The atmosphere in London is solemn, but not sad. The crowds at Buckingham Palace have been huge, and the mood is one of sharing in something sacred, important, history-making. It is dramatic, but not in […]
A searing heatwave a few weeks ago, and Britain in the middle of a political crisis, with the recent resignation of the Prime Minister amid, well, searing headlines. London is never pleasant in hot weather […]
This year will see the 40th anniversary of the first ever visit of a pope to England, Scotland, and Wales. Given the complicated history of the Catholic Church in Britain, it is truly remarkable that […]
It’s a familiar story: a school in Britain has changed the name of one of its houses. The school—apparently after discussions with pupils (aged 5-11 years)—decided to drop the former patron of the house, a […]
We surged out of the Church of the Assumption into Warwick Street where a large crowd was waiting. It took some minutes to get the procession formed as the numbers were substantial, but it was […]
“I find your presence here very offensive”. Pushing her way through the crowd, the assertive young woman accosted me. She didn’t like what I was doing: inviting people into the church to light a candle. […]
How strangely things sometimes work out. In the surreal days of the Coronavirus lockdown, I continued and expanded a self-appointed role as picker-up of litter. Beer cans, old pizza boxes, wrappers of chocolate bars—it’s mostly […]
Twice a week, very early in the morning, I walk from London’s Waterloo Station across the river to the West End to help serve breakfasts at St Patrick’s Church in Soho Square. In what could […]
Maryvale: the name conjures up lovely images of gardens, a shrine surrounded by flowers, gentle hills in the background, perhaps some people praying and singing. Well, minus the background hills, and allowing for the bleakness […]
At London’s Waterloo station the announcements have a ritual lilt: “You must wear a face-covering unless you are exempt…stay safe…social distancing…” I am inadvertently reminded of a scene from a film about St John Paul […]
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