Monthly Archives: November 2014

Baptism + 75

Posted on November 30, 2014 by donald

Today is Advent Sunday, New Year’s Day in the Christian calendar; and Wednesday is December 3. However, in 1939 they were the same day, Advent Sunday, December 3.  That was the day I was baptized at St Mary’s Church in … Continue reading →

Posted in Deep holy thoughts | 1 Comment

Sanctuary: myths, movement, momentum

Posted on November 29, 2014 by donald

Remember these names: * Mikhail Lennikov / Rodney Watson / Jose Figueroa And remember these names (especially at election time next year): * Stephen Harper, Prime Minister / Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety / Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment … Continue reading →

Posted in Citizenship challenges | Leave a comment

Anger, disgust and sadness

Posted on November 25, 2014 by donald

As I write this post, I am conscious of very mixed feelings in myself: anger, disgust, sadness, perhaps others. Two incidents have generated these feelings. The first was the gunning down of a mentally-ill man at Knight and 41st here … Continue reading →

Posted in Citizenship challenges | 3 Comments

Karen Armstrong in Vancouver

Posted on November 20, 2014 by donald

Last Monday I went with friends to hear Karen Armstrong. If her name is new to you, let me just say that she is British, an independent scholar of religion, of a historical bent, and the author of a number … Continue reading →

Posted in Citizenship challenges | 1 Comment

Remembering in 2014

Posted on November 18, 2014 by donald

As I write this on Remembrance Day, November 11, and having just listened on the CBC to the national Remembrance Day observance from Ottawa, my thoughts go first, in both honour and sadness, to all those killed in the wars … Continue reading →

Posted in Deep holy thoughts | 1 Comment

How I graduated from UBC

Posted on November 18, 2014 by donald

It’s an April evening in 1960, around 10 pm. My Italian 100 exam will unleash itself at 9 am the next morning. I sit at my desk, the texts from the course, all six of them, spread out before me. … Continue reading →

Posted in Deep holy thoughts | Leave a comment