I always enjoy Fr Ron Rolheiser's articles, but every now and again there is one I wish that I had written myself. His story last week happens to all of us, no matter how holy we are or how close my family is - both natural and religious!

In my more mature years, I would explain my basic faith position as a “Gospel oriented Catholic”. The teaching of Jesus in the Gospel is my motivation, although I would never claim that I live it well! 

On Friday, 24th June a straight line wind that turned into a tornado hit the area where we live.

I don't want to flog a dead horse, the new translation is about to become our Missal. However, we are allowed to have, and need to express our opinions, which are just as informed as the "experts". This is one of those opinions that I happen to agree with.

 The book is written by Fr Wilfrid Harrington O.P. 

Something to do during Lent: A great resource from Boston College in USA. This is a free course, it will only take a couple of hours of your time, and since it is on the internet you come and go as you have time. It is also up to date and accurate. 

Why is the church not addressing the real cause of declining congregations at Mass? The energy and money spent on the new translation could have provided benefical seminars for priests and liturgy teams. Our parish celebrations and homilies are more detrimental than the translation. Now another expert gives his views. St John's, Collegeville, USA has been a major source of liturgical renewal since Vatican II.  This is from America Magazine

From the English Tablet

An expert looks at the continuing problems with the new translation. ■Raymond G. Helmick SJ is based in the Department of Theology, Boston College, Massachusetts, USA.

Now that the USA elections are over we can look at the move towards Tea Party ethics and Christianity

There seems to be a contradiction between the Church leadership response and the opinion of Catholics with regard to the sexual abuse issue, and especially the need for more transparency. I believe this to be a major reason for the declining attendance at Church. The Pope has called a meeting of Cardinals to discuss the issue. I wish he had Bishop Robinson addressing them! This article from Brian Coyne.