Canada Calling

2 weeks today, at this exact time, we will be halfway across the Atlantic Ocean on our way to Canada.
Toronto will be our base for about 4 weeks. I have pre hired a car, the dollars are ordered, and I have a rough itinerary already planned out.

Unfortunately, some of my intended palces of interest will not open till May. For example, the Martyr's Shrine will be closed, though the site of the original Jesuit Mission, on the opposite side of the Highway, will be open.

None-the-less, we will have a fine time, and there will be time to travel, to relax and to take lots of photographs. More later.

This afternoon, we went to see ALICE IN WONDERLAND in 3D at the cinema in Glasgow.
We travelled by bus. Over 60's get free bus travel anywhere in Scotland.
The flim was fun, and the 3D was really good.

John has finished River City filming, and now begins rehearsals at the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh. We will be back from Canada in time to see the final performance.

Please keep my sister Lorraine in your prayers. She has to undergo 8 weeks or so of Chemo therapy and radiation treatment. A difficult time is coming up for her.

Pope PiusXII and the Jews during WWII

There has been much criticism over the years of the Catholic Church's actions - or lack of actions - with regard to the Jewish people during the Hitler years. In particular, Pope Puis XII has been accused of doing very little to asssist the Jewish people, especially those who were living in Rome at that time.

Although I have not researched this matter in great depth, I have always felt that much of the criticism came from a biased viewpoint. The Catholic Church is always under attack from the modern world simply because it will not yield to so called "modern liberal thinking."
The Church will never - can never- change its beliefs in the dogmatic truths it has held since the earliest times. We believe that these are God given teachings. They are not opinions that shift with the current tide.
Today, it's teachings on Abortion, divorce, contraception, women priests and so on, seems to bring down on the Church, the wrath of those who cannot accept these teachings. So called "Catholics" are amongst the most vehement opponents. Witness the views of the recently converted Tony Blair, and his catholic wife.

And so, with regard to this problem of Pope PiusXII, I am astonished to discover that a leading Jewish leader in Rome at that time, became a Catholic after the War ended. Why? Because of the efforts of PiusXII and the Church to assist Jewish refugees.

I attach an article from "THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT" of 1959. Please read slowly,give it consideration. Go research and then decide what you now think to be the truth of the matter.