Good to be back

A post such as the following could not express better the appreciation of the laity for priest bloggers. If we can confirm such people as Kate (see her blog At home in my Father's house) in her loyalty and fidelity to the Catholic faith, it's worthwhile.

I take this opportunity of assuring Kate of my fraternal prayers for her priest-brother in the Clifton diocese.

The good news is, that Fr. John Boyle, previously blogging as 'South Ashford Priest' is back with a new blog, 'Caritas in Veritate' -has a certain ring about it, don't you think?

I am delighted that Fr. Boyle is back in the blogosphere, I missed his previous blog very much; it had been a source of inspiration, knowlege and catechesis, reaching people like me, far beyond the boundary of his parish.

When I started following the Catholic blogs, Fr. Boyle's blog was one of those that I found among the most helpful to me, as a Catholic wife and mother.

One of my brothers is a Parish priest in the Diocese of Clifton, so, I do have some understanding of just how busy the life of a parish priest is. And maintaining a blog is quite time consuming, as I have discovered myself. It seems to me that priest bloggers offer a gratuitous and ongoing act of 'caritas in veritate', for the benefit of all who are able to access the blogosphere, and what a great benefit it is.

Thank you Fathers, one and all.

Thank you, Kate!

In the few hours since I started this blog, I have had 442 visits thanks to referrals as the news has got round.

Great to be back!

Charity in Truth

Having had a break from blogging under my previous blog name of South Ashford Priest, I have decided to re-enter the blogosphere. Let's see how it goes.

Why now?

Firstly: The words at the top of this blog summarise all that motivates me as a priest and as a human being. I may myself be far from a perfect example of an authentically developed person, but this project is one for a lifetime. With Pope Benedict, and Pope John Paul II before him, I am convinced that we can only know mankind by fully knowing Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. It is Jesus Christ who reveals man to himself.

Secondly: many people have expressed regret that I had pulled out of the blogosphere. They were very kind and charitable. I believe they spoke sincerely and truthfully.

Thirdly: I was at Father Finigan's happy Silver Jubilee celebrations (see here and here) last Tuesday. It was of course a wonderful celebration for the parish and by the parish. What wonderful parishioners he has. But it also brought many who communicate through the blogosphere together, those who write their own blogs or comment on blogs. It's a good community and provides great mutual support. I want to be part of that, to both receive and contribute.

So, as I said above, let's see how it goes. I place all this in the hands of Almighty God. I must use my time and talents reponsibly. There are things that others do (golf, watch tv, go to sports spectacles, theatre etc) which I either never do or hardly ever do. I trust that blogging will not take me away from other (and I stress other) pastoral duties. Should I find that it is a distraction, I'll give it up again.

As a priest, I also entrust myself to St Jean Marie Vianney, the Holy Cure of Ars in this year of the priesthood.

It will take me a while to customise the blog with a blogroll etc., particularly as I shall be away this coming week on the Faith Summer Session, the following week at the Altar Servers' Summertime, and then on holiday for a few weeks. But we'll keep in touch.