General Chat

I think this is the right thread to add this.

I was recently given, by my sister, my father's old autograph book. One of the entries added in 1931 is -.

"You will never lead souls heavenward unless climbing yourself.
You need not be very far up, but you must be climbing."

Bishop Walsham How.

Goodness me Ann, you're a very fortunate person to have that autograph book. Bishop Walsham How was a famous man and a great hymn writer too! Quite a lot about him on Google. I'd hold on to that book if I were you :-)

Sorry Cynthia, my fault, he didn't write it someone else did and it was attributed to him.

But I am fortunate to have it for other reasons, three of my Grandparents have written or signed in it and a couple of Great Aunts, plus a few of my parent's friends who I knew and also two of Dad's shipmates from HMS Durban. And my Mum too. (calling herself 'wifey' Just cannot imagine her ever using that expression :-D)

Thanks Ann, even so, you are really fortunate to have such a precious memento from your family. Something to treasure and hand on. :-D

I trundled along to chapel this morning, expecting usual congregation (about 20, mainly elderly). And a cup of coffee and a chat after service to catch up with all the Ponytypandy news I have missed during week whilst I have been working in Swansea area.

First sign all was different was the road was lined with cars. And loads of people I had never met were chatting together round the entrance.

It was a baptism or christening. Minister had all his finery on and chapel was almost full with over 80 in congregation.

Really lovely surprise to see so many babies and young people in attendance. Both parents had attended Sunday School 25 years ago, and wanted little Ryan to have the same privilege. He was good as gold and a lovely baby. Minister walked round with baby Ryan like John Terry parades round with a trophy - full of pride.

Lovely and appropriate Mothering Sunday service and all happy faces at end. :-D :-D :-D

We had a packed 'house' too John. It was our monthly parade service plus extras for Mothering Sunday. In fact, they had to get chairs out because there were so many folk....

That was fine, but rather nerve wracking as I was leading the presentation. I retold the story of Moses in the bulrushes and had the children doing actions and making sounds when I mentioned certain words......eg.... Pharoah.....boo.......river ...splish spash etc. They seemed to enjoy it anyway....and that's just the adults!!!! lol


As the folk from that service were going out..........3 baptism families were trying to get in. When we got outside, the traffic was gridlocked!


A takeaway with the family tonight...... :-D :-D

Cynthia. That sounds great. Can you do that again next year and invite me along to be Pharoah.

I think we might have to do a matinee just so that the busloads of Genes posters can come along and boo me. And throw things :-D :-D

Traffic gridlock? How often does that happen outside churches these days. Love hearing about your church - sounds so lively and fun. :-D :-D

Today began process of electing the new Pope. Expectations are that the new man will be announced Thursday or Friday this week.

Frontrunners are:

Tarcisio Bertone b 1934
Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson b 1948
Angelo Scola b 1941
Marc Oullet b 1944
Odilo Scherer b 1949
Angelo Bagnasco b 1943
Christoph von Schonborn b 1945

It is likely to be Scola (Milan), but the African Turkson is highly favoured. And Scherer must figure largely because he is responsible for Brazil which is showing the most Catholic Church growth at present.

From the little bit I have read about these candidates, I have felt from the beginning that the French Canadian Oullet could be the right man for the moment.

One thing I have noticed is that they are all (with possible exception of Bertone) full of vigour and any should have many years in the post.

We shall find out very soon. Whoever is elected, may God bless his work.

You've done your homework John!!

I'll probably just look up the history of whomever gets elected.......when he gets elected :-D


With the exception of Bertone, the ages of the other likely candidates seems reasonable enough.

Cynthia. Think we might see quite a bit of black smoke till one of them achieves 77 votes (two-thirds of voting Cardinals).

I think the candidates look very strong. I just hope they can put their divisions aside and elect the right man for what must be one of the most difficult periods in the Roman Catholic Church. :-D

there is a new Pope .................. white smoke from the chimney about 20 minutes ago.

But still waiting for the Pope to be introduced to the world, and his name known

Just watching it Sylvia but am going out in 15 minis.......hope they hurry up!!! ;-)

The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio

to be known as Pope Francis the First ............

in honour of Francis of Assisi


absolute silence in St Peter's Square when his name was announced ...... his name had not made any kind of list.


77 years old

Born in Argentina to parents who had immigrated from Rome

Very humble ................ has never lived in a mansion, took public transit for many years, cooks for himself, a Jesuit,

supports the Church line on homosexuality, but ays gays a=shoul be respected

Has condemned priests who will not baptise illegitimate children as "today's hypocrites"

Has worked with the very poor, HIV/AIDS sufferers, and has modernised the church in Argentina

Has never worked in the Curia (ie, in Rome), although studied in Rome

Is an excellent manager

and good with the media


seemed a very genuine man in his speech ............ started by saying "Buono sera"

and ended by saying (translation) "good night, and have a good rest "

:-D :-D

Looks like Cynthia was wrong - I did not do my homework.

Apart from his advanced years, Pope Francis sounds like a very good choice. Thanks Sylvia for filling us in on his background

I stopped off in Llansamlet (Swansea) tonight in a Chinese take away. Just me and three staff watching the news unfurl. All 3 were excited. "His name is Georgio and it is a surprise" said one :-D Surreal moment.

Until he said his name was Georgio, I was 99% certain they had chosen Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan. According to my "i" newspaper this morning, he had already secured 55 votes of 77 required.

The thing is ....................

Jorge Bergoglio came second to Joseph Ratzinger when the latter became Pope Benedict.


so it shouldn't have been that much of a surprise ..................... against him was his age.


But he has always been a Pastoral priest ............... and that apparently was what the Cardinals wanted.

Isn't it flamin' well typical!!

A manic day........arrive home from the launch of an autism service in our area and, within minutes, a visitor arrived.....our friendly RC priest friend.


We chatted for so long about many things....especially the papal situation....that I ended up going to the chip shop because I was going out again at 7. :-S


Then, of course, the 'white smoke' appeared and I was torn between going out and waiting to see who the new Pope was......I hopped about from one foot to the other but, in the end, decided I must not delay any longer......so I missed the first glimpse.


Ah well, he looks and sounds reasonable enough but I think it's a huge job for a man of his age........he will need all the prayers we can offer.......

Pope Francis....seems to be much more 'a person' than the last Pope

We'll see.............................

Gins I think that is right. He does seem to be someone who can communicate. He has that common touch and I thought "charisma" - whatever that is. But some leaders have got it and some haven't.

I think the Polish Pope was like that. And hopefully Pope Francis the First will be the same. :-D

In that Chinese takeaway in Llansamlet tonight, an arch Protestant (me) and three Chinese men were united in wishing him well :-D

Well, I think I need to research further into Pope Francis

The more I hear of him in the 'media' the more I like him.

Again....we'll see

We had our Spring Fayre today and, as usual, I went along to support.

Lots of stalls, lots of people and, I've discovered, lots of money raised.....£2,073 to date. Pretty good going in these cash-strapped days so I'm really pleased for all those who worked so hard.

Mind you, it costs over £1,000 per week to keep the church running...... :-(