EVANGELII GAUDIUM

The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.[51] These convictions have pastoral consequences that we are called to consider with prudence and boldness. Frequently, we act as arbiters of grace rather than its facilitators. But the Church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the Father, where there is a place for everyone, with all their problems.

 I wonder how the Church as a whole will react to this statement? We live in interesting times.

The whole document can be found by clicking here.

Survey of Catholic Thought

Perhaps by now you have heard that the Vatican is soliciting people’s input regarding the church’s teachings on family and sexuality.  In the United Kingdom, you can take the survey online. This is great news, the only problem is that the language used is totally in comprehensible to most of the clergy that I have spoken to - never mind the laity! The questions have been "translated" into English by an American Blogger. You will still have to go the official site to submit your responses. I intend to start my answers with the US version of the questions!

For the original questionnaire follow the link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FamilySynod2014

For a US version of the survey in plainer English:

http://questionsfromaewe.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/survey-says.html

Peter Drake RIP

In the early hours of Friday 8 November my cousin Peter Drake, died. He had been in hospital for nine weeks, his wife Nena, they had been married 59 years,  had spent two hours travelling to see him every day. Peter was a good man a devoted husband and a keen fisherman.  He had been a Church Warden at his local church for many years. He will be missed by all who knew him.