Stephen

Friday 20 March 2026 It was foggy as I stepped outside at 6.45 am on my way to the early Mass. Visibility was about 100 yards. Even less as I turned uphill towards the church. It presented not only a beautiful sight, but an opportunity to fumble some analogy with the gospel. The fog lifting, … Read more

Sunday 15 March 2026 I arrived at church in a bad mood. And like always, I was quickly brought down to earth, dragged away from my self-importance. This morning, an untidy kitchen, which I’d left untidy from the night before, was the trigger. In my mind, I was blaming everyone else for not putting things … Read more

Friday 13 March 2026 I arrived in church after a night of gale-force winds. There were leaves and bits of grit in the holy water. I needed this message of love thy neighbour as yourself in Mark chapter 12, after very clearly not loving my neighbour the previous evening. I had reacted badly to hearing … Read more

Tuesday 10 March 2026 A rare weekday Mass, with a dozen or so others. On these occasions, I sit in the main part of the church, not hidden behind a pillar as I usually am on a Sunday, able only to see the Mass. Today the reading was the parable of the unmerciful servant. A … Read more

Sunday 8 March 2026 The gospel today was the Woman at the Well, from John 4:5-42. We studied this passage during the RCIA, exactly a year ago, and I remember coming to understand something of its importance. But hearing it again today, and listening to reflections from my own priest, and others online and elsewhere, … Read more

Sunday 1 March 2026 I managed to catch up with some old RCIA friends last night. It had only taken us the best part of a year to arrange (must try harder), but we all picked up where we’d left off and had a great time together. One thing struck me as refreshing, and a … Read more

Sunday 22 February 2026 I skipped coffee and croissants after Mass this morning to get into the trenches. A World War I trench, to be specific, not in Flanders or along the borders of France. But in Elham, Kent, at the back of a man’s farm. Eagle-eyed historians will know that there were no front … Read more

First Friday in Lent, 20 February 2026 I like these early 7am lenten masses. Even if I don’t feel that way getting up at 6.40am. Last year Lent had particular meaning. I was still in RCIA and fast approaching Easter, when I would be received into the church. Perhaps it was more significant to me … Read more

Wednesday 18 February 2026 I have never been to an Ash Wednesday service before. I think it was the ashes that put me off. Or, thinking more about it, my atheism at the time. But as a new catholic I didn’t want to miss it, and got dispensation from work to take a very early … Read more