Ten Years On...

Today I celebrated the tenth anniversary of my vows. I usually arrange to renew my vows on the first Saturday in December, as this coincides with the monthly Missa Cantata at Blackfen, making it a handy time to have a bit of a get-together afterwards. This year the first Saturday fell on 1st December, which is the actual anniversary, which was rather pleasing.

My good friend @fitzrufus who also blogs at Vox in Rama Audita Est came all the way over from the Netherlands, and she stayed with me overnight (this seemed to be the best way to ensure that we actually had time to talk, as I knew that today would be far too hectic!)

@Londiniensis, who occasionally comments on blogs, but now concentrates more on Twitter instead, also made it down to Blackfen for the day. Gem of the Ocean (who tweets as well) also came along, and the mighty Zephyrinus was MC. Tom was there to help with the singing, and his children joined in at the last Salve Regina of the year with gusto. Their mother gleefully informed us that they've been practicing the Alma Redemptoris Mater all week. Father Tim Finigan was there, of course, and with me that made it a six-blogger occasion... (Eight if you include Londiniensis and Delia (another commenter, who sadly couldn't stay for the party.)

Father Whinder, an old friend (as he so ungallantly reminded me), was once the most blogged-about non-blogging guest of English Catholic blogs, and he journeyed over from Mortlake to help me celebrate. The ubiquitous non-blogging priest from Chislehurst was absent, but we snaffled some of his parishioners, one of whom was happy to serve on the sanctuary...

Chislehurst's torchbearer on the right...

The Guild of St. Martha took care of the catering, and provided a rather scrumptious spread after the ceremony, and Danika from the parish club made sure that spiritual sustenance was available for those of us who fancied something stronger than tea. (I was a little disconcerted when I recalled that I used to teach Danika Science and RE...)

It really was a very special day, and I'd like to thank everyone who helped me celebrate!

Stepping Out In Style...

Life for Cardinal Furretti and Monsignor Miaowrini was beginning to get a little precarious. The ledge outside the cat flap was rotting away, and the available space being reduced bit by bit. I had placed a chair nearby because Miaowrini couldn't comfortably manage the distance between the ground and the ledge, and that was starting to disintegrate as well. On more than one occasion, when the two cats were vying for the prime spot on the ledge, I heard an ominous slithering sound followed by a thump as one or other of them stepped on the rotten piece of ledge...

Jonathan, Blackfen's Senior MC came to the kitties' rescue. He'd told me that he had some old bits of wood handy, and he'd weather-proof them and attach them to the wall outside the cat flap. I was expecting a couple of bits of MDF...

In fact these are not just any old bits of wood. They have been beautifully varnished (so much so that I wonder if the kitties will end up slithering off the ends) and fastened securely to the wall in a step-like fashion. Furretti has been out and in again, so that's ok. Miaowrini's still out gallivanting, so I don't know if she's figured out the new system yet...

More Advent Preparations...

I wrote a post about preparing for Advent. Less than a week to go now. This year I have the candles (purple, pink and white) all ready to go... though I have to admit that was because I didn't get around to using them last year!

The actual greenery will have to wait until the weekend.

Anyone who wants to do some spiritual preparation could benefit from reading the words of the Abbé Gueranger, so kindly reproduced by Zephyrinus. Part One is up already. Part Two will follow in due course...

Catholics Don't "Believe" - They Know!

One of the best explanations of why we, as Catholics, assert that life begins at conception, written by Creative Minority Report Guest Blogger, Rebecca Taylor.

I have to plead guilty to having used the phrase that Rebecca deplores. She is absolutely right, though. Her final paragraphs contain a challenge for all of us:

Every one of us is a continuous organism from the moment we are conceived to the day that we die. It is illogical that we be valued and protected under the law only for a part of that continuous process.

So the next time someone says to you, "Human life does not begin at conception," correct them and tell them that life indeed does begin at conception and what they really mean to say is "I don't believe the life that begins at conception has value." (And then explain to them why that stance is totally illogical.)

And if you must use the word "believe" when discussing the beginnings of life, please do not say, "I believe life begins at conception." Say instead, "I believe the life that begins at conception has moral worth simply because it is human."

Earworms...

YouTube is a real gift for tired teachers. A short video clip to illustrate a point can work wonders, and the sillier it is, the better!

Occasionally it backfires...

This afternoon my Year 10s (14-15 yrs old) were entranced by the following clip, and proceeded to join in with the chorus...

Unfortunately I can't get the tune out of my head. Aaaarghhh!

Preparing For Advent...

The traditional liturgical calendar gives us the season of Septuagesima in which to prepare for the rigours of Lent. It allows us some valuable "thinking time" - Ash Wednesday can catch us unawares if Easter is early.

Unfortunately, there is no corresponding season in which to prepare for Advent.

With the secular emphasis on Christmas (sorry, the "Festive" season), the round of present-shopping, parties and such-like, Advent can get lost. And yet it is a season in its own right. We are preparing for the coming of Christ - a remembrance of his first visit and an anticipation of the second!

There's a week to go before it starts. So take the time to decide what you are going to do to celebrate Advent.

Entente Cordiale...

Maybe it's the effect of Furretti's promotion to Cardinal. Alternatively, it might be due to the bad weather. Right now, the kitties are getting along nicely. Cardinal Furretti has extended the tongue of friendship and licked Monsignor Miaowrini's nose.

Both cats dislike the rain, though Miaowrini, being more of an outdoor type, tends to brave the elements for longer. Furretti only goes out for the minimum of time necessary to do her stuff, and then she comes bounding back in, demanding to be dried off. Miaowrini gets much wetter, and also miaows asking to be dried, but she is frightened of towels, so it's rather more tricky...

Anyway, it is very wet and cold outside, and so I've turned up the heating. Both the kitties came to keep me company while I blogged...

(The Cardinal decided she wanted to snooze on the cardigan and towel...)