More on Father Barron

I am happy that I got to be at the launch of Father Barron's 'Catholicism' DVD series on Wednesday, especially as his lecture 'Thomas Aquinas and why the New Atheists are Right', the following evening, proved too much for me academically!
There was also favourable feedback about his afternoon session in St Robert of Newminster School in Washington when he spoke to Priests, catechists and laity on the New Evangelisation.
I now have the set of DVDs as well as his book on the series and can't wait to get started! Hopefully more to share on this later.

Father Robert Barron

I had the great privilege of attending in Durham tonight , the launch of Father Robert Barron's DVD series 'Catholicism'
Father is a priest of the Chicago Diocese and this series is being shown and shared extensively in the USA. He launched in Melbourne, Australia last month and is currently on a tour of England to promote it here.
He gave a most interesting and often humorous talk about how his project evolved and showed two clips from two parts of the 10 x 1 hour series. Father can be seen on EWTN as well as in many 'you tube' clips as part of his Word on Fire Ministry to engage with popular culture.
Well done to the Catholic Chaplaincy of Durham University for hosting the event and to the Centre for Catholic Studies for their endorsement.
It was a wonderful evening which should have been shared by more people. He gives a lecture in Durham tomorrow evening and is also scheduled to address priests of the Diocese
More information at  www.wordonfire.org

May she rest in peace

          Please pray for the repose of the soul of Moira Brown, the mother of Father Michael Brown. Father Michael is the Northern Chaplain of the Holy Family Guild and his mother died suddenly in her sleep early last week.  
She has been known to many members of the Holy Family Guild for a number of years.
     An elegant lady with a lovely smile and sense of fun; she is remembered fondly by many.
Please pray for all the family especially Father Michael who must be feeling the loss acutely.

A Blessed Triduum and Eastertide

Prayers for a Blessed Triduum and Eastertide for all readers of this blog. Mark the end of Lent by attending all the services of the Triduum - Maundy Thursday, the Passion of Our Lord on Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter morn with an egg hunt for children. Celebrate in style and thank God for sending His only Son to die for us out of  LOVE.

The Donkey by GK Chesterton

When fishes flew and forests walked,
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry
 And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
 I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears
And palms before my feet.”

Imagine the Son of God making his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey of all beasts! As our parish priest said this morning it was a bit like the Queen leaving for St Paul's on her Diamond Jubilee on a bicycle! What a sight that would be but how inappropriate. And yet the donkey was not an inappropriate choice for Jesus. It demonstrated that he came humbly but also in fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecy:

'Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' (Zecheriah 9 v9)

At the beginning of Holy Week it is the responsibility of parents to make the events come alive for small children. See my posts from 2011 for a few simple ideas. Nothing better than to start with participation in a Palm Procession or have one at home. Even the smallest child can wave a palm.
May all families have a Blessed Holy Week and mark all the events fittingly and prayerfully.