General Chat

Hello all

Another very interesting theme. Thank you Cynthia

So far St Drogo gets my vote. I often call upon St Anthony who is the Patron Saint of lost items. This little prayer is helpful when hunting for lost things.

Please St Anthony come here and find (my car keys, house keys, my glasses???) and help me to locate them...... strangely, it usually works.

Sylvia, I can empathise with your OH as I have recently missed out on attending two very special church events in my parish.

Vera, I'm upholding you and all your family in prayer

Good morning :-)

.I see I missed a day during the week - no idea why, but apologies nonetheless. The Patron Saint I missed was St. Crispian - Patron Saint of shoes.

Leading on from yesterday and the nice cup of tea/coffee......


Coffee/tea consumed, let’s set about breakfast, and for those who like it…..mmmm…..bacon anyone?

Yes, there is a Patron Saint for bacon……Saint Anthony the Abbot.

Saint Anthony the Abbot is technically a patron saint of butchers, but since there are so many patron saints of butchers, Anthony can afford to specialize in bacon.

He was a 4th century ascetic who lived for 20 years in an abandoned fort, only occasionally performing miracles and healing people who broke in on his solitude.

He is frequently depicted with pigs, possibly owing to his use of pig fat in his healing concoctions. The measles, known as St. Anthony's Fire, were often treated by rubbing the eruptions with pork fat or bacon so, in the way these things often go, he came to be regarded as the patron of pigs and swineherds.

Lord, we thank you for the life of St. Anthony.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Through the day with some unfamiliar Patron Saints……..

After washing and dressing, the next thing many people want is a nice cup of tea/coffee. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a Christian saint for tea, but there is one for coffee……

Have you ever heard of Saint Drogo? He is a Flemish saint from the 12th century who was revered for his holiness and spent many years as a hermit. Oddly enough, he’s the patron saint of a beverage he never drank.

St. Drogo was no stranger to pain and difficulty. He was an orphan and deeply affected by knowing that his mother died giving birth to him. He had been a shepherd at one point; then he gave all his money away. He took several penitential journeys to Rome … and then when he came back the last time, he was very, very disfigured from a disease that he had caught. The people in the village where he lived were frightened by his appearance.

Because he was such a pious man and to protect the town from his frightening appearance, the people built a little room for him attached to the church. There was only a small window in the door from which he received Communion, some barley to eat and a bowl of warm water. And it’s because of this bowl of warm water that he became the patron saint of coffee. St Drogo lived there for the remainder of his life.

While this little-known saint connects to many people due to their love for a cup of coffee, he also connects to many on a more personal level. Throughout his life he experienced isolation and discrimination due to his disfigurement. He knew what it was to be lonely and misunderstood but still found faith and hope in the midst of his difficulties.

We thank God for the life of St. Drogo

(Whilst looking things up, I did come across something which made me smile…..the patron saint of coffee? St Arbucks. Think about it) ??


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

A day spent with some unfamiliar Patron Saints.......

After having left the bathroom, we head back to the bedroom to get dressed and it’s here we bump into…..

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, (born: 287 AD Died: 305 AD), the patron saint of lace makers and spinsters who has been honoured by the fashion and millinery industry.

When the Roman emperor, Maxentius, began persecuting Christians, Catherine travelled to Rome to rebuke him for his cruelty. At first, Maxentius was merely amused by this beautiful, hot-headed girl (she was only eighteen at the time). He didn’t really want to put her in prison or kill her, so he summoned fifty of his greatest philosophers to persuade her to give up her faith. Instead, she persuaded them, one by one, until all fifty had converted to Christianity!

Maxentius didn’t want to kill Catherine, so he offered to marry her and make her empress if only she would deny her faith. (He needed a new empress anyway, since he had killed the last one.)

“No,” said Catherine. “My heart belongs only to Christ.”

That was the last straw. The emperor ordered Catherine to be tied to a large wheel with sharp spikes on it. He thought this would surely silence this wise and stubborn young woman; but instead, the ropes miraculously fell off of Catherine, and the wheel flew apart in all directions.

Hence the firework known as The Catherine Wheel.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I hope your OH managed to watch the service Sylvia and that it brought back happy memories. The thing with online worship is that some is very good, some is mediocre and some is downright awful. I hope yours was in the first category! :-D


There seems to be a touch of doom and gloom everywhere we look these days……so a light-hearted but informative week hopefully!

Saints – Patron saints in particular – it’s amazing how many there actually are.

Let’s take a typical day and see how many unfamiliar saints we come across.

On waking, the first thing most people do is…………head for the bathroom and yes, there is a Patron Saint for plumbers and I read this, which made me smile.

An article by the journalist, Matthew Parris Wednesday May 15 2019, 12.01am, The Times “Good news has reached the Derbyshire parish of All Saints, Elton. No more crossed legs in the pews! An email pings on to my screen. “Church Toilet Blessing (poster attached)”. St Vincent Ferrer, patron saint of plumbing, has smiled upon the efforts of the Elton flock: the village church now has its own loo and worshippers need no longer cross the road to the Duke of York’s outdoor facilities.
A ribbon-cutting moment (sadly I was not asked) will be “followed by cake”. There will also be a visiting choir from the WI in Youlgreave, to whom (from Hymns Ancient & Modern) I could perhaps recommend they sing:

If worn with pain, disease, and grief
This feeble frame should be,
Grant patience, rest, and kind relief;
Good Lord, remember me. “


Saint Vincent Ferrer, O.P. (1350 – 1419) was a Valencian Dominican friar and preacher, who gained acclaim as a missionary and a logician. He was known for his religious poverty and austerity, including perpetual fasting, and was believed to have the gift of miracles. The last two years of his life were devoted to preaching in northern France.

We give thanks for the life of St Vincent and for the example he set.

Cx :-)

Vera ............. it's lovely to hear that you have had such support and so many lovely messages about your brother xxx


The Bishop of New Westminster, our diocese, retires in about 4 weeks. Her replacement was elected Coadjutor-Elect Bishop las October ......... somehow I missed that bit of news back then.

But he was ordained yesterday, and OH discovered that he was giving the sermon from our church this morning, so he was all gung-ho to go to the service until I looked online.

Still no live services, so it will be online. OH says he might watch it ............ he was eager to see the new Bishop and speak to him because he has known him since Bishop John's first years at the university when OH coached him in Rugby . That's many years ago!!!

Bishop John is a "local" boy in that he immigrated here when a child, went through school and the local university getting a degree in zoology before changing course, and has been vicar/rector at the church in the next parish here in Vancouver.

I guess Bishop Melissa will return to her home town in Washington state after her retirement, although I haven't seen that. She has only in Canada during her time as Bishop.

Good morning :-)

Dear Vera, it's such a comfort when surrounded by the love and care of others isn't it? Your brother sounds as though he was a lovely man and will be much missed. Take heart in your memories and in the kind thoughts and loving good wishes of your many friends. God bless. <3 <3



The Collect (special prayer) for today

Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.



The Gospel reading for today :

The Wedding at Cana

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it.

When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Cx :-)

Another interesting and thought provoking week of posts Cynthia. Thank you.

I have been very touched this week by the number of lovely cards, notes and emails I have received after the death of my brother. People are so thoughtful and their messages are a great comfort to me. It is clear he was very well loved and what has been mentioned time and time again are his kindness to all and sundry, his smile and his sense of humour.

I am sad but still have much to be thankful for, not least the comfort and strength I am deriving from the messages I have received. My thoughts are with those who are having to cope with a bereavement without the support of loving family and friends.

Good morning :-)

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Jesus Christ,
we desire to welcome fully the
brothers and sisters who are
with us.
You know how often we feel helpless
in the face of their suffering,
yet you are always there ahead of us
and you have already received them
in your compassion.
Speak to them through our words,
support them through our actions,
and let your blessing rest on us all.
Amen


GO AND DO

Global: Take time to engage with global news stories today. Take action in
response to the story that most moves you with compassion.

Local: Contribute in any way that you can to a foodbank, food growing
scheme or community meal initiative in your area.

Personal: Reflect on and identify who ‘the other’ is for you. How might you
connect with and offer a welcome to them in your next encounter?


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity


Blessed are you, God our Father,
for the gift of your word in Holy
Scripture.
Blessed are you for its
transforming power.
Help us choose life and guide us by
your Spirit,
so that we can experience the
happiness which you want so
much to share with us
Amen.




GO AND DO

Global: Find out more about the Just Scripture initiative and help organise
a session connecting the churches in your area with a community across
the world.

Local: What one act of kindness could the churches in your area take
together to be a unified blessing in your wider community?

Personal: Read the Beatitudes through slowly (Matthew 5: 3-11). Which of
the actions described in the passage are you encouraged to take today?


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Yes kandj, prayers are needed for the United States and their new President. May God bless them all.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity....

Lord Jesus,
your entire life was prayer,
perfect harmony with the Father.
Through your Spirit, teach us to pray
according to your will of love.
May the faithful of the whole world
unite in intercession and praise,
and may your kingdom of love come.
Amen.

GO AND DO

Global: Commit to praying through the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
this year.

Local: Unite with others in your community to pray together this week, in
person, online via Zoom or similar platform, or at a set time when you know
others will be joining in prayer.

Personal: Consider how your prayer practices inform and influence your
action in the world.


Cx :-)

Hello all

During this week of Christian Unity I'm thinking today of America's new President elect Joe Biden.

Heavenly Father,
May he become a true ambassador of your Kingdom and bring about healing and harmony between all people of the USA and beyond. Amen.

Good morning :-)

Continuing with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.....

God our Father,
you reveal to us your love
through Christ
and through our brothers and sisters.
Open our hearts so that we can
welcome each other
with our differences and live
in forgiveness.
Grant us to live united in one body,
so that the gift that is each person
comes to light.
May all of us together be a reflection
of the living Christ. Amen


GO AND DO
Global: What action can we take in response to the compassion needed in
the world?

Local: Consider making a banner or quilt together as churches and the wider
community to demonstrate the things that thread and weave you together.

Personal: Consider the clothing in your wardrobe and the lives and hands
that have touched them. Have these clothes been made with fair pay and
good working conditions?


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

This week is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - a week when Christians of all traditions join together in prayer.


The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2021 has been prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland. The theme that was chosen, “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”, is based on John 15:1-17 and expresses Grandchamp Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the Church and the human family.

Today the community has fifty sisters, all women from different generations, Church traditions, countries and continents. In their diversity the sisters are a living parable of communion. They remain faithful to a life of prayer, life in community and the welcoming of guests. The sisters share the grace of their monastic life with visitors and volunteers who go to Grandchamp for a time of retreat, silence, healing or in search of meaning.

For 2021, the sisters are inviting churches across the world to enter into their tradition of prayer and silence that is rooted in the ancient traditions of the Church catholic.

For the next few days, I will use extracts from the booklet.....


Holy Spirit,
May we receive in our hearts the
presence of Christ,
and cherish it as a secret of love.
Nourish our prayer,
enlighten our reading of Scripture,
act through us,
so that the fruits of your gifts can
patiently grow in us.
Amen.


GO AND DO
Global: As people of faith think about how you can work together for the day when all can know a full and abundant human life.

Local: Consider how the churches in your area can be more child
friendly spaces.

Personal: Give thanks and pray for the children you know.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Just A Little Prayer
by Joseph Ferrara

God is ever there for those
Who really, really care,
He helps dispel your cares and woes
With just a little prayer.

Invite the Lord into your heart,
He has much love to spare,
A love He gladly would impart
With just a little prayer.

Let Him know when things go wrong,
No matter when or where.
He can fill your heart with song
With just a little prayer.

It matters not your race or creed,
God does not compare.
He can fill your wants and needs
With just a little prayer.

No power on earth can give to man
God's immortal blessings rare.
He is the only One who can
With just a little prayer.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty God,
in Christ you make all things new:
transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives
make known your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Cx :-)

Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

Vera ...............

I am so sorry to hear of your brother's death.

My condolences to you and your family. xx

May he rest in peace xx

Hello all

The snow is thawing here and rain is forecast later.

Vera, I'm really sorry to read the sad news about your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family right now.

May your brother Rest in Peace and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.

Good afternoon :-)

Oh Vera, I am so very sorry to hear that your brother has died and send you all my love and a virtual hug. These are such sad times but I am sure you must have so many happy memories of your time together with him. Each wild bird will bring comfort I hope. <3 <3

Thank you for that Tabitha - Emma loves HSR so I hope she sees this. <3

Some lockdown reading which I hope inspires....

A man's daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside his bed. The priest assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.

"I guess you were expecting me," he said.

"No, who are you?"

"I'm the new associate at your local church," the pastor replied.

"When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up."

"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"

Puzzled, the pastor shut the door.

"I've never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man.
"But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head.."

"I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day about four years ago my best friend said to me, 'Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here's what I suggest. Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I'll be with you always.' Then just speak to him and listen in the same way you're doing with me right now."

"So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."

The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her daddy had died that afternoon.

"Did he seem to die in peace?" he asked.

"Yes, when I left the house around two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange, in fact, beyond strange-kinda weird.

Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside the bed."

-Author Unknown


Cx :-)