General Chat

Well, that was an interesting week!

A new Pope and a new Archbishop of Canterbury both officially installed.

I'm all 'ceremonied' out.... :-D


Being retired has it's good points - as we were able to watch both ceremonies right through.

Both were spectacular in their own ways - lots of colour and movement, music and dancing, readings and prayer.

It was good to see representatives from all around the world at both ceremonies - clergy and layfolk, young and old.

I found it especially poignant to see the Rabbi's from the Jewish faith there, especially as we approach Holy Week.

The youngsters who were involved in both services were wonderful - especially the young Christian Sri Lankan girl who, in beautiful sari, 'challenged' the Archbishop as he entered Canterbury cathedral.

Both of these men give the indication that they are 'new broom's and I find that quite exciting for the future of the faith.

Both of these men need all the prayers we can offer ........... :-)

I never cease to be amazed at how many hymns were written by people who were suffering the most dire illness or despair at the time.


So much pain and anguish leading to so much hope. :-)

Good for your Vicar, Cynthia. I pray he can carry on for many years depite his ill health.

I often think of poor Robert Murray M'Cheyne, the hymnwriter. He died very young (30-ish, I think) and was very ill latterly. But insisted on carrying out his duties to the end.

His demeanour was very impressive. There is a story of a man being converted as M'Cheyne struggled down the aisle towards the pulpit. :-)

I have just read something M'Cheyne wrote shortly before he died in 1843:

"As I was walking in the fields, the thought came with almost overwhelming power, that every one of my flock must soon be in heaven or hell! Oh, how I wished that I had a tongue like thunder, that I might make all hear; or a frame like iron, that I might visit every one, and say, Escape for thy life! Ah, sinners! you little know how I fear that you will lay the blame of your damnation at my door."

I can imagine that the grant is more than welcome John - it all helps. Seems as though you had a good day all round and I love the Minister's sense of humour with the hymn number..... :-D


Our Vicar is having his cataracts sorted this week - he needs to take care of his sight as he is diabetic. He also has chronic kidney disease, so it's wonderful how he manages to cope with such a busy parish. Lots of good team work helps though. :-D

I think it is about £300 p w to keep our chapel going. But we have just received a £17k grant from the Coalfields Regeneration Fund to improve our heating and that brought a big smile today.

Also, our local preacher Brian, who died in December aged 77 gave us a grant to buy books. And his widow and all his family were in chapel today. It was a wonderful service by our Minister - mainly contrasting lives of two Bible characters before they became Christians. The pious and wealthy Saul of Tarsus and the rather flighty Mary of Magdela. And how Jesus made them both pious and holy. He also prayed for Justin Welby, Pope Francis and the Irish on St Patricks Day.

The last hymn was 303 and seemed to be an extra one. As we came to it, Minister said "that is not a hymn number. Just the score from yesterday - to remind us of a wonderful day. :-) :-) :-)

We had our Spring Fayre today and, as usual, I went along to support.

Lots of stalls, lots of people and, I've discovered, lots of money raised.....£2,073 to date. Pretty good going in these cash-strapped days so I'm really pleased for all those who worked so hard.

Mind you, it costs over £1,000 per week to keep the church running...... :-(

Well, I think I need to research further into Pope Francis

The more I hear of him in the 'media' the more I like him.

Again....we'll see

Gins I think that is right. He does seem to be someone who can communicate. He has that common touch and I thought "charisma" - whatever that is. But some leaders have got it and some haven't.

I think the Polish Pope was like that. And hopefully Pope Francis the First will be the same. :-D

In that Chinese takeaway in Llansamlet tonight, an arch Protestant (me) and three Chinese men were united in wishing him well :-D

Pope Francis....seems to be much more 'a person' than the last Pope

We'll see.............................

Isn't it flamin' well typical!!

A manic day........arrive home from the launch of an autism service in our area and, within minutes, a visitor arrived.....our friendly RC priest friend.


We chatted for so long about many things....especially the papal situation....that I ended up going to the chip shop because I was going out again at 7. :-S


Then, of course, the 'white smoke' appeared and I was torn between going out and waiting to see who the new Pope was......I hopped about from one foot to the other but, in the end, decided I must not delay any longer......so I missed the first glimpse.


Ah well, he looks and sounds reasonable enough but I think it's a huge job for a man of his age........he will need all the prayers we can offer.......

The thing is ....................

Jorge Bergoglio came second to Joseph Ratzinger when the latter became Pope Benedict.


so it shouldn't have been that much of a surprise ..................... against him was his age.


But he has always been a Pastoral priest ............... and that apparently was what the Cardinals wanted.

:-D :-D

Looks like Cynthia was wrong - I did not do my homework.

Apart from his advanced years, Pope Francis sounds like a very good choice. Thanks Sylvia for filling us in on his background

I stopped off in Llansamlet (Swansea) tonight in a Chinese take away. Just me and three staff watching the news unfurl. All 3 were excited. "His name is Georgio and it is a surprise" said one :-D Surreal moment.

Until he said his name was Georgio, I was 99% certain they had chosen Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan. According to my "i" newspaper this morning, he had already secured 55 votes of 77 required.

The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio

to be known as Pope Francis the First ............

in honour of Francis of Assisi


absolute silence in St Peter's Square when his name was announced ...... his name had not made any kind of list.


77 years old

Born in Argentina to parents who had immigrated from Rome

Very humble ................ has never lived in a mansion, took public transit for many years, cooks for himself, a Jesuit,

supports the Church line on homosexuality, but ays gays a=shoul be respected

Has condemned priests who will not baptise illegitimate children as "today's hypocrites"

Has worked with the very poor, HIV/AIDS sufferers, and has modernised the church in Argentina

Has never worked in the Curia (ie, in Rome), although studied in Rome

Is an excellent manager

and good with the media


seemed a very genuine man in his speech ............ started by saying "Buono sera"

and ended by saying (translation) "good night, and have a good rest "

Just watching it Sylvia but am going out in 15 minis.......hope they hurry up!!! ;-)

there is a new Pope .................. white smoke from the chimney about 20 minutes ago.

But still waiting for the Pope to be introduced to the world, and his name known

Cynthia. Think we might see quite a bit of black smoke till one of them achieves 77 votes (two-thirds of voting Cardinals).

I think the candidates look very strong. I just hope they can put their divisions aside and elect the right man for what must be one of the most difficult periods in the Roman Catholic Church. :-D

You've done your homework John!!

I'll probably just look up the history of whomever gets elected.......when he gets elected :-D


With the exception of Bertone, the ages of the other likely candidates seems reasonable enough.

Today began process of electing the new Pope. Expectations are that the new man will be announced Thursday or Friday this week.

Frontrunners are:

Tarcisio Bertone b 1934
Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson b 1948
Angelo Scola b 1941
Marc Oullet b 1944
Odilo Scherer b 1949
Angelo Bagnasco b 1943
Christoph von Schonborn b 1945

It is likely to be Scola (Milan), but the African Turkson is highly favoured. And Scherer must figure largely because he is responsible for Brazil which is showing the most Catholic Church growth at present.

From the little bit I have read about these candidates, I have felt from the beginning that the French Canadian Oullet could be the right man for the moment.

One thing I have noticed is that they are all (with possible exception of Bertone) full of vigour and any should have many years in the post.

We shall find out very soon. Whoever is elected, may God bless his work.

Cynthia. That sounds great. Can you do that again next year and invite me along to be Pharoah.

I think we might have to do a matinee just so that the busloads of Genes posters can come along and boo me. And throw things :-D :-D

Traffic gridlock? How often does that happen outside churches these days. Love hearing about your church - sounds so lively and fun. :-D :-D

We had a packed 'house' too John. It was our monthly parade service plus extras for Mothering Sunday. In fact, they had to get chairs out because there were so many folk....

That was fine, but rather nerve wracking as I was leading the presentation. I retold the story of Moses in the bulrushes and had the children doing actions and making sounds when I mentioned certain words......eg.... Pharoah.....boo.......river ...splish spash etc. They seemed to enjoy it anyway....and that's just the adults!!!! lol


As the folk from that service were going out..........3 baptism families were trying to get in. When we got outside, the traffic was gridlocked!


A takeaway with the family tonight...... :-D :-D