Archive for June 2012

Medicine for Life

By in Catholicism 101, Faith 911, Reflections & Meditations on 18 June 2012 at 12:04pm

Recently, I went to mass at St Andrews Cathedral in Dundee, Scotland. I was visiting some old friends here and they, not being Catholic said why don't you go to mass at the Catholic Church, its at the same time as ours then we can meet back for lunch. I thought that was very kind and thoughtful of them, so I did.

One thing I love about being Catholic is the consistency of the mass. Universally, despite language differences, it is always the same rituals. You know when to stand, sit and kneel. Not saying that Dundonians speak another language, but a mere thought when I go travelling to different countries! As I enter a different church, I am always intrigued by how the interior's are designed, (maybe a bias as I have an architecture degree), but St Andrews Cathedral in Dundee, is very pretty and quaint, but it is relatively small to be called a Cathedral.

Innocent Suffering

By in Catholicism 101, Faith 911, Reflections & Meditations on 11 June 2012 at 9:29pm

A few weeks ago at St Patrick's RC Church, Edinburgh, we had a visiting priest come over from Ireland,  Father Geroge Wadding CSsR. His presence was brief but his Sunday's homily still resonates. Upon asking, he kindly shared his homily with us:

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER:  (Year B - 2012)

The experience of innocent suffering destroys the faith of many people.  We had it on a massive scale after the tsunami disaster at Christmas 2004 and a year later in the horrible Pakistan earthquake.  Later again in Haiti and elsewhere.  It never ends. If God is all goodness as we Christians say he is, why does he tolerate innocent suffering? Why are young children deprived of their parents in death?  Why are young lives crippled or destroyed in road accidents? Why? Why? Why?  If I could answer this question to everyone's satisfaction I could be a very rich man.   Over the centuries wise men and preachers have offered various answers - some of them very unsatisfactory.