News - Page #98

: Written by: Alex Walker; Published: 07 January 2017

Director Martin Scorsese sits down with Fr. James Martin to discuss his faith, his films and his new movie SILENCE

{youtube}TbYiGdinejU{/youtube}

: Written by: Guardian Editorial; Published: 02 January 2017

Pope Francis leads an organisation that fought against democracy, liberty, equality and feminism for nearly 200 years after the French revolution of 1789. It is a paradox that he is now heralded in some quarters as the global champion of all those causes, which everywhere seem under attack. The key to understanding this contradiction is that the pope is not himself a liberal. He is a conservative with a small c, mistrustful of all grand schemes of human betterment, whether socialist or libertarian, and he believes in sin and the devil – as do most of his 1.2 billion followers. If conservatism stands for anything more than the remorseless pursuit by the strong of their advantage over the weak, it is a profound suspicion of the human capacity to be good, a belief, as Milton put it, that we shall never cease “hammering from our flinty hearts the seeds and sparkles of new miseries for ourselves”. This isn’t the whole truth, but at a time when a world order seemingly based on rational self-interest is being consumed in greed and rage – including the “plague of terrorism” that Francis urged all to confront as it struck Turkey again – a little of Milton’s grim scepticism is salutary; even, almost, hopeful.

: Written by: Alex Walker; Published: 23 December 2016

Dear all,

Wishing you all deep joy and peace, and plenty of more shallow celebrations!

I also want to say a huge thank you for all your support and friendship during this past year: I feel a little more apprehensive about next year, but that's because I know more now about how much of a contribution ACTA can make to the church - and more about how much I need to be 'on the ball'. It has become clearer to me as the year has passed that there are areas where I am not too strong, but I want to thank each of you for your patience and wonderful 'prompts'. Maybe the church could learn from you as a group about keeping the vision in mind whilst the body is stumbling along!

My present to you is a couple of 5 minutes watching.two:

I found the first one a wonderful 5-6 minute meditation - the images are very helpful, including Bethlehem and surrounding hills;, (listed after the carol has finished)

{youtube}MvjiVam2HO4{/youtube}

The second one is definitley from the 'cheese' board, but I suspect its setting is more Incarnational than many Liturgies will be

{youtube}SXh7JR9oKVE{/youtube}

Enjoy and peace to you all,

Martin Bennett