Hoist With My Own Petard

For students who are learning English and are puzzled by the use of idioms...here’s an example using the idiom ‘Hoist With My Own Petard.’

Last night I said (jokingly) to Mrs R, ‘Be sure to waken me up to see the ‘supermoon’ eclipse. This was due to happen when the earth’s shadow fell across the moon during the early hours of the morning - when every sensible person should be fast asleep.

At 3.00am the alarm went off. In response to my grumpy ‘What’s happening????’ the response was ‘Well, you wanted to see the moon!’

So, from 3.00am to 3.45 am I was crouched by the open window trying to photograph the moon, which was a reddish colour and slowly diminishing in size as the earth’s shadow passed over it. To make matters worse, the battery on my main camera was not charged, I was battling sleep, handholding a small camera, trying to work out what shutter speed I could get way with, in combination with the largest possible aperture at a modest telephoto that would give me an ISO where the image quality was not drowned in digital noise. Of course, if I had any sense, I would have set the camera up on a tripod...but then I don’t have much sense at the best of times and none at all at 3am.

 

 

Scratching That Itch!

The last time I went fishing was just over four years ago...but every so often I look out at the sea and wonder what people are catching.

Breaking my arm a year ago, followed by two operations on it made me change my habits. For example, I sold my heavy Nikon cameras and replaced them with a lightweight Fuji X mirrorless system. And of course I would not be able to cast a fishing line with a weight on the end like before...or could I?

Tonight I snuck out of the house with a light spinning rod and some mackerel flies to see if I still had the ability to cast.

The likelihood of catching anything was not good. There was a bit of a fresh breeze, a force five from the west-south-west, the sea was full of moderate waves - lots of whitecaps – with occasional waves breaking over the west arm of Brighton Marina, which was closed to visitors as a result... but the east arm was still open.

However, late September is definitely close to the end of the season for mackerel. Exactly five years ago, on 24^th September 2010 according to my fishing records, I caught four decent-sized mackerel during a morning session (when the weather was a force two light breeze). Also, clutching at hope I know, but three days ago they were still catching late-season horse mackerel (aka scad) from the marina, again during morning sessions.

 

The east arm was deserted. I tackled up and cast – no problem. Admittedly it was only a two-ounce weight with a string of feathers but it flew out some thirty to forty yards before vanishing into the waves. The next cast was even better, lifted by the wind. It was a strain at first jerking the rod back but I soon got into the rhythm. The wind shifted to the west so I was better sheltered and the sea seemed to become smoother as well, although the surface was littered with strands of long thin weed that caught on the hooks, feeling like faint bites.

It was getting dark now, the white chalk cliffs that stretched into the distance in the direction of Eastbourne were becoming a light pink colour and the sky behind the Roedean girls’ school was turning pearly-crimson. Near the shore a few black heads of surfers bobbed about like seals. Lights started coming on and it was hard to distinguish the line between sea and sky. It was also very quiet; the only sound was a faint murmur of distant traffic. A tiny wren came down and settled on the concrete wall a few feet away from me, inquisitive and unafraid. For a second it was like being back in meditation; disassociated, but at the same time aware of all the senses.

It did not matter if there were no mackerel in the sea, just being there was reward enough. Supposedly there is a Babylonian proverb that says ‘The gods do not deduct from man’s allotted span the hours spent in fishing.’ Or as Washington Irving, the Rip Van Winkle and Sleepy Hollow author said ‘There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind.’ I can buy that!   

SVP Festival Meeting at Corpus Christi Church and Hall, Henfield

The Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) Society from A&B Diocese held their annual Festival Meeting at the Parish of West Grinstead and Henfield.

It began with Mass at the Parish Church of Corpus Christi, celebrated by Bishop Richard, assisted by Rev. Seamus Mahon, who is also Spiritual Advisor for the Society in the Diocese.

In his homily Bishop Richard spoke of how the Society works with the disadvantaged in ‘a quiet, unassuming and unpublicised way.’ He went on to say that the SVP is rooted in a deep spirituality that recognises the good in everyone. It can have a special place in the Year of Mercy, which begins shortly, bringing to the marginalised and weakest the mercy of God.

As we exited the church there were a couple of charming ladies with collection bags at the door, reminding us that no opportunity to help the needy should be passed over.  

Afterwards Bishop Richard and Deacon Seumas greeted SVP members and joined them in the parish hall for a discussion of the Society’s work accompanied by tea and an impressive selection of cakes.  
   

President Ingrid Phillips makes a point to the gathered SVP members 

The SVP was founded more than 180 years ago and has around 10,000 members in England & Wales, including more than 400 in this diocese. In addition to its regular work of visiting the needy, sick, housebound and elderly, the activities of the SVP in A&B include soup runs; a furniture scheme; a holiday caravan; community shop; meals and transport for the elderly; support to the homeless over winter and more. A particular feature of its work is ongoing support - both spiritual and financial - for overseas SVP Conferences in developing countries like India and the Sudan through what is referred to as the 'Twinnage' system, whereby each UK SVP Conference is linked with one or more overseas ones. The money sent overseas provides food and shelter to the starving and homeless, pays for eye camps and medical centres, helps train nurses and plumbers, aids widows in finding work, funds education for children and does lots more good work. 

 

The SVP National Meeting in York

I thought if I set off at 6am in the morning the roads would be quiet – wrong! The A23, M23 and M25 were as full off traffic as during normal working hours. However, there were no breakdowns or accidents and by midday I was parked at the University of York.

York University is a ‘plate-glass’ university - as opposed to the earlier ‘red brick’ universities – and was established in the mid-1960s. Its strong focus on research and its outstanding teaching reputation led to it joining the Russell Group a couple of years back. There were few signs of student life as we made our way to our rooms; it was still vacation time and, apart from the foraging ducks and geese, the campus was largely deserted. Heslington West campus, where our meeting was held, is beautifully landscaped, its man-made lake (the largest plastic-bottomed lake in Europe), slightly rippled, reflecting the blue sky and the striking half-octagonal Central Hall.

The biennial meeting of the Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) Society for England & Wales, with the motto ‘Called to Serve’, attracted about 230 attendees for each of the two days. It began at 1.00pm with a welcome from National President Adrian Abel, followed by the traditional SVP prayers and the first keynote address on ‘The key role of civil society in Catholic Social Teaching’ by Clifford Longley, the famous author, broadcaster and journalist. As might be expected, it was erudite, well researched, quite enlightening...although somewhat dense at times. The auditorium got increasingly stuffy and remained so for the following 24 hours – until someone found the air conditioning controls!

Next up were Ann Coleman and Kieran Knights to talk recruitment and showcase the recruiting package ‘Strive for Growth’ that will be delivered to more than 1,000 Conferences throughout England & Wales in the next couple of weeks.

The next speaker, Claz Gomez, National Young Vincentian Coordinator, lived up to her reputation as dynamic and spirit-filled. In her first six months she has achieved a huge amount for Minnie Vinnies and Youth SVP (now split into Youth and B-Attitude categories) and, if she only had the time, I’m sure she would set the Group 1833s (students and young workers) alight too! Sadly, she is virtually a one-woman-band. (That is one of the drawbacks of the SVP; funding is very scarce and central administration is run on an extremely miserly budget; I know there is a need to balance spending on administration with supporting the needy but unless we invest more in central support and infrastructure, we will miss many opportunities to reach people).

Ann Harris OBE, Senior VP of the SVP, was visibly (and audibly) suffering from flu or a bad head cold but she soldiered on and gave a most informative and useful presentation on the subject of Health Checks for Conferences. A former head teacher and education consultant, she pulled some tricks out of her satchel and had us doing groupwork for much of the time while she rested and dosed herself - clever.

A most welcome guest was Dr Michael Thio, SVP International President, responsible for SVP operations in 150 countries, involving 800,000 members helping 30 million poor people around the world. He gave a talk on the Vincentian Family (FamVin), which includes those organisations that share the charism of St Vincent de Paul, such as the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission. When one questioner at the end expressed amazement at Dr Thio’s frantic schedule – including an annual meeting with the Pope – and asked ‘how do you do it?’ Dr Thio attributed his stamina to the influence of the Holy Spirit – and confessed that he also serves on the boards of seven other charities in his native Singapore in his spare time!

The second day, Saturday, should have begun with a Holy Hour at 7am then a Walking Rosary at 7.30am followed by breakfast at 8am. However, I made the mistake of walking 400 yards in the pouring rain to carry my suitcase to the car park and, on returning to my room, had to take off my soaking trousers to dry them on the radiator. I was suitably attired by breakfast though - and devoured fried egg, scrambled egg, bacon, sausage, baked beans, mushrooms and black pudding...ah well, it doesn’t happen more than once a year.

Saturday’s keynote address was ‘Compassion and prophetic witness’ delivered by John Battle, politician and social activist, former Minister of State and Privy Counsellor. A spellbinding speaker, forthright, fuelled by righteous anger at discrimination and injustice, replete with interesting and sometimes heartrending stories - and with a great gift of mimicry -  John had the meeting straining to hear his every word. The thunderous and prolonged applause at the end was a tribute to both the presentation and the character of the speaker. It was no surprise to hear that he was a long-standing member of the SVP.

Three SVP members then spoke on different groups of people who are being helped: dementia sufferers; asylum seekers; and those without enough to eat. If anyone ever had doubts about the value of the work that the SVP does, just listening to these members for five minutes would dissolve their doubts. It struck me that two of the speakers were not practiced or experienced public speakers, their presentations seemed a slight ordeal for them - however, their passion, their obvious experience and credibility, their caring natures, their inventiveness when faced by officialdom and their determination to overcome obstacles in order to help the needy told their stories admirably.

Community Support Projects was the topic for the CSP team and in 45 minutes they described the work of the SVP’s two supported accommodation buildings; two approved premises; two advice and support centres; eight furniture stores and 42 shops. These activities employ about 200 staff and 470 volunteers. Obviously there was so much to describe that the community shops were the subject of a separate breakout session. The overall impression was of invaluable and wonderfully caring support being given to people who desperately needed it. Again, a great feel-good moment and a reminder that the volunteers throughout the SVP are very unique and special people.

Because the CSP presentation overran, and lunch could not be hurried, the next presentation on Twinnage was rushed and reduced from 45 to about 30 minutes. The SVP helps fellow conferences in India (1534 conferences), Grenada (31), Guyana (15), Romania (33) and the Sudan (148), providing them with financial and prayer support each year. The financial support enables the overseas conferences to do things like feed starving babies and infants;  build water wells, health clinics and homes for the street homeless; provide training for nurses, plumbers, electricians and a variety of trades; launch small businesses for women etc etc. The need is overwhelming – 4.5 million displaced by war in the Sudan alone – but the SVP is doing what it can. Another feel-good moment.

Elizabeth Palmer

National President Adrian Abel and Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Palmer shared the last formal session, an overview of the work of the Society and the headquarters’ contribution. Elizabeth shared the relevant data and Adrian gave the key messages.

I am quite familiar with the statistics of the SVP and had expected this session to be rather dry. I was wrong. Both Elizabeth and Adrian spoke with passion and unearthed a few statistics I was unfamiliar with; for example, the average age of members is 68 and it has not changed over the last five years; for example, the number of staff of National Office is only 18 FTE – and with that, they manage the activity of 10,000 members.

Adria Abel

There was also much detailed analysis of financials, membership data, attrition, support to international Conferences and much more. There was also two underlying themes that kept recurring: the need to grow the membership through recruitment, and the need to ensure that all compliance requirements – particularly reporting ones - were adhered to by members, including the timely submission of secretarial and financial returns.

Then it was the final session, a Q&A when the trustees of the society answered questions from members. The day ended with Mass in the dining room celebrated by Bishop Terrence Drainey, Bishop of Middlesbrough.

A summary of the two days?  Inspiring, educational, moving, enjoyable and a real validation of the reasons why I joined the SVP just over five years ago.                                   

  

‘Tis the Season for Erupting Towels (and Orders from the CDF)

At the weekend we visited a newly-opened small Italian restaurant called ‘Seasons’ in Portslade, which is a slightly less glamorous locale than its easterly neighbours of Hove and Brighton.

Although there seems to be more than the usual number of charity shops, fast food outlets, chemist’s shops, convenience stores, hairdressers and supermarkets in Station Road, Postslade, there is also a decent number of specialist and owner-trader shops – and it has not yet been swamped by student residents; in fact, it reminds me of London Road ten years ago (but that’s another story).   

Seasons Restaurant is smallish, about 50-60 covers, but it has received very positive reviews from Trip Advisor (94% of the 102 reviews in its first six months rated it ‘excellent’ or very good’.) While Trip Advisor is far from an infallible guide, the combined weight of positive voting and the modest prices are a persuasive combination.

The menu was extensive, the house wine quaffable and the single waiter was loudly chummy – even the cook stopped by our table to check everything was all right; he was on his way out the front door to have a smoke break in the street outside...

The food was good, seemingly fresh, well-cooked, generous proportions, but not delivered particularly promptly. In a nod to local tastes, the restaurant even offered a roast Sunday lunch – and the beef was quite tender, juicy and tasty, although it arrived swimming in gravy.

We had ordered mussels and langoustine so the usual finger-washing bowls arrived – accompanied by a large pill like nothing I had ever seen before. Was it a giant Alka-Seltzer? Surely not!

Looking closer, I saw the word ‘Towel’ printed on the side.

The waiter had to tell us what to do with it – dump it in the water – and voila, there appeared a decent sized wet towel.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was the first time that I’ve seen such a thing so I thought I would share it.  (Apparently, they are on sale in Bookers, one of the city’s cash and carry stores...).

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A couple of days ago, The Deacon’s Bench website   The Deacon's Bench(http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2015/09/vatican-cracks-down-on-medjugorje-visionaries-prohibits-spreading-messages-in-local-parish/) copied a report from the Italian website Rorate Caeli.

This states that the CDF(Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) had issued an order that ‘prohibited the Parish Priest, Fra Marinko Sakota and the six supposed visionaries who claim they have been seeing the “Gospa” for 34 years, from delivering testimonies or spreading the “messages” inside the Parish of Medjugorje.’

I have not seen this report on any other website; much of the current internet chatter concerns the Pope’s recent announcement of what is said to be an expedited annulment process, and the barring of transgender people as Godparents.

However, when we were on pilgrimage in Medjugorje, just three weeks ago, we were advised that the visionaries had ceased allowing pilgrims to attend when they allegedly received their messages, apparently so as not to prejudice the forthcoming decision from Rome. It may still be some weeks before Rome rules.