@liambeadle My word, this is shockingly bad. Far too long and meandering, and it reads like an attempt to show horn in as many football references and Easter eggs as possible.
If anyone cares, I have finally decided to leave this platform. The X algorithm has been putting my way more & more unwanted posts full of aggressive ideologies & nastiness. Christ said “the eye is the lamp of the body”. This is not the content that I want passing into my being.
A gentle reminder...
When You See the White Smoke signalling the election of a new Pope,
Don’t think of prestige. Don’t rush to post, to speculate, or to celebrate power.
Kneel. And pray.
Because the man who will soon step out onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica is not claiming a throne - but embracing a cross.
He is not a victor, but a sacrificial lamb chosen to lead a weary world.
At that very moment, he may be in the small, hidden “Chapel of Tears” beside the Sistine Chapel - weeping. Not in triumph, but in awe and fear, asking God:
“Why me?”
He will recount his frailties. He will list every reason why he feels unworthy.
But God will not need strength - He will give mercy.
This man will carry the full weight of Peter’s office.
He will grow tired.
He will suffer silently.
He will grow old - perhaps too soon.
He will not retire in comfort.
He will die in service.
His burden will be unseen by many, but his soul will feel it every day.
When you see the white smoke... pray for him.
He is not stepping into glory - he is walking into sacrifice.
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Honoured and humbled to take on this role. I’m thankful to my predecessor Revd Laura Hewitt for her great example of how an Area Dean can build relationships and bring people together. I hope to continue that legacy. And so thankful to the many from my own @StMarysPB who came.
Do join us tomorrow (Sunday 1st December) for our 5pm #Advent carol service: “from darkness to light” with seasonal music and readings followed by light refreshments. #AdventCarols#AdventSunday
A votive stand full of prayer intentions from years 5 & 6 of @oakmereprimary who visited @StMarysPB today to learn about what goes on in a church as part of their RE syllabus. Always a joy to host school visits.
Do join us over #Advent and #Christmas
Sunday 1st December 5pm - Advent Carol Service
Sunday 22nd December 5pm - Traditional Carol Service
Christmas Eve 4pm - Christingle and Crib service
Christmas Eve 11:30pm - Midnight Mass
Christmas Day 10am - Family Eucharist
Do join us for our annual Service of #Remembrance and #Thanksgiving on Saturday 2nd November at 3pm: a service of hymns and prayers in remembrance and thanksgiving for all the departed especially those who have died in the last two years. Refreshments afterwards. All welcome.
What a wonderful celebration of faith and community today as we celebrated our Patronal Festival and brought our three newest members into the full sacramental life and worship of Christ’s holy Church. Congratulations to our newly Confirmed, so very proud of them.
Thanks to all who made our celebration of our #PatronalFestival with #baptism and #confirmation such a success particularly the @BishopStAlbans, our candidates, our clergy, our servers and choir and everyone in our community who provided food for our bring and share lunch. 1/2