First Sunday of Advent 2009

Yesterday was the First Sunday of Advent, and marks the beginning of the Church's New Year.
The word"Advent" means coming, or expected arrival. And of course we are thinking of the birth of the Baby Jesus.

Already, all around us are the signs of Christmas. The commercial signs that is. Lights, decorations, advertisements, TV shows and so on.

Last week, a book I had ordered on Amazon was delivered. It had come from Kansas, and wrapped around the book was a section from The Kansas City Star Magazine.

Naturally I had aread of it. And one article really caught my eye. It was titled, "Reflecting on the True meaning of Christmas."

And the opening line was something else. The writer, Debbie Dusenberry had written;

"I am confused. When did it become wrong to say, Merry Christmas? Why has the fear of offending someone become foremost in our standard holiday greeting? I, for one, will not be saying Happy Holiday!"

And that just sums it up. Christmas has been hi -jacked by political correctness. The essence of a Christian feast has been deemed innapropriate for fear we offend non Christians.

And why is this so one sided. As a Catholic Christian, I am not offended by Yon Kippur Celebrations, or by Diwali celebrations. I notice no attempt to play these celebrations down for fear of offending Christians.

And I note that I am unaware of any followers of other Religions expressing unhappiness at the Christmas Celebrations.

So why has it become wrong?

I notice that various cities have been switching on the Christmas Lights, and many are making a major event of it with German Markets, French Markets, open air ice rinks, carnivals and so on. There is a lot of money to be made out of these events. But notice the names..."Winterval" "Winterfest"

The whole essence of this time of the year is Christmas. We are celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, born to save us, born to die on the cross for our sins.

It is my understanding that some shops, including a well known charity shop chain, has banned any Christian symbols for fear of causing offence, but they are happily selling their own "Christian Symbol Christmas Cards"!

Let's end this nonsense now, before it goes any further, before someone uses "Civil Liberties" to force through laws outlawing Christian Celebrations because their sensibilities have been offended.

Una Voce Mass at Torpichen Preceptory

Yesterday morning, we made our way to Torpichen, in West Lothian

Torpichen is a small village 3 miles from Linlithgow, site of the impressive ruins of Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of mary Queen of Scots in 1524.

We were going there to participate in an Old Rite Latin Mass at the Preceptory there. More of the preceptory and Linlithgow in another post.

It was a cold morning, and the chapel in which Mass was celebrated was icy cold. None the less, about 30 people braved the cold to take part in this special Mass.

Monsignor Boyle celebrated the Mass, and the Saint Margaret Schola and the Una Voce Scola sang during the ceremony.

Also present, because of the Preceptory, were members of the Knights of Malta, in their black cloaks with the 7 pointed Star of Malta.

As at Cambuskenneth a fortnight ago, there is something very special celebrating Mass in a Historic location that in the past was once a Catholic Church.

We appreciate the obvious co-operation of Historic Scotland and the individual site managers in helping these events pass off so smoothly.

Holy Family Apostolate

This Apostolate is made up of Catholic families who share a common and strong belief in authentic Catholic tradition. Members are of all ages and from every part of the UK.

It was they who organised the retreat at Sancta Maria Abbey at Nunraw.

It is nice to be surrounded by like minded people. There are no divisions, no petty arguments about who does what. Everyone joined in all the ativities and in the day to day cleaning and organising.

It was a wonderful atmosphere.

Many of the parents in this group have opted for Home Schooling. As a Catholic teacher, I have no problem with this. There are many unsatisfactory aspects of schooling, even in Catholic Schools.

The number of practising catholics in many schools is dwindling, and the religious knowledge of many teachers is lacking. This is a result of their own experiences during their formative years, and the chaos that came out of the Second Vatican Council due to abuses by individual priests, bishops and Cardinals.

So these parents take the only remedy available to them. They teach their own children in a way that does not offend their consciences.

These are more photos fom Nunraw.

Nunraw Abbey

We have just returned from a weekend at Nunraw Abbey, about 15mns from Edinburgh.

Sancta Maria Abbey belongs to the Cistercian Order.

They have a large Guest house which is about 15mns walk from the Guest House.

The Abbey was built in the 70's, but the Guest House is much older, dating back to about the 1500's.

The building was missed by Oliver Cromwell's army. The painted ceiling of the small chapel in the Guest House dates to 1603.

The monks make no charges for guests, but they do ask that you make a donation according to your own abilities to pay.

Cistercians do not eat meat, so it does not feature on the menu. Meals are simple, much less than we might normally eat. Last nighte tea at 5.15pm, was a vegetable soup with lots of rice in it , and bread and jam, tea and coffee. Those of us who had previously stayed here came with aditional supplies to help fill any hunger pans in the evening hours. This was our first visit, so we didn't know about that........

It is a very quiet area. The tiny village of Garvald is a few moments away. There are extensive grounds, quiet places to walk.

Guests are offered Mass in the house, but anyone is free to walk up to the monastery for any services. The first one is at 3.15am, and I am not aware of any of the guests being up for that!

One of the volunteers walks round the rooms at 7.45am ringing a loud bell. It reminds us that morning Mass is at 8.30am, followed by a simple breakfast at 9.00am. Porridge or cereal, a boiled egg, bread and marmalade, tea or coffee.

It is such a change from our usual hectic life out in the world. I found it a spiritually uplifting experience.

The monk's day begins at 3.am, and the rest of the day is punctuated with regular services. The monks also farm and grow vegetables. Bed time is around7.30pm, but they are up again at 3.am. By no means an easy life. The old priest who said Mass for us this morning has been in the Abbey since 1951.

In another blog I will relate why we were here for this weekend.

Photos show the chapel with painted roof, Doocoat, the old monk's cemetary, and the guest house