As I begin my sojourn into a new life, I am in Toronto.. In preparation, for this blog, I was examining two things: what has the Pope said and done this week and what new thing may be on the horizon in Ireland, the "home" of my next number of years.

FIrst of all then, what has the Pope been saying and doing this past week? I think, it is a "mixed" situation from my viewpoint. Martin Mallon wrote on Tuesday's blog, that this pontificate is getting better and better. This statement was made in relation to the Pope's assembling of an clerical advisory group for the reformation of the Curia. While I seriously questioned this appointment, there is, apparently, reason to believe, that it is a good thing. This I also gleaned from Martin's blog. However, the Sister's Council of the United States, might well, beg to differ , based on the fact, that Pope Francis apparently verbally ratified Cardinal Muller's ordering of the sisters to be under the authority of three bishops. The National Catholic Reporter quotes Sister Mary Ann Hinsdale, a theologian at Boston College and member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary community as saying:

"she was "very disappointed" with the news and said it may suggest Catholics are still learning how Pope Francis will handle delicate matters."

"All these nice gestures"--for example, the decisions to wash women's feet on Holy Thursday and to wear more basic liturgical vestments--"don't necessarily say what he thinks theologically or with regard to his understanding of religious in North America," Hinsdale said.

. So, I am concerned this day, concerned that we have a Pope who is going to "Lord it Over", in keeping with the way the Vatican has conducted itself for years, and he is a Pope that may "Lord it Over", in spite of his criticism of clericalism and careerism in the Church. I have no doubt that many of the U.S. religious sisters are feeling the continuation of being "lorded" over. Quite the humiliation for these women to continue, to endure

As well, Father Tony Flannery of Ireland, who has been censured, doesn't believe that there is much hope to believe that Pope Francis will act in contrast to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith either. I had said, from the beginning of Francis's election, that, we will know, how he truly will behave as Pope, when he has to exercise his authority in regards to people and issues that are deemed "dissident" by the CDF.

Yet, Pope Francis declares at the birthday celebration of Emeritus Pope Benedict that we as a Church cannot go backwards, and that we must be implementing Vatican II. It seemed to me that Vatican II called for collegiality and should it be just with the bishops.......should it?

Consequently, with this seemingly new beginning in the Church, with Pope Francis, we have alas mixed messages! I had anticipated as much, but I still don't like it, and i am disappointed. I continue to pray for the Lord's intercession!

So, while these things brew at the top.....I would like to give a mention to Patrick Daly of Westmeath, Ireland who is envisioning a network of Basic Christian Communities for the Midlands of Ireland. Patrick has designed and implemented two seminar evenings to introduce the concept. They are entitled:"Expressions of Faith and Community Seminars". The seminar format can be found on the internet. The seminar evenings were April 15th and April 22nd. I find this initiative of Patrick Daly's exciting, as I too, believe, that the way to renewal, is through small groups meeting in parishes to reflect on scripture and to share their faith.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Patrick as he discerns this very unique calling.

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