This is a page set aside for any personal thoughts and opinions which anyone might like to share and which gets past
the editorial filter.
From Saint Theresa of Calcutta:
People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centred.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
A church message. No. 1
We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, gay, confused, filthy ric, comfortable or dirt poor.
We extend a special welcome to wailing babies and excited toddlers.
We welcome you whether you can sing like Pavarotti or just growl quietly to yourself.
You’re welcome here if you're “just browsing”, just woken up or just got out of prison.
We don't care if you're more Catholic than the Pope, or haven't been to church since Christmas ten years ago.
We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast.
We welcome keep-fit mums, football dads, starving artists, environmentalists, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk food eaters.
We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted.
We welcome you if you're having problems, are down in the dumps or don't like “organised religion”.
We offer a welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don't work, can't spell, or are here because relatives are visiting and wanted to come to Church.
We welcome those who are linked, pierced, both or neither.
We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down their throat as kids or got lost in the city centre and wound up here by mistake.
We welcome pilgrims, tourists, seekers, doubters.....
and you!
(Adapted from a church notice at Coventry Cathedral)
A church message!No 2
To the parents of young children, may we suggest
Relax. God put the energy into children. Do not think you have to curb it in God's house. All are welcome.
Sit towards the front where the young ones can see what is happening. They get bored seeing the backs of other people's heads.
Quietly explain to them the parts of the Mass, the actions of the priest, the altar servers, choir etc.
Sing the hymns, pray and voice the responses. Children learn liturgical behaviour by copying you.
If you have to leave Mass with your child, please do so. But come back. Christ said, "Suffer the little ones to come unto me."
Remember the way we welcome children in Church directly affects the way they respond to the Church, to God and to one another.
Let them know that they are at home in this house of worship.
All parishioners should remember that the presence of the children in our Church is a sign that our parish is growing. Please welcome all children and encourage their parents with a welcoming smile.
And to the children. We don't mind if you colour in pictures, draw your own or doodle when you're a little bored. Jesus appreciates your art work.
Reversed Thinking Poem
June 18, 2011 by Kristi Graydon
I will live my life according to these beliefs.
God does not exist
it’s just foolish to think
that there is an all knowing God with a cosmic plan
that an all powerful God brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world
is a comforting thought, however,
it is only wishful thinking
people can do as they please without eternal consequences
the idea that
I am deserving of Hell
because of sin
is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power
“The more you have, the happier you will be.”
our existence has no grand meaning or purpose
in a world with no God
there is freedom to be who I want to be
but with God
life is an endless cycle of guilt and shame
without God
everything is fine.
It is ridiculous to think
I am lost and in need of saving
And that’s how I felt before Christ opened my eyes, changed my heart, and reversed my thinking.
(If you read the above in reverse… it says the following)
I am lost and in need of saving. It is ridiculous to think that everything is fine without God. Life is an endless cycle of guilt and shame but with God, there is freedom to be who I want to be. In a world with no God, our existence has no grand meaning or purpose. “The more you have, the happier you will be” is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power. Because of sin, I am deserving of Hell. The idea that people can do as they please without eternal consequences is only wishful thinking. It is a comforting thought, however, that an all powerful God brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world, that there is an all knowing God with a cosmic plan. It’s just foolish to think that God does not exist. I will live my life according to these beliefs.
“Because
of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive
with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have
been saved.”
Ephesians