Happy Birthday Chesterton!

Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born on 29th May 1874 in Kensington, London and died on the 14th June 1936 (aged 62). As the anniversary of his death is also fast approaching, let us Pray;

God Our Father, Thou filled the life of Thy servant Gilbert Keith Chesterton with a sense of wonder and joy, and gave him a faith which was the foundation of his ceaseless work, a charity towards all men, particularly his opponents, and a hope which sprang from his lifelong gratitude for the gift of human life. May his innocence and his laughter, his constancy in fighting for the Christian faith in a world losing belief, his lifelong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his love for all men, especially for the poor, bring cheerfulness to those in despair, conviction and warmth to lukewarm believers and the knowledge of God to those without faith. We beg Thee to grant the favours we ask through his intercession, [and especially for ……] so that his holiness may be recognized by all and the Church may proclaim him Blessed. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

For printable prayercards in English, Spanish, Italian and a Pro-Life version see; http://www.catholicgkchestertonsociety.co.uk/

Television For Atheists et al

Has Science Discovered God? Thursday 27th May 8pm, Sky 589 or online one hour long documentary.
Please forward this to as many atheists et al, as you can. The facts may help them!

'Bleep' marie stopes international advert

My Mum was late, your Mother was late, Marie Stopes's Mama was late.........'bleep' marie stopes international advert! In short the advert says if you are late phone an abortuary. 'Late'! what a euphemism for 'Is a unique new person growing inside of you? If so we'd like to help you kill him or her.'

If you or someone you know is ever late and in need of help see www.goodcounselnetwork.com.

Marie Stopes International are planning to show an abortion advert on channel 4 tv today at 10.10pm. An abortion advert on British tv for the first time. Every time I think, things can't get worse, they do. Please do something, fast, pray, act. On the BBC news today I saw Catholics (God bless them) praying outside marie stopes house, which is now an abortuary.
Our Lady Help of Christians pray for us!

Catholic Novel in Bookshops

There are many, many anti-catholic books for sale in most bookshops and newsagents up and down the country. Many of these novels have titles like "The Secret....", "The Crusade.....", "The .......Gospel" etc, etc. I have thought for a number of years that someone should write a good Catholic novel packaged to look like these secular books. I was so pleased to see Tom Grace interviewed on EWTN as he has done just that, as the back of his book says;

The Pope lies dying in the Vatican. A man of faith suffers in a Chinese prison. The fate of these two men could change the lives of millions....Ex-Navy Seal Nolan Kilkenny is called to Rome on the pretence of examining the Vatican library. But on arrival, he discovers his real mission, one that will ultimately involve China, the Mafia, and the conclave to elect the next Pope. In agony, the ailing Pope reveals the whereabouts of the 'secret cardinal' who has been imprisoned by the Chinese for 30 years and who could become the next leader of the Catholic Church.With the assistance of the US President, American Special Forces and the CIA, Kilkenny assembles a crack team, and in doing so attempts a daring rescue mission that could determine the fate of mankind...

The Secret Cardinal by Tom Grace, £6.99

I would recommend the book for family and friends who do not go to Mass. However, be aware that there is one torture scene that is in a bit more detail than I would like and a bit of swearing.

An Introduction

I have just noticed that new bloggers seem to start with their reasons for blogging. I did not: Firstly, GK Chesterton once said something about every man needing his own newspaper, like every man needs a swimming pool; both for swimming about in no doubt, so I have a blog!

And secondly, I have a blog so that I can engage in ecumenical dialogue a la Belloc, who, at their first meeting told Maurice Baring (a non-Catholic son of one of Europe's most celebrated banking houses) that he would certainly go to hell. Twelve years later and Maurice entered the One True Church. Success!

Happy Ascension Thursday! Happy Ascension Thursday!

In the interests of true ecumenical dialogue, Happy Ascension Thursday! Our Separated Brethren in the church of Henry VIII will celebrate today, so Happy Ascension Thursday! Old Rite Catholics, even those in irregular circumstances will celebrate today, so Happy Ascension Thursday! The Jews, who will not celebrate today, would at least understand the importance of forty days, so Happy Ascension Thursday anyway!

Hung Parliament

It has been said by many political pundits since the General Election that it is not clear from the outcome what the voters wanted. 'Not so!' say I, for we want what Belloc dreamed of and made clear in his poem,

Epitaph On The Politician Himself

Here richly, with ridiculous display,
The Politician's corpse was laid away.
While all of his acquaintance sneered and slanged I wept:
for I had longed to see him hanged.

By Hilaire Belloc

Go Cardiff Go!

"However, on the death of Cardinal Wiseman in 1865, Manning was not included on the 'terna' of three names sent to Rome. Instead, the Chapter selected Errington (now retired to Prior Park), Clifford (the grandson of Cardinal Weld) and Grant (of Southwark) and it was said that the canons would rather have elected Beelzebub than Provost Manning. When Grant and Clifford removed their names in the hope that Errington would be appointed, the Pope was displeased and eventually settled on Manning, who was the favoured candidate of Mgr Talbot (the Pope's trusted English confidant)."

The English Cardinals, by Frs Schofield & Skinner. (Page 153)

(The title of this post refers to the Archdiocese of Cardiff awaiting the appointment of a new Archbishop)