The Year of the Buffalo/Ox 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1961, 1973, 1885, 1997, 2021: a born  leader, you inspire confidence from all around you. You are conservative, methodical and good with your hands. Guard against being chauvinistic and always demanding you own way. The Buffalo would be successful as a skilled surgeon, general or hairdresser. Some famous Buffalos: Napolean, Van ...

As we begin our own Lenten journey, we need to recall and remember that we are not setting out on this journey on our own. God is with us walking by our side in every step of the way.  

As we enter this prayerful Season of Lent, how do we ready ourselves? Today’s readings encourage us to ritually prepare our physical selves in readiness for our internal transformation: Anoint your head—bless yourself as a child of God on the Journey to the Kingdom. Wash your face – ready yourself for this pilgrimage of the soul. Sign yourself with the ...

St. Brigid’s feast on 1st February, was originally a pre Christian Celtic festival called Imbolg, which ushered in the soft balmy weather of Spring. At the centre of Celtic Spirituality, Brigid offers us an ancient awareness that connects with our feminine, intuitive and creative aspects and is vital for the world of our time “as we search for right relationship ...

        “The old year runs away from me, I hang onto her sleeve but she shakes me loose…” (J Rupp)  We are beginning a month named after the Roman god Janus, an appropriate image for the start of New Year 2021.  This particular Roman god of transitions, of new beginnings, had two faces, he could look ahead towards ...

1920 – 2020 Before all things in this jubilee year, all glory and all thanksgiving . . . may grace charity and peace be always with us. Euphrasie Barbier, 1886. What did our first sisters find here in Wealdstone in 1920? “A brook ran its babbling course past the convent, and by the principal street.  There, too, hawthorn hedges, in ...

The Greatest Show on Earth! This year, autumn has excelled itself and been the greatest show on earth. One morning recently, I was drawn irresistibly to Loch Lomond and the west of Scotland; wanting to re-live memories of past holidays with loved ones! Driving along alone in the car with the sun splitting the sky I went across the famous ...

NOW IS THE ACCEPTABLE TIME . . . One of my favourite children’s story books is A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. It has so many little gems in it. At one point, Winnie the Pooh and his closest friend Piglet are sauntering along the path and Winne asks Piglet “What day is it called.” Piglet says, “It’s today!”  “That’s my ...