It feels like spring is finally upon us, what with the calm wind, the sunshine and God's creatures rearing their young.  Two calves and two goslings have come to join us on Papa Stronsay so far.  We hope that by God's grace there will be plenty more to come as the spring weeks roll onwards into summer.  This calf is two days old.  It always amazes me how fast they are up and going!  The goslings are one and two days old.  Despite their small size, the new arrivals have quickly made themselves a part of the group! A dairy calf.  She is a few weeks old now and is growing up fast. Black-headed Gulls nesting in the irises.

A very happy Easter to everyone who looks at our blog.  May our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, grant you very many blessings during this holy season. Below are some photos of the Paschal liturgy at the Monastery: Rev. Fr Yousef Marie, F.SS.R. was the deacon for the Easter vigil ceremonies.  Here, facing the Paschal candle but recently lighted, he chants the Exultet . Rev. Fr Michael Mary, F.SS.R. during the blessing of the Paschal Water. The Holy Oils are mixed with the newly created Paschal Water as Baptismal Water is blessed. Rev. Fr Yousef Marie chanting the Gospel. Sung Mass was celebrated on Easter morning on Stronsay by Rev. Fr Yousef.  Here he prays the Confiteor  at the beginning of Mass. Chanting the Gospel. On Easter morning, Rev Fr Michael Mary performs the blessing of "First Fruits", which is a Paschal custom.

News from our friend Shamiel of Lahore,  Pakistan. Growing up as a member of the Christian minority in Pakistan, I have often observed how the laws provide inadequate protection for our community, and those inadequacies have dramatically increased. Another incident of vandalism and madness against Christians over allegations of blasphemy has resulted in the burning of houses and more injured innocents. The list of persecutions against minorities in Pakistan is endless and horrible, as I have often witnessed first hand. The Christian enclave called Joseph Colony . One such ruthless incident happened in Joseph Colony, a Christian enclave southwest of Lahore, where a mob set fire to hundreds of homes and two churches on March 9 last year after rumors spread that a young Christian had insulted the Prophet Mohammed. Police officer Multan Khan said the incident started on a Friday when a young Muslim man accused Sawan Masih of committing blasphemy.  Sawan was booke...

But Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple. -   Jn. 8:58 from the gospel of Passion Sunday

Well that was a short-lived  problem!  Our email is now back up and running - Deo Gratias .  The temporary email address which we gave you yesterday will now no longer be used and you can resume using our normal email addresses.  If you sent email in the last few days, it is possible that it was not received by us and it might be a good idea to resend it.  Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you all for your patience.