HUGH’S    DIARY

November 1 - Monday

SLOGAN FOR A CAR STICKER.   2030 VISION

We sent round an email last week asking for suggestions for a car sticker.  This was an idea that  came up at the Review Meeting in September.  Duncan offered to look after this.  These were his proposals:

- Make this day count.  Visit www.project2030.org.uk  The place where it's happening for young Catholics in their 20s and 30s   

- It's what friendship's about... www.project2030.org.uk...  for young Catholics in their 20s and 30s      

- Is it time for a change in your life?     

- some relevant words from Scripture.

My own slogan was:  ‘Young Catholics – where will you be in 2030?’  I also suggested using the Dehonian Cross, which is a wide, roundish cross with a heart in the middle (see below).

Below are the ideas that have come in already.  The web address is presumed in most of them.  No one suggested using a telephone number.  Have had two suggestions for a printer, but no one came up with any ideas for funding to do the car stickers as yet.

- why not use the North West’s motto: ‘Bringing people together in friendship and faith.’

- using the Dehonian cross as our logo sounds a great idea.   x 2

- ‘young Catholics, let’s celebrate together.’ 

- ‘young, Catholic and connected’.

- ‘place for young Catholics to socialise.’  or  ‘place for young, social Catholics.’

- steer clear of quotes from the Scriptures.  It’ll make us look like bible bashers.

- I’m amazed at this notion of a car sticker.  What about the poor in spirit, like me, with no car.

- don’t focus solely on Catholics.  We don’t want to become an elite Catholic group.

- ‘20/30 foresight is where it is happening for young Catholics.’

This last idea is similar to one that I used in the first year of the group.  I used to print at the bottom of pages in the smallest type possible: ‘For those with 2030 vision.’  (even smaller than this).  Then I realised that 20/30 vision is not very good eyesight.  It’s 20/20 vision that is the best.  That’s not meant to be unfair on the 30somethings!

The person who sent in the ideas about socialising or ‘social Catholics’ wrote:  ‘I am not trying to detract from the spiritual side.  This is v important too.  Am merely saying that the attraction of the 2030 group is that this offers more than spiritual events for a specific audience, which a lot of other Church groups do not cater for.  For example, when I was new to the group, I expected spiritual events to be organised as a matter of course, but the social events are a great opportunity to meet people who think that going to mass on Sunday is normal too, and were ultimately what made me join.’

November 2 - Tuesday

TABOO SUBJECTS?  SEXUALITY?  WHAT DOES THE CHURCH SAY?

Last month the diary highlighted the question and answer sessions in London.   Someone has commented that none of the questions were about sexuality.   Was that a taboo subject?  They would have like to have raised the question of masturbation.  What does the Church say about it?  'Am I doomed?  Where do I stand?' they asked.  This is my reply:

Thanks for your email.  Masturbation is not an easy subject to bring up at a Q and A.  I wouldn't have minded, though it's significant that at the last three Q and A's no one asked any question about sex.  Whether that's because they didn't want to embarrass themselves or me I don't know, but those questions have to be faced.

As for masturbation, the Church says  that it is a serious matter, but because of other factors it might not be anything to get worried about.   The Church believes that sex is for marriage.  Any sexual activity outside marriage causes more problems than it might seem to solve.  This isn't just for spiritual or religious reasons, but more because that is how nature intended it to be.  At the Q and A I mentioned how sensitively we respond to a lie detector.  It is the same with sex.  Despite decades of greater permissiveness, people with no religious background or who have never heard that masturbation could be wrong still feel down about it, because their body tells them that that's not what it's all about.

It's interesting that you raised the question in the context of pornography.   I heard someone say recently on the radio that we shouldn't call it the pornography industry but the masturbation industry.  Our culture today trivialises masturbation, but I think that a too-ready acceptance of what used to be called 'self-abuse' can lead too easily to other sexual abuses.   People worry about individuals becoming repressed if they do not express themselves sexually, but the bigger problem now would seem to be at the other end of the scale with too much sexual expression leading to greater problems to individuals, their partners and their children etc.

The main thing is not to worry about it or feel overly guilty.  There is healthy guilt which is honest about how one feels about something, admits where it has gone wrong and tries to move on.  That is not easy in our over-sexualised society or where masturbation becomes a habit.  But God knows what we are made of.  He made us.  He wants us to grow through things and find love with him and with others.

 Get back to me on this if there are other thoughts you have on it.

The catechism of the Catholic Church (number 2352) tries to keep a balance on the matter.  On the one hand it says that 'masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely  disordered action.'  On the other hand it concludes: 'To form an equitable judgment about the subject's moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective maturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen or even extenuate moral culpability.'

November 3 - Wednesday

Spent most of today finalizing a provisional Main Events list for 2005.  Although most people will receive/have received it by emails to the groups, posting it here so that those not in the groups can see what we are up to.

PROVISIONAL MAIN EVENTS 2005

This is a provisional list of main events for 2005 for Project 2030.  Some details have still to be finalised.  Others are definite.  This should be obvious.  Book now where necessary.  Get in touch with further details of your event, or any other suggestions.

FINANCIAL HELP:   For 25s and under it is possible to apply for grants of up to 33% for courses, retreats, pilgrimages.  This comes from the Sacred Heart Fathers Youth Clubs Trust to which Dehon House, recently sold, belonged.  Indicate you would like to apply when you book or make enquiries about specific events.  Over 25s who would be prevented from going on any course, retreats, pilgrimages for financial reasons can enquire for one-off help by contacting the Project 2030 Office, St Joseph’s Centre, Tilston Road, Malpas, Cheshire, SY14 7DD or email hugh@project2030.fsnet.co.uk

Book early to avoid disappointment.  If you are definitely going to an event and would like to be your area contact so people can travel together etc contact Hugh ASAP.  Knowing that someone is definitely going from your area means that more people go.

4 – 18 JANUARY – INDIA:   Staying around Cochin, Kerala.  Experience the culture.  See the sights, visit Dehonian missions and other communities.  Price £890.  Places still available.  Contact hugh@project2030.fsnet.co.uk

22 – 29 JANUARY – SKI-ING:   Chamonix, France. 

12 FEBRUARY – LONDON PARTY:   Over 100 go to this.  Booking details to be sent out later.  Meet Friday evening?  Group Mass Saturday evening or Sunday?  Pub lunch Sunday?

18 – 20 FEBRUARY – GROWING IN COMMUNITY (AT ST JOSEPH'S, MALPAS) :  Building on what we have in common.  How can Project 2030 help us more in our life and faith?  Dehonian spirituality.    From 6.00 pm Friday till pub lunch at 1.00 pm Sunday.  £64.   Send deposit of £15 to Project 2030 Office, St Joseph’s, Tilston Rd, Malpas, Cheshire, SY14 7DD  (Cheques made out to ‘Project 2030’).    Directions To Malpas - By car take the A41south from Chester.  After 10 miles at the second small roundabout turn right for Malpas.  At the T junction in the village turn right for Tilston.  St Joseph’s is 300 yards, on the left.  There is a bus from Chester Railway Station.  Taxis can be booked from Whitchurch Railway Station (Acorn Taxis: 01948 665 540).

MARCH – LENTEN RETREATS:   In each area.  See group newsletter for details.  Or contact Project 2030 Office (details at top of page).  

4 – 6 MARCH – ADVENTURE WEEKEND:    Whitewater rafting etc in North Wales.  

24 – 27 MARCH – EASTER AT MALPAS:   Take a few days off and celebrate the Holy Week Services together.  In the countryside.  Opportunities for walks, village pubs, space to think and pray, visit to Chester etc.  £82.  Deposit of £15 (for method of payment and directions see 18 February).

1 – 3 APRIL – LAKE DISTRICT:   Staying at Castlerigg Manor, Keswick.  Opportunity for shorter or longer walks, boat trip, Mass, party etc.  Price £45 for 2 nights B&B. 

8 – 11 APRIL – ROME:   Centred round the expected beatification of Leo Dehon, founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, patron of the group.  Price later.  You can stay a longer or shorter time.

29 APRIL – 2 MAY – IONA:  staying on the Isle of Mull, Scotland.  In the footsteps of St Columba.  Optional visit to  Fingal’s Cave, Staffa.  Price for B&B and travel from Glasgow £80 approx.   25 went on this last year. Limited places.  We’ll go to the local ceilidh on Saturday evening if it is on.  Bank Holidays in Ireland and Britain.

13 – 15 MAY – PARIS TO CHARTRES:   70 mile pilgrimage.  Cost £115 plus travel and food.  Camping en route, lots of singing and fun.  Lifts available if the walking is too much.   See:  www.nd-chretiente.com

27 – 30 MAY – DUBLIN WEEKEND:   5^th birthday party of Project 2030 at 93 St Stephen’s Green.   Meet the groups.  For advice on where to stay in Dublin contact ?   We’ll meet up on Friday night.  Sightseeing on Saturday.  Party at night.  Group Mass 12.00 Sunday at Pro-Cathedral, pub lunch.  Bank Holiday in Britain.  Area contacts needed.

4 – 5 JUNE – MANCHESTER WEEKEND:    Sightseeing in Manchester.  Buffet and disco at 7.00 pm at Thirty-Two Club.  Sunday morning coffee at Café Uno, followed by Mass at Hidden Gem Church’

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 for prayer and reflection on the future.  How can Project 2030 help?  £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’.  (For directions see 18 Feb). 

25 – 30 JULY – A HOLIDAY RETREAT:   For Thirtysomethings, 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.  Visit Chester Cathedral etc on Wednesday.  Begins 6.00 pm on Monday.  Finishes with pub lunch on Friday.  Deposit of £30 (see 18 Feb for payment details, directions etc).

6 – 13 AUGUST – WALK THE PEMBROKE WAY:   For Thirtysomethings.  Last year we did the West Highland Way.  Bags are taken on by taxi each day.  Price £350?  

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) where the WYD finishes with the Night Vigil and Mass with the Pope.  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).   Last date for booking: 20 February.  Open to members of Project 2030 who were born after 10 August 1974 (WYD limit).  Send deposit £30 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.  Bank Holiday in Britain.

9 – 11 SEPTEMBER – LONDON WEEKEND:     Meet Friday  8.00 pm at St Athan’s to go round the corner for eats and drinks.  Saturday visiting London.  Party in evening (130 at this last year.  Sunday 12.00 Mass at Westminster Cathedral (or group Mass) followed by pub lunch.

16 – 18 SEPTEMBER – REVIEW MEETING OF REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL THE GROUPS:  including some leadership training.  At St Joseph’s, Malpas, Cheshire.

22 – 26 OCTOBER – POLAND:  Based in Krakow.  Visits to Czestochowa, Auschwitz (optional), Salt Mines.  Meet up with local Dehonian group. 

14 – 17 OCTOBER – BRUGES:   Weekend in Belgium. 

28 – 30 OCTOBER – GLASGOW WEEKEND:   Ceilidh.  Various visits.  Group Mass.  Climb a mountain if you want.

DECEMBER - ADVENT RETREATS:   In each area.  See group newsletter for details. Or contact Project 2030 Office (details at top of page).  There will be a weekend retreat at St Joseph’s, Malpas, Cheshire from 9 – 11 December.  Deposits of £15 (see 18 Feb).

Reports on these or similar events last year can be found on the webpage www.project2030.org.uk  or in Hugh’s diary www.project2030.fsnet.co.uk/hughsdiary 

Other events still possible – contact Hugh is you are interested in these: 

November 4 - Thursday 

THINK-TANK

This is an email I sent out to the 30s in London before their Think-Tank meeting.

Dear All,

This Tuesday (9 November) we have our Think-Tank meeting at the Penderel's Oak at 7.00 pm  (between Chancery Lane & High Holborn tube stations).  I will be there myself and I hope as many as possible from the group can make it.   The idea behind these meetings is to keep the group as informal as possible, to give people the chance  to contribute their ideas about how things are going or to make suggestions for the future. 

Matt has already sent out a few points for discussion.  We are trying to keep the agenda to a minimum, but you can raise any other points too. 

The heart of the group is the programme that we arrange and the things that we do together, but you could maybe say that the soul of the group comes out when we get a chance to discuss how we feel about things and where we would like to go in the future.  The important thing for the group is not to be restricted by the kind of things that we are doing at the moment, but always to be open to new ideas that will help us to support one another in our life and faith. 

At the Review Meeting of all of the groups in Malpas in September an important element that was proposed was that The Thirtysomethings' groups should see themselves as providing a support for the 20s groups.  This is already done in London by the way the 30s are prepared to do most of the organisation of the big events, but we also need to leave the 20s enough space so that they can develop their own group and encourage younger ones to come along who might not be so keen on too many joint events with the 30s because of the age-difference.  In the same way, the 30s need to be careful about not encouraging members of the 20s to join the 30s, otherwise the 20s can lose some of their more active members. 

These are just some of my thoughts as we go to the Think-Tank meeting and I would be grateful for any response on this. 

Best wishes, 

Hugh

November 5 – Friday

DUBLIN 30S – WOULD THEY QUALIFY AS A PROJECT 2030 GROUP?

In Dublin for a 30s Newcomers meeting.  There was a good turnout of new people.  A few had come along because of a strong boost for the group from the priest at the Sunday evening Gospel Choir Mass in Gardener St.  This was good to hear.  Then I found out that that church has a group for up to 35s and they could have been covering their backs by telling disappointed older 30s that there was still a place for them somewhere.  It was still good to hear.  The new Brighton sub-group which is going to have its first meeting on 4 December were thinking of doing a 25 – 35 group, but if it is hard enough holding a line at 30 and 40, how much more difficult would it be to tell 38 year olds that they were beyond the pale, and how many 24 year olds would be put off by the big gap?

When I started my email to the London 30s yesterday I had hoped to write something more on the basic principles behind Project 2030 groups, but the brain cells were resisting.  I have been wondering for some time that if I did have some simple principles written down would the Dublin 30s qualify as a Project 2030 group?  Sometimes I have my doubts.  Not that the group is not going well, and many people are putting a lot of energy into the best social group for Catholics in their 30s in Dublin.  But that’s the problem, it is basically a social group and the Catholic dimension is questionable.  IT WAS ESTIMATED LAST YEAR THAT MORE THAN HALF OF THE MEMBERSHIP DID NOT GO TO MASS.  The Dublin 30s have many God-fearing, practicing Catholics, they used to have regular retreats, even a monthly Mass, but we had a case a while ago that someone who went to a Mass on a weekday was laughed at and another who had gone to something religious asked others not to let anyone in the group know that they had been there.

When the group started part of their purpose was to overcome the isolation that younger practicing Catholics felt in society and in their parish where there might not be many of their own age.  If people still have to keep their heads down within a group sponsored by the Church, then there is something a bit off.  In the early days I tried to encourage the groups to develop in their own way to find a new blue-print.  The Dublin 30s were doing so well that they could be forgiven for thinking that they could do things better without me, and in many respects this was true.  The committee took on a life of its own.  I even made the mistake of saying in 2003 that the AGM was the highest authority in the group.  But a football club still has to follow the rules of the game.

There is the hope that other groups in Ireland, like Belfast and Cork, would be good for Dublin in the ways that the groups in Britain have a more supportive relationship.  Someone suggested that people from Dublin could go up to the initial meeting in Belfast to let them know how they do things, but would that be such a good idea?  Would we end up with another social group?  In Belfast I would get Catholics together (in their 20s first) and say as usual: “What do you want to do?  How can I help?”  Belfast will have its own unique character.  We might end up with a social group, but I doubt it, given the history of the faith there.  People can suggest what they want as long as it is not dangerous or harmful, but we can’t have people discouraging or disparaging Catholic things.

PS: the Dublin 30s are having a retreat the Sunday before Christmas.  Watch this space.

November 6 –Saturday

COINCIDENCES – GOD’S WILL - NUMBER 2030 IN THE CATECHISM

I can’t say that I’m a great believer in coincidences.  Some people notice synchronicity all around them.  Others see the design of God clearly in things that happen to them.  My approach is to see God’s will in everything that has taken place.  It’s not that God wanted me to stub my toe on the uneven pavement.  Stuff happens, but once it has occurred then I need to accept it as God’s will.  This is the kind of world that God has created and allowed to develop – some people will stub their toe some of the time.  When it happens to me, if I don’t accept it as God’s will then I’m just wasting my energy fighting against reality.  When the tree falls on the car, or just misses the car, I can’t imagine God planning it one way or the other.  In the statistics of the divine planning of the growing and evolving world, tree and car are going to meet some time.  If we object to God about this then we are really saying we would prefer a static kind of world where stuff doesn’t happen and there is no room for growth and decay and new beginnings.

I didn’t really mean to write the above, but ideas happen.  I more wanted to say that I do sometimes see coincidences in strange ways, like a bird coming down the chimney to help ‘rescue’ me from a tricky situation, or a couple of sparrows appearing unusually at the window just as I was thinking of people who had died – but I wouldn’t read too much into that.

Last week I mentioned a few times the ideas behind the title Project 2030.  Someone wrote to me to ask if I had seen the link up with Number 2030 in The Catechism of the Catholic Church.  I hadn’t, but it is a serendipitous coincidence.  The Catechism 2030 reads:  “It is in the Church, in communion with all the baptized, that the Christian fulfils his vocation.  From the Church he receives the Word of God containing the teachings of ‘the law of Christ’.  From the Church he receives the grace of the sacraments that sustains him on the ‘way’.  From the Church he learns the example of holiness, and recognizes its model and source in the all-holy Virgin Mary; he discerns it in the authentic witness of those who live it; he discovers it in the spiritual tradition and long history of the saints who have gone before him and whom the liturgy celebrates in the rhythms of the sanctoral cycle”.

November 7 – Sunday

MAN UTD V MAN CITY – THE RESURRECTION

Once a season a friend of a friend can get me tickets for a Manchester United game.  This started about 8 years ago when I mentioned that my nephew had become a fan of theirs (he is still a Greenock Morton fan first and foremost).  Today we have tickets for the derby against Manchester City.  My nephew has just started a Saturday job in his last year at school so they have to drive up and down from Clydeside in a day.  Sister in law is coming too to help with the driving and get a chance to shop at the Trafford Centre where I’m meeting them at 1.00pm for the 4.05 kick-off.

I go to Mass in one of the local parishes.  Yesterday in the blog I wrote about coincidences.  There are also things which are staring you right in the face but which you never see.  I couldn’t believe that today’s Gospel (Luke 20:27-30) was speaking directly to my situation and I had never noticed it before nor heard anyone highlight it.  The Sadducees are trying to trick Jesus about the resurrection by asking about a woman who married in succession seven brothers after the previous one had died.  Whose wife would she be in heaven?  The answer Jesus gave was:  “The children of this world take wives and husbands, but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God”.

I checked up two biblical commentaries and they don’t make any comment about this.  I’m not surprised.  If people didn’t get married then we’d soon die out.  I highlight it because for me personally it is a support to celibacy, but also because I know that there are some people in the group, more at the top end age-wise, who are thinking that maybe they are not going to get married.  Some are quite philosophical about it.  Marriage is not for everyone.  Maybe this quotation from the Gospel will help them.  Maybe not.  They can let us know.

As for the football, it ended 0-0, but it was the best goalless draw we had seen.  It was great to meet up with my brother and his family again.  I enjoyed it so much that after they had gone I felt a bit down.  Was that a tinge of home-sickness after all these years, was it about celibacy, or was it just that when my nephew goes to University next year they might not be coming down for matches.  Anybody want tickets?

November 8 – Monday  

ASSISTANT NEEDED

Trying to work out a job description for an assistant  to help me with my work for the group with an office here in Stockport.  For a while I’ve felt the need to have someone on the spot for day to day things that arise.  Keeping an assistant busy will also help me to develop some new ideas which there is never the time to work at on my own.

This is just a first draft of the job description.  Someone locally is going to help me with it, but if you have an experience in this area or any suggestions let me know on hugh@project2030.fsnet.co.uk   The job would ideally suit a parent  who is not looking for full time work.  That’s why I’ll advertise through the school next door, as well as in the local parishes.

ASSISTANT FOR PROJECT 2030 REQUIRED

AN INITIAL 9 HOURS A WEEK AT £5.75p PER HOUR, PREFERABLY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY MORNINGS.

Project 2030 is a group for Catholics in their 20s and 30s.  The main office is at St Joseph’s Church, Tatton St, St Petersgate, Stockport, SK1 1 EJ, where Fr Hugh Hanley, the Director and Chaplain, lives.

There are groups in the North-West, London, Dublin and Glasgow, with plans to expand to other areas.

Project 2030 organises anything and everything for Catholics in their 20s and 30s from walks, meals, Masses, to holidays abroad and retreats.

The Assistant’s role is to help the Director in his work of supporting the groups, organizing events and seeking ways to develop the Project.

He/she would be based in a dedicated office at St Joseph’s with the possibility if they wished of doing some work from home, e.g. telephoning, computing.  Applicants would need to have computing skills, be sympathetic to the aims of the group and want to support people in their 20s and 30s.

Other aspects which would be an advantage but which are not essential are experience in fund-raising, shorthand, enjoy telephoning and organizing, have their own computer and email address.

November 9 – Tuesday

LONDON 30S THINK TANK – RELATIONS WITH 20S

In London for the Think Tank meeting of the Thirtysomethings.  This was only our second such meeting, but already the idea is proving attractive to other groups.  It’s not a committee, it’s not a core group, but it’s where the ongoing decisions are made and anyone can turn up to it.  There were about 12 – 15 there last night.  A good number.  Too many could be problematic, especially when you are meeting in a pub and there’s a fair bit of noise around.  There was a good representation of those who are more involved in organizing events etc, but also some new faces and new ideas which gives a freshness to the proceedings.

In my email to the group (see diary last Thursday) before the meeting I wrote: “The 30s need to be careful about not encouraging members of the 20s to join the 30s otherwise the 20s can lose some of their more active members”.  There was a strong reaction to this and emails were flying over the weekend.  Since the 30s groups started, the 20s groups have always felt the pressure of being the poor relation as the older group is usually more together, better organized and supported.  The temptation for people in the 20s to join the 30s has been strong, but this just leads to a further weakening of the 20s.  This has been happening more in London recently.  There will always be a blurring of the edges between the groups.  The 30s can’t be blamed if they are more attractive to some younger ones, so I thought that the maximum/minimum that could be asked of them was not to encourage the 20s to join them.  But this was still a step too far for one emailer.  This is his personal view and not the view of the majority…  “We’re supposed to be deciding things ourselves, not letting Fr Hugh impose his views”. I couldn’t possibly comment.

When I wrote the offending email I was at Manchester Airport on Friday on the way to Dublin.  I had quite a bit of time and was trying to write out some basic guidelines for the Project 2030 groups so that they would have more freedom to manoeuvre to develop, yet within a framework that respected their position in the Church, the needs of everyone and the experience that has built up over the years.  I was hoping to put these to the Think Tank for their reaction, but I got stuck on writing a guideline about the identity and difference between the 20s and 30s.  That’s why when I gave up and wrote a simpler email to the London 30s about their meeting I concentrated more on their role regarding the 20s.  This experience shows all the more the need for some simple principle for the groups.  When we came to discuss the issue this evening most couldn’t see any problem about people in their 20s coming to 30s events (there were a couple of 20s at the meeting), but there was an appreciation if not a full agreement for my pleas that the 30s need to be aware of the effect that they can have on the 20s group.  Even seeing a poster advertising 20s and 30s could put off some in their 20s.  The discussion and the meeting were conducted in a very good spirit, which goes to show that there are some aspects of the groups’ ethos that could never be captured in guidelines.

November 10 – Wednesday

MAIN EVENTS – EXPENSE – GRANTS – POPETOWN, ETC

Train journeys give me a chance to catch up on emails.  These are some of the issues raised.

·        Another addition to the main events list for 2005.  Chris is going to organize a weekend in Cambridge in the early summer.  There were almost 30 at his Stratford on Avon event this year.  More details came in for Dublin and Pembroke.

·        Someone asks if the discount for under 25s would apply to people wanting to go on the India trip.  I advise them to write a formal letter asking for a grant of £200 towards it and to contact the travel agent to make sure that air tickets have not gone through the roof.

·        Someone is complaining about the expense of the main events.  “In each region you need to organize simple, informal events, too”.  My reply is that I don’t need to organize these, you need to organize them.  But the point is taken and I mentioned it last night at the meeting.

·        We’ve finalized the Brighton 20s newcomers meeting for 3.00pm on Saturday 4 December.  I could have made it with difficulty if we’d met in the evening, but it would have been a bit of a rush coming from the retreat for the North-West at Malpas.  Fr Chris from Malpas is leading the retreat but it’s an opportunity for me to spend some quality time with the North-West groups.  People in the other groups presume that I see the North-West groups more, but statistically over the years that has not been the case.  Maybe my living in the area makes a difference, for better or worse, but I don’t know.

·        There are a few other responses to the car sticker idea.  “If it’s a group initiative as such maybe we (i.e. the participants) should try and fund it in some way.  I’m conscious that your Order is very generous to us as a group.”  Funding from another source would be very welcome if we could get it, but I’m not making a big issue out of it.  Am I being too hopeful that the gift aid envelopes we’ll be sending out will produce a rich harvest?  Somebody has good ideas on this last night and on the fact that if we were a charity we could get VAT back on big events.  The Sacred Heart Fathers are a charity.  Could Project 2030 become a separate charity?  Need to explore this.  The Charity’s name needs to be on the form.  People might give more readily if Project 2030’s name was on the tin.

·        Someone sends details of CUT (Catholics Unplug your Televisions).  The skit on the Church ‘Popetown’ is being renamed ‘Holy Smoke’ and being sold to the rest of the world.  Why pay your licence fee?  But unplug first.  Visit www.cutunplugtv.co.uk

·        Have received details of a session on bereavement in the North-West on Saturday 20 November.  This email also includes the addresses of 50 plus parishes in the dioceses.  Could I use this to publicise events?  Some dioceses have been reluctant to give us their email address list, understandably so.  I write and ask permission to use.  I’ve mentioned to a few people recently not to put my address openly on group emails.  Others pick it up and send you even more bumf.

November 11 – Thursday  

THE SPIRITUALITY OF LEO DEHON

I was asked to write an article on the spirituality of Leo Dehon for the Sacred Heart Fathers’ “Contact” magazine.  Here it is.

In the last edition of Contact I wrote a short history of the life of Leo Dehon.  This can be found in www.project2030.fsnet.co.uk/project2030 under April 30 and May 6.  Here I want to look more at Dehon’s spirituality and his significance for today.  The Church’s decision to beatify our Founder is a recognition of him as an individual, as the father of a worldwide movement, and of the significance of his spirituality.  Beatification is a step on the road to sainthood and our hope and prayer is that Leo Dehon will one day soon be numbered among the saints.  This is not just so that the Sacred Heart Fathers and all who are associated with us in the Dehonian Family can feel pleased and important, but so that Blessed Leo’s message of love will be spread more widely throughout the world and more people will come to recognize the love of God shown in Christ his Son.

Dehon is not the important person in all this, but God is.  His kindness and care for us is shown in the Heart of Jesus.  This is what motivated Leo Dehon in his life and gave him the energy to gather around him like-minded people who wanted to bring to others the message of forgiveness and love and support for those who were most needy.  He identified very much with the Apostle John, the Beloved Disciple, who stood at the foot of the cross with Mary and watched his friend and master die (John 19:37).  Then, at his lowest moment, the soldier came along and pierced Jesus’ side with a spear – not the little designer slit you see on most crucifixes, but a hole so large that Thomas on Easter Sunday refused to believe unless he could put his hand inside it.   John believed and labours the point about what happened next so that we might believe – that immediately there came out blood and water from the side of Jesus.  For John these were symbols of the new life that would flow from the cross and become witnesses along with the Spirit coming from the last air from Jesus’ pierced lungs (1 John 3).  At the moment when John knew that Jesus was definitely dead on the cross he then realized how fully Jesus had loved him.  Leo Dehon had the same experience when he looked upon the open heart of Jesus and the love he experienced impelled him to do what he could so that others would come to experience the same, especially if they felt their lives were impossible through the weight of their own sins or the sins of society that kept them in poverty and oppression.

Leo Dehon was not the first person to see things like this.  The community that grew up around St John in the early Church developed this perspective.  In the Middle Ages St Gertrude, Julian of Norwich and others promoted it and in 17^th Century France St Margaret Mary’s revelations reminded people of the love and compassion of Jesus.  People had become so absorbed in the image of Jesus as the divine Son of God that they had become almost scared to face up to his humanity as one like in all things except sin.  This was the tradition in which our Founder grew up in in France, but no-one had quite the same perspective that he had, nor were they motivated to do the same great things.  That is why the Church accepts that he has a special charism, a gift to the world for all time, an invaluable insight which has already produced much good and which we, his followers, want to see spread far and wide.

In some ways the Dehonian movement is just beginning even though the Priest of the Sacred Heart are already in the top twenty of Religious Congregations for men, and fifth of those whose founders died in the 20^th Century.  We are a small group in Britain and Ireland, though our impact is greater elsewhere.  Francis, Ignatius, Benedict and many others have spiritualities called after them.  They reflect different aspects of the person of Jesus as a man of poverty, of action or of prayer.  God in his goodness will decide if Dehon is to have the same impact on our civilization, but much depends on us to carry out his work today. 

In the 1990s there was a great development of groups who wanted to learn more about Dehonian spirituality.  In some ways this went too far too fast and suffered a relapse.  Maybe we concentrated too much on Dehon and not enough on the lay spirituality which people had already developed for themselves.   The Sacred Heart Fathers in Britain and Ireland are now looking at new ways to invite people to become part of the Dehonian Family.  Project 2030 will be organizing a weekend 25 – 27 February 2005 at St Joseph’s, Malpas, for people in their 20s and 30s who are looking for something more together.  We’ll be explaining whether Leo Dehon has something to say to them and something to add to their lives as individuals and as a group.  If you are interested contact St Joseph’s or see www.project2030.org

November 12 – Friday

LONDON THINK TANK – A LAST MINUTE EVENTS EMAIL

Here are some other topics that came up at the London Think-Tank meeting earlier in the week.

·        A last minute events email.  Many of the events we organize have to be booked up in advance, or they might be of a minority interest.  Often people aren’t sure until the weekend if they are going to be free.  Michael offered to send round a last minute email every week.  People have until the Wednesday to contact him with ideas like ‘I’m organizing a walk, going to the cinema, etc – anybody else want to come?’  We agreed to try this for a few months and see how it works.  Obviously it might affect some of the pre-arranged events, but one of the principles behind the group is to find out what people want to do and what is the best way to do it.  Some people prefer to decide on things at the last minute or to wait and see how they feel.  The group is big enough to have a few things on every weekend.  The Dublin 30s have always done that.

·        A main events coordinator; many events are easy to organize, but things like the parties or open weekends are quite demanding.  People are willing to help if they know they are not going to be left with all the work, or if they can refer to someone with experience.  Someone is seriously considering taking on this role.  As in any group the secret is not primarily to get volunteers to do things, but to get someone who can persuade others to do things and make sure it is done.

·        Speaking at churches, handing out leaflets, meeting up afterwards with those who are interested in the group.  This idea comes up regularly, but it never goes anywhere.  We need a coordinator.

·        Talking about the needs of the 20s, some people of that age could be put off when they see a 30s group advertised on the same poster.  Do separate advertising for each group at different times.  Given the age gap between early and late 20s why not do an event for under 25s.

·        The use of emails and the Web.  Someone was not happy with the tone of what they read when they were copied into a correspondence with someone who wanted us to advertise another group.  We will be more careful with the use of emails.  Someone saw Project 2030 mentioned in a web page in a way that was a bit ambiguous.  If you see us advertised wrongly or you have any other suggestions of where we could be advertised, let us know.

·        Advertising talks and events for other Catholic groups?  Depends.  Okay if someone from 2030 is going along to it.  The 20s at the beginning lost their identity a bit when we advertised other groups.  There was interest in the Glasgow 20s idea of getting people from the group to talk about their own faith and experience.  One person at the think-tank had joined the Church and another was preparing to do so.  Could we run something for people in their 30s who are interested in finding out more about the Church?

·        After the meeting a few were talking about the possibility of doing some kind of voluntary work, like visiting and helping those in need.  Organisations are not so interested in one-off things.  They want continuity, but would maybe be happy if it was different people going along every week.  Someone volunteered to coordinate this if a project could be found.

November 13 – Saturday

WEEKEND OFF – PENNINE WAY – FA CUP FIRST ROUND

This is the first weekend in whenever that I’ve been at base in Stockport and not have any commitments.  The 30s sometimes (is that a good alternative title?) gather in Manchester on the second Saturday of the month, but I can’t raise anybody to see what’s happening (I’ve never been at this, shame) so I decide to take the weekend off, i.e. not do anything in the office.  Usually I would at least work the Saturday morning, but the weather forecast has lots of big yellow suns all over the country and my vitamin D is calling out for a booster.  I decide to go and walk some of the Pennine Way, which is only half an hour up the road on the way to Sheffield.  The day after I moved here last year I drove up there in my determination not to become enclosed in the urban jungle, but turned back after getting snarled up in traffic and have never been back.

The sun is shining as promised, but it’s pretty cold.  There was frost for the first time this year on the windscreen.  The first ice of the year is never like the first snow, but I have fun breaking the ice in the puddles on the way up the hill and seeing the increased thickness at the higher altitude.  The path is steep and rocky so I don’t get much chance to “lift up my eyes to the mountains”, even for a second, as you could lose your footing.  This makes me stop when crossing the streams, and I think of the psalm which is interpreted as referring in advance to the Messiah: “He shall drink from the stream by the wayside, therefore shall he lift up his head”.  I don’t take any chances with the water.  I could have walked much longer.  I feel fitter than I’ve been for many a year (famous last words), but I’ve said I’ll be back for lunch.  With me being away much of the time and the others having their days off and various responsibilities, it is not that often that the four of us in community are ‘en famille’.

In the afternoon I’m listening to the football on the radio and, surprise, surprise, Stockport who are bottom of the first division are winning 3-0 at half-time in the FA Cup against Huddersfield.  I decide to walk up and see if I can get in for the last 20 minutes.  I managed to do this once before but that might have been because I gave the impression I was a scout: “There’s somebody I would like to have a look at” (they do have a tricky young winger).  This time I had to peer through a slot in the gate which gave a view of about a quarter of the pitch.  As it neared the final whistle, and the home fans started to go home happy, I got in for the extra time and saw the opposition get a consolation goal.

November 14 – Sunday

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – ROOM 101 – WAR – RELIGION

Today being Remembrance Sunday it occurred to me that despite the war going on in Iraq I have never written about it in the diary.  That’s partly because it’s not the kind of thing that gets mentioned in the group, though one of the times a few of us were doing our own version of Room 101 (more about this another day) and someone suggested putting George Bush down the hatch.  I couldn’t quite vote for this even though I sympathized with the proposer’s concerns about the war.  I felt I had to say why I didn’t want to do away with George Bush.  It seemed a bit too much and part of me felt sorry for him, but I also had to explain that although I’m against war in principle (it nearly always causes more problems that it solves) I had wanted the world to get involved earlier in the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.  A lot of lives could have been saved.

If the United Nations was able to sort out countries where there is an obviously harmful dictatorship I feel the global village would be a better place.  There used to be a time when the police in Britain would not get involved in family disputes even when there was evident abuse going on.  “It’s a domestic issue”, they would say.  If the countries of the world agreed that there was a problem that had to be sorted out, then invading that country would not in my opinion constitute going to war.  The problem with Iraq is that the UN could not agree on this, though they almost did.  I had hoped that with the fall of Saddam the situation would quickly have improved in Iraq, but this has not been the case and things seem to go from bad to worse.

One day last week I was having a late cuppa in the afternoon and caught some of Richard and Judy on Channel 4 at 5.00 pm.  They were talking with Phillip Pullman and Richard said without provocation something like: “Religion is at the heart of most wars”.  I decided to send in an email comment immediately and see if it got any response during the programme.  It didn’t.  The gist of that I wrote to Richard and Judy was to encourage them to look from a slightly different angle at wars where there was a religious dimension.  Wars are usually caused by previous wars or unjust domination.  When a people is conquered the last thing that can be taken away from them is their religion.  Their faith becomes the focus of resistance, and the source of unity.  It might seem like a religious war, but people are just trying to hold on to their culture and their independence.

You can see how this worked in Ireland and Yugoslavia.  It was the Catholic Poles who were the first to successfully resist the communist Russians.  The people of East Timor would just have been swallowed up in Indonesia if they had not been Christians.  The Middle East has been resisting American domination for a long time because they see their whole culture being destroyed by our western secularism and commercialism.  The suicide bombers might quote the Koran, but what motivates them more deeply is the defence of their way of life.  I am not saying that faith is always used in the best way in these situations (I would like to question Moslems about their use of ‘jihad’ and the militaristic interpretations of the Koran).  But fundamentally religion is a force for the good.  The only people who do not see this are the atheistic secular liberals who believe that they can win a subtle non-violent war to create the world in their own image and likeness.  That is why they are so annoyed at the evangelicals in the USA who feel they have to undertake a military war, not to defend their faith, but to protect their way of life as they see it.

I’ve done it.  They say you should avoid talking about sex, religion and politics.  And now I’ve started talking about all three.  If you have another perspective let’s hear it.  Or there’s always Room 101.

November 15 - Monday

TWENTYSOMETHINGS LONDON GROUP

MEETING REPORT – 17^TH OCTOBER 2004

This is a description of the comments and suggestions that were discussed at the London 20s recent meeting. Fifteen people (the vast majority of them group regulars) attended, all of whom contributed to the notes that can be seen down here. As the main theme of the meeting was advertising, where group members are concerned, the established motto was:

 “Getting them in and keeping them in”

There was a recognised need to encourage potential regulars to attend more 20s events. The group has a well-established core in the centre of London, with the possibility of running simultaneous north and south of the river events if good attendances can be maintained. One way of doing this is for the group to establish its own individual identity, and through a thorough discussion, it was decided to keep joint events with the London 30s to one a month.

The main focal point for the group was to prepare for forthcoming contingencies, and advertising and marketing is a crucial point in this factor. Promoting the group regularly through posters and newsletters in churches and parishes was identified as key in maintaining a presence of Project 2030 (or London 20s) within the local Catholic diocese. Keeping in contact with parish priests through both written and verbal communication (i.e. mail shots) alongside the posters would help with this advertising. The group also proposed to look at targeting people in their late teens, or who are currently studying (university chaplaincies would be where the group is advertised. The group feel that the diocese is where it’s at and this is where Project 2030 should be promoted.

As well as producing a simple but effective poster, other suggestions included pocket-sized business cards that would include contact information on the group, but in these modern times, one of the best ideas to ensure maximum impact is through regular maintenance of a website, even if a website is indeed currently present within Project 2030. The website could contain an article about the London 20s as well as photographs of some of the regular members, so newcomers going to an event for the first time would know who to look out for.

It was also suggested that once we had maintained regular advertising of the group, that newcomers meetings could be held 3 or 4 times a year, ideally a quiet drink or social gathering, so that everyone attending would have a better chance to know the other people around them. The basis that the group agreed on for this was: “Let us know if you are coming along for the first time for a drink, before the meeting gets going.” A South Coast Project 2030 group is also starting, and the first few events here would be included in the London 20s newsletter.

All of the above would not only help to keep the ongoing of Project 2030 and the London 20s, but more importantly it would help to play a vital part for the Catholic diocese in strengthening a young Catholic community.

November 16 - Tuesday

TWENTYSOMETHINGS LONDON GROUP

QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE

This is a brief summary of answers provided by London 20s group members, who completed a questionnaire sent out to them in October 2004.

General Information

Events

Other comments

Many people in the group said that Project 2030 (or London 20s) is a great idea, especially as it fills a niche in the young adult Catholic market. They have met new people and made friends in the group, particularly that these people are young Catholics themselves. People have visited some interesting places through the group and like heading the religious side of the group. Some people have even bumped into old friends from university.

   The main issue that needs to be taken into account, through the vast majority of responses, is that the group needs to be advertised more frequently, and expand its market activity. A bit more communication with the local dioceses was suggested, as some Catholic places within London do not yet know about Project 2030. Other issues that were raised include that with major events, individual costs need to be considered so that they are not too expensive, and that sufficient notice should be given (i.e. at least 3 or 4 months) when such an event is to be organised.

It was suggested that a London 20s meeting should be held at least every 6 months to help maintain the effectiveness of the group.

November 17 - Wednesday

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIOUSNESS - "OPENNESS BEFORE GOD" - THE PAPERS

Today the others in community are away at a Deanery Meeting with the priests of the area.  I was saying the 12.00 Mass and also had to begin the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30 in the church.  While I was kneeling there before the monstrance it occurred to me that I had got out of the habit of doing what is known as the Examination of Consciousness in the middle of the day.  It used to be called the Examination of Conscience, but that gave the impression that it was just reflecting on what we had done wrong.  Even the word 'examination' sounds a bit strong.

The idea behind the Examination of Consciousness is to reflect over the day, or half the day if you also do it at lunch time.  Just be aware before God of how the day has gone and turn whatever you are conscious of into a prayer.  If something positive comes to mind then thank God for it.  If it's something good you have done then ask God to strengthen you to keep doing that kind of thing.  If it's something negative you think of, ask God to help you.  If it's something you've done wrong, ask forgiveness and the grace of a fresh start.

When doing this 'Openness before God' (a better title) you don't have to wrack your brain and try hard to think of something.  If nothing comes then leave it at that.  Usually it's the same kind of things that come to mind, the usual difficulties or struggles that we have in certain situations or with certain people.  Obviously we don't want to become obsessed about ourselves.  If you are someone who spends too much time navel-gazing and looking inward, then it might not be good to do this 'openness before God' for too long, but if you seldom if ever stop and think where you are going or where you've been, then it might be a good way to make you more aware of the issues in your life which are bubbling under the surface but which you might be avoiding facing.

The thought that occurred to me today was the amount of time and energy I spend at breakfast reading the paper.  No bad thing in itself, but before the day has really got started I've used up a sizeable amount of my daily quota of mental energy.  I enjoy reading papers.  That's something to be thankful for, but I might need to ration the brain cells more.

November 18 - Thursday

JAM

Some might think that I do not take life seriously enough.  The following email I sent to Robertson's Jam is proof enough, if proof be needed: 

To Robertsons, the greatest makers of jam in the world, and possibly the fruitiest.

For many a year I have contemplated  contacting you or other jammy dodgers to ask if you could produce a more solid product for the likes of me who is not afraid to put jam on sandwiches - but you should see the mess in the poly bag by lunchtime. 

My other great problem in life is this:  if you halve a scone and try to put a quarter of an inch of jam on each side you will soon be in a mess.  I might lick my fingers if nobody is looking but I could never stoop to licking the plate. I am sure this was never the intention of Mrs Robertson when she first went potty with the preserve.

Recently I was in Portugal and, lo and behold, I saw there a solid kind of jam which comes in a small one kilo plastic container about 8 by 4 inches.  You can slice off as much of the 3 centimetre deep jam as you want and it will not run.  It was so good that I had to be physically removed from the breakfast table so they could set for lunch.  Since then I have found it difficult to sleep, or when I do I dream of being carried along by black currents.  I'm sure this must happen often your best customers, so please advise where I can get help.  When I tell my doctor he just blows raspberries and says that I am suffering from passive fruitiness.

If you already have this product on the shelves then beg your pudding.  If not, can you please oblige and let me know when it is likely to happen so that I can tell my friends in the Jam Appreciation Society (known as JAS but pronounced JAZZ).   We will try and compose a jolly song for the occasion at one of our jam sessions.

I hope you will be able to do this early doors so that we can begin maxing out on our credit cards.   Offline this at once to some project champion.  Become user friendly.  Think outside the jar.  This could be mega.  Whatever.  You have a window of two weeks before I go public and let the muggles know.  I hope we are singing from the same hymn sheet.   This could be the last strawberry.

May God preserve us all,

Yours stickily but luckily lickily,

Hugh Hanley 

November 19 - Friday

MASTURBATION: MORE EMAILS ABOUT IT

Earlier this month (2 November ) I replied to someone about masturbation.  The same person had some follow-up questions and observations.  Here is my answer:

Sorry for the delay in replying to your email.  You've raised a lot of points.  The one that made me think most was why does the Church say masturbation is a 'serious matter', and you ask me to answer 'with small words so all can understand properly'.  I appreciate that the messages you picked up about masturbation when you were younger have had a negative impact on your life.  I wouldn't want to exaggerate its importance, and the paragraph I quoted from the Catechism last time was trying to put it into perspective, but anything to do with sexuality touches us deeply.  It is vitally important not only in people's lives, but also for passing on life to others.  I have met people who have been abused in a matter of seconds and in ways that could be described as superficial, and yet it has haunted them for years.  Although you see advantages in masturbation, it it sill a big issue for you.  You say that you will no longer feel guilty about expressing yourself in this way, but you recognise the danger of over-indulgence.  Your mind brings you back into balance eventually.  Maybe not everyone can do that and it could cause other problems.

You say that your biggest fear is that no-one will talk to you or continue to be your friend.  There can be the danger for some people that if we indulge in 'self-love' as you call it, then it can make us too obsessed and inward-looking..  Maybe others pick up the signals that we don't need them.   I would challenge you for a while to try and not indulge yourself in this way and see if there is a change in the way you relate to others and the way they relate to you.  If it doesn't make any difference what have you lost? Don't worry if you find it too much.  Even the catechism was appreciative of how hard it is when something becomes a habit.  It's when we decide to give something up that we want it even more.  There are different levels of masturbation.  There might be times when the need is not so strong.

You say that you don't wish to be afraid of what will happen to you, down here or up there, but fear can be the beginning of wisdom.  You no longer want to feel guilty about anything, you have your own set of morals, you want the freedom to express what you truly feel without hindrance.  You are right to be proud of your 'set of morals that keep me being the wonderful man I am, as I'm always doing the best I can', but if the above principles were followed by everybody it would lead to chaos and anarchy.  We need others.  There is such a thing as society, despite what Mrs Thatcher said.

You ask: 'Who outlawed masturbation, Church or God? Did the Vatican outlaw it themselves?'  This teaching has long been the tradition of the Church and is advocated by other spiritual traditions.  You are right to ask God to love you unconditionally, and he does;  but Jesus, for all his acceptance of others and his willingness to die that sin might be no more, was tougher on divorce and told us if we look at someone lustfully we have already committed adultery with them in our hearts.

It's only fair that I tell you that when we were studying sexuality at college the lecturer said: 'About masturbation, does anyone have any problems about it?  No?  Neither do I.  Next subject'.  But that was very 60s and we're reaping the consequences now.

Best wishes,

Hugh

November 20 - Saturday

GLASGOW 20S RETREAT, SMITHSTONE HOUSE

When the 20s groups were just starting I had a concern that there would be 10 at the first meeting, 8 female and 2 male.  The second meeting there would be one male, and after that it would be all women.  That wasn't how it turned out.  In general there are more ladies, but the men have always been s