Variety is the spice of life

Variety is the spice of life. Or at least that is something that applies today.The day began with the Eucharist @ 7.30am before proceeding with what seemed at times undue haste towards Parish Prayers @ the Bishop of Llandaff High School. After some brief recovery time it was time to lead a funeral taking along Andrew Thomas an ordinand on placement from St Michael's College. In contrast with the sorrow and often suppressed grief that manifests itself on these occasions this funeral was reasonable joyful. The lady who had died was 93 and until she had developed dementia had enjoy a full life. So it was good to celebrate her life and also for her Grandson to speak about her life.
Following that it was on to sick communions which I had the privilage to share in one household with relatives that were visiting as well. Glad after that to take some time out for a walk and some thinking time. Finally then to Evening Prayer which was said as it was the school holidays. So a satisfying and varied day if only they were all so pleasant!

Journey of Life - Pulling together the fragments!

At the moment I am putting together a funeral homily about the life of Ron Quinn. He worshipped faithfully at the Cathedral and lived in a Cathedral View a rest home in Gabalfa. Strange after his death I learned far more about him than I knew in life. He was a mixture of eccentricity and stubborness but was firm in the Catholic faith and attendance at the eucharist. he was as his sister put it a rover who moved around from place to place and if you did not keep in touch with him he would not keep in touch with you. But it has been facsinating putting together the fragments of his life and one thing is at the centre of all of these fragments and it is his faith. Wherever he lived he made sure he went to church and joined in (as much as he ever did the Christian community) Thank God that the Church is there for those at the margins and long will it continue to be so!!!

Quiet Evening on Contemplative Prayer

Still been feeling terrible this week but have tried to keep going. Had to miss a training day I had been looking forward to on Thursday but made the effort in the evening to go to lead a Quiet Evening in St John's Ystradyfodwg. This church was built in the 1980's to replace two other churches in the parish. It has recently been joined with the Parish of St Peter's Pentre to form a Benefice (much like the one that was disbanded there about 20 years ago). It was good to have about 30 people present to listen to my talk and to participate in methods of contemplative prayer. However with so much material and so little time it was like trying to run a marathon in an hour. But at least they were keen and good things are beginning to go on there. They are thinking of forming a Prayer Group and interested in deeping the spiritual life of the Parish. So I was very glad that despite feeling terrible I made the effort.

Kept telling myself this week that I would try to tidy the study and get on with my MA assignment but lacked the concentration for either! Jusst hope this cold finally goes soon!!!

Sniff!

Why is it that whenever I book leave I am ill? Answers on a postcard please. Have spent most of the week recovering from what I can only describe as extreme tiredness. Made the usual sensible pledges this week. Take a proper day off when you go back to work etc.... I wonder how long it will last. Sadly went to give the Last Rites to one of my favourite parishioners last night Ronnie Quinn who is dying of cancer. Ronnie is one of lifes quiet people an eccentric who in his younger years before he moved into Cathedral View retirement home had a love of piling his flat up with all sorts of rubbish each to his own. But he was a man of true faith and I knew that he was truly ill when he missed the Eucharist for more than two Sundays. But what a privilage to see him at the end and what a true old gent. A man who despite his earthly limitation knew much more about God in Jesus and the Christian faith than many who think they know far better. As he prepares for his end let us pray it is peaceful and he does not suffer for too long.
Spent most of today feeling dreadful with a very bad cold and trying to ignore several work related messages that are best ignored!!!!