Tuesday, February 12, 2013

...and...

...the work of the Church goes on. A conference at the Kairos Centre in Roehampton for the various diocesan speakers for  Aid to the Church in Need.  These are the men and women who travel to churches giving talks at Mass and appealing for funds to help the Church where there is persecution, oppression, or grim poverty. This massive international charity is currently supporting churches in - among many other places -  Sudan, Syria, Pakistan, India.... Auntie has been involved since a teenager, and was smuggling Catholic literature into Eastern Europe, and gathering to pray outside the old Soviet Embassy in Kensington, and so on, back in the 1970s and early 80s...

 Mass in the beautiful Chapel at the Kairos centre. A talkative lunch. Sessions discussing current projects, systems for organising appeals, etc.

Talked to Heart Gives Unto Heart Radio about the Holy Father, and what happens next, and so on...

On to a family gathering in Islington for a pancake supper (Shrove Tuesday). Swapping of academic talk w. academic relative. Late train home. Am deep in a book about Paul VI, having recently discovered his role in helping refugees in WWII,  relevant to some research I am currently doing. He is an underrated figure: I'm learning a lot.

Home late, just in time to eat some chocolates before Lent begins...


1 comment:

MarieR said...

Oh, darn, I forgot about pancakes! I'm at a loss as to what to prepare for tomorrow - Ash Wednesday - as we're allowed one full meal and two small meals or snacks not to equal a full meal. May I ask what you'll be having? I would also like to say that I, too, am very sad at the news of Pope Benedict stepping down. He will be greatly missed.