Prayers please...

I request your prayers at this time, as you may (or may not know) I made formal application to my home diocese this year and since then have taken part in all that the process requires; I met the bishop a few weeks ago and that went very well. I am now awaiting his decision and if it is positive (for me) I will also find out where I am going.

Therefore I ask your prayers for me, as you can imagine I am in a state of 'limbo' - I don't quite know what's going on, all I can do is trust in the Lord.

I thank you in advance for prayers, and I also wish to thank you for those you may have offered. Know that I will pray for you.

In Domino

Prayers needed.

I thought I'd (rather cheekily) ask for your prayers at this time!

Why? Well, I've recently applied to my local diocese for seminary formation. It quite literally came down to a conversation with a priest, during which he said "decide" - and I decided :-)

As I say, your prayers will be most appreciated as I prepare for the numerous tests/interviews I have - God willing I'll know by Easter; which isn't that far away!!

In Domino

Funeral.

Tomorrow (12th February) is my paternal grandfather’s funeral; I ask for your prayers.

I will be reading Psalm 23. I really do think it is a beautiful Psalm, it was originally suggested that I sing it, however I have never heard of it being sung, although I suppose it would have been sung initially and probably should be sung, after all we do ‘sing’ the Psalms when we pray the Divine Office.

But anyway, I shall read it, as I think it sounds better read. Especially being as it will be hard enough to read tomorrow, let alone sing!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have prayed for my family and I at this time, we have found it a great comfort and want you to know that we greatly appreciate it. I would like for you to know that you are all firmly in my prayers.

I will get back to blogging properly when this week is over, maybe even Monday. I’ve just found it quite difficult to get anything done over the past week.
I leave you with the words of the Psalm I shall read tomorrow; (King James edition)

The LORD is my shepherd
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside still waters.

He restoreth my soul
He leadeth me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

In Domino

Modern technology.

Modern technology. This “phrase” conjures up so many thoughts and so much feeling. Mobile phones, computers, television, the internet etc... they all fall into the collect idea of “modern technology.” You are reading this blog because of two of the “modern technologies” mentioned by me namely; computers and the internet.

My question is; do we rely too much on it? Have we forgotten what *real* silence is?

I was listening to a homily today; the homilist was a Franciscan Friar of the Immaculate. He spoke briefly about today’s Saint; St. Teresa of Avila. He spoke of her vocation, what she was eventually called to do. But he spoke about what lead to this, a life of prayer. A life of silent prayer.

It is hard for many of us to pray during the day, harder still if the television/radio/computer is on; if we have an e-mail we have to send to someone or a phone call which has to be made by the end of the day. “I can always pray later” I often tell myself, I usually forget, but when i do eventually pray he who is always ready to listen is attentive, He never goes away, I praise him for staying close!

Too often our lives are filled with ‘hustle’ and ‘bustle’ how are we supposed to hear the Lord if we don’t take a few minutes out of our day to sit in silence, before a lit candle, crucifix or even the Blessed Sacrament, if you’re fortunate enough to live close enough to a church with regular adoration? The answer for many of us is we don’t or we can’t.

I beg, beseech and implore you to take the time, as the friar said in his homily, set aside a few minutes of your day, every day, for prayerful reflection.

St Teresa of Ávila
pray for us

It's here!!

It's here! The Sacred Triduum begins this evening with the Mass of the Lord's Supper and concludes Saturday/Sunday with the Easter Vigil. This really is my favourite time of year!

Unlike last year when i had to rush off after the Mass of the Lord's Supper, I shall be spending a few minutes in silent prayer at the Altar of Repose, something i must confess, I have never done before! I may stay for Compline, or I may pray it on my own and have an early night ready for the 'Big Move' tomorrow.

The 'Big Move' involved me moving home! Not straight home, we're going to the south coast first for the weekend which will be nice, and will mean I will participate in the Triduum in two different Catholic churches...which will be interesting (I'm used to the Cathedral back home!)

Over the next few days I will not be blogging, but will resume the blogging when i get home, on Monday!

Well I think that's all for now. I would ask you for prayers for myself and my dear friends over the next few days but especially tonight! You can be assured of mine for you.

I wish you all a Happy Triduum, and a Holy Easter!

In Domino