Welcome Spring - 6

I joked about the rather wintry scene around Inverness during Easter Week - but at least it was still March. Imagine my shock on opening my bedroom curtains on the Third Sunday of Easter - and finding snow falling in London - on 6 April!



Here is the scene from my balcony. I decided not to have breakfast outside on this occasion.



Here is the scene on Ham Common during my walk to 10 am Mass - a snowman being built and a snowball fight!



Here is a wintry view of the pond on Ham Common...



...and here is a photo of St Thomas Aquinas Church, Ham.



This is a photo of Ham Common taken from the church carpark.



'Tis winter now; the fallen snow
Has left the heavens all coldly clear;
Through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow,
And all the earth lies dead and drear.

And yet God's love is not withdrawn;
His life within the keen air breathes;
His beauty paints the crimson dawn,
And clothes the boughs with glittering wreaths.

And though abroad the sharp winds blow,
And skies are chill, and frosts are keen,
Home closer draws her circle now,
And warmer glows her light within.

O God! who giv'st the winters cold,
As well as summer's joyous rays,
Us warmly in thy love enfold,
And keep us through life's wintry days.

PS Who chose the stupid theme for these postings?!

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus - 9

Light's glittering morn bedecks the sky;
Heaven thunders forth its victor-cry:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The glad earth shouts her triumph high,
And groaning hell makes wild reply:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Whle he, the King, the mighty King,
Despoiling death of all its sting,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And trampling down the powers of night,
Brings forth his ransomed saints to light.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

His tomb of late the threefold guard
Of watch and stone and seal had barred;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
But now, in pomp and triumph high,
He comes from death to victory.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The pains of hell are loosed at last,
The days of mourning now are past;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
An angel robed in light has said,
'The Lord is risen from the dead'.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

O Lord of all, with us abide
In this our joyful Eastertide;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
From every weapon death can wield
Your own redeemed for ever shield.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

All praise be yours, O risen Lord,
From death to endless life restored!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
All praise to God the Father be
And Spirit blessed eternally!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Welcome Spring - 5

You are probably wondering whether I actually saw any signs of Spring on my recent visit to Inverness during Easter Week! Well, yes I did - and here are some lovely daffodils sitting in the bright sunshine to prove it!



Lo, the fair beauty of earth, from the death of the winter arising,
Every good gift of the year now with its Master returns.

Hail thee, Festival Day! blest day that art hallowed for ever;
Day wherein Christ arose, breaking the kingdom of death.

The alleluias return tomorrow!

Welcome Spring - 4

Here is a seagull pictured last Thursday admiring the almost opened daffodils on the East Bank of the River Ness. I am sure it will have returned this week to admire the fully open blooms!

Welcome Spring - 3

Inverness has many churches. Here is one which faces St Mary's Catholic Church across the River Ness. The daffodils were just coming into bloom last week.



Here we see the daffodils on the banks of Inverness Castle about to come into bloom. The castle was built on the site of an earlier fortress in 1835. It sits on a small cliff on the east bank of the River Ness, and faces the Episcopalian Cathedral on the west bank.

Welcome Spring - 2

I paid a visit to Inverness during Easter Week - and here is a lovely springtime photo taken from the footbridge over the River Ness - close to St Mary's Catholic Church. You can see the daffodils on the river bank, and yes - deep snow on the hills! Inverness 'enjoyed' rather more snow than London did on Easter Sunday.

Before the Solemn Mass in Westminster Cathedral on Easter Sunday I jokingly told Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor that he should tell the congregation the story about the old lady who offered him a hot water bottle to wear underneath his vestments one freezing cold Christmas Day. Imagine my shock when he broke away from his text and began his homily to the congregation of 3,500 people with this story. It got a good laugh!

By the way, I must give McDonald's in Inverness a plug. I paid 99p for a cup of fair-trade coffee (which I purchased after attending the 10 am Mass in St Mary's), and was able to publish my post for Easter Thursday using my ipod touch! They have a complimentary wi-fi hot spot. I am the second blogger to give this particular branch of McDonald's praise. Fr Tim Finigan lauded their 'Big Mac's' prior to his visit to Pluscarden Abbey last September!

Welcome Spring - 1

Happy All Fools' Day! I hope you don't have too many tricks played on you this morning. I am ready for the email from Rome informing me that I have been appointed a Cardinal Deacon.



Well, what a lovely image we have here. It is almost enough to turn me vegetarian!