FATHER FRANK’S LOG: 6th – 13th OCTOBER 2024
As you may have gleaned from previous logs, I am very much an analogue man in a digital age. I am not comfortable with technology and, whenever I do attain some level of comfort, it all changes. Give me pen and paper any day – or even a quill, an ink-well and parchment. Last week, however, I had to go to Carfin Grotto for the AGM of the Conference of Religious in Scotland (CRS). Having had a number of previous experiences of getting lost on the way to Carfin, using an AA route planner, and never seeming to learn from those experiences, I decided that this time I would try my hand, for the very first time, with Google maps. I thought I would have to download it, but then realised it had been on my phone all along. It surprised me how easy it was to access the app, enter my destination, and then get started on receiving directions. I had left in good time, with the presumption that I would get lost, and so, off I set from Bishopbriggs to Carfin on a crisp autumnal morning, which would have been beautiful except for the sun blinding me most of the way. I followed the voice on the app as best I could and, apart from the bamboozling Chapelhall Junction, which seemed to confuse even Google maps, I hardly got lost at all, and ended up at my destination too early.
I wasn’t too concerned about arriving early, because I always enjoy a walk around the shrine area; the sheer variety of saints and blesseds who are represented; the various shrines to Our Lady and, at that time of the morning, the Blessed Sacrament was also exposed for adoration in the Glass Chapel, so the time passed easily and prayerfully. The morning session is usually given over to a guest speaker. On this occasion the intended guest speaker had called off because he got sudden word of an appointment for a knee replacement that he had been anticipating for some time, and he didn’t, understandably, want to lose his slot. He was replaced by Fr Tom Magill from the Archdiocese of Motherwell who, anticipating the second session of the Synod on Synodality, which begins in Vatican City this week, led a session entitled “Conversation in the Spirit: First Fruits of the Synod”. It was very good and initiated some good table discussions, using the synodal method of listening in the Spirit. Mass was then celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Miguel Mauria Buendia. He was joined by Bishop Andrew McKenzie and Bishop Francis Dougan. Bishop Joseph Toal had also looked in earlier to greet the religious. Having had the company of two Archbishops and a Bishop at St Mungo’s last Saturday for start of the National Youth Pilgrimage, I haven’t been short of a bishop or two recently. God bless their work. The afternoon in Carfin was given over to CRS business and the journey home passed without any problems.
Last Sunday, driving back to Bishopbriggs from my younger brother’s house in Drumchapel, I turned on BBC Radio Scotland for Off the Ball, a programme I really enjoy, hosted by Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove. I was surprised to discover that their special guest that day was Hugh Keevins, my older brother, doyen of Scottish Sport’s journalists. As Hugh is more associated with a rival programme on a rival station (Superscoreboard on Radio Clyde) I wondered what was going on. I knew that Stuart and Tam had been very supportive of Hugh’s fundraising ventures for autism, because of his two autistic grandchildren, and such associations outstrip any rivalries. As it turned out, however, Hugh was guesting because of a book coming out this week in collaboration with the former Celtic great, Murdo McLeod, called Murdo! Murdo! – based on the chant that used to come from the terraces at Parkhead. Murdo’s health hasn’t been the best in recent years, and this is his autobiography. I know Hugh felt privileged to be asked to collaborate in the writing of it, based on a very long-standing friendship between the two of them and their families. With Stuart and Tam, the conversation ranged over many topics, not just football, but music, family, and life in general. It was very enjoyable. I wonder what my chances are of a free, signed, copy of the book!
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
As you may have gleaned from previous logs, I am very much an analogue man in a digital age. I am not comfortable with technology and, whenever I do attain some level of comfort, it all changes. Give me pen and paper any day – or even a quill, an ink-well and parchment. Last week, however, I had to go to Carfin Grotto for the AGM of the Conference of Religious in Scotland (CRS). Having had a number of previous experiences of getting lost on the way to Carfin, using an AA route planner, and never seeming to learn from those experiences, I decided that this time I would try my hand, for the very first time, with Google maps. I thought I would have to download it, but then realised it had been on my phone all along. It surprised me how easy it was to access the app, enter my destination, and then get started on receiving directions. I had left in good time, with the presumption that I would get lost, and so, off I set from Bishopbriggs to Carfin on a crisp autumnal morning, which would have been beautiful except for the sun blinding me most of the way. I followed the voice on the app as best I could and, apart from the bamboozling Chapelhall Junction, which seemed to confuse even Google maps, I hardly got lost at all, and ended up at my destination too early.
I wasn’t too concerned about arriving early, because I always enjoy a walk around the shrine area; the sheer variety of saints and blesseds who are represented; the various shrines to Our Lady and, at that time of the morning, the Blessed Sacrament was also exposed for adoration in the Glass Chapel, so the time passed easily and prayerfully. The morning session is usually given over to a guest speaker. On this occasion the intended guest speaker had called off because he got sudden word of an appointment for a knee replacement that he had been anticipating for some time, and he didn’t, understandably, want to lose his slot. He was replaced by Fr Tom Magill from the Archdiocese of Motherwell who, anticipating the second session of the Synod on Synodality, which begins in Vatican City this week, led a session entitled “Conversation in the Spirit: First Fruits of the Synod”. It was very good and initiated some good table discussions, using the synodal method of listening in the Spirit. Mass was then celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Miguel Mauria Buendia. He was joined by Bishop Andrew McKenzie and Bishop Francis Dougan. Bishop Joseph Toal had also looked in earlier to greet the religious. Having had the company of two Archbishops and a Bishop at St Mungo’s last Saturday for start of the National Youth Pilgrimage, I haven’t been short of a bishop or two recently. God bless their work. The afternoon in Carfin was given over to CRS business and the journey home passed without any problems.
Last Sunday, driving back to Bishopbriggs from my younger brother’s house in Drumchapel, I turned on BBC Radio Scotland for Off the Ball, a programme I really enjoy, hosted by Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove. I was surprised to discover that their special guest that day was Hugh Keevins, my older brother, doyen of Scottish Sport’s journalists. As Hugh is more associated with a rival programme on a rival station (Superscoreboard on Radio Clyde) I wondered what was going on. I knew that Stuart and Tam had been very supportive of Hugh’s fundraising ventures for autism, because of his two autistic grandchildren, and such associations outstrip any rivalries. As it turned out, however, Hugh was guesting because of a book coming out this week in collaboration with the former Celtic great, Murdo McLeod, called Murdo! Murdo! – based on the chant that used to come from the terraces at Parkhead. Murdo’s health hasn’t been the best in recent years, and this is his autobiography. I know Hugh felt privileged to be asked to collaborate in the writing of it, based on a very long-standing friendship between the two of them and their families. With Stuart and Tam, the conversation ranged over many topics, not just football, but music, family, and life in general. It was very enjoyable. I wonder what my chances are of a free, signed, copy of the book!
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
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