Stephen

Sunday 25 May 2025. Our Lady Immaculate I stayed behind for the coffee and croissants in the church hall. It only comes around during school holidays and it’s a good chance to meet people. I got talking with Mark and John. Both got into the Croissants while I sipped coffee, which was much better than … Read more

Tuesday 20 May 2025 Our Lady Immaculate A rare chance to get to a midweek mass. I didn’t know what to expect and had the same sinking feeling when I walked in to find it was just me. But I quickly saw others emerging from the shadows, maybe not wanting to sit down before they … Read more

Sunday 18 May 2025. Fifth Sunday of Easter.Our Lady Immaculate I felt hungover in church this morning. Very ropey. Like the effects of six pints and a kebab the night before, along with a bad night’s sleep. Shutting my eyes was a blessing. Maybe not hungover. Excessive drinking hadn’t put me in this state, just … Read more

Saturday 10 May 2025 Fourth Sunday of Easter: Vocations Sunday.Our Lady Immaculate A first Saturday evening service (not including Easter). The FA Vase Cup Final was on Sunday, and we had Wembley tickets to see Whitstable Town FC. That meant an early start. The church seemed full for a Saturday evening. Was that why the … Read more

The new pope. My new pope. Thursday 8 May 2025 I watched the chimney for an hour and a half on YouTube. Which meant mostly watching a couple of seagulls tootling around. I live on the coast. This is the same view I can see from my office window. I was waiting for black smoke. … Read more

Fourth Mass. Sunday 4 May 2025. Our Lady Immaculate I had dark jeans and a blue sweater ready. I grabbed my new jacket and my new boots. My plan to dress well for Mass was going brilliantly. Until I put all this on. I still don’t trust this new jacket, regardless of how it looked … Read more

Third Mass. Sunday 27 April 2025. Our Lady Immaculate. Collections have been catching me out since I returned to church. Mainly the supply of ready cash. So this week I resolved to get ahead of the problem. Walking through town I noticed a cash point in a quiet moment. I didn’t want to be one … Read more

Second Mass. Sunday 20 April 2025. Our Lady Immaculate. Easter Sunday. He is Risen. Alleluia. It’s a different service in Whitstable. It’s quieter with less of a hubbub. But maybe all churches have their own feel to them. I hope so. I took my usual seat, then wished I’d tried somewhere else. It was busier, … Read more