I have just heard about a new form of community that is starting up in Pittsburgh. It is called Formation House and more information can be found at http://www.formationhouse.org/

a place for foundational formation
through immersion into intentional
Christian community
a one year cycle beginning in August
APPLY NOW for next year’s cycle
the basic building blocks for each year are rhythms of prayer and work, or as the rhythms are traditionally called - ora et labora, which ground our abilities to participate in Jesus’ work of announcing the good news: the Kingdom of God is near
Formation House is located on Thomas Boulevard, as an expression of An Ordered Life, in a neighborhood of Pittsburgh
Modefls of engagement/relationship with community such as this seem to be emerging world-wide. What an exciting time we are living in! The Holy Spirit is at work and we need to open our hearts and minds to projects such as this one.

Psalm 8
Antiphon: Speak, Lord for we are listening to you.
1. Lord, our God, the whole world tells the greatness of your name.Your glory reaches beyond the farthest star. 2. Even the babble of infants declares your strength, your power to halt the enemy and avenger.3. I see your handiwork in the heavens the moon and the stars you set in place. 4. What is humankind that you remember them,the human race that you care for them?5 You treat them like gods,Dressing them in glory and splendour.You give them charge of the earth Laying all at their feet. 6. Cattle and sheep,wild beasts, birds of the sky fish of the sea,every swimming creature.7. Lord, Our God,the whole world tells the greatness of your name.Glory to You, Source of all Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit,As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
Antiphon: Speak, Lord for we are listening to you.

Spring has arrived in Lincolnshire and I am filled with wonder and praise for the Creator God. Hallelujah!

I have found myself increasingly drawn to the concepts of "New Monasticism" lately.
The idea of living in a community that is concerned with practical engagement with the poor, with an ethic of hospitality and sharing, being available to people in need of comfort, help or assistance and with an emphasis on a prayerful, contemplative spiritual and devotional life is very appealing. There have been "New Monastic" communities in existence since the seventies and are an antidote to the individualism and consumerism we find in society today. Life is all about relationship and we need to explore our relationships with others and with God.
I find myself increasingly drawn to contemplative prayer and have also recently started to use the Ignatian model of the Examination of Conscience in my own prayer life.
I have come to believe that deep commitment to other people and powerful theological reflection are essential if the church is to recover itslife and true witness to the world in which we live.

I have spent the last few days in Rome and, as usual, was amazed at the nonchalant way that ancient monuments, statues and buildings exist alongside grafitti-covered, concrete apartment blocks, underpasses, magazine kiosks and litter. Rome is the ultimate example of "shabby chic".
One of my favourite buildings is the Pantheon and it seems at the same time incongruous and completely natural to turn off a busy street full of shops and traffic, wander along a narrow side street and suddenly find a huge Roman temple squeezed in amongst the gift shops and the ubiquitous MacDonalds.
The trip has reminded me that something beautiful does not cease to be beautiful when surrounded by noise and dirt and ugliness. Rather the surrounding ugliness and chaos seem to elevate its quiet dignity. In much the same way as the general ugliness and squalor we find in so many areas of the world does not diminish the awesome beauty of the creation as a whole or the beauty of the One who created it and stands within His creation, but rather intensifies it.