Author: Saintstephens

All powerful God,
you are present in the universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with your peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle,
for justice, love and peace.

Amen

A prayer for our earth was published in Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’. It is for all who believe in God who is the all-powerful Creator.

On Saturday February 22 in St Stephen’s church hall, family and friends celebrated Fred Baker’s 100th birthday.   The celebration followed Mass in the church for Fred’s intention attended by, among others, his five children, sixteen of his grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.   Father Christopher Basden, priest of this parish in the 1980s, concelebrated with Canon Edward and delivered a homily that was a touching tribute to my dear parents, Fred and his late wife, Della.

Continue reading “A Man for All Seasons at 100”

Homily given by Fr Christopher Basden, Saturday 22nd February 2020

It is lovely to be back here.  I spent seven of the happiest years of my life (1983-1990) at St. Stephen’s, Welling.  I thought it was the centre of the universe and just down the road I found a real “Bethany” at the house of Fred and Della.

Continue reading “Homily in Honour of Fred Baker’s 100th”

Gwen has asked me to write something about my doings at the Beda seminary in Rome.  As you may know I left Welling in September 2018 to spend a year as a Pastoral Assistant in Dover before going to the seminary.  Dover remains my UK base as my flat in Welling is now rented out.  I am really blessed to have Father Jeff Cridland as parish priest. Some of the older parishioners in Welling will remember him from his spell in Welling at the end of 1995.

Continue reading “First Semester at Beda Seminary”

This may seem like a strange time of the year to still be talking about Father Christmas, but it’s about now that many families begin to realise just how much he cost them in the weeks and months leading up to Christmas. And how much they now owe! Continue reading “After Santa’s Gone!”