The Golden Glow Of Autumn In Our Blessed Mother’s Garden

There are the days in October when sunlight feels almost sacred — when it lingers longer than expected on every leaf, softening the edges of the world. It is as though Heaven itself leans a little closer to the earth. 

This is the golden glow of autumn — that brief and holy time when creation bows gracefully toward its rest, clothed in splendour before surrendering to stillness.

In such light, even the simplest corner of the parish can seem touched by eternity. Behind Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in New Milton lies a quiet space that seems made for this season — Our Blessed Mother’s garden, wild yet peaceful, small yet filled with meaning.

It is not the kind of garden you find in glossy books or perfect rows. It is the kind of place where beauty whispers, where holiness hides among fallen leaves, and where anyone weary in soul can sit for a while and simply be.

Were the ‘Good Ol’ Days’ Really That Good? - What the Bible Tells Us About Harkening Back to Days Gone By

It’s easy to become wistful about the past. Whether it’s black-and-white photographs of smiling families around the dinner table, memories of high street shops bustling with familiar faces, or the sense that “things were simpler back then”, many people—especially as they grow older— tend to reflect fondly on the so-called “good ol’ days”.

We find ourselves longing for a time when moral values seemed more widely shared, when church pews were full, and when children respected their elders. 

In many cases, there’s a sense of spiritual loss as well—especially in the face of today’s secular culture, where God is often sidelined in public life.

But here’s the question: were the “good ol’ days” really that good? More importantly, what does Sacred Scripture say about nostalgia, longing for the past, and the temptation to believe that we’ve lost something irreplaceable?

Let’s take a deeper look.

The 24/7 Catholic Monthly - 1st October 2025 - Month of the Holy Rosary

Welcome to the October edition of The 24/7 Catholic Monthly. 

As autumn settles in, the Church offers us two spiritual treasures to warm the soul: the Rosary, a meditation on Christ through the eyes of Mary, and the Little Way of St Thérèse of Lisieux, a humble path of trust and love.

In this month, we are called to childlike confidence and contemplative simplicity. The Rosary and the Little Way are not relics of the past—they are lifelines for today.

When Phones Go Off During Mass – Can’t We Connect to Our Father Without Disconnecting from Our Phones?

It happens too often to be surprising anymore.

Just as the priest elevates the Host, just as the congregation slips into that sacred silence before the “Behold the Lamb of God,” it happens....

... jarring ringtone...

... tinny pop song... 

... notification chime... 

The sanctuary, meant to echo heaven, is momentarily hijacked by the unmistakable sound of someone’s phone.

Embarrassed shuffling follows. 

Sometimes a frantic hand reaching into a handbag. Sometimes a face that stares forward in stony denial. And sometimes, the person just answers it - yes, even in church.

We’ve grown so accustomed to this kind of intrusion that we may no longer notice the deeper question it raises:

Can we truly connect with our Heavenly Father… if we never disconnect from our phones?

Let’s Take a Closer Look at “Woman, My Hour Has Not Yet Come” (John 2:4)

“When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’

And Jesus said to her, ‘O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’  

His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” — John 2:3–5 (RSV-CE)

The Wedding at Cana is a story of joy, crisis, and divine intervention. It is a story of family, celebration, and the glory of Christ revealed in a quiet Galilean town. But at its heart lies a profound exchange between Jesus and His mother that has stirred the thoughts and prayers of Christians for centuries.

“Woman, my hour has not yet come.” What does Jesus mean? Why does He speak to His mother in this way? And why does Mary, after this seemingly hesitant reply, persist with the confident words: “Do whatever he tells you”?

This moment is not simply about wine at a wedding. It is about God’s plan of salvation, the unique role of Mary, and the faith to obey Christ. Let’s take a closer look.

Saint Cecilia, I Thank You

Saint Cecilia, I thank you.

Update: Bible Gateway Unavailable in the UK – What it means for this blog

Readers of this blog here here at The 24/7 Catholic blog will know that I often link to Bible Gateway when quoting or referencing Scripture. 

It has long been one of the most popular online resources for Catholics and other Christians, providing free access to multiple translations of the Bible, search tools, and even daily devotionals.

However, as of now, Bible Gateway is currently unavailable to consumers in the United Kingdom and the European Union. If you try to click through any old links in my past blog posts, you will sadly find that they no longer work.

Back to School with the Saints: Study Tips from Heaven

By now, students and pupils should all be back at school and colleges. The long summer holidays are over, and with sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks, and perhaps a little nervousness, young people across the country are returning to their studies. 

For some, this is an exciting time of opportunity; for others, it is heavy with pressure and anxiety. Parents and teachers, too, share the challenge of nurturing minds and guiding hearts in a world that often makes education feel like a competition rather than a calling.

But as Catholics, we know we are never left to face these challenges alone. Heaven is full of helpers who once walked the road of life before us. The saints, our elder brothers and sisters in Christ, stand ready to guide us, encourage us, and intercede for us. They remind us that study is not merely about facts and exams, but about preparing our minds and souls to serve God.

In this reflection, we will look at what the saints teach us about study, perseverance, and prayer. We will draw upon Scripture (RSV-CE), explore practical tips for students, and close with a devotional and poems.

Blessed Carlo Acutis – A Millennial Witness Of The Eucharist And Lessons For The Young And Old

When the Church raises a young person to the altars, it always gives us pause. Saints are not meant to be distant figures, frozen in stained glass or tucked away in dusty hagiographies. 

They are living reminders that holiness is possible here and now — in every age, culture, and circumstance. And in our own times, God has given us a powerful sign of hope in the life of Carlo Acutis, a London-born teenager who grew up in Milan, and whose love for the Eucharist and for souls has captured the attention of the whole world.

Carlo is being recognised as the first saint of the digital generation, a child of the new millennium who knew computers, video games, and the internet, yet never lost sight of what really mattered. 

His canonisation, under Pope Leo XIV, is not only a moment of joy for the Church but also a profound reminder: holiness is not confined to monasteries or ancient times. It can flourish in the heart of a teenager, even amidst Wi-Fi signals and mobile screens.

The 24/7 Catholic Monthly - 1st September - Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary

Welcome to the September edition of The 24/7 Catholic Monthly. 

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.

The Wild Garden Behind Our Lady of Lourdes Church in New Milton

It is a part of the parish grounds that most people pass without noticing — tucked behind the Catholic church, close to the church hall. 

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.

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He heals the brokenhearted,
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