I was distracted during Mass by work, football, sorting myself out, being better, getting things done and stopping my mind from operating at 100mph. I stumbled on prayers. I even fluffed the Apostles’ Creed, which I consider an easy one. Overall, I had a feeling of needing to try harder. The gospel was one of … Read more
It had seemed like a long time since I last went to Mass. With four church trips in a row the week before, this regular Sunday morning mass seemed like I’d missed something somehow. As Mass ended, Canon P announced there was a collection of old statues, books, and religious items available for free to … Read more
Today marked my first full year as a Catholic. Sort of. If you count Easter to Easter. It was one Easter ago that I walked out of Mass to a lovely “Congratulations!” from Canon P, and walked home chuffed. It was the culmination of several months of RCIA and a lot of contemplation. How things … Read more
The best part of Holy Saturday is those glorious moments when the church, smelling of incense and with the weather battering the windows, is in darkness except for candlelight. I can’t help thinking how wonderful it would be for the entire service to be done this way. Only the glow of the candles, the light … Read more
Tuesday 3 June 2025 St Thomas’s This was a special mass, in several ways. Firstly it marked the end of our RCIA meetings. We’re all Catholics now. All released into the world to live by example. Secondly, it was a small gathering of those of us who completed the course. And thirdly was the approach … Read more
Sunday 1 June 2025 Our Lady Immaculate I’ve been trying to understand the Gospel reading all day. I read it. I listened to it. Then I listened to an explanation of it. And I still failed. So thinking more about Communications Day – awareness of church efforts to spread the word, and for which there … Read more
Thursday 29 May 2025 Our Lady Immaculate Carnage at the start of The Day of Ascension service. Nobody knew the tune to Lord Enthroned in Heavenly Splendour. With no organist to lead the way, Canon P had, by his own admission, started the first verse “too high”. We did our best as a congregation to keep … Read more
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