HUGH’S    DIARY

May 1 - Sunday

IONA CONTINUED

The first ferry to Iona is 10.00.  In previous years we've had Mass at the small Catholic House/Chapel.  Because our numbers are bigger this year and ours might have been the only Mass on the island today, we celebrate at the ancient chapel of St Michael's next to the Abbey at 11.30.  Before this some manage to climb the small hill in the centre of the island.  At times like this I'm a real Sinn Feiner, preferring to have a Mass "for ourselves", but the Eucharist can never be a private event.  Others in the group were pleased that we were joined by 10 other pilgrims, especially when they expressed their pleasure at being with such a young and vibrant group.  The singing is so good that I have to explain that we are not a choir.  At the sermon I am not as relaxed as I would be if we were on our own.

Only a few of the group were here before so I give some background to St Columba which I'm not going to repeat now (see diary for this time last year).  The emphasis is on how the Faith keeps alive and spreads in unusual ways in the history of the Church.  If St Patrick had not helped bring Christianity to Ireland in the 4th Century... If St Columba had not been sent in exile to Iona two hundred years later... How very remote Iona seems today, yet in the days when there were no roads and most travel was done by boat here would have been the equivalent of a motorway service station as every boat that was going up the west coast of Scotland would go through the shelter of the channel between here and Mull.  From Iona the Celtic monks soon spread throughout Scotland and into England, based on the island of Lindisfarne, north of Newcastle.  From here they spread out across much of Europe, converting Celtic communities.

I told how when we were in Rome last weekend I bought an autobiography of our new Pope Benedict XVI.  He came from an area in southern Germany that is proud of its Celtic background.  The first two pages of the book are full of thanksgiving for the monks from Ireland and Britain that brought the Faith to his ancestors.  Today when Christianity is struggling in Western culture we should not give up the hope that it can be revived in the most unexpected ways, as it has been many times in the past.

After Mass the expected rain came down with a vengeance.  Most of us took refuge in a nearby restaurant.  The majority then braved the elements to take the one hour small boat trip to Staffa to see Fingal's Cave and the puffins (see Michael's article in last magazine).  Those not venturing onto the waves took the excuse, if any is ever needed, to order ice-cream and stay longer in the dry.  When it cleared up they went for a walk across the small island.

At 5.15 those who were around gathered for evening prayer in the Catholic Chapel.  My sister-in-law had given me a copy of an Iona prayer book that was full of short prayers and reflections.  Most people had had a look at it in the minibus on the way up (and down).  For the service we passed the book around.  You could pass, or read an extract from the book, or share some other prayer or thought.  Two even gave us a burst of song, Rebecca and the Sister who looks after the house.  It was quite moving as we looked out at the water and the sheeps.

In the evening people once again waited patiently to be fed in The Keel Row.  That gives a very passive impression, for there were glasses to be filled and games to be played.  Monopoly, chess, frustration, contact 4 and dominoes were all going on at the same time.  I won twice at doubles and triples pool, all the sweeter because victory should not have been ours.  

May 2 - Monday

LEAVING IONA. THE SPIRIT IN OUR SAILS.

The advantage of staying on the Isle of Mull is that you have the short but beautiful ferry crossing to Iona several times.  You can imagine yourself as one of the early monks arriving back home from your mission or setting off again to spread the good news of God's love.  After an early breakfast we caught the first ferry at 8.45 to have Mass at the Catholic Chapel.  We don't have much time as we have to catch the 10.15 ferry back to Mull to set off at 11.00 for Oban and Glasgow.

Today's first reading for Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter was from the Acts of the Apostles 16:11-15.  It began: "Sailing from Troas, we made a straight run for Samothrace, the next day for Neapolis, and from there for Philippi".  This is part of St Luke's description of one of his journeys with St Paul, who I'm sure was an inspiration to Columba in his missionary journeys by boat.  The Gospel of John 15:26ff has Jesus promising to send the Spirit: "He will be my witness and you too will be my witnesses."  We experienced enough wind over the weekend to imagine Columba and Paul's sails billowing in the breeze, but it is the Spirit that blows them and takes them where he wants.  We too are called to be witnesses and to be blown by the Spirit.

After the Gospel I also spoke about some of the boat journeys of Jesus and the disciples in bad weather.  I had taken some stick for persuading people that the journey to Staffa would not be so choppy because the wind was blowing from the land.  Wrong.  On one occasion Jesus was sleeping through a storm.  He is always with us.  There is no need to be afraid like the disciples who woke him because they thought they were sinking.  On the other hand we don't want to be over-confident and put God to the test like St Peter who, when he saw Jesus coming across the water to help them in the boat, cried out: "Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water".  But when he started walking on the water he began to panic and to sink.  At the Mass Veronica sang the psalm again and Adrian did a solo, a folk song that reminded him of God: "There is someone waiting for you along the road".

Before we set off across Mull for the ferry to Oban we gathered for the group photograph, and presented Martin with a Celtic candle and holder as a thank you for all he had done to organise the weekend and look after us on the pilgrimage.  He was also given a pair of Holy Socks which he asked me to bless: "I've already worn them", I replied.  Someone shouted for a group hug and we did a couple of verses of Auld Lang Syne on the quayside.  I had enlisted Veronica's presence on the minibus to see if we could get singing.  She didn't have much more luck than me on the way up, though we did manage about 20 verses of 'Found a Peanut'.  No-one missed the ferry this time.  On the way back to Glasgow we avoided the Bank Holiday traffic along Loch Lomond, though we still sang "By yon bonnie banks" to please Anne Marie.  We had a quick stop at Inverary, producing a quick chorus of: "It's a long way to ......".  Our alternative route took us past the Trident submarine base and along the north shores of the Clyde from which we could see Port Glasgow, my birthplace, on the other side.  The Spirit has blown me a long way since then.

May 3 - Tuesday

SOME GAELIC PRAYERS

Here are some prayers taken from The Iona Prayer book I mentioned on Friday and Sunday.

The peace of God,

The peace of Columba kindly,

The peace of Mary mild, the loving,

Walk with you this day, and always.

Bless to us, O God,

The earth beneath our feet,

Bless to us, O God,

The path whereon we go.

Bless to us, O God,

The people whom we meet.

May the blessing of light be on you, 

light without and light within.

May the blessed sunlight shine upon you

and warm your heart till it glows like a great fire

and strangers may warm themselves as well as friends.

And may the light shine from your eyes,

like a candle set in the window of a home,

bidding the wanderer to come in out of the storm.

May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow,

May the soft winds freshen your spirit,

May the sunshine brighten your heart,

May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you

And may God enfold you in the mantle of his love.

We saw a stranger yesterday,

We put food in the eating place,

Drink in the drinking place,

Music in the listening place,

And, with the sacred name of the triune God,

He blessed us and our house,

Our cattle and our dear ones.

As the lark says in her song:

Often, often, often, goes Christ in the stranger's guise.

Lord of every pilgrim heart,

you are beside me and before me on the way,

surprising me through your Spirit

at every turning on the path.

Yet, like your disciples on the Emmaus road,

I often fail to recognise my companion.

In this morning hour, and in whatever the day may hold,

open my eyes to see your presence,

that I may celebrate with you the gift of morning,

O Lord of the unexpected.

May 4 - Wednesday

I SWEAR.  I INVITE THE POPE.

When we were playing pool last weekend someone almost said a naughty word when they potted the white. It can happen.  I have to be careful myself.  On the train back to Stockport on Tuesday I was thinking about Iona when I suddenly whistled out:  "Jesus!"  I had just thought to invite the Pope to Iona.  The more I thought about it I situated it within John Paul's desire to go to Northern Ireland this year.  I worked out the following possible itinerary.  A bit of a pipe dream perhaps, but who knows?  Should I send the following letter to Pope Benedict?

Dear Pope Benedict

Many people will be writing to you and inviting you to visit their countries.  It would be impossible for you to try and imitate the voyages of John Paul II.  One of his last hopes was to visit Northern Ireland which he was not able to visit in 1982.  We were beginning to prepare for his visit.  I hope you will consider a visit to Belfast.  I am not Irish, but Scottish.  I was in Rome for your Inaugural Mass.  I bought a copy of your biography as published by Famiglia Cristiana.  I noticed in the first pages how important the Irish missionaries were for you and your Celtic area of Germany, as they were for the re-conversion of Europe in the 7th Century,

If you came to Belfast in Northern Ireland there are also other places you could visit if you had the time.  It would be wonderful to be able to visit them by boat as a symbol of the fisherman, though where a suitable boat could be found I do not know.

May 5 - Thursday

Besom Project Report by Bernadette Martin 

Saturday 9^th April two groups of volunteers from Project 2030 set off on gardening projects to two different refuges in West London, which support vulnerable women from minority communities.  It was the first of what we hope are many joint ventures with the charity BESOM, who provide a bridge between those who want to give time, money, things or skills and those who are in need. The weather was on our side with glorious sunshine and we were greeted by Anna with coffee and biscuits.

In the Kensington area our group of novice gardeners, led by Chris Driscoll, made a cautious start in the first garden, and there were some lengthy debates as to whether the more attractive weeds might in fact be plants.  But we were lucky enough to have Alex, a professional gardener, who was pretty ruthless in condemning most of the greenery to a long line of bin bags.  Trish proved to be a deft hand with the long handled loppers neatly trimming back a glossy holly bush and we all enjoyed the scent as Jean tackled a particularly fragrant shrub which remained unidentified (along with most other things we came across.)  The Project Group had brought a colourful range of plants and tubs which really cheered up what at the beginning had been a very bleak back yard.

Thanks to the couple living next door to the refuge who happened to be strolling by as we made rather slow progress with the front hedges, we acquired an electric strimmer mid morning.  This meant Alex soon made mincemeat of the remainder of the hedge and the rest of us scrabbled at his feet doing our best to rein in and gather in to yet more bin bags the branches that were suddenly spinning in all directions (narrowly missing unsuspecting passers by).

Anna led our group to the next refuge, and a garden particulary rich in all sorts of insect life, which some of us took to more than others.  We tackled this garden in pretty much the same way as the first, clearing out very well established tall and rangy weeds, bagging up rubbish, and then creating some much needed pockets of colour with another range of plants supplied by the group.  The rest of watched agog as Chris tried fearlessly to scale a wall in a last effort to reach some weeds of very high altitude.  No one offered to help.

About this time we heard that the other group, led by Michael, were still slogging away in their much larger garden.  As our group dispersed, they still had much to do and worked on late into the afternoon.  But by the end of the day some of the women living at the refuge came out to view the end result and were genuinely delighted with the transformation.  They even eagerly joined in to have their photo taken with the group, apparently something which Muslim women are often reluctant to do for religious reasons.

As a group it was great to be out in the fresh air doing something together and a privilege to have the opportunity to do something for the women who have come from some unimaginably troubled backgrounds. Hopefully what we did will have made a small difference to their lives.  We hope to go back to plant more flowers when the danger of frost has passed, and would always be grateful for more green, or even not so green fingers.

Footnote: What is Besom?

Besom is a registered Christian charity who work to support those in need in a number of ways:

1) Taking referrals from those  in need for gardening, decorating and other jobs by those in need - individuals, refuges, schools, voluntary groups etc.

2) By collecting good quality household goods, clothes etc to match and distribute to those in need.  They are very strict in what they accept - with a belief that the poor deserve the best and not our hand-offs....Interestingly, the founder of Besom spent time with Mother Teresa...

3) Offering mentoring with successful businessmen to the unemployed who want to start up in business - offering them practical support and capital.

4) Matching donations from individuals and groups to charities  -eg a business might want to donate £10,000 to an irrigation project in Africa, or an individual £100 to an inner city creche.  Besom find a charity that could do what the donors like.

They have a wonderful spirit and much to teach us.  To learn more about their work look at Besom.com  

May 6 - Friday

AGENDA FOR MY ADVISORY SUPPORT GROUP

On Tuesday there is a meeting of my support and advisory group for Project 2030 which consists of three other priests from the Sacred Heart Fathers.  It gives me a chance to share what is happening in the group and get their advice and wisdom on current issues and future developments.  Here are the kind of issues I'll be raising.

AGENDA FOR PROJECT 2030 MEETING – 10TH MAY 2005, KILWINNING 

May 7 - Saturday

LAKE DISTRICT WEEKEND.  ANYONE FOR PORTUGAL?

A couple of the younger men from our community in Portugal were here for the 'Growing in Community' weekend in February.  Riccardo was supposed to come but was not well at the time.  He already had his flights booked and they were able to be transferred, so he came over last Wednesday for 6 days, even though his time is very busy at the moment.  I had saved up required visits to Malpas and Liverpool, so he came with me on Thursday and saw some of the sights.  Yesterday we drove up to Keswick for the Lake District weekend, then he'll come with me to Kilwinning in Scotland where I have community meetings on Monday and Tuesday.

Riccardo has invited us to come to Portugal.  We have colleges in Lisbon and Oporto that would be able to put us up during the summer holidays.  We don't have any big houses on the Algarve, but the Bishop there is a Dehonian that I know well....

Meanwhile we are enjoying the delights of The Lakes.  This is our third time here.  Previously we came the weekend after Easter but on average we did not make double figures.  This weekend there are 18 of us.  We went out for a meal last night then enjoyed the bar here at Castlerigg Manor which is the Residential Youth Centre for the Lancaster Diocese (see www.castleriggmanor.co.uk). 

Today the rain is holding off.  People have gone out either to do the hill walk up Skiddaw, which I did last year, or the lakeside walk which we did two years ago.  I decided to do my own thing.  One group would be jealous if they knew I had gone with the other, I'm sure.  This past month I have not had much quiet space to myself and the next couple of weeks are going to be as crazy.  This year I decided that I would not necessarily go on all the main events.  I would be better employed holding newcomers' meetings or setting up in Belfast.  The Lake District was one for the chop, but then the numbers increased and I thought it would be the best way for Riccardo to meet some of the group.

On the way back from Iona last weekend when I was asking where else we could go on pilgrimage someone suggested Fatima which would be easy to visit from Lisbon.  Holy Island/Lindisfarne in North-East England was another suggestion.  Michael was saying last night that he has been there and was also able to visit Bamburgh Castle and the Farne Isles, as well as St Bede's Monastery in Jarrow.

May 8 - Sunday

JOKING AND PUTTING IN THE LAKES

After our own soiree yesterday evening some headed out for the bright lights of Keswick.  Not everyone remembered how to get back into the Centre after midnight and, having taken an earlier taxi back, had to head down to rejoin the others in town.  There wasn't too much chance of a lie-in at Castlerigg.  About 20 minutes before breakfast the Big Brother tannoy goes off in all the corridors and continues to play the like of "The Road to Amarillo" until everyone has conceded defeat and staggered to the dining room.  The atmosphere was bright and breezy.  Or maybe it's just that when people are half asleep it's a good time to squeeze in the old jokes.

Did you hear that Peter Kaye the comedian was arrested for kicking a ball of steel wool down the street?  The judge gave him 3 months and asked: "Is this the way to harm a brillo".  Blame Duncan for that one.  I wasn't the only one telling jokes over the weekend, but people didn't believe me when I said that the inventor of crossword puzzles was buried in the Keswick cemetery.  Next time you are there his grave is easy to find - it's six down and four across.

Riccardo was saying that in Portugal people think that the typical "English" person is a bit crazy humour-wise. By English they also mean Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Australian, etc, etc. It's all because of Mr Bean and Johnny English.  When someone tries to put on that kind of funny act they will say in Portuguese: "Oh, stop being so English!"  Riccardo certainly didn't find it funny yesterday when the Skiddaw walkers took the rocky route that proved extra dangerous in the wind.  "Am I going to get to become a deacon?" he wondered as he looked down.  At least someone did say: "I don't think Hugh would approve of this".  I approve of anything, as I say, as long as it is not dangerous or sinful.  I'm thinking of adding a third category - "harmful to the group".

This morning after Mass we did something safer, pitch and putt, though the safeness could be disputed.  After my crown as snooker champion was tarnished at Iona (last year), I wanted to prove myself as king of the pitch and putt.  My having a practice yesterday on the 9 hole course didn't affect my handicap.  There were 12 of us in groups of three.  Nick, Riccardo and I went first.  I won that.  Nick lost his ball by hitting over a 20 foot fence 20 yards behind the 5th green.  By that stage Riccardo (who wasn't the only one enduring mini-golf for the first time) was content to let Nick play on with his ball.  I don't know if anyone else beat 34.  I doubt it.  There was quite a log-jam behind the fourth group.  Some of them might still be out there.  Riccardo and I headed off straight after our game as we had a longish drive to a meeting in Kilwinning, Ayrshire.

May 9 - Monday

PROJECT 2030 ADVISORY AND SUPPORT GROUP

On Friday I gave the agenda for the group of three Dehonian priests who meet a couple of times a year to give me advice and support in my work with Project 2030.  These were some of the main conclusions that resulted.

May 10 - Tuesday

THE 40 SOMETHINGS IN THE NORTH-WEST

Those who are over 40 in the North-West are having a meeting next week to look at setting up a 40s group.  This is an email reminder I sent to them.

Dear All,         

Just a reminder about the '40s' meeting at Loyola Hall, 2.00 pm on Sunday 22 May.  They have given us the Brown Room.

Last Tuesday I had a meeting with three other Dehonian priests who form an advisory and support group for me in my work with Project 2030.  One of the issues I raised with them was the issue of the 40 somethings.  Was I being too hard on the 40s by encouraging them to move on to give space for the younger 30s, and so that the younger 30s would move up from the 20s to encourage younger 20s to get involved.  The three priests were average age 44 and I thought they would have more sympathy for their own age group.  In fact they were strong in saying that the 40s should be able to go their own way and look after themselves.  They were concerned that if I tried to do too much for the 40s it would become too much for me if I am trying to look after the other groups etc.  If the 40s want to invite me to things or to do a retreat then the initiative should come from the 40s.  And I would gladly help.  I feel closer to the 40s in age etc.  At 53 I might even qualify for membership, or do I need to set up a 50 somethings for that?

I have added below the bit I put in the newsletter.  There I encouraged people in their 40s to come along, especially if they had not been going to the 30s because of the age difference, but obviously I would want to encourage all the 40s to be there, especially if you have been involved in things.  Times of transition are never easy and no-one likes to be reminded that they are not as young as they feel, but as Christians we believe in death and resurrection, in new life and in being prepared to make sacrifices for others.  This does not mean that at 30 and 40 we have some kind of passing out parade and people have to walk the plank.  We are not throwing anybody out of the groups as soon as they reach 30 or 40 or 50, but we should leave the review meetings and organisation to those in their own decade.  The other week I was able to convince some in their early 30s that the main reason why they wanted to stay with the 20s, namely that they would rather be with people who are younger than them than with people who are older, was precisely the main reason why they should move on.  Because if they were feeling that at 32 about people who were 33% older than them how much more would someone of 22 feel it when the come to a group where people were 50% older than them.  Most of us approached the big four-oh with a certain amount of apprehension, but we celebrated it with gusto and moved on with a new lease of life.  Hopefully we can approach the beginnings of the 40 somethings with the same positive attitude.

After the meeting we can go across the road for something to eat.

See you there.

Hugh

Sunday 22^nd May - 40s meeting At Loyola Hall:

Hugh writes ''At the 30s review meeting in March it was suggested to hold a meeting of members who are 40 or over. I am trying to encourage younger 20s and 30s to get involved in their groups. The 30s is fast becoming the 40somethings, so for the sake of the younger ones we need to consider doing a separate 40s programme.  This does not mean casting the 40s adrift from Project 2030. You are good at arranging things and you can always invite the 20s and 30s to 40s events. Try and come along, especially if you did not get involved in the 30s programme because you felt too old". At Loyola Hall, 2pm. By car follow Prescot A57 signs from Junction 7 of  the M62 motorway. Loyola Hall is half a mile on the right. Entrance by front door to main hall.

May 11 - Wednesday

WAR AND RELIGION

This week gave me time to go on the BBC web pages and start another discussion.  Here is the result.  Again I can only give what I have written, but I have tried to give the flavour of what other people have said in response.

War and Religion Hugh 2030  - 11 May 2005 
How is it that religion seems to get blamed for so many wars? Wars are usually caused by previous wars or the unfair domination of one culture over another. When a people are defeated the last thing that can be taken away from them is their faith. This eventually becomes the focus of resistance against the unjust oppressor. This can be seen in Ireland, former Yugolslavia, the Middle East etc. So religion is not the cause of war but the best defence of a people's freedom. [reply]    [Complain about this post]

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 -  11 May 2005 
Don't know much about the war you are referring to, but I am not saying that all wars are in the defence of freedom. Did the Turks go north those centuries ago into Serbia for religious reasons. I doubt it. [reply]    [Complain about this post]
 

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
Was it for the spread of Islam or was Islam just used as an excuse for the spread of the Mahomet II's empire. As someone who likes to play Risk I suspect it was the latter and religious inspiration was not a motivation [reply]    [Complain about this post]

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
Is 'The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' a reliable resource book these days? Was Gibbon not anti-religion per se. [reply]    [Complain about this post]

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
I wouldn't defend the Arab conquests of the 7th century but the arabs were already spread across vast swathes of the middle east before Mohammed. The Koran codified much of their existing culture. Places were not so much conquered but readily welcomed this support to their arab culture [reply]    [Complain about this post]

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005                     The wars in Ireland are not entirely about religion. The Normans invaded Ireland in the 12th Century. The Irish did not become Protestant at the Reformation like their masters and this gave the focus for resistance against the British. The Protestants in the North were planted there in the 17th Century to try and bolster the British culture. After the independence of the Republic the Protestants felt their culture to be under threat and so started to beat the drums to defend themselves. My argument is that it is not religion that is at the root of any aggression by minorities but the defence of their culture. Religion helps them. If Poland had been the same religion as the Russians they would have found it more difficult to break free in the 1980s. Ukraine was able to break free from Russia in their recent elections because the majority in the West of Ukraine are Catholic. No wonder that Belarus is still caught in soviet style poverty - because it has no different religion to help it break free. [reply]    [Complain about this post]

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
Was there a connection between the Viking and Norman invasions of Ireland? I think the Vikings and the Danes got a bad press once the Normans took over. They did invade, but they also settled more than we once thought. The Normans were also Nordic in origin, but it was one of the Irish Kings that asked the Normans to come in and help him in a dispute and eventually they just took over. [reply]    [Complain about this post]

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
Thank you for your message of support and the idea that wars are nearly always about territory. Usually wars with a religious dimension are about asserting your right to exist, but then sadly sometimes the war machine keeps rolling on as seems to have happened in the case of the muslim conquests, after they had reunited the arab peoples. [reply]    [Complain about this post]

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
I believe in the importance of what you are saying, that if we accepted God as the Creator of us all then it would help to stop us from going to war, and that we are still very backward despite our technological advances. But if you are saying that we should just believe in God as a Creator and leave it as that, I don't agree. It's a bit like saying that we would be better off just believing in football but not have any teams. Maybe there will come a day when we just make up teams from all over the earth without any local significance, but I doubt if that would work. The Jews are still expecting the Messiah. The Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God. The muslims believe that Jesus was just a prophet and that Mohammed was the last and the greatest of the prophets. Only one of them can be right. Time will tell. Although I am saying that wars with a religious element are more about defending culture, when it comes to choosing between the three great monotheistic religion I plump for Christianity, because it was not based originally on any one culture, unlike the other two. [reply]  [Complain about this post]

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
In response to my saying that I plump for Christianity, because it was not based originally on any one culture, unlike the other two great monotheistic religions you ask: 'What about the neo-con protestants that identify themselves more to Judaism than Christianity?. They use old testament as their true bible.' You have raised a lot of issues here, but I would say that some Protestants have cut themselves off from the ancient traditions of Christianity at the Reformation. They have to dismiss these traditions as they would lead them back to catholicism. So instead of moving forward in faith with the Christians of the early centuries they have dug themselves back into the Old Testament for their traditions, and so sadly have cut themselves off from many of the insights of Jesus as handed down in subsequent generations. [reply]  [Complain about this post]

May 12 - Thursday

FURTHER WEB DISCUSSION

War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
How is it that religion seems to get blamed for so many wars? Wars are usually caused by previous wars or the unfair domination of one culture over another. When a people are defeated the last thing that can be taken away from them is their faith. This eventually becomes the focus of resistance against the unjust oppressor. This can be seen in Ireland, former Yugoslavia, the Middle East etc. So religion is not the cause of war but the best defence of a people's freedom. [reply]    [Complain about this post]

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
You say that "Unfair domination of one culture over another' can be caused by religion because different religions follow different sets of moral codes or idealisms according to their attitudes and beliefs so there is competition of whose view is 'correct'." I can see these differences can cause tensions, but have they ever led to war, except in cases where there has been a previous war or a minority religion was being suppressed by a dominant cultural group. There are dozens of thriving religions now in Britain. I don't see the day when the differences between them will ever lead to war if there is continuing respect for each others faith, and no one cultural group tries to impose it's will on the others. [reply]    [Complain about this post]

re: Religion and War Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
I am not saying that religion is not a factor in wars, but that it is not the cause of war, and it is not a good enough reason for people to dismiss religion, like many people do today without thinking. So-called 'religious wars' can be a good excuse to dismiss God so you can just get on and do your own thing. Where there is no true religion there are more wars. True religion would prevent wars. Wars always cause more problems than they solve. [reply]    [Complain about this post]

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
I agree with you generally that 'Wars are never about religion per se' and that it is good to 'separate religious spiritual practise from an organised political grouping in any further analysis.' I am not so sure about your view 'that most main religions have developed into socio-political structures somewhat akin to states in that they received income from their adherents and promote a political agenda.' I would see them more like NGOs or other international organisations. Religions should be careful about getting involved in Politics, but they should not be afraid to speak about  policies. [reply]    [Complain about this post]

re: War and Religion Hugh 2030 - 11 May 2005 
You say: "It is easier to get people to kill other people if the ones doing the killing think they are doing the will of God." I don't see any justification for that theory despite the atrocities that some people have misguidedly committed in the name of religion. Worse atrocities were carried out under Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot in situations were religion had been suppressed so that those dictators could get people more easily to carry out their will. Studies in the history of war have shown that when a people with faith go into battle they are in general likely to be less bloodthirsty. When the Roman Empire became Christian it softened the brutality of its armies. When the Muslims conquered Jerusalem they left the Christians reasonable space, until several centuries later when they started destroying the Christian holy sites, sparking off the Crusades. [reply]    [Complain about this post]

May 13 - Friday

FRIDAY – WORLD YOUTH DAYS, AUGUST, GERMANY.

Sending Out an email today about the World Youth Days in Germany.  This is what is happening.  It is still not too late to book up if you were born after 10 August 1974 (World Youth Days limit).

Dear All,

There are 18 of us booked to go on the World Youth Days in Germany from 10 - 22 August.  Bookings originally had to be in before Christmas, but we have been told by our organisers in Germany that they have more spaces available.  So if you would like to come along please let us know as soon as possible. 

10 – 22 AUGUST – WORLD YOUTH DAYS:   Germany.  The first part we will be staying with families around Kaisersesch, near Koblenz, joining in the events organised by the Diocese of Trier.  The second part we will be staying with other Dehonian groups near Cologne (sleeping bags needed here as we will likely be staying in a school or community centre) where the WYD finishes with the Night Vigil and Mass with the Pope.  This will be the new Pope's first visit away from Rome and is his first visit to Germany. Price £250 for full board, lodging, insurance, travel in Germany and flights to and from London Stanstead (late bookers might need to pay extra for their flights).   Book as soon as possible.  Open to members of Project 2030 who were born after 10 August 1974 (WYD limit).  Send deposit £30 made out to ‘Project 2030’, to Project 2030 Office, St Joseph’s, Tilston Rd, Malpas, SY14 7DD.

The total cost is still £250 (minus the cost of your flights).  If you have already paid your deposit please send the difference to the Project 2030 Office at Malpas (address above).  Anyone aged 25 or under can apply for an £80 grant towards this trip.

The flights we are booked on are: 

Outward: London Stanstead (STN) to Frankfurt Hahn (HHN): Wed 10 Aug (Flight FR 758) departing Stanstead at 15.40, arriving Frankfurt at 17.55.

Return:  Frankfurt Hahn (HHN) to London Stanstead (STN) : Mon 22 Aug (Flight FR 755) departing Frankfurt at 13.35, arriving Stanstead at 13.50 (we gain an hour).

We would be grateful if you could book your own flight if you are able to (let us know if you can't do this).  At the moment there are still seats on this flight - once they are gone anyone coming will need to book on the flight before this (the 10.55 from Stanstead - Flight FR 756) and return on the one after (the 18.20 from Frankfurt - Flight FR 761).  The sooner you book the better - late bookers may need to pay more.

Best wishes,

Hugh

May 14 - Saturday

MARTIN’S LETTER AFTER IONA

This was Martin’s email to the group who went to Iona.  Veronica is doing a full report. 

“Peace be with you! Are you guys still all alive? Glad I had today off to chill. Hope you all got back safely whatever time you departed and wherever the destination.

I seem to have got a lot of thanks this weekend for doing some of the organising but can I thank all of you for coming, for blessing me with your company and friendship and for being tolerant of those 'technical hitches' especially on Saturday.

Was pondering those pics e-mailed 'round to some of us by Fiona this evening and thinking fondly of each of you. I feel so bolstered being among you and I could happily have stayed in your company for the rest of 2005! That would have given us just about enough time to say more than just hello and goodbye to people.

Perhaps if we do do this again, it should be a longer less hurried 'break' for folk. I'm encouraged to consider 'Iona IV' mostly as an excuse to abduct nothwards another time those of you happy to consent to this arrangement. Pray haste ye back and haste our happy re-union!

Can I say a special thanks to the following people:-

Adrian - for your beaut guitar playing, your depth, your serenity and gentleness.

Anne Marie - for trusting we'd get to the airport and for a rousing balamory story!

Beatrix - for your joyful way, your carrots and salad cream and for making Sean a happy man!

Brenda - for being friendly and understanding and for consoling me following Celtic's 3-1 defeat!

Catharine - for being flexible, expressive, for the foot massages and for just for being you. 

Chris -  for the kindness, warmth and support we are accustomed to receiving from you.

Christina - for your smile, your tolerance and your spirit of good cheer.

Christine B - for trying so hard, being the good guy/gal, and pondering the mysteries of the soul.

Christine C - for your calm nature, gentle and generous ways.

Deirdre - for joining us and being part of it all. welcome back! great to see you.

Donna - for being you, for sharing. Do come back......and bring yer flute too!

Fiona - for your humour and playfulness and for a fine collection of pics - captured the moment.

Hans - for your humour too and for putting all to shame on the pool table.

Hugh - for all that you do and 'for the joy you bring, sing, sing, sing...'

Joanne - for all that driving, effort and energy when you weren't even feeling great.

Joseph - for helping with the driving and being on good form. Nice car that...

Julie - for keeping our cottage in one piece and sending me a £70 tip with your deposit!

Louise C - for being happy and doing my running for me this weekend as I'd no time.

Louise S - for being so easy to get along with and for not being sick on the bus on the way back!

Lucy - for jumping in at the last minute, agreeing to drive and being so warm and reliable.

Lynette - for your gentle and kindly ways. I sense a person of deep spirituality and goodness.

Mairi - for your lovely, kind and smiling way and for being in Hugh's 'target group'!

Mike - for your friendliness and for being you Mike. Wish you could have been with us longer.

Rebecca - for your energy and humour and laughter. Great craic. Haste ye back!

Sean - wow! for your humanity and humour. What a guy!

Trish - for helping with the driving and being your usual warm, vibrant, sociable self.

Veronica - for missing the ferry - will give us a great memory! And for your hearty beavering!

It is wonderful to ponder that whether we go to Glasgow, Dublin, Liverpool, Manchester or London, we can say that "someone waits for me".    God bless,  Marts”

We should add our thanks also to Martin – for your patience, precision and persuasiveness.  And we heard you are a poet – do we get a peek some time?

May 15 - Sunday

THE MONASTERY - BBC 2 - TUESDAYS 9.00pm

This time last year we got a few calls from a BBC producer.  We thought at first that they wanted to do a documentary on Project 2030.  It turned out they were looking for volunteers to spend 40 days in a monastery, a kind of religious Big Brother, though no-one would be thrown out unless they were naughty.  We kept leaving messages on each others ansa-machines.  By the time we made contact they had got their team of volunteers sorted.

The programmes are now going out at 9.00 pm Tuesdays on BBC2.  5 male volunteers aged between 28 and 50 are following the monastic life at the Benedictine Worth Abbey near London.  They join the monks for their 6 times of prayer each day, help them with work in the house and garden, have discussions and inputs on the monastic life.  None of the men is a Catholic.  That could be a drawback, and maybe why the producer got on to us.  One is a Northern Ireland Protestant who was a member of the UDA (equivalent of the IRA).  He got shocked out of his drug addiction when he became abusive to his mother.  Another is a successful businessman who is pretty self-obsessed.  Then there is a Ph.D student who is into Buddhism.  The fourth was shown filming adverts for sex chat lines, and the last, who didn't feature much in the first programme, is the oldest of them, who is still on a spiritual search.

The monks must have taken a big chance letting the cameras in, but the successful outcome has been acclaimed in the religious and secular media.  The welcome, humour, patience and wisdom of the community comes across strongly.  The 5 guests are visibly touched by the experience and begin to share deeply the impact it is having on them and other personal insights.  An underlying question of the series is: "Does the rule of St Benedict have anything to offer to people today, outside and inside the monastery setting?"  Different parts of it are explored each day.  When the question is obedience, we see a couple of the men jogging down to the village shop for chocolate and fags, or missing prayers.  When the theme is community, their struggles to get on with each other come to the fore.  During a discussion on humility we witness an argument which brings out people's pride.  The silence is the biggest benefit and the biggest challenge.

Worth Abbey has been suggested for a retreat for the London groups.  It looks very attractive, though now it will be inundated.  A few of us have taken part in their older youth events, though the latest I heard was that these have been moved off premises.  We won't be going there for a while as we have places booked up for a year.  Chris has a place near Chelmsford over the summer, Michael has sussed out a convent that can take 50 for Advent days in Kensington, and Anne-Marie will be contact for another visit to the Friars, Aylesford in Kent.  Do we ask Worth Abbey to do a repeat monastic experience for us - a long weekend at least.  Why not a week?  You only live once.

May 16 - Monday

MONDAY – MAIN EVENTS FOR END OF MAY – AUGUST

For those who are not on our email list here are the main events between the groups that are coming up:

27 – 30 MAY – DUBLIN WEEKEND:   5^th birthday party of Project 2030.   Meet the groups.   Meet Friday evening at the Banker’s Club, 93 St Stephen’s Green. Saturday sightseeing round Dublin, party in the evening at the Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell Sq.  Group Mass 11.30 Sunday, pub lunch.  Afternoon: Gaelic Football at Croke Park, or trip to Malahide.  Sunday evening, traditional music pub.   Monday visit to Glendalough.  Bank Holiday in Britain.

3-5 JUNE – WEEKEND IN CAMBRIDGE – Opportunity to visit this charming University town and punt down the river Cam.   Last year 30 went to Stratford.

20 – 23 JUNE – WHAT NEXT?  For university leavers and those in their 20s who can contribute something to the few days’ break.  Walks, visit to Chester, time to relax, time to reflect on the future.  How can Project 2030 help?  Will be advertised in University Chaplaincies.  £55 (subsidy included).  Deposit of £15 to Project 2030 Office, St Joseph’s, Tilston Rd, Malpas, Cheshire, SY14 7DD.   Cheques made out to ‘Project 2030’

24 - 26 JUNE – MANCHESTER WEEKEND:    Meet up Friday evening. Sightseeing in Manchester.  Buffet and disco at 8.00 pm Saturday at Thirty-Two Club.  Sunday morning coffee at Café Uno, followed by group Mass.

16 – 18 JULY – LOUGH DERG – St Patrick’s Purgatory in Ireland. By popular demand, 48 hours of prayer, little food, bare feet, all night vigil. There is a 9 am bus from Dublin or you can fly to Londonderry.

25 – 30 JULY – A HOLIDAY RETREAT:   At St Joseph’s, Malpas, Cheshire.  A chance to get together in a relaxing atmosphere.  Also time for yourself and time for God.  Go at your own pace.  Possibility of individual time with a director each day.  Visit Chester Cathedral etc on Wednesday.  You need to come for the whole week.  Begins 6.00 pm on Monday.  Finishes with pub lunch  Friday.  Cost £95.  Deposit of £30.

6 – 15 AUGUST – WALK THE PEMBROKE WAY:   For Thirtysomethings.  Last year we did West Highland Way.  Bags are taken on by taxi each day.  £350 approx.

10 – 22 AUGUST – WORLD YOUTH DAYS:   Germany.  The first part we will be staying with families around Kaisersesch, near Koblenz, joining in the events organised by the Diocese of Trier.  The second part we will be staying with other Dehonian groups near Cologne (sleeping bags here, as  likely staying in a school or community centre) where the WYD finishes with the Night Vigil and Mass with the Pope.  This will be the new Pope’s first visit away from Rome and is his first visit to Germany.  Price £250 for full board, lodging, insurance, travel in Germany and flights to and from London Stanstead (late bookers might need to pay extra for their flights).   Book as soon as possible.  Open to members of Project 2030 who were born after 10 August 1974 (WYD limit).  Send deposit £30 made out to ‘Project 2030’, to Project 2030 Office, St Joseph’s, Tilston Rd, Malpas, SY14 7DD.

26 – 29 AUGUST – EDINBURGH FESTIVAL:    Staying in Glasgow and going by train to Edinburgh.  Maybe even a ceilidh. 

Also a new event for September is:  2 – 4  SEPTEMBER – ADVENTURE WEEKEND PART II:  Now with even more activities than before to choose from since the last adventure weekend.  If you have a need for an action packed, adrenaline pumping, thrill seeking weekend then how does paintballing, archery, quad biking and laser pigeon shooting grab you?  The total cost is £154 for the whole weekend which includes 2 nights stay in a good hotel, all 4 events and lunch on the Saturday and Sunday.  Don't feel you have to do all the events though, you can do as little or as many as you like. 

May 17 - Tuesday

GLASGOW 20S.  LIVING IN COMMUNITY?

This evening Martin was giving a presentation to the Glasgow 20s on the weekend we had in February at Malpas on growing in community.  He spoke about his reasons for joining the group almost five years ago, mainly looking to extend his social life, but gradually the group came to mean more to him.  Visits to other areas and joint events like the walks and Iona gave him a sense of belonging and fellowship.  Gradually he sensed that others were looking for something more in terms of community which led to his suggestion that we meet in February to explore further.

Part of his inspiration was the Pope's visit to Scotland in 1982.  Then John Paul laid down a challenge to the "yoong peepole of Scoatland".  We watched part of the video where he spoke to them at Murrayfield, the rugby ground.  "Do not be afraid... be prepared to make sacrifices.... resist selfishness.... accept the challenge.... make a difference.... Jesus has already conquered the world."

Martin would like to go beyond having a sense of community within Project 2030 to actually living in community.  Some from the North-West have the idea of living under the same roof, sharing together and praying together for mutual benefit.  Martin would also like to do something as a group, have a sense of mission.  Such an arrangement would also need to have a uniting spirit/spirituality.  This could come from Leo Dehon, the founder of the Sacred Heart Fathers, based on three of his key principles which Martin had identified: