From all the responses and emails I've now received in connection with Monday's post (A Guild of Catholic Bloggers - what do you think?), it seems that the launching of a Guild of Catholic Bloggers might actually be a realistic possibility! There appears to be a need for some sort of mutual aid society for those Catholics (including Anglo-Catholics) who use the new media to converse with the world. Catholic bloggers are now leading the way when it comes to on-line evangelisation, promotion of the faith and apologetics - so it is probably important for us to be able to meet other bloggers in person, discuss ideas over meals or at workshops, and worship together every now and again. It would also be good for us to be inspired by spiritual conferences, invite priests or bishops to address us, and encourage one another face-to-face (blogging, after all, can be a lonely affair!)
Seeing that many of you have offered to help set up a Guild of Catholic Bloggers, I have now booked a place in central London for the purpose of holding an informal meeting with the view of electing temporary officers and drawing up a constitution. So, if any of you are free on Saturday 7 May from 2:00pm - 4:00pm, you would be most welcome to join me at the Hinsley Room next to Westminster Cathedral. As some of you know, the Hinsley Room is a stand-alone building behind St Paul's Bookshop and St Vincent's School - on Morpeth Terrace. I will be there from 1:00pm, and you will be able to bring sandwiches / packed-lunches with you - the tea and coffee will be on me!
It would be great if as many Catholic bloggers, twitterers, Facebookers, and friends / blog followers were able to attend this meeting, so that plans for any potential Guild of Catholic Bloggers may be drawn up. From my previous post, you will have noticed that some very useful suggestions have already been proposed. On Saturday 7 May, it might be possible to gather these ideas into a comprehensive constitution - no more than a page! It is hoped that we might also be able to elect a temporary chairman, secretary and treasurer - to deal with the day-to-day practicalities of launching such a lay association. (I am hopeless at such things - so am looking for volunteers!).
Some of the things that will need discussing include: -
1. Membership (cost, conditions, etc)
2. Officers (terms, functions, etc)
3. Purpose and aims (to strengthen the faith and aid the spirituality of Catholic bloggers)
4. Events (Work-shops, retreats, pilgrimages, etc)
5. AGM and Annual Mass, etc
I am sure that there will be more items on the day's agenda, once other bloggers have thought of things to add!
So, if you happen to be in central London, or are able to come to Westminster Cathedral, on Saturday 7 May, then please let me know - either in the Comments section or by email (below)! Also, please do pass this on to other bloggers and twitterers (twitterati?). The more, the merrier!
PS - Those able to get to the Cathedral early might wish to attend the 10:30am or 12:30pm Masses before the meeting?
Saturday 7th May is the First Saturday, so there's a Missa Cantata at Blackfen, so I'm afraid I won't be able to attend. There's also a chant workshop happening at Spanish Place, and a lot of bloggers might be planning to go to that...
ReplyDeleteOh, no!
ReplyDeleteWhere's my mind! I could try rearranging the date (to the following Saturday)? Otherwise, maybe you'd be able to send in some proposals?
Well, I will travel down from Gloucestershire to be with you for the full duration, on whatever date you decide on.
ReplyDeleteShall I wait for you to confirm this date (7th) before blogging and booking my train ticket?
Afraid the notice is too short this time for me to get the essential 'cheap flight'. I hope you can get the date changed, although even if you do I'll probably have to wait until next time. Please keep us posted. I expect you've seen that we're both mentioned on William Oddie's CH piece today.Most of the things he mentions have already been dealt with in your com box.
ReplyDeleteThe difficulty I forsee is that there might be faction bloggers guilds since we don't all link to the same Catholic bloggers..just some thoughts..we might look at a Midlands group..
ReplyDelete@ Stuart
ReplyDeleteThank you - I look forward to meeting! Yes, I have checked to see whether the room would be available on the 14th, but it's not - so 7 May is confirmed. The only other day would be Friday evening on 13 May (but my guess is that many would be busy that day, OL Fatima)?
@ Jane
ReplyDeleteYes, I did notice that! I must confess that I didn't really understand his piece - tiredness on my part (I suffer from severe tiredness / depression and sometimes simple things don't make sense!)
It's a shame you couldn't make it this time. I have tried changing the date, but the room is booked on other Saturdays. Hopefully, you'll be able to attend the first proper meeting (as this will just be a preliminary / setting up meeting). Will keep you posted... Also, please send proposals if you wanted.
@ Jackie Parkes MJ
ReplyDeleteYes, I can see your point. It is a possibility, but we'll see... Nothing may come of it anyway, as it's all dependent upon God's will and willing members!
I think that having chapters / cells around the country is a good idea.
@ Jane
ReplyDeleteJust reread William Oddie's piece, after a cup-of-tea! It was an interesting read.
By the way, I totally agree with you regarding this slur "Taliban Catholic"! Thank you for your intelligent use of humour in pointing out the dangers of allowing orthodox Catholics to be branded (to brand ourselves) in such a way.
I agree with Reluctant Sinner that one of the purposes of the Guild must be to promote fidelity to the Magisterium. I'd be more specific and stipulate 'fidelity to the Magisterium as expressed by the Catechism of the Catholic Church' because then we wouldn't have any problems about defining what was Catholic and what wasn't.
ReplyDeleteI also think the choice of Blessed Titus Brandsma is inspired. He represents Catholic journalism at its most heroic, holy and obedient to the Faith. One day we could organize a pilgrimage to Dachau concentration camp, the site of his martyrdom. Deacon Nick Donnelly Protect the Pope.com
Rats! Will be on my way back from The French Trip on the 7th, so I couldn't make that date I'm afraid :(
ReplyDelete@ Watchman (Deacon Nick Donnelly)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment and for your excellent blog! The idea of adopting Bl Titus Brandsma as patron came from Fr Tim Finigan in a reply he made to a comment I'd posted on his blog. I agree, he is a great example to journalists and bloggers alike.
@ Annie
Oh no... Hopefully, you'll be able to come to the first official meeting of the Guild (if / when it's set up)?
I'm afraid I cant come,much as I would love to, as I am pretty much housebound with
ReplyDeletefibromyalgia:(
and planning my daughters wedding (June 4th )which will be Full Nuptial Mass :)
but, I would be happy to sign up as long as subs weren't too much, I was on lots of committee's at one time and I'm quite happy to leave it to others these days!
So much I want to say; but at present I feel it would be better to leave it unsaid on a public forum; but anyone can feel free to contact me privately.
ReplyDeleteThis is not going to be easy.
The Holy Spirit - being the Ultimate Romantic - in things of any worth - never makes it anything less than a tumultuous adventure!
If we love God and Holy Mother Church we need to prove it.
This is a first move.
Thankyou.
@ diddleymaz
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the fibromyalgia, but glad to hear about your daughter's wedding :-)
Will let you know what happens after the planning meeting.
Are you getting any positive take-up? Most of these seem to be understandable, aplogetic but, supportive refusals. (Agree with Jackie's idea of regional chapters, but we have to get the basic idea started first.)Would it be possible to send a friend, resident in London, to represent me? At any rate will send my suggestuibs by enail.Perhaps it would have been better to wait until after Easter, and after the Beatification, and fix a date between then and WYD
ReplyDeleteI too was puzzled by Dr Oddie's piece at first reading. I'm sill not sure about it. I must admit that I thought of Fr Tim's recent post about Sir Dan and his dislike of waffle!
Anyway,we must be grateful that he has raised awareness of your idea.
@ OTSOTA
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment...
I agree with you, it's something worth testing, and we'll just have to see where the Holy Spirit leads us. If it's of God, or not...
Would appreciate some further input...
@ Jane
ReplyDeleteOne or two who can make it - so I would appreciate it if your friend could come to represent you, but it's ok if s/he can't. Maybe this meeting will turn out to be a preliminary preliminary meeting?
Thanks R.S. Will contact my friend and let you know by email details of her identity etc. She's a known commenter on our orthodox blogs. If she can't make it, there are several other possibilities.
ReplyDeleteI'm a blogger supporter, so I'll come to the prelim of the prelim.
ReplyDelete@ Jane
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like, you can contact me privately on the email at the bottom of the blog: areluctantsinner@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you ;-)
Keep up the good work!
@ Genty
Excellent - I look forward to meeting you there!
Hope to make it from Hythe, Kent. Good job in organizing it. Well done. The first thing is simply to meet each other and go from there, to start something.
ReplyDeleteBishop John Hine recently stopped by our presbytery here for a surprise visit upon which I took the opportunity to ask him for advice about blogging. He had said in the past that there was somewhat of a negative shadow cast on it because there was a perception of it among some bishops that people were not shining forth the face of Christ, but rather kicking up dust with unhealthy criticism. He said that we should use blogs to preach the truth in love, to shine forth the face of Christ in a positive light.
We have our work cut out for us and need each other for encouragement and unity under the Magisterium's guidance.
Oremus pro invicem.
will be adding this to my intentions, we all should pray for it and see how its answered.
ReplyDeleteYes please, RS, put me down as long as it is 7th May.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks.
@ Fr Samuel Medley SOLT
ReplyDeleteIt would be very good if you could come!
I agree that blogging as Christians contains great challenges and requires a willingness to be conformed to the image of Christ. There are many temptations for bloggers (well, I have them!) to judge or to lack mercy and compassion.
Hope to see you on the 7th!
@ diddleymaz
ReplyDeleteThank you - prayer is needed more than anything else!
@ Richard Collins
Excellent! See you on the 7th, Dv.
I'm at St James's Spanish Place that day singing Mass I, so can't come I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteI'll be coming. I may be late and may have to leave promptly because of the schedule in the parish but it would be good to see you and others who want to get things going.
ReplyDelete@ Fr Tim Finigan
ReplyDeleteExcellent news! Thank you for making the time to come to the meeting...
I look forward to meeting you!
It seems some wish to provide traditional Masses..whatever they are. Presumably any guild would not have a preference for one particular form of the Mass?
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming this Guild will be comprised mostly of British bloggers? Those of us across the pond obviously won't be able to attend these meetings.
ReplyDelete@ Jackie Parkes MJ
ReplyDeleteThere is only one Mass, with many different uses and rites. The Latin Rite currently has two main forms, although still allows for other uses (Ambrosian and Sarum, etc). In that respects, there will be several Catholics from the various faithful traditions of the Catholic Church in the Guild - one hopes. Hopefully there will be a few Syro-Malabars, Rutherians, Ukranians, Latins, etc. I am sure that most would be familiar with the newer (Ordinary) Form of the Latin Mass, whilst others might have a penchant for the more traditional (Extraordinary) Form of the Latin Mass.
It might surprise some, but I am not a control-freak, and do not believe in trying to mould any movement in my own image. Let the Holy Spirit decide which way the thing will go. It's in his hands.
If Mass were offered, either in the Ordinary Form or Extraordinary Form, I would have no problem attending either. I am a Catholic.
@ Christine
ReplyDeleteI know that a few American bloggers are now considering starting a Guild of Catholic Bloggers for the US / North America.
It need not be restricted to one type or one nationality.
Hope that helps?
Thanks for the clarification...we are familiar with the Divine Liturgy with Miles Jesu being bi-ritual..I just got confused over the word "traditional" because all Catholics are traditional anyway as is the faith.
ReplyDelete@ Jackie Parkes MJ
ReplyDeleteSilly me, I should have realised that MJ stood for Miles Jesu! In fact, I met some members the other week, during an event partly organised by Joanna Bogle. They were an extremely kind couple - but, unfortunately, I seem to have forgotten their names.
Yes, I agree, there has been a certain hijacking of the word "traditional", but I think that this is currently being addressed - especially now that most are beginning to use "EF" and "OF". I used to call the EF Mass "Old" or "Latin", but know know that the Mass itself (for Latin Rite Catholics, like us) is Latin and that it is ancient in that it comes from the Ancient of Days!
God bless.
Jayne & Bryan Lock MJ...
ReplyDeleteOh it's the Latin hey?
Btw we often go to the Latin High & the EF .. It's just that all are equally valid!
Err what is Ancient of Days?
ReplyDelete@ Jackie Parkes MJ
ReplyDeleteJust an old term (esp in hymns) for God...
@ A Reluctant Sinner
ReplyDeleteI comment on Catholic Blogs, would I be able to come along too?
@ Vesper
ReplyDeleteThanks for the many comments you make on our blogs. As it will be a first meeting, it might be good to restrict it to bloggers this time - but you would be welcome to attend all the future meetings, and to join the Guild.
@ A Relectant Sinner
ReplyDeleteI think inviting a poor bottom line Catholic like me who chooses to make professionally qualified London City Challenge comments, on certain strategic Catholic Blogs, would link the new Guild to it's audience/field workers at inception. To not do so would risk an elitist hijack of the concept now that Rome has brought you under it's wing with official recognition, and an invitation to attend the Vatican's BlogMeet. Your suggestion that it might even be an idea to ask Bishop Michael Campbell if he would like to be the president of any Guild of Catholic Bloggers that might be formed over the coming months, strenghthens my concerns as you hadn't even come across The Bishop's Blog until you read about it yesterday evening on Fr Ray Blake's Blog, and Bishop Michael Campbell could be the worst Catholic blogger in the whole of the Christian Blogosphere for all you and I know (I'm sure he is not, but his rank alone shouldn't guarentee automatic elevation to president of the new Guild).
Our Lady of the Rosary ( http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2010/10/celebrating-parish-feast-day.html ) pray for us in BNP leader Nick Griffin MEP's EU/GLA/LDA/ODA NEO-NAZI DEVELOPMENT TIMES Amen
PAPA RATZI ( http://www.thepapalvisit.org ) ORA PRO NOBIS!
Yours sincerely
Roy Hobson aka Our Lady's "Vesper" ON-LINE +
ROY HOBSON FRICES1990, FRICS1984, Grad Dipl QS
@ Vesper
ReplyDeleteRoy, feel free to come to the meeting, if you wish - I'm sure you will have a valuable contribution to make. I just thought that a planning meeting might be a bit "dry", especially for a non-blogger, that's all.
By the way, I haven't been taken under Rome's wing (though, was already there as a Catholic) and neither has my blog been approved or recognised by the Vatican. Just thought I'd clarify that bit.
Thanks for your support and valuable comments.
@ A Reluctant Sinner
ReplyDeleteThank you for allowing me the right to attend the meeting, I have alerted Father Devlin, and St Mary's University College Twickenham to these high profile blogosphere developments.
Father Devlin fully enjoys the support of the Bishops, Governors, staff past and present, students past and present, and they know that as Chaplain, he upholds the Catholic values and teachings at St. Mary’s, and of course they also should all be aware of these critical 'Planning for Real' initiatives that affect future developments here in London.
Hallo! This sounds like an excellent adventure! I would like to get involved somehow. I hope you would accept Catholic bloggers who like to write about saints, books and food, but prefer to steer clear of controversy, whether in ethics or liturgy :) I am moving house on the 7th, but would love to hear about how it goes. Good luck everyone! The Holy Spirit be with you all :)
ReplyDelete@ Cloister
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Will most definitely keep you informed! In fact, a blogger who concentrates on all that is beautiful about the faith sounds very refreshing!
God bless.