Comments on: Catholics urged to apply as soon as possible for papal visit places

By: Mel

Mel — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 03:34:43 +0000

Um, it's probably too late, but I got a place by getting in touch with our Papal Co-ordinator through the Diocesan website last month. There were no tickets left in my parish, but he found a spare ticket in another parish and put me in touch with them. I'm going to Cofton Park with them on Sunday!

Thank you, Clifton!

By: Alexanders

Alexanders — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:54:47 +0000

Are there any last minute stand-by tickets? I didn't apply in our parish because it is off to University time in this household and at the time when tickets wewre issued, I was afraid I would be ferrying files and duvet covers. I saw the late Holy Father at York many years ago and I just turned up on the day: is there anywhere that returned tickets are available?

By: Ratbag

Ratbag — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:33:46 +0000

You know what, 1mrpants2! I can tell you of two contrasting accounts of the ticket allocation problems/farce/debacle/here from the point of view of my LPA/Diocese – one, that few parishoners responded to the initial request for names to be taken for the Cofton Park vip seats. My fiance and I – who attends the same parish – decided to put our names into the tombola anyway even though we were thinking that the great and the good of our church (whom I jokingly call the 'usual suspects' as we have two Bene Merenti medal holders and their spouses!) would be given first refusal. Alternatively, if there was one seat left on the pilgrim bus, we would not go without each other and be content just to stay in and watch The Pope on the telly! Imagine our delight when we were told that we would not only be going to Cofton Park together but as vips, too! We're still not over the shock. The other angle of the ticket allocation story was soley down to a communication problem – another priest a few miles away got notice of the vip tickets hours before the 1pm Monday deadline!!!!! Even in an affluent parish like his, he would not have been able to gather any possible names for the tombola – even if he had contact names and numbers of his parishoners (a far fetched analogy, I know) ! He was,er, well miffed. The transport situation to Cofton Park resembles Lannigan's Ball – on the bus, make your own way, on the bus, and make your own way again – get the picture? The pilgrim organiser in our LPA is currently close to overdosing on Anadin and calling the Samaritans because of co-ordinating the red tape, criminal checks – you name it! She never witnessed anything like it and no amount of abstinence from caffeine will lower her stress level. No day out to Southport this, missus, as she found out to her chagrin. Also, my beloved and I will have to take two forms of ID to the vip checkpoint charlie on the day – ecky pump! We are going to Mass which will be celebrated by The Pope – not appling for a bank account! Joking aside, this security malarkey is extremely necessary and we totally accept that. Also, we'll be donating to the Papal Visit online, too!

As for people like Prof. McLeod, you should have gone to a very well known high street opticians chain! Do you not know the difference between a chasuble and a toga? Are you mixing up Shakespeare with Holy Mass? You can always Wiki chasubles and togas – see them for yourself! As a Brit/Scot, will you be as bold in describing your Head of State, HM Queen Elizabeth II, as 'an old woman dressed as a sparkly pantomime fairy' when she attends and presides at The State Opening of Parliament or when she meets a Head of State at another State function, adorned with every conceivable precious stone about her person, as well as the precious metal and enamel that make up the Orders and Honours she wears? Hmm??? In her capacity as Head of The Church of England??? What time does the Tower of London shut? Gulp!

As for HH The Pope, I, for one, will be looking forward to seeing him in his ecclesiastical attire when he visits the UK to celebrate Mass. Recently, my parish exhibited several examples of ecclesiastical attire for Masses from the past through to the present. They were remarkable works of art which add warmth, dignity and majesty to the celebration of Mass. Pope John Paul II wore some stunning stoles and chasubles at his Masses around the world! Colours reflect the liturgical seasons in the Church's year and have a specific prayerful meaning. They are not worn just for the sake of it.

By: Miles Mariae

Miles Mariae — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:03:03 +0000

Mgr. Summersgill compares the compulsory contributions to that of World Youth day. The comparison is not fair as it was not compulsory to “register as a pilgrim” to attend papal masses, such as the one at Randwick Racecourse. It was possible to get a ticket as an unregistered individual and to not have to pay a penny. Those who registered got a free travelcard and a pilgrim pack. Attending the mass as an individual was free.

By: jones.

jones. — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 07:31:09 +0000

Popularism is now believed to be the philosophy of power, but it seems Prof, Macleod needs to be lectured in this. Benedict is a celebrit both in the relm of catholic thinking and in secular world. So its not you are suckers for funny costumes, but you realy have to enjoy seeing old men dressed in real ancient catholic togas. Have a nice Benedict visit.

By: Danielck

Danielck — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 23:37:08 +0000

“Guide us, O Lord, in the way of your Word, that today we may follow where you lead us. Your word is a lamp for our steps.”

By: Danielck

Danielck — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 23:36:11 +0000

“Guide us, O Lord, in the way of your truth, that today we may choose wisely among the many ideas the media present to us. Your word is a lamp for our steps.”

By: Danielck

Danielck — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 23:33:45 +0000

“For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world”. Forgive us our sins Lord.

By: Daviddelphinus

Daviddelphinus — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:58:15 +0000

not only europe even africa.

By: 1mrpants2

1mrpants2 — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:56:33 +0000

We are astonishingly loyal to our Bishops, but that loyalty is beginning to crack. My parish has been allocated 31 places for the prayer vigil and 2 for the canonisation. The only certainty is that the great and the good will be found places along with those who run the ecumenical circus. Maybe this tells us a lot about how the ordinary pew Catholics are really regarded.