Author: Leigh Hatts

Uncategorized

St Andrew’s Day

St Andrew’s Day today, Friday 30 November, is a special day for many in Amalfi, Istanbul and Patras whilst it’s  a holiday in Romania and Scotland. Andrew, crucified on an X cross, was a John the Baptist follower who introduced Jesus to his brother Peter. O Glorious St Andrew, you were the first to recognise […]

Leigh Hatts 
Uncategorized

Chocolate-free Advent calendars

The original printed paper Advent calendar invented in 1903 did not have a chocolate behind the doors. An experiment with sweets failed in 1908 and chocolates only starting being included during the 1990s. This year the shops are offering calendars costing as much as £79.99,  £85 and even £149.95. These, sometimes containing alcohol along with […]

Leigh Hatts 
Uncategorized

#SlowChristmas #NotXmasYet

The ‘festive Maltesers McFlurry ‘ is already available in McDonalds where paper bags proclaim ‘Christmas is here’. But it’s not. Last Sunday was the Second Sunday before Advent or the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Next Sunday is the climax of the Christian year when we celebrate Christ the King. Advent starts in two weeks time. Only […]

Leigh Hatts 
Uncategorized

Trinity Sunday: A new start

This weekend we reach Trinity Sunday. The Trinity is the name for God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. three in one and one in three. Since the end of November we have lived through the birth, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Trinity Sunday is the beginning of the second half of the year when […]

Leigh Hatts 
Uncategorized

Whit Friday: Walks and brass

Church congregations in Saddleworth will be out this morning taking part in Whit Walks. Whit Friday remains a local holiday in parts of Lancashshire. The Friday tradition was building up in the 1880s and today there is an ecumenical feel to the occasion: being together rather than rivalry. At 10am today in Top Mossley in […]

Leigh Hatts 
Uncategorized

Whitsun is Pentecost

Sixty years ago we would have said that Harry and Meghan had a Whitsun wedding. Philip Larkin wrote a poem called The Whitsun Weddings. Pentecost used to be a big holiday weekend in England as it still is in France. It was in 1965 that the Whit Monday Bank Holiday was rebranded Spring Bank Holiday […]

Leigh Hatts 
Uncategorized

St Matthias: an appropriate date this year

Today is the Sunday between The Ascension last Thursday and Pentecost next Sunday. The first followers of Christ, about 120 people, spent the ten days in between in Jerusalem waiting for the Holy Spirit. They used the time to choose a replacement for Judas, the group’s treasurer, who had betrayed Jesus and triggered his arrest […]

Leigh Hatts 
Uncategorized

Rogation Days

Tomorrow is the Sixth Sunday of Easter but it is often known as Rogation Sunday because we are about to have several Rogation days in the lead up to Ascension Day on Thursday. We are coming to the climax of Easter when Jesus, having risen on Easter Day, now ascends to heaven thus ending his […]

Leigh Hatts 
Uncategorized

St Mark’s Day in Venice

St Mark was one of the Disciples who gave us his Gospel providing a concise record of Christ’s ministry. Today Mark’s body is in Venice having been brought in 829 from Egypt where he founded the church. The 10.30am Mass for La Festa di San Marco in Venice’s St Mark’s Basilica includes trumpets and a […]

Leigh Hatts 
book cover mockup for SE15

Looking for a Great Book to Read? Look No Further!

This section is perfect for displaying your paid book or your free email optin offer. You can turn it off or make changes to it from your theme options panel.

Get Your Copy Today>>