Posts by Rob Jones (Page 4)

Standing at the doorway to an encounter with God

Fr TOM McHUGH

Doors and doorways are a powerful symbol in the human imagination. Not many years ago, young members of a family were given a key to the front door on their 18th birthday, marking a point of maturity and responsibility. Doorways are places of encounter — marking arrivals and departures, welcomes and fond farewells.

A moment of love and joy from our Medjugorie Pilgrimage

By MAUREEN MULLALLY-CLARKE

One morning, at the English Mass on our unforgettable Pilgrimage to Medjugorje, I could not help noticing the mother calming her disabled son with a gentle pressure on his arm when his desire to communicate — or to pray? – resulted in his becoming too noisy a participant in the Eucharist celebration. Every time she did this, he turned to her with an unforgettable look of pure love and joy, willingly obeying her.

The home is a school of love, faith and virtue

By EDMUND ADAMUS, Director, Office of Marriage and Family Life – Diocese of Westminster

Yes it’s that time of year where little by little, many households are a hive of activity preparing for a return to schools, colleges and institutions of learning. But as this tsunami of new, yet familiar, demands sweeps over us, let’s not forget that ultimately the home is tasked and graced to be THE school of many things: It’s a school of love, faith, virtues, humanity, dignity, communion, fraternity, hospitality, friendship, moral courage, frugality but abundance (not wanton luxury) when appropriate, elegance, joy and above all sacrifice.

Together, we are part of a big story

By Fr TOM McHUGH

Children love stories; so do adults. We enjoy telling stories and listening to them, too, and we love to hear a good story again and again. Our storytelling takes many forms — a mum or dad reading a story to their child at bedtime, with the favourite story  requested yet again. Try to skip a few lines and you will be called back on track!

8-17 August: Bromley Deanery Young Adults Pilgrimage

The Bromley Deanery Young Adults Pilgrimage takes place this summer, 8-17 August The cost should be no more than £200. More information: To register your interest and/or book a place, contact Susan Longhurst at susan.longhurst@bromleydeanery.org. For information on the pilgrimage, contact Dr Zofia Bajorekat taize@stjamespettswood.org or click here to find out more about Taize.