Conversion of St Paul
To see ourselves as others see us! The Scots among you will know that was a saying of Robert Burns, who was born, of course, on 25 St Paul must have wondered often how others saw him. After all, he had been chief persecutor of the first Christian...Read more
Opening of Holy Door at St Anselm and St Cecilia
So you have a Holy Door.  It's good to reflect a little on what it's for. It reminds us, above all, that we're on a journey - a journey from this life into the next.  Jesus said, 'I am the door'; and we long to be united with him in...Read more
Province Schools Mass
'Where do I belong?' It's a key question for every human being.  Witness the migration in recent months of so many hundreds of thousands from Africa and Asia, each in search of a place to belong. It's the key to these readings.  Jesus ...Read more
10th Anniversary of London Bombings
7 July 2005 is one of those days when you remember exactly what you were doing when you heard the devastating news.  I was with Cardinal Cormac in Rome when someone said, 'You need to see this.'  The Cardinal had only just arrived.  As soo...Read more
Mass of Thanksgiving for Cardinal Hume
'When you pray,' says the Lord, 'Go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place.'  It is one of the mysterious things about being human that it is hidden from us how others pray:...Read more
Ministry of Lector
One of the privileges of living in community is that you can pray alongside other people if you so wish. The mysterious thing is that you never know how they pray. Let's face it, you don't even ask your best friend, "How did you pray this m...Read more
Ming-Ai Spring Festival
I must say, I am delighted to be with you here tonight to represent His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Cardinal Vincent is, of course, Honorary President of Ming-Ai, as were Cardinals Murphy-O'Connor and Hume before him. Indeed, Ming-Ai g...Read more
Candidacy to the Permanent Diaconate
Given at Guardian Angels Church, Mile End, on the occasion of Candidacy to the Permanent Diaconate on Gaudete Sunday, 14 December 2014.  One of my all-time favourite religious paintings is of a man pointing. He points behind him - like this. I...Read more
Centenary of St Benedict Menni
Given on the centenary of the death of St Benedict Menni on 25th October 2014 at Our Lady of Dolours, Fulham Road. I must say, I'm deeply touched to encounter the story of St Benedict Menni and of the Sisters and Brothers who have been inspir...Read more
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