that the Church accepts discrimination against other’s human rights. Nor does it mean we fail to understand the complex nature of human sexual identity and desire. It implies no lack of respect for people who identify as ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’. As Cardinal Francis George of Chicago recently pointed out: ‘… we all have friends or family members who are gay and lesbian… these are people we know and love and are part of our families.’
However as fellow citizens our concern is for the future of our whole society. We ask you to seriously reflect and pray about the ramifications for current and future generations, of legislation which completely redefines marriage.
A grave mistake will be made if such legislation is enacted. The Government cannot redefine the natural institution of marriage, a union between a man and a woman. The Government can regulate marriage, but this natural institution existed long before there were any governments. It cannot be changed at will. The argument that same sex marriage supports marriage is wrong. The natural institution will not only be changed, it will be re-defined absolutely. It will become something different. Such a re-definition will undermine rather than support marriage.
Catholics, as responsible citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia, have a duty to remind their political representatives that much is at stake for the common good in this debate. We urge you to exercise that right and make direct representation to your Members of Parliament. We encourage you to respond to the on-line survey set up by the Federal Government at their website.
Our Australian society will flourish only if the true meaning of marriage is preserved for future generations.
With every blessing
The Roman Catholic Church is going to destroy Christianity as a religion and is going to take us all down. By deliberately interfering in the politics of so many democratic nations, not as individuals but as an organised army, it is declaring war on the governments of the world. This is a war that the Church will not win and in losing they will lose everything. It's almost as if the destruction of faith is exactly what the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church is after. The alternative is that they are all incredibly stupid and you only have to look into the eyes of Benedict and his lieutenants to realise that is far from the being the case. They are cold and calculating. They know exactly what they are doing.
Screwtape strikes again, again.
True Meaning of Marriage from the
Catholic Bishops of Victoria
Dear Brothers & Sisters
We Australians live in a democracy which rightly places great value on human rights and protecting others from unjust discrimination. We Catholics also believe deeply that God loves human beings very much. He especially loves those who are wounded and suffering. God loves each of us so much despite the fact that we are all sinners, make mistakes and often do not live up to our responsibilities. The Church takes seriously that we must live the Gospel itself to be a credible witness to others. Deeply aware of Christ’s mission of compassion and justice - the Church cannot ignore the responsibility to speak the truth in love. Sometimes reminding people about the truth of the human person is one such task for all of us.
Some now seek to alter the very nature of the human person through legislation. Our Australian society is now at a critical turning point where truth is at stake. We speak of current debates about the nature of marriage in our public life. Often it seems as if this matter is simply about human rights and the removal of discrimination. But in addition to ‘human rights’ there are also ‘human responsibilities’. We are all blessed by God with the gift of our sexuality. The design itself comes from the Creator of Life. We all have a responsibility to follow that design. The Church firmly believes that marriage is founded on the wonderful fact of sexual difference and its potential for new life. Without this there would be no human beings and no future. Bringing new human life into the world is founded on the loving union in difference of male and female. Children are best nurtured by a mother and father.
As one theologian has put it eloquently: “The God of love can be present in every true love. But ‘gay marriage’ is impossible because it attempts to cut loose marriage from its grounding in our biological life. If we do that, we deny our humanity.”
This will be a ’hard saying’ for some. It in no way implies that the Church accepts discrimination against other’s human rights. Nor does it mean we fail to understand the complex nature of human sexual identity and desire. It implies no lack of respect for people who identify as ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’. As Cardinal Francis George of Chicago recently pointed out: ‘… we all have friends or family members who are gay and lesbian… these are people we know and love and are part of our families.’
However as fellow citizens our concern is for the future of our whole society. We ask you to seriously reflect and pray about the ramifications for current and future generations, of legislation which completely redefines marriage.
A grave mistake will be made if such legislation is enacted. The Government cannot redefine the natural institution of marriage, a union between a man and a woman. The Government can regulate marriage, but this natural institution existed long before there were any governments. It cannot be changed at will. The argument that same sex marriage supports marriage is wrong. The natural institution will not only be changed, it will be re-defined absolutely. It will become something different. Such a re-definition will undermine rather than support marriage.
Catholics, as responsible citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia, have a duty to remind their political representatives that much is at stake for the common good in this debate. We urge you to exercise that right and make direct representation to your Members of Parliament. We encourage you to respond to the on-line survey set up by the Federal Government at their website.
Our Australian society will flourish only if the true meaning of marriage is preserved for future generations.
With every blessing
The Roman Catholic Church is going to destroy Christianity as a religion and is going to take us all down. By deliberately interfering in the politics of so many democratic nations, not as individuals but as an organised army, it is declaring war on the governments of the world. This is a war that the Church will not win and in losing they will lose everything. It's almost as if the destruction of faith is exactly what the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church is after. The alternative is that they are all incredibly stupid and you only have to look into the eyes of Benedict and his lieutenants to realise that is far from the being the case. They are cold and calculating. They know exactly what they are doing.
Screwtape strikes again, again.
CARDINAL SCREWTAPE STRIKES AGAIN
“You are right on target,” Dolan said, addressing that the church’s position on banning contraception is unpopular with large sections of the American public. “It’s a tough battle because of that, and our opponents are very shrewd because they have chosen an issue that they know we are not very popular on and that is why, Bill, we have to be vigorous in insisting that this is not about contraception — it’s about religion freedom. And I don’t want to judge people, but I think there would be a drift in the administration that this is a good issue and if we can divide the Catholic community (because it’s already divided) and if one can caricature the bishops as being hopelessly out of touch — these bullies who are trying to achieve judicially and legislatively what they’ve been unable to achieve because their moral integrity was compromised recently. There is the force out there trying to caricature us, alright? But we can’t back down from this fight because it’s about religion freedom — it’s close to the heart of the democratic enterprise what we know and love and the United States of America is all about.”Dolan dismissed the notion that there is a wall between church and state, saying that it isn’t the church itself that wants to be a force in American politics, but its members.
POMPOSITY UNBOUND
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 29, 2012 (Zenit.org). Here is the text of a declaration issued today by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith concerning the canonical status of the so-called Greek-Catholic bishops of Pidhirci.
* * *
(1) The Holy See has followed with great concern the activities of Fr. Elias A. Dohnal O.S.B.M., Fr. Markian V. Hitiuk O.S.B.M., Fr. Metodej R. Spirik O.S.B.M., and Fr. Robert Oberhauser who, having been expelled from the Basilian Order of St. Josaphat, subsequently proclaimed themselves as bishops of the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church. With their disobedience, these priests continue to challenge ecclesiastical authority, causing moral and spiritual damage, not only to the Basilian Order of St. Josaphat and the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church, but also to this Apostolic See and the Catholic Church as a whole. All this provokes division and bewilderment among the faithful. The aforementioned priests, having established a group of "bishops" of Pidhirci, have recently sought to have that group recognised and registered by the competent State authorities as the "Ukrainian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church".
(2) Since the beginning of this painful episode, Church representatives of various ranks have sought to dissuade them from continuing a conduct which, among other things, could deceive the faithful, as has already happened in a number of cases.
(3) The Holy See, concerned to protect the unity and peace of Christs flock, had hoped in the repentance and subsequent return of the aforementioned priests to full communion with the Catholic Church. Unfortunately the most recent developments - such as the unsuccessful attempt to acquire State registration for the "Pidhirci" group under the name of the "Ukrainian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church" - demonstrates their continuing disobedience.
(4) Therefore, to safeguard the common good of the Church and the "salus animarum", and given that the so-called "bishops" of Pidhirci show no sign of repentance but continue to create confusion and disarray in the community of faithful, in particular by calumniating representatives of the Holy See and of the local Church, and asserting that the supreme authority of the Church is in possession of documentation testifying to the full validity of their episcopal ordination, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, accepting the request presented by the ecclesiastical authorities of the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church, and by other dicasteries of the Holy See, has decided, by this declaration, to inform the faithful, especially in the countries of origin of the so-called "bishops", about their current canonical status.
(5) This Congregation, disassociating itself entirely from the actions of the so-called "bishops" aforementioned, and from their aforesaid declarations, formally declares that it does not recognise the validity of their episcopal ordinations, or of any and all ordinations that have derived, or will derive therefrom. Moreover, the canonical status of the four so-called "bishops" is that of excommunication, pursuant to canon 1459 para. 1 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO), in view of the fact that an appeal sentence of the ordinary tribunal of the Major Archiepiscopal Ukrainian Church, issued on 10 September 2008, recognised them as guilty of offences under canons 1462, 1447 and 1452 of the CCEO; i.e., the offences of illegitimate usurpation of office, inciting sedition and hatred towards certain hierarchs, provoking subjects to disobedience, and harming a third party's good name by calumny.
(6) Furthermore, the use of the name "Catholic" by groups which are not recognised by the competent ecclesiastical authority is to be considered as illegitimate, pursuant to canon 19 of the CCEO.
(7) The faithful are, then, enjoined not to adhere to the aforementioned group as, to all canonical effects, it is outside ecclesiastical communion. The faithful are invited to pray for the members of the group, that they may repent and return to full communion with the Catholic Church.
COMMENT: That'll teach those naughty priests.
They ought to be careful, actually. Upsetting pharisees was what got Jesus nailed to a cross.
I particularly like the "inciting sedition and hatred towards certain hierarchs" bit. Well, I would, wouldn't I.
* * *
(1) The Holy See has followed with great concern the activities of Fr. Elias A. Dohnal O.S.B.M., Fr. Markian V. Hitiuk O.S.B.M., Fr. Metodej R. Spirik O.S.B.M., and Fr. Robert Oberhauser who, having been expelled from the Basilian Order of St. Josaphat, subsequently proclaimed themselves as bishops of the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church. With their disobedience, these priests continue to challenge ecclesiastical authority, causing moral and spiritual damage, not only to the Basilian Order of St. Josaphat and the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church, but also to this Apostolic See and the Catholic Church as a whole. All this provokes division and bewilderment among the faithful. The aforementioned priests, having established a group of "bishops" of Pidhirci, have recently sought to have that group recognised and registered by the competent State authorities as the "Ukrainian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church".
(2) Since the beginning of this painful episode, Church representatives of various ranks have sought to dissuade them from continuing a conduct which, among other things, could deceive the faithful, as has already happened in a number of cases.
(3) The Holy See, concerned to protect the unity and peace of Christs flock, had hoped in the repentance and subsequent return of the aforementioned priests to full communion with the Catholic Church. Unfortunately the most recent developments - such as the unsuccessful attempt to acquire State registration for the "Pidhirci" group under the name of the "Ukrainian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church" - demonstrates their continuing disobedience.
(4) Therefore, to safeguard the common good of the Church and the "salus animarum", and given that the so-called "bishops" of Pidhirci show no sign of repentance but continue to create confusion and disarray in the community of faithful, in particular by calumniating representatives of the Holy See and of the local Church, and asserting that the supreme authority of the Church is in possession of documentation testifying to the full validity of their episcopal ordination, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, accepting the request presented by the ecclesiastical authorities of the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church, and by other dicasteries of the Holy See, has decided, by this declaration, to inform the faithful, especially in the countries of origin of the so-called "bishops", about their current canonical status.
(5) This Congregation, disassociating itself entirely from the actions of the so-called "bishops" aforementioned, and from their aforesaid declarations, formally declares that it does not recognise the validity of their episcopal ordinations, or of any and all ordinations that have derived, or will derive therefrom. Moreover, the canonical status of the four so-called "bishops" is that of excommunication, pursuant to canon 1459 para. 1 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO), in view of the fact that an appeal sentence of the ordinary tribunal of the Major Archiepiscopal Ukrainian Church, issued on 10 September 2008, recognised them as guilty of offences under canons 1462, 1447 and 1452 of the CCEO; i.e., the offences of illegitimate usurpation of office, inciting sedition and hatred towards certain hierarchs, provoking subjects to disobedience, and harming a third party's good name by calumny.
(6) Furthermore, the use of the name "Catholic" by groups which are not recognised by the competent ecclesiastical authority is to be considered as illegitimate, pursuant to canon 19 of the CCEO.
(7) The faithful are, then, enjoined not to adhere to the aforementioned group as, to all canonical effects, it is outside ecclesiastical communion. The faithful are invited to pray for the members of the group, that they may repent and return to full communion with the Catholic Church.
COMMENT: That'll teach those naughty priests.
They ought to be careful, actually. Upsetting pharisees was what got Jesus nailed to a cross.
I particularly like the "inciting sedition and hatred towards certain hierarchs" bit. Well, I would, wouldn't I.
HEAD OF FAMILY FIRM AVOIDS GIRLIE COOTIES
From THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
Consecration of the state's first woman Anglican bishop will proceed at St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn, today with the good wishes but pointed non-attendance of the Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen, who once lectured to her in doctrine at Moore College.
He really is a piece of work, isn't he? Somebody should point out to him that you can't actually act according to your conscience if you haven't got one to begin with.
Consecration of the state's first woman Anglican bishop will proceed at St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn, today with the good wishes but pointed non-attendance of the Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen, who once lectured to her in doctrine at Moore College.
He really is a piece of work, isn't he? Somebody should point out to him that you can't actually act according to your conscience if you haven't got one to begin with.
NO COMMENT
From CHRISTIAN TODAY:
The Bishop of Durham has been appointed as the Patron of the North East Call to Action on Global Poverty and Climate Change (NE-CAP). NE-CAP, formerly Make Poverty History North East, is lobbying the Government to take clear action to alleviate poverty in developing countries. This includes promoting fairness in trade, debt reduction, increasing and improving aid, and addressing climate change.
The Rt Rev Justin Welby said the campaign aims were "very dear to my own heart and supportive of the Christian message".
He said he had become "acutely aware" of the challenge of poverty since becoming Bishop of Durham last November, and that he wanted to add his support to NE-CAP's call.
The Bishop of Durham has been appointed as the Patron of the North East Call to Action on Global Poverty and Climate Change (NE-CAP). NE-CAP, formerly Make Poverty History North East, is lobbying the Government to take clear action to alleviate poverty in developing countries. This includes promoting fairness in trade, debt reduction, increasing and improving aid, and addressing climate change.
The Rt Rev Justin Welby said the campaign aims were "very dear to my own heart and supportive of the Christian message".
He said he had become "acutely aware" of the challenge of poverty since becoming Bishop of Durham last November, and that he wanted to add his support to NE-CAP's call.
SOMETHING NEW AND RATHER LOVELY
My Saint Laika's website is something that is going to take time to evolve fully. I am gradually adding new features as and when I get the time. Today I have added a feature that I think a lot of you are going to really appreciate.
It's called "Golden Tales," and, yes, the spelling is deliberate.
It's a space for you to create memorials for your animal companions who have passed on.
I suggest you CLICK HERE to view the page and then get to work on making it a beautiful neighbourhood meeting place.
It's called "Golden Tales," and, yes, the spelling is deliberate.
It's a space for you to create memorials for your animal companions who have passed on.
I suggest you CLICK HERE to view the page and then get to work on making it a beautiful neighbourhood meeting place.
Thursday, 29 March 2012
THE MIDDAY JUKEBOX
What sort of mood are we in?
We're in a bolshie mood.
And as bolshieness is next to godliness we shall celebrate with this bolshie song from the Chi-Lites. It's not in their typical style but it is brilliant none the less.
Fists in the air please and all together now...!
HOMOPHOBIA OUTBREAK IN WELSH CHURCH
From THE BBC:
A vicar in Wales has resigned over the issue of gay marriage, claiming some members of the Anglican communion - including elements of the Church in Wales - have become more homophobic.
The Church in Wales said it a "matter of regret" for clergy to resign over an issue yet to be resolved by the church.
It's a much bigger matter of regret that the Church is taking so fecking long to resolve it whilst real people really suffer because of their cowardly prevarication. And the biggest regret they should be feeling is that they belong to an institution that harbours bigotry within its ranks right up to the highest levels.
For being a man of integrity willing, just like his Saviour, to sacrifice himself so that the captive might go free, the Reverend Andrew Morton is our...
BRICK OF THE DAY
A vicar in Wales has resigned over the issue of gay marriage, claiming some members of the Anglican communion - including elements of the Church in Wales - have become more homophobic.
The Church in Wales said it a "matter of regret" for clergy to resign over an issue yet to be resolved by the church.
It's a much bigger matter of regret that the Church is taking so fecking long to resolve it whilst real people really suffer because of their cowardly prevarication. And the biggest regret they should be feeling is that they belong to an institution that harbours bigotry within its ranks right up to the highest levels.
For being a man of integrity willing, just like his Saviour, to sacrifice himself so that the captive might go free, the Reverend Andrew Morton is our...
BRICK OF THE DAY
CAPTION COMPETITION
Laura's doggy companion, Andy, had a growth removed
from his leg yesterday. Laura asks us for our prayers that
it will turn out, when the test results come in, to be benign.
from his leg yesterday. Laura asks us for our prayers that
it will turn out, when the test results come in, to be benign.
ON UNEMPLOYMENT
My job, at this moment in time, is to have no job.
It is incredibly hard work and the pay is lousy.
After a full day of not working I am exhausted, I ache both physically and mentally. I do not get to go out, wind down, forget about all the hassles of the day. I can't afford to.
It is a twenty four hours a day, seven days a week job. I don't get a day off and I don't ever get a vacation.
It is an occupation that is regarded by others with more disgust than they feel towards taxmen and bailiffs.
I have had better jobs.
It is incredibly hard work and the pay is lousy.
After a full day of not working I am exhausted, I ache both physically and mentally. I do not get to go out, wind down, forget about all the hassles of the day. I can't afford to.
It is a twenty four hours a day, seven days a week job. I don't get a day off and I don't ever get a vacation.
It is an occupation that is regarded by others with more disgust than they feel towards taxmen and bailiffs.
I have had better jobs.
DREAMING OF A COMMON LANGUAGE
Poet and essayist
16th. May 1929 - 27th. March 2012
I choose to be a figure in that light,
half blotted by darkness, something moving
across that space, the color of stone
greeting the moon, yet more than stone:
a woman. I choose to walk here. And to draw this circle.
Adrienne Rich was an American poet. Back in the mid 80s, when I first came across her poems, you would rarely find her books on an English bookshop shelf. I had to specially order in expensive, imported copies of her collections. But it was worth it. I regard her as one of the foremost poets of the second half of the twentieth century. I am not a woman, let alone a lesbian, so I could never own Adrienne's writings. But she did reinforce my belief in the commonality of all people, a commonality grounded in our experience of love, the joy of its discovery and the pain of its loss.
It was only a few weeks ago that I checked on Wikipedia to see if Adrienne was still alive. I was so happy to discover that she was. Today, I'm not so happy. Today, in fact, I am sad. But it's the bitter sweet sadness you feel on the death of a person who has lived long and well; a person of integrity; a person who achieved a heck of a lot and made life worth living for many, many people who owe much of their present happiness and freedom to her, at least in part.
She was also drop dead gorgeous.
I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU
This is Mr. Cat.
For another photo and info on this handsome gentleman,
check out LITTLE BANG THEORY.
THE THURSDAY QUIZ
I received the following "anonymous" comment on my post
FROM OUR LAND OF THE FREE CORRESPONDENT:
"Too obvious-what are the other choices? Don't get a job? Don't have children? Don't go to work? Don't save for your old age? Don't act normal?
We can't all act like you."
Today's quiz question is:
Name one other person from history to whom this accusation applies perfectly.
I'm going to feel all justified, all day.
FROM OUR LAND OF THE FREE CORRESPONDENT:
"Too obvious-what are the other choices? Don't get a job? Don't have children? Don't go to work? Don't save for your old age? Don't act normal?
We can't all act like you."
Today's quiz question is:
Name one other person from history to whom this accusation applies perfectly.
I'm going to feel all justified, all day.
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
MADPRIEST ON EVOLUTION
AND THAT SORT OF THING
God did not create anything except (maybe) the first seed. The rest he grew. God is a gardener not an inventor or a mechanic. God does not buy his vegetables, all wrapped up, identical and faultless, from the shop. Where would be the fun or sense of achievement in that? God grows his own.
COMPETITION TIME
From CHRISTIAN TODAY:
It seems likely that the producers will go for the rather predictable title of "The Resurrection." I am certain you lot can do considerably better. So that nobody embarrasses themselves by stating the obvious, I will go for "Jesus: The Second Coming."
Off you go then!
It seems likely that the producers will go for the rather predictable title of "The Resurrection." I am certain you lot can do considerably better. So that nobody embarrasses themselves by stating the obvious, I will go for "Jesus: The Second Coming."
Off you go then!
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Patience is a virtue best pursued by the young. As you grow older patience becomes less of a virtue and more of a risk.
They punished me by taking time away from me.
And still they make me wait.
This is to remind me that they have the power.
They punished me by taking time away from me.
And still they make me wait.
This is to remind me that they have the power.
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
THE WORLD'S NUMBER ONE DOG OWNER
Jay Simser's little yorkshire terrier, Bailey, died last week.
His passing is mentioned in the prayers at SAINT LAIKA'S
today and Jay has written a lovely obituary for his friend over
on his blog, BAILEY'S BUDDY.
The reason why I have entitled this post,
"The World's Number One Dog Owner"
is because of this line from Jay's homage to Bailey:
"He would sleep with me at night and I had steps so he could climb into and out of the bed."
Now, that really is a well trained human!!!
His passing is mentioned in the prayers at SAINT LAIKA'S
today and Jay has written a lovely obituary for his friend over
on his blog, BAILEY'S BUDDY.
The reason why I have entitled this post,
"The World's Number One Dog Owner"
is because of this line from Jay's homage to Bailey:
"He would sleep with me at night and I had steps so he could climb into and out of the bed."
Now, that really is a well trained human!!!
THE MAY EDITION IS NOW PUBLISHED
AND AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
"NEW WORDS FOR HOLY COMMUNION"A monthly resource of all new prayers, intercessions, psalms, canticles, acclamations, biddings and blessings for each Sunday and principal feast of the church year
Yes, folks, the brand,
spanking new edition
of this groundbreaking,
user friendly, liturgical
resource for the twenty
first century is now out
of the closet and on the
shelves (so to speak).
Jonathan has created a lifesaver. In this monthly gift to the Church we find a complete resource for each Sunday and major feast day. Wonderfully crafted, 'New Words' offers liturgical propers that are not only beautiful in expression but engage with the reality of life.
Each set of propers is a complete 'start-to-finish' offering, from the opening antiphon through the Prayers of the People and right to the closing blessing. No more will Anglicans with a care and devotion to liturgy have to delve into multiple tomes or wait for inspiration - the inspiration has already come to Jonathan and is on hand for the rest of us. This is also a resource that virtually all from the Anglican Tradition can use, overcoming old, outdated Evangelical/Catholic polarisations. It is truly an expression of Anglican liturgical tradition at its best.
A bargain in terms of monthly cost; priceless in terms of what it brings to engaged worship; a blessing to the Church.
Chris Mayo
Mission Priest for East Sutherland and Tain
Scottish Episcopal Church
CLICK HERE for a complimentary copy
of the whole of the Ascension Day service
The cost of each monthly issue is only £2.49 (just less than $4.00 U.S.). It is available by monthly subscription but you can cancel your subscription at any time - there is no minimum subscription period. Payment is via PayPal. Subscribers will be sent each new issue approximately one month before the month covered.
So, for the third issue of "NEW WORDS FOR HOLY COMMUNION" by Jonathan Hagger (that's me) which covers the month of May 2012 just click on the subscription button below and follow the instructions. Your copy for the month will then be sent direct to you by email. what is more (and I'm a fool to myself) all new subscribers will receive a copy of the April edition absolutely free.
NOW AVAILABLE IN KINDLE FORMAT
For those of you who are technologically advanced this format is ideal for church services as it reduces the paperwork you have to carry around in church to zero.
For the US edition CLICK HERE.
For the UK edition CLICK HERE.
If you would like to purchase a copy of the April edition:
For the US edition CLICK HERE.
For the UK edition CLICK HERE.
It is also available on other Amazon sites. Just go to the Kindle section
and type "New Words For Holy Communion" in the search box.
and type "New Words For Holy Communion" in the search box.
HERE'S THE BLURB:
All the material in "New Words For Holy Communion" is strongly linked to the gospel reading of the day based on the Common Lectionary. It is a truly international and ecumenical resource but it also provides extra material for national peculiarities such as Mothering Sunday in England.
Jonathan reflects, in a modern way, the words and meter of our traditional prayer books. He has also made sure that the new words will fit seamlessly into all orders of service so that congregations will not be confused or worried about changes and innovation.
Each new issue will be sent to subscribers in PDF form already formatted in an easy to read, large print font. The PDF can be printed out and shared electronically with colleagues within the subscribing congregation. It can be altered to fit in with local customs and styles.
Jonathan decided to embark on this project to fulfil his own requirements. To be honest he got a little bit bored with saying the same thing every service and he was also dissatisfied with the failure of many of the set wordings to refer accurately to the theme of the gospel for the day. However, he was aware that it was very time consuming and expensive to compile a new liturgy every week. He was also aware that most congregations are wary of innovation if not downright hostile. So he used to arrive at services laden down with a pile of books which contained alternative words for those parts of the service spoken only by the presiding minister.
"New Words For Holy Communion" provides alternatives for the set words spoken by the minister in just one, user friendly resource. In stead of a pile of books only a few sheets of A4 paper are required. This makes it an ideal resource for busy leaders of eucharistic worship who want to add difference and relevance to their services without scaring and upsetting the people in the pews. It is Jonathan's main aim to ensure that at the end of the eucharist those who have been present fully understand what the "big idea" of the gospel reading has been that day. He believes that in "New Words For Holy Communion" he has achieved this aim.
You may print out as many copies of all, or part of, each issue like and distribute them to anybody who needs them. However, Jonathan would be grateful if you would restrict such copies to members of only those places of worship in which you personally minister. But do hand out one sample (even a whole PDF) to anybody you think may be interested in purchasing "New Words For Holy Communion." Jonathan cannot afford to advertise outside of his own webpage and blog, so your promotion of his work among your friends and colleagues would be very much appreciated. He encourages you to alter the words to suit the particular needs of your congregations and, of course, to add words to make the prayers relevant to the spiritual needs of those with whom you share in worship. Jonathan's hope is that his small contributions to the liturgy of the Church will be a blessing upon all who use them.
GOD BOTHERING - TUESDAY 27TH. MARCH 2012
Monday, 26 March 2012
THE VISITING PRIEST
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
There are two types of people when it comes to the attitude of those seeking the help of a priest.
There are those who believe that their problems are the only problems in the world and that the priest should drop everything and run to their aid.
Then there are those who are apologetic when asking for help, who believe that there are people in the world with far bigger problems than themselves and that they really shouldn't be bothering the priest who is, no doubt, overstretched as it is.
A good priest, when approached by the latter type of person, should have them thinking the same way as the former type of person, by the end of their first conversation.
There are those who believe that their problems are the only problems in the world and that the priest should drop everything and run to their aid.
Then there are those who are apologetic when asking for help, who believe that there are people in the world with far bigger problems than themselves and that they really shouldn't be bothering the priest who is, no doubt, overstretched as it is.
A good priest, when approached by the latter type of person, should have them thinking the same way as the former type of person, by the end of their first conversation.
ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE DARKSIDE
From REUTERS:
No. We voted down the covenant for quite the opposite reason. We want unity as much as anyone but we want a unity between equals, freely entered into by all, where nobody will be relegated to a lesser status of unity, and where unity of thought and practice will evolve through free discussion and action without the threat of patronising punishment hanging over our heads. At no time have those against the proposed covenant advocated schism or the relegation of those we disagree with to a lesser status within the Communion, let alone banishment and exile, no matter how much their beliefs hurt God's children.
So let's get this straight once and for all. We are the ones who want the Communion to remain as it was, loyal to the creeds of our churches that we have adhered to since before the formation of our denomination. We are not the revisionists. We do not demand anything that is new. We remain 100% faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ as opposed to those who seek to subject our Saviour's teachings to those of human beings by idolising tradition and scripture of human construct. We are not the cultural relativists as our morality is linked only to the commandments of Jesus Christ. It is those who wish to place the words of humans above the words of Christ who are slaves to cultural contexts both passed and present.
No. We voted down the covenant for quite the opposite reason. We want unity as much as anyone but we want a unity between equals, freely entered into by all, where nobody will be relegated to a lesser status of unity, and where unity of thought and practice will evolve through free discussion and action without the threat of patronising punishment hanging over our heads. At no time have those against the proposed covenant advocated schism or the relegation of those we disagree with to a lesser status within the Communion, let alone banishment and exile, no matter how much their beliefs hurt God's children.
So let's get this straight once and for all. We are the ones who want the Communion to remain as it was, loyal to the creeds of our churches that we have adhered to since before the formation of our denomination. We are not the revisionists. We do not demand anything that is new. We remain 100% faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ as opposed to those who seek to subject our Saviour's teachings to those of human beings by idolising tradition and scripture of human construct. We are not the cultural relativists as our morality is linked only to the commandments of Jesus Christ. It is those who wish to place the words of humans above the words of Christ who are slaves to cultural contexts both passed and present.
Sunday, 25 March 2012
WORSHIP AT ST. LAIKA'S
A SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
PASSIONTIDE BEGINS
All are welcome to join me in taking communion.
The order of service is posted beneath the audio file so that you can join in with the service. The words in bold type are the ones we say together.
If you want to physically partake of communion you will require a small piece of bread and a small amount of drink (preferably made from grapes and containing alcohol). How you view the nature of this part of the service is completely up to you.
Click on the arrow on the player to stream.
Download via the MP3 icon below the player.
Download podcast via iTUNES
MP3 File
CLICK HERE for the order of service.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)