Peter Blog a few random thoughts

One of the more disturbing things that has happened over the last few years is, and I only say, in some quarters a disquiet about Pope Francis. It is I have to say very disturbing. There has also been some people who see Pope Francis as not a real Pope at all. Rather than seeing this I can see that there has been a continuity between the last three Popes. I am a simple man but this is what I see. Pope John Paul II (Saint) When I was seven years old I traveled to Wembley  to see John Paul II. It was my first experience at large crowds celebrating faith. I was highly impressed as a seven year old of what was going on around me. It was the first time also that a Pope had visited these lands since the Reformation. What I saw a Pope that was able to reach out to the whole world to visit and preach the good news even though sometimes this was hard hitting and uncompromising. He helped the demise of the Berlin Wall and the Eastern block something that seemed unthinkable. He for me i

I have been reading lately with interest the comments about what way the priest should face while saying Mass. And after reading some of the reports and questions I have been more aware of how I have been saying Mass. I have also been looking closely when I attend Mass or when I watch another celebrate Mass. So these thoughts are my own. I love saying Mass and the celebration of the Mass is something that needs to be done with dignity and respect. IT is not about the priest and how he is feeling it is about God. We gather around the altar to be present to the saving work of Jesus Christ. So what have people come to Mass for. So I asked them. These are there responses and they have given me time to reflect on how I celebrate the Mass. To Pray To gather as community Comfort and peace To stop in the business of life To receive grace from the Lord The first one on the list is the most important for me. To pray the Mass rather than just say it. To put as it were my personalit