Let's stay prayerful, faithful and Catholic – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This month, we walk with Our Lady in her sorrows—not as a defeat, but as the pathway to the triumph of the Cross.
September is traditionally dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, whose feast is celebrated on 15 September, the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Her pierced heart mirrors the heart of Christ: silent, faithful, enduring. Let us lean into that sorrow—not to wallow in pain, but to find meaning, love, and strength in suffering united with Jesus.
From the main road, there is nothing to suggest what lies there.
Parishioners and others walk by on their way to Mass or meetings, perhaps pausing to greet a friend or enter the hall itself for one of the many activities held there, many people not realising that just a few steps away is a place set apart, waiting in stillness... the wild garden of Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church, New Milton — a space unlike any other in the parish.
He heals the brokenhearted,
and binds up their wounds." —
Psalm 147:3
(RSV-CE)
(Plus FREE GIFT)
Step into ten days of reflection, prayer, and poetry inspired by the Psalms — designed to refresh your soul, strengthen your spirit, and bring you closer to God.
Plus a free gift in with final edition
Each day offers a short scripture, a heartfelt reflection, a guided prayer, and an original poem to help you:
• Find peace in the storms of life.
• Trust God’s timing and care.
• Heal from sorrow and brokenness.
• Delight in the Lord and lift your heart in praise.
Take ten days to pause, pray, and experience the Psalms in a fresh, life-giving way. Your heart and soul deserve this quiet, restorative journey with God.
This series is completely free, and your email is only used to send you these reflections — no marketing, no selling, no hidden agendas. Once the series ends, all email addresses are permanently deleted from the list used for this series
I named this blog The 24/7 Catholic because it expresses a desire that I had tugging at my heart. I want to live my Catholic faith every day, every hour, every minute. All the time. Not just on Sundays, not just at Mass, not just when I’m feeling inspired - but 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That’s what it means to follow Christ, right?
At least, that’s what I aspire to do...
... and yet, more often than not, I fall short...
This blog is for people like me - those of us who want to be saints, but who find ourselves slipping, stumbling, and sometimes just plain giving up. 
It’s for people who want to live the faith 24/7 but don’t always know how. People who go to Confession and mean it - but then snap at someone ten minutes later. People who say their Rosary while mentally ticking off their to-do list. People who love Jesus with all their hearts - but still struggle with doubt, distraction, despair, and daily demands.
This is The 24/7 Catholic - not because I’ve mastered it, but because I need to be reminded of it every single day...
Often overlooked is His quick wit, sharp irony, and well-timed humour.
Jesus wasn’t a gloomy figure. He enjoyed wedding feasts, told stories full of exaggeration and satire, and gently teased His disciples when they needed it.
After all, joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit - and Christ was filled with it.
Laughter is part of love, and Jesus, who is love incarnate, used humour to reveal truth, disarm pride, and draw people closer.
Let’s
explore 10 moments from the Gospels that shine with Jesus’ holy
sense of humour.
Daily Offering to the Immaculate Heart
“O Immaculate Heart of Mary, I consecrate myself to you. Take my heart and make it more like yours: pure, trusting, faithful, and surrendered to God. Intercede for me, and lead me always to your Son. Amen.”
This month, place your daily joys and trials into the heart that pondered all things, trusted God in all things, and stood faithful beneath the Cross.
While his words are divinely inspired and timeless, one can only imagine how his correspondence might have looked in a world of inboxes, CCs, and dreaded spam filters.
So,
let’s have a little fun and picture an alternate reality where the
Apostle to the Gentiles had access to a first-century email accounts.
Mass begins. The choir sings the entrance hymn. The priest processes reverently to the altar.
The Sign of the Cross opens our sacred encounter with heaven... and… we're not there yet.
Maybe we’re rushing up the path, breathless and distracted. Maybe we’re just leaving home, thinking, “I’ll miss the beginning, but at least I’ll make it for Communion.” Maybe it’s become a habit. A harmless little habit - so we think.
But what joy is there in being regularly late for Mass?
No Ordinary Gathering
Let’s remind ourselves what we’re walking into when we attend Mass.
It’s not a club meeting or a lecture. It is the Holy Sacrifice. Christ offers Himself, through the hands of the priest, for the forgiveness of sins and the life of the world. Heaven breaks through. Angels surround the altar. The veil between this life and eternity is lifted.
And we are invited - not merely to observe, but to participate.
To be late is to step in halfway through a miracle!
The sun, though temperamental in Britain, is (at least occasionally) shining. And yet, in a corner of TK Maxx - among the discounted homeware and fashion bargains - sits an eerie and unwelcome sight: Halloween products. Pumpkins, skulls, witches’ hats, and cobwebbed ornaments fill the shelves like a swarm of locusts invading a peaceful land.
Isn’t
it sad? Not just strange, not just out of place - but genuinely sad.
While many people see beauty and wonder in these things, some are tempted to attribute their origin and power to vague cosmic energies or impersonal universes.
For Catholics, these marvels are not sources of power in and of themselves. They are signposts - indicators of something far greater: the intelligent design of Almighty God.
Let’s set aside the incense burners and astrology charts for a moment. Instead, let’s look at the very same elements that enthral New Age followers - crystals, planets, patterns in nature - and marvel not at the creation, but at the Creator.
As St Paul wrote, “Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made” (Romans 1:20, RSV-CE).
Maybe it's been months. Maybe years. Maybe decades.
Or maybe… you never really left - you just sort of drifted.
You still believe in God (you think). You still consider yourself Catholic (more or less). You still light a candle now and again, perhaps whisper a prayer in the car. But something has held you back from stepping back through those doors - the ones of the church building, yes, but also of your faith life.
So this blog post is for you. Whether you feel lost, lapsed, unsure, afraid, or simply out of the habit… this is your gentle reminder:
The door is still open.
The Church is still here.
Christ is still waiting for you - with love, not judgement.
The
Church Isn't a Club for the Perfect - It's a Home for the Wounded
"Be Still And know That I Am God"
(Psalm 46:10)
A 10-Day Journey Through the Psalms
to Lift Your Heart
(Plus FREE GIFT)
O Lord, our Shepherd, strong and true,
In Your great love, we lift to You
Our Father Bill, Your servant dear,
Whose faith and heart bring us so near.
Restore his strength, renew his grace,
Surround him with Your warm embrace.
In every trial, may he find
Your healing peace, so sweet, so kind.
Saint Thérèse, with your gentle way,
“Little Flower,” hear our prayer today.
By your trust in God above,
Send to Father Bill your tender love.
Guide him through each weary night,
Fill his soul with holy light.
With your roses, grace impart,
And heal his body, mind, and heart.
Grant wisdom to those who care,
And lighten burdens he must bear.
May Mary’s mantle, pure and mild,
Protect our cherished priest and child.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and King,
Whose resurrection life does bring,
We pray for health, for hope, for peace,
That Father Bill’s pains may soon cease.
Amen.
Each month, we journey deeper into the Catholic year, following the Church’s devotional themes, feasts, and fasts, drawing strength from Scripture, the lives of the saints, and the liturgical calendar.
These posts will include poetry, devotions, catechesis, a meditation, a challenging quiz, and a heartfelt invitation to live as a Catholic not just on Sundays - but every moment of every day.
To begin our journey, we turn to
July: the month devoted to the Precious Blood of Jesus.
New Series Launches 1 July: The Blood That Saves Us
(And yes – regular blog posts will carry on as normal!)
There’s something new on the horizon - something designed to strengthen our spiritual life and help us live our Catholic faith more fully throughout the year.
Amen.
What was Jesus like as a child, as a young man, and as a tradesman? How did He appear to those who knew Him - His neighbours, friends, and colleagues?
In this imaginative reflection, a follow-up post to "The Human Side Of Jesus" we will consider what it might have been like to encounter Jesus in everyday life before He stepped onto the stage of history as the Messiah.
The name, Corpus Christi, is Latin for The Body of Christ, and it is a day on which the Church joyfully affirms the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist: body, blood, soul and divinity.
This feast is not merely a reminder - it is a proclamation. A proclamation that Jesus, who gave Himself to us on the Cross, continues to give Himself to us in the Holy Eucharist. And this year, as we reflect upon the mystery and majesty of this truth on 22nd June, we are invited to enter more deeply into the Eucharistic heart of our Catholic life.
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However, a deeper exploration of his earthly experiences reveals that Jesus intimately knew the human condition, including its most challenging aspects.
Recognising that Jesus was a refugee, experienced despair, knew hunger, and more, allows us to connect with him on a profoundly human level.
This understanding can deepen our faith and inspire us to respond to the needs of those who face similar trials today.
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Its message of compassion and neighbourly love transcends religious boundaries and speaks to the universal call for human kindness.
However, despite its widespread familiarity, there are several nuances and deeper meanings that are often overlooked. Let us delve into some of the easily missed points in this famous parable, shedding light on the richness of its lessons.
For Catholics, the Psalms are more than just sacred poetry; they are an essential part of the liturgy and personal devotion.
Among these 150 songs, one stands out as particularly beloved and widely known: the Psalm that begins, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
This Psalm has provided comfort, guidance, and hope to countless people over the centuries. However, there is often confusion regarding whether this is the 22nd or the 23rd Psalm.
Why does this discrepancy exist, and which is the correct number for Catholics?
Let’s explore the history, reasons, and implications of this difference in Psalm numbering.
Why does this happen? How did something so sacred, solemn, and rooted in divine encounter become, in places, so rushed and robotic? And more importantly, what can we do to rekindle reverence in our responses during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?
Let’s explore the roots of this issue - and what it tells us about our modern Catholic culture.
Living the life of a Catholic saint is a profound and inspiring journey that requires dedication, faith, and a commitment to living a life of holiness.
Throughout history, Catholic saints have been revered for their exemplary lives, unwavering faith, and selfless devotion to God and others.
Their stories serve as a source of
inspiration and guidance for those seeking to deepen their spiritual
life and grow closer to God.
The loft groans with forgotten trinkets, wardrobes bulge with clothes we haven’t worn in ages, and the garden shed harbours rusting tools and mystery boxes.
Eventually, something snaps. We resolve to have a proper clear-out.
We sort, we scrub, and we start to breathe again.
What doesn’t belong, we bag up and donate to the parish tabletop sale.
What was once hidden and dusty is now revealed and repurposed.
Something old is given a new chance - or binned to make room for something better.
There’s a reason this process feels so good.
It mirrors, in a small way, the spiritual clearing-out we’re called to as Christians. And no sacrament brings that truth into sharper focus than the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
“Come now, let us reason
together…” (Isaiah 1:18)
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on 14th September 1955 in Chicago, brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep sense of commitment to the Church. A member of the Augustinian Order, he has spent decades in service both in missionary work and in leadership roles within the Church. His journey from a young seminarian to the papacy is inspiring, and his papacy promises to reflect his unique experiences, passion for the Gospel, and strong sense of social justice.
Let’s see who Pope Leo XIV is, what he stands for, and what we can expect from him as the shepherd of our Holy Catholic Church.
One such moment occurs in John 21:9, where Jesus, after His resurrection, appears to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee and cooks breakfast for them:
"When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread" (John 21:9, RSV-CE).
This seemingly simple detail - the charcoal fire - holds deep theological significance. It is a moment of reconciliation, renewal, and restoration, especially in relation to St. Peter. By examining the role of the charcoal fire in Scripture and its symbolic meaning, we uncover a powerful lesson about sin, forgiveness, and the transforming power of Christ’s love.
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When
you think of the world’s very first job, you might imagine a
shepherd, a hunter, a builder - or perhaps even a prophet. But
Scripture tells us that the first role assigned to humanity was none
of these.
Instead, it was gardening.
Yes, gardening!
In the second chapter of Genesis, shortly after the creation of man, God assigns Adam his first responsibility. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15, RSV-CE).
There it is - the first job description in the history of the world: to care for creation.
It’s
a calling that echoes down through the ages, and one that still holds
spiritual significance for us today.
This unique practice takes prayer beyond the stillness of a room, blending it with the rhythm of your steps and the beauty of nature.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or curious newcomer, this guide will open the path to a refreshing and transformative experience.
This moment is powerfully etched into Christian tradition, appearing in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, and Luke 23:26).
But who was Simon of Cyrene beyond that singular, dramatic encounter? What became of him after that fateful day, and does he play a larger role in the Christian faith than is often recognised?
The answer is yes, and his story invites us to reflect deeply on discipleship, suffering, and the hidden ways in which God calls us to Himself.
“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)
His death marks the end of a papacy that transformed the hearts of millions and left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church.
As we reflect on his life and death, we turn to the words of Sacred Scripture for comfort, remembering that he now enters into the eternal joy promised to all who faithfully follow Christ.
April 20, 2025 – Easter Sunday:
The Resurrection of the Lord
My Lord’s love has always been there for me.
My Lord’s love was already there for me before the beginning of time when He knew me and what my life would become (Jeremiah 1:5).
My Lord’s love was there for me at the moment of creation (Genesis 1:27).
My Lord’s love was there for me at the moment of my birth (Psalm 139:13–14).
My Lord’s love was there for me at my baptism—His grace and sacrifice washing away the stain of original sin with which I was born (Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21).
My Lord’s love was there for me throughout my childhood, protecting me and guiding me to the age I am now (Psalm91:11).
My Lord’s love was there for me when I was ill - encouraging me and healing me (James 5:14–15).
My Lord’s love was there for me in my moments of joy—reminding me that all love and joy come from Him (John 15:11).
My Lord’s love was there for me in the difficult times of my life - supporting me and carrying me through the dark tunnel into the light (Psalm 23:4).
My Lord’s love has always been there for me.
I confess now to you, my brothers and sisters,
that my love has not always been there, is not always there, and will
not always be there for Him (Romans 7:15).
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The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist.
He drives a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist deep into the wood.
Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement.
April 18, 2025 – Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
April 17, 2025 – Holy Thursday
(Mass of the Lord’s Supper)
April 16, 2025 – Wednesday of Holy Week
(Spy Wednesday)
April 12, 2025 – Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
