Christopher Smith It’s nearly Christmas, and, by the time you read this, carol services will be in full swing and we will once again be bellowing those familiar verses. And, whilst we would ideally save all that until Christmastide [...]
Almost a thousand people gathered in York Minster on St Andrew’s Day for the consecration of Fr Stephen Race as the new Bishop of Beverley – an encouraging number for any new bishop, and especially those parishes which belong to [...]
Thurifer A correspondent writes, without comment: ‘Rosemary Hill, God’s Architect: Pugin and the Building of Romantic Britain [2008] p. 113: ‘ …with that Welby family talent of which Pugin himself was not devoid, for stating the uncomfortably obvious in [...]
Glyn Webster I retired in January this year with two farewell masses in Manchester and York. It was wonderful to see so many people at those services, in spite of the weather and distances. Although I have to admit [...]
Harri Williams commends the Life Profession of Br Michael Jacob SSF The prophet Micah challenged the people of Israel to consider what God required of them. The traditional offerings of calves, rams, oil, even one’s own firstborn were no [...]
Simon Cotton finds the angelic in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Somerset The magnificent roof to the nave of Isleham church (1: Cambs) carries an inscription recording the fact that it was the gift of Christopher Payton in 1495. It [...]
Unlimited in time and space The Word T ook Jewish flesh in Bethle’m, When Quirinius governed Syria, Took Jewish flesh, despised race, Proud, exclusive. Could not nobler race be found? Roman, Greek or Chinese flesh, Ghanaian, Inca, Indian? Each race [...]
Martin Draper makes a plea for the hidden gems among Christmas hymns and carols Everyone has favourite Christmas hymns and carols; indeed, there are so many that it is impossible to sing them all. The fact that Midnight Mass, [...]
Recipes from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s new book River Cottage Good Comfort – best-loved favourites made better for you’ Kedgeree This classically comforting rice and fish dish – traditionally enjoyed for breakfast or brunch but also a lovely supper – has [...]
The Mystery of the Coronation Bible of George VI, unfolded by Michael Brydon Just before Christmas 1937, Bertram Pollock, the elderly Bishop of Norwich, had the impending season of peace and goodwill disturbed when he received a letter from [...]