The Bishop's Weekly Column from the Parish Bulletin

OUR LADY OF FATIMA

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner...

October 25th, 2009

A Scene from the 1967 film of the same title

When I checked my e-mail last night I saw amongst the day's messages an interesting subject line which read: "1st Winner of Dinner with the Bishop". Well that sure piqued my curiosity.

I should explain, Bishop Richard Williamson of the Society of St. Pius X has been re-issuing his newsletters from the days when he was rector of St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary here in the United States, first in Ridgefield, CT, and then in Winona, MN. All told the newsletters fill 4 volumes and they are well worth the price of admission. I have been plugging volumes 1 and 2 in the parish and several people just can't get enough of his witty yet spot on theological analysis of the world from 1983 to 2003. In classic fashion Father, then later Bishop Williamson leaves no stones unturned in the subjects he tackles. I read some of these letters almost 20 years ago and the years have not faded their timeliness in the slightest. From time to time I have been known to swipe a letter from the internet and publish it in the parish bulletin. The one he did analyzing contemporary music here was particularly masterly and either last year or earlier this year it graced the inside of one Sunday bulletin at this church. Rather the years have improved their vintage, like a fine wine his insight and perspective improves over time. Perhaps, my appreciation of his work improves with age rather than his work improves.

In any case his publisher is running a deal, for $140 you get the whole set of 4 volumes, a DVD of two interviews conducted earlier this year at the Society's London H.Q. (St. George's House - as Maurice Chevalier sang; "I remember it well !") and a CD with MP3s of sermons preached by the Bishop over the years billed as "not available anywhere else". In addition two other books are included as well. If that weren't enough for every 25 sets sold a drawing will take place of those who ordered sets and the lucky winner gets a round trip plane flight to London and dinner with Bishop Williamson. Now I ordered a set just for the DVD and CD - I already had the complete set of books. Well the news is out, the first drawing took place, guess who gets to have dinner with the "boss" early next year... I do !

+TF