Barney Life No. 34

The May Procession took place at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.  During the morning there had been heavy showers of rain every hour or so, and the prospects at first did not look good for an outdoor procession. But by mid-afternoon the sun shone and stayed shining in a clear blue sky.  Between forty and fifty people attended, many coming a considerable distance to be present.  The procession made its way around the church and presbytery, singing lustily hymns to Our Lady, until we came to rest beside the statue of Our Lady of Barnard Castle.  Here we stopped to say the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, before returning to the church, where the statue of Our Lady was crowned and Benediction was celebrated.  Afterwards refreshments were served on the lawn and the chat went on for a long time. A truly lovely day!

Barney Life No 34

All is almost ready for Our May Procession in honour of Our Lady on Sunday, May 22nd, at 4 pm.  Starting from the High Altar, the procession makes its way around the outside of the Church and the back of the house, until we can approach the statue of Our Lady of Barnard Castle; here we have the Rosary, and then it is back into Church for the Crowning of the Statue, and Benediction.  Afterwards, tea and biscuits will be served in the garden under the Tent and no doubt the children will play on the Gazebo swing.  If you are able, why not come along.

Barney Life No. 33

The River Tees flowing past the Desmesnes at Barnard Castle.  The water is at its lowest after several weeks of dry, hot, weather.  If the heavy rain, forecast for the next 24/48 hours, actually arrives, the river could be several feet higher by Monday morning.
I am told that, in the days before the dams at the head of the dale were built, surges of run-off rainwater upto 5 feet high could race down the river and sweep any unwary fishermen off their feet!

Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba William Morris sacked by Pope (taken from What's On Sanya)

THE Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba, Australia, William Morris, has been effectively sacked by Pope Benedict XVI over doctrinal disobedience for his support for ordaining women priests and other liberal reform. 

Bishop Morris, 67, complained in a letter to his followers, read at weekend masses, that he was leaving unwillingly and claimed he had been denied natural justice. 

He said he had taken early retirement because "it has been determined by Pope Benedict that the diocese would be better served by the leadership of a new bishop", The Australian reported. 

In his letter, Bishop Morris said the Vatican's decision was sparked by complaints to Rome about an Advent letter he wrote in 2006. In that letter, he argued that with an ageing clergy the church should be open to all eventualities, including ordaining women, ordaining married men, welcoming back former priests and recognising the validity of Anglican, Lutheran and Uniting Church orders.

It is believed the Vatican had also recieved complaints about the material included in sex education programs in diocesan Catholic schools. 

The style of Bishop Morris's departure is unprecedented in that he has made his disagreements with the Vatican so public. In previous years, bishops who fell from favour have usually resigned on the grounds of ill health, or no reason has been given for their departure. 

Priests called a meeting at St Patrick's Cathedral to consider what action can be taken, including the possibility of a mass resignation of clergy. But one senior priest who has followed the bishop's controversial career said Bishop Morris had brought about his own demise because "you can't keep telling Rome to get stuffed".

My comment - It will be fascinating to see if His Holiness takes action against other dissident bishops around the world!

Ushaw

Weather frosty in the mornings but warm sunshine throughout the day - not bad for the north-east of England!
We are still waiting for an answer from the trustees of Ushaw College to the proposal sent to them about the future of the college.  Of course, there may have been more than one proposal and they may be finding it difficult to decide what to do. But time is pressing - the end of the academic year is fast approaching and the trustees must decide something soon.  I understand that doing nothing and simply closing the college will cost thousands of pounds a month in security.  Maybe, during this week's annual Low Week meeting of the bishops of England and Wales, the bishops of the Northern Province of England who are trustees will find the time to discuss Ushaw and come to some decision.