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It's time for Australia's next light-bulb moment | RenewEconomy

It’s time for Australia’s next light-bulb moment

It’s nearly five years since the old incandescent lights were taken off the shelves. But the job of regulating lighting energy efficiency is only half done.

Meaningless energy-efficiency claims seen here on the worst-performing bulbs that can be legally sold.

Imagine a conservative Australian government being widely applauded for introducing new product regulation that reduces consumption and increases prices of the regulated items.

That’s what happened in 2007 when the then environment minister Malcolm Turnbull regulated light bulbs. This resulted in making the common worst-performing light bulbs illegal by setting a mandatory minimum energy performance threshold.  For normal light bulbs, this new standard took effect in November 2009 with little fanfare or fuss. As a result of this regulation, householders save much more in avoided electricity consumption than they spend on more expensive light bulbs.

Contrary to popular belief, this regulation did not ban incandescent light bulbs.  Halogen bulbs are incandescent – just a slightly more efficient version. Turnbull’s regulation just set the bar a little bit above the worst peforming at the time. So the current crop of just-legal light bulbs are still incandescent, cheap and poor performing. And there’s a curious and perverse side effect. Today the new worst-performing light bulbs are often marketed as being energy-saving by comparing them to the now illegal light bulbs.

These worst-legal-performance bulbs consume about 70W where the old (now illegal) bulbs consumed about 100W for the same performance. Thirty per cent sounds a worthwhile improvement till you realise that the compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs, now readily available, provide the same light output for less than 20W – or at least an 80% reduction from our (obsolete) baseline.

Perhaps it’s now time for the next light-bulb moment. The current standard for 1300 lumen general light bulbs (ie the old 100W bulbs) is currently a minimum of 16 lumens per watt. Good commonly available lights achieve better than 70 lumens per watt, and very high performance LEDs are on the way that give 200 lumens per watt. So the current standard sets the bar way too low. And the current marketing of the worst-performing lights as energy-efficient needs to be shown for the silly greenwash that it is.

It’s nearly five years since the old incandescents were taken off the shelves. But the job of regulating lighting energy efficiency is only half done. The government needs to finish what they started and raise the bar to properly outlaw low-performance lights. The only people with anything to gain by the status quo are the big electricity generators who don’t know what to do with their spare capacity and don’t want to see demand fall any further.  Setting the bar higher for light bulb efficiency will help people further reduce their energy costs.

Richard Keech is sustainable buildings researcher with Beyond Zero Emissions

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  1. Beat Odermatt 6 years ago

    Thank you writing about this issue. I had a look at our energy consumption and decided to replace all our light bulbs with LED bulbs. I got a shock when I found out that some stores are selling LED bulbs for up to $40.00 each. I bought a few on Ebay and paid $2.50 for a 5 w and about $5.00 for a 9 w bulb.
    I had a look at the potential payback time and found out that it may be as short as 6 month or less in areas of high use. With an expected product life of over 25 years, I think buying affordable LED bulbs is a good investment with a win-win outcome for the budget and environment.

    • Ronald Brakels 6 years ago

      I too have noticed the huge gap between the online price of LED lights and what the supermarkets and Bunnings charge. (Bunnings appears to gouge just a little less.) Australians are being gouged on LED light prices simply because Australians pay so much more for electricity than people in most other countries. This is resulting in emissions being higher than what they would be otherwise and, stochastically at least, killing people. We should demand supermarkets charge prices competitive with what’s available online to do their bit for the environment and reduce Australia’s number of stochastic slayings.

      • Beat Odermatt 6 years ago

        Yes, it seems that everyone is charging as much as they can and not a cent less or more. This applies to all goods and services and we as customers should make decisions which are right for us, our budget and the environment.
        If every single light bulb in the world is replaced with an LED, then we are on the right path towards a low carbon economy.

    • Simon Moss 6 years ago

      Buyers of cheap LEDs beware. The industry is rife with false claims and shonky product. If you buy a cheap E-bay/Chinese LED the brightness, colour temperature, colour rendering and lifespan are almost never going to match the claimed specifications. The cheap circuitry is likely to fail long before the LED chip gives out and some are electrically unsafe as well. There are some well priced “old fashioned light bulb” equivalents now like the well known brand at Bunnings for $16.99 but the halogen-in-the-ceiling replacement market is still problematic. After a lot of Whirlpool forum reading, those in the know are concluding that the direct drop-in bulb replacements are always going to be too compromised and are recommending a “kit” (bulb connects to separate LED driver connects to three pin plug). LEDs have a ‘bright’ future but do your research. This article is spot on. Time to raise the bar another level.

      • Beat Odermatt 6 years ago

        Yes, I hear the warning about cheap imported goods. Mind you, when the price is 90% less than in a store nearby, I can take the risk and try them out. Maybe some of the LED bulbs sold in nearby stores are also made in China.

      • Ronald Brakels 6 years ago

        While I will try to avoid rubbish I am more than willing to take my chances with low cost LED lights. We do have standards here (Phillips had to pay significantly for selling dodgy CFLs a while back) and all up I pay an average of 48 cents a kilowatt-hour for grid electricity, so even if the occasional LED light turns out to be shonky I can more than afford to replace it with savings from my electricity bill.

  2. Ronald Brakels 6 years ago

    Even a simple change such as no longer being allowed to market halogen bulbs as energy efficient (because they aren’t these days) would help. Rather than ban any particular bulb, I’d prefer low efficiency ones to be taxed bcause a lot of people just look at the cost of the light when they’re in a store and don’t consider the running cost and it will stop a few people having a fit because they can’t buy the light bulb they fought in the war for.

  3. Adam Lucas 6 years ago

    Nice article, Richard. Ronald’s argument below about putting a high tax on inefficient light bulbs is a good one, too.

  4. JohnRD 6 years ago

    Do your sums Ronald. The savings you make per bulb for a 50 w saving works out at a bit above one cent/hr. It is not the sort of thing where doing what you suggest ids going to have much effect on behaviour even though householder savings per tonne [email protected] abatement are high.
    It is a textbook case for a further tightening of regulations.

    • Ronald Brakels 6 years ago

      Riiiiighhhhht. Because making inefficient lights more expensive than efficient lights wouldn’t encourage people to purchase the efficient ones. I think you may have misread my comment.

      • JohnRD 6 years ago

        What we had was a simple world beating regulation that got rid of low efficiency light bulbs. A hell of a lot smarter than some complex subsidy or/and tax that would have made the more efficient bulbs a bit cheaper. Manipulating price should be seen as the last resort, not the only aceptable answer.

  5. dwj 6 years ago

    We need to be very careful of over regulating in this area.
    I have replaced the most frequently used MR16 lamps in my house with LEDs but the remaining lamps are used very little and the thousand dollars it would cost to replace them all is simply not justified. The planet and I would both be better off if my money was spent on a more efficient fridge or another 500 watts of solar panels or put toward an electric car.

    • Beat Odermatt 6 years ago

      You are talking about ” the thousand dollars ” it would cost. Either you have a massive home or you are paying far too much of the LED bulbs. I think I can replace every single bulb in our home for less than $200.00. I agree if I go to a local lighting shop I would be able to spend over $1000.00.

  6. Gongite 6 years ago

    Good article and discussion. I would love to see a continuing and substantive ratcheting up of standards on lightbulbs, electrical appliances and motor vehicles, as happens in countries like Japan. Unfortunately Australia is way behind in this area, just as we don’t have national air quality standards or any emissions limits on trucks. Let’s hope change is coming and soon.

  7. Smithy 6 years ago

    Chinese LED’s at 5W and 10W are about as useful as a couple of candles! Truly dimmable LED’s are not a patch on their energy wasting predecessors… There’s still a lot of work to be done.

  8. Alan Baird 6 years ago

    There are cheap LEDs and cheap LEDs. I’ve had some small 3 watters from Aldi and they were great. They have lasted well and a broken “bulb” (the white plastic light diffuser) didn’t stop the LEDs working. The low heat is impressive. An 8W LED “tube” replaced a 13W fluorescent tube most competently. In my experience all the LEDs I’ve bought have worked reliably except one which never worked well right from the get-go, and it was a very expensive one! Circuitry. Warranty fix.
    The woes of the insulation scheme were probably as much due to halogen downlight heat as anything else. A lighting shop operator once told me he found old cardboard boxes smoking (!) in the attic above the halogen down lights in his store, and this was a voluntary, unsolicited comment. A truly thick idea for lighting, but oh so popular. People also think the low voltage means low energy use. Watt do they know? Halogen lights also conduct heat from a room really well in winter, pumping air into the attic like fires in old coal mine shafts and you can’t insulate over them, except if you’re an incompetent insulation contractor. In summer they fight it out with the air conditioner, radiating heat effectively, sort of like driving with foot on accelerator and brake simultaneously. My brother’s electricity AND gas bills dropped VERY noticeably when halogen down lights were replaced by LEDs and insulation made continuous rather than “holey”. Halogen down lights: a triumph of style over substance,

  9. Alex Hromas 6 years ago

    We need to get the incandescent type lamps out of circulation not only do they increase energy consumption and carbon footprint they also have a higher risk of initiating house fires due to their high operating temperature and large current draw

  10. CaresAboutHealth 3 years ago

    Regulations for new appliances would certainly help! I was looking to replace a range hood with a new, ducted one, only to find they all come with two 40 watt incandescents. Pretty silly that they don’t come with LEDs.

  11. gh 3 years ago

    Some people get headaches, sore eyes or seizures from the high frequency flicker from LEDs and CFLs, including the 100Hz flicker present in all LEDs. Banning halogens would make life very difficult for some of us.

Comments are closed.

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November 24, 2020

SUEZ Makes $5,000 Donation to Friends of Townie Athletics

Charitable Contribution will help families with educational and recreational activities.

On Tuesday, June 4, SUEZ made a $5,000 check presentation to the Friends of Townie Athletics Organization to support students and families of the East Providence Public School system. This donation will be used to support and promote athletic and physical education in East Providence schools and provide financial support that will unite students, parents, coaches, faculty, staff and the community. The donation will enhance school spirit and increase morale across East Providence schools.

“When reviewing the organizations making an impact locally in East Providence, the work that Friends of Townie Athletics is doing stood out to our Charitable Giving Committee,” said Jason O’Brien, General Manager for SUEZ’ New England Region. “The organization aligns with our goal to build sustainable communities. By enriching the school system with programs, students will expand their horizons and participate in experiences that support families and bring the community together.”

The Friends of Townie Athletics Organization has played a significant role in the growth of the East Providence High School (EPHS) Athletics Program. Some of their accomplishments include: $2,000 towards services for a sports trainer for EPHS, establishing two $1,000 college scholarships (one male and one female) for EPHS students/athletes, and a donation of $4,750 towards new equipment for the EPHS weight room.

“This donation not only affects the students, but it benefits the family unit as a whole,” said Mayor Roberto DaSilva. “Friends of Townie Athletics has been an advocate for the students and have provided relief to parents in so many ways. I am happy to see companies like SUEZ become part of our mission as a City to provide a greater means for a brighter future for our youth.”

SUEZ presented the check to the Friends of Townie Athletics Organization at Omni Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island during their annual New England Meeting.

“We are thankful to SUEZ for this generous donation,” said Kevin Monagle, Assistant Treasurer and Board Member for the Friends of Townie Athletics. “This donation will allow us to continue to provide resources for the students in East Providence and continue our mission of improving East Providence Schools.”

SUEZ makes a donation each year to a local organization at their annual meeting and contributes to various organization throughout North America year round.

SUEZ North America operates across all 50 states and Canada with 2,825 employees dedicated to environmental sustainability and smart and sustainable resource management. The company provides drinking water, wastewater and waste collection service to 6.6 million people on a daily basis; treats over 560 million gallons of water and over 450 million gallons of wastewater each day; delivers water treatment and advanced network solutions to 16,000 industrial and municipal sites; processes 160,000 tons of waste for recycling; rehabilitates and maintains water assets for more than 4,000 municipal and industrial customers; and manages $4.1 billion in total assets. The company posted revenues of $1.1 billion in 2018 and is a subsidiary of Paris-based SUEZ.

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DSpace DSpace 日本語

AIT Associated Repository of Academic Resources >
A．研究報告 >
A1 愛知工業大学研究報告 >
3．愛知工業大学研究報告 .B(1976-2007) >
26号 >

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/11133/874

Title: 等曲げを受けるRC梁の曲げ塑性変形挙動の寸法効果
Other Titles: トウマゲ オ ウケル RCハリ ノ マゲ ソセイ ヘンケイ キョドウ ノ スンポウ コウカ
Size Effect on Plastic Deformation Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams under Uniform Flexural Moment
Authors: 小池, 狹千朗
KOIKE, Sachio
Issue Date: 31-Mar-1991
Publisher: 愛知工業大学
Abstract: In this study, the variations of moment-curvature relationships of reinforced concrete beams of various sizes under uniform flexural moment were examined. The size effect on the compressive strength and the complete stress-strain behavior of confined concrete were also examined by using a stiff compressive testing machine. The following results were obtained : 1) Strain at the maximum stress of confined concrete increases with decreasing size of specimen for the large percentage of transverse reinforcement. 2) Moment-curvature relationships of reinforeced concrete beams are affected by the size of beam, i.e., the moment-curvature relationships of large size beam specimens are rather brittle compared with those of small specimens.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11133/874
Appears in Collections:26号

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root beers

Rocky Mountain Soda Co Rocky Mountain Root Beer – old recipe

now the root beer comes under scrutiny! i do hope it is better than the birch was. the name is a bit clunky. granted it does not actually appear that way, with all eight words, anywhere. it is more for my own reference and ease of showing its connection to the birch beer. i hope it tastes better than the birch did.
the label is quite cool once again. this time they have put a very detailed pen and ink drawing of what i would call a “mountain goat” or perhaps a “ram”. i don’t know if those are actually the same beast or not. i am sure their website would tell me exactly what it is but i will wallow in a lack of certainty/rest easy not really caring.
the taste? it is pretty high in the licorice flavoring, which is not a bad thing to me, but is to many people. you can taste the root beer flavor behind that so it is not overwhelmed by licorice on my tongue. again though, i enjoy licorice so others may not be able to see beyond that aspect of the flavor. it is a semi-hearty root beer, the root flavor being upfront although it is not bitter in any way. i am not sure if the beet sugar makes a real taste difference, the sweetness is good and tastes like sugar to me. they could up the sweetness a bit for my tastes but i am ok with where it is as secondary to the roots and other flavors.

Anthony’s Rating: 81
User’s Rating: 75
# of ratings:1

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enter YOUR rating (1-100 1=worst 100=best) for this soda:

Type: Root Beer Comes In: 12oz glass bottle
Available: CO, online

Obtained in: mailorder from company
Head: Small Sweetener: beet sugar
Calories: 140 Sodium: 50mg
Carbs: 39g Sugar: 39g
Caffeine: No

Ingredients: carbonated colorado water, rocky mountain beet sugar, natural flavors, potassium sorbate as a preservative

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1 Comment

  1. rick b says:

    I felt the carbanation was a little to high, it really made my tounge tingle and as a result it ruined this soda. I gave this a 75, if the carbanation was a little lower I might have ranked it higher.

    I agree on the licorice flavoring, it was not overwhelming but it was still high enough that it took away from the other flavors that make root beer what it is.

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Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate: Feeding Your Child

Reviewed by: Ani Danelz, CCC-SLP

When a baby is born with a cleft, it's important to help the baby feed well to prevent dehydration and make sure they gain weight. Babies born with a cleft may need some special feeding help.

How Can I Feed My Baby With a Cleft Lip?

Most babies born with a cleft lip (and no cleft palate) feed well without any special equipment. They usually can breastfeed or use a regular bottle-feeding system.

The only change needed might be positioning the nipple so the baby can latch. If you're breastfeeding your baby, try changing the feeding position so that your breast fills the cleft.

What Are the Challenges of Feeding a Baby With a Cleft Palate?

Babies born with a cleft palate, whether with a cleft lip or without, can't breastfeed. That's because they can't create the pressure needed to suck milk from the nipple. Trying to breastfeed or use a regular bottle system to feed a baby with a cleft palate can lead to poor weight gain and failure to thrive.

Other challenges include:

  • Liquid may leak out of the baby's nose (called nasal regurgitation).
  • The baby may swallow more air while feeding.
  • Babies who have a may have other feeding and digestive challenges.

What Bottle Should I Use to Feed a Baby With a Cleft Palate?

Babies with a cleft palate need to be fed with a specialty bottle system. It provides the proper nutrition without the need for pressure while sucking.

Cleft feeding bottle systems include:

Dr. Brown's Specialty Feeding System

This bottle system has a one-way feeding valve that prevents milk from flowing back into the bottle. This lets the baby bite down on the nipple to get the milk without sucking. Different nipple flow rates vary based on the baby's age (from preemie to level 3).

This bottle system often is the easiest for parents and caregivers. The baby does all the work and there's no need for special positioning.

Pigeon Feeder

This bottle system also has a one-way valve to keep milk from going back into the bottle. The Y-cut nipple is thinner on one side and thicker on the other:

  • The thicker side is placed along the baby's upper gum.
  • The thinner side goes on the baby's tongue.
  • The small notch under the rim of the nipple goes under the baby's nose.

The nipple comes in two sizes. You also can adjust the flow rate by tightening or loosening the nipple.

Medela SpecialNeeds Feeder (Haberman)

This bottle system also has a one-way valve to keep milk in the nipple. Some babies can push the nipple against their gum to get the milk. But usually, a caregiver needs to squeeze the bottle to match the baby's sucking and swallowing pace:

  • As the baby begins to suck, squeeze the bottle, then relax.
  • Continue to do this only when the baby is sucking. Listen for the sound of your baby swallowing. If the baby pauses to breathe, you should also pause.

Getting the timing right can take a few tries. Three lines along the bottle show the nipple flow rate. Turn the bottle so one of the lines is under the baby's nose to adjust the flow rate.

Enfamil Mead Johnson Cleft Lip/Palate Nurser

This bottle does not have a one-way valve. As with the Haberman bottle system, the caregiver must squeeze and time their pace to match the baby's sucking pattern.

What Other Tips Can Help?

  • Feedings should take less than 30 minutes. If they take longer, try a faster flow nipple.
  • Burp your baby often, about every 5 minutes during the feed.
  • Keep your baby upright during the feeding and for 20–30 minutes after to limit nasal regurgitation. If milk leaks out of your baby's nose, wipe it away with a clean cloth. You do not need to use a suction bulb.
  • Though babies with a cleft palate can't breastfeed, moms can feed them breast milk in the bottle. They also can do non-nutritive sucking to further bond with their babies. This is when a baby sucks at the breast for comfort, not for feeding. Limit your baby's non-nutritive sucking to less than 10 minutes per feed.

How Can I Tell if My Baby Isn't Feeding Well?

Feeding challenges put babies with a cleft palate at risk for failure to thrive. Regular weight checks by your baby's doctor or the cleft team can help make sure your baby is gaining enough weight.

Sometimes babies fed with a specialty system still have feeding problems or trouble gaining weight. They might be uncomfortable during feeding and not get as much milk as they should. Signs to watch for include:

  • coughing (during or after feeds)
  • choking
  • watery eyes
  • furrowing eyebrows
  • back arching during feeds

Change your feeding strategy if you see any of these signs from your baby. For instance:

  • Try using a slower flow rate nipple to limit the amount of milk your baby takes at one time.
  • Allow for more pauses during the feed. Tip the bottle sideways after every few swallows.

If you have any concerns about your baby's feeding, call your cleft and craniofacial team right away. The feeding therapist and/or nurse practitioner can check your baby during feeding. They can make changes to the feeding system or recommend other testing.

How Can Parents Help?

Feeding a baby with cleft lip/palate can be a challenge at first. But help is available. Look to the cleft team for support and information.

Many cleft teams offer prenatal consultations if an ultrasound finds the cleft before the baby is born. Parents meet with the team to ask questions, including any feeding questions. That way, a feeding plan is ready before the baby's birth.

If the cleft is found at birth, the inpatient staff will help parents find a bottle system that works best for the baby. The baby's doctor can refer the parents to a cleft team.

The cleft team usually meets with parents and their babies within the first week or two of life. They'll see how feeding is going and answer any questions you have.

You also can find resources online at:

Reviewed by: Ani Danelz, CCC-SLP
Date reviewed: October 2019


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How-to Produce an Interview Composition

Når kun det bedste er godt nok

How-to Produce an Interview Composition

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Zeb-un-Nissa Makhfi – زیب النساء مخفی

Zeb-un-Nissa (Persian: زیب النساء مخفی) (15 February 1638 – 26 May 1702) was a Mughal princess and the eldest child of Emperor Aurangzeb (3 November 1618 – 3 March 1707) and his chief consort Dilras Banu Begum. She was also a poet, who wrote under the pseudonym of “Makhfi” (مخفی, “Hidden One”). Imprisoned by her father in the last 20 years of her life at Salimgarh Fort, Delhi, Princess Zeb-un-Nissa is remembered as a poet, and her writings were collected posthumously as Diwan-i-Makhfi.

Zeb-un-Nissa (“Ornament of Womankind”), the eldest child of Prince Muhi-ud-Din (the future emperor Aurangzeb), was born on 15 February 1638 in Daulatabad, Deccan, exactly nine months after the marriage of her parents. Her mother, Dilras Banu Begum, was Aurangzeb’s first wife and chief consort, and was a princess of the prominent Safavid dynasty; the ruling dynasty of Iran (Persia). Zeb-un-Nissa was her father’s favorite daughter, and because of this she could compel him to pardon people who had offended him.

Education and accomplishments:
Her father charged Hafiza Mariam, one of the women of the court, with the education of Zeb-un-Nissa. She seems to have inherited her father’s keenness of intellect and literary tastes because Zeb-un-Nissa memorized the Quran in three years and became a Hafiz at age seven. This occasion was celebrated by her father with a great feast and public holiday. The princess was also given a reward of 30,000 gold pieces by her delighted father. Aurangzeb paid the princely sum of 30,000 gold pieces to the ustad bi for having taught his cherished daughter well.

Zeb-un-Nissa then learned the sciences of the time with Mohammad Saeed Ashraf Mazandarani, who was also a great Persian poet. She learned philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, literature, and was a mistress of Persian, Arabic and Urdu. She had a good reputation in calligraphy as well.

Her library surpassed all other private collections, and she employed many scholars on liberal salaries to produce literary works at her bidding or to copy manuscripts for her. Zeb-un-Nissa’s library was inspired by Emperor Akbar’s collection, which had the Qur’an, Hindu and Jain scriptures, Greek Mythology, Persian texts, travel accounts of the scholarly Alberuni, translations of the Bible and contemporary writing about her ancestors. Her library also provided literary works on each subject, such as law, literature, history and theology.

Zeb-un-Nissa was a kind-hearted person and always helped people in need. She helped widows and orphans. Not only did she help people but every year she sent Hajj pilgrims to Mecca and Medina. She also took an interest in music and it was said that she was the best singer among the women of her time. She was also skilled in the use of arms and several times took part in war.

Zeb-un-Nissa started to narrate poems in Persian from the age of 14, but as her father did not like poetry, she used to write secretly. Ustad Bayaz, one of her teachers, found her poems and encouraged her to continue narrating them. It is reported that in the court of Aurangzeb, there used to be hidden literary and poetic parties among “great” poets like Ghani Kashmiri, Naimatullah Khan and Aqil Khan Razi, and Zeb-un-Nissa participated secretly in these parties.

When Aurangzeb became the emperor after Shah Jahan, Zeb-un-Nissa was 21 years old. Aurangzeb found out about the talent and capacity of his daughter and began to discuss the political affairs of his Empire with her, listening to her opinions. It has been mentioned in some books that Aurangzeb sent all the royal princes for the reception of Zeb-un-Nisa each time she entered the court. Zeb-un-Nissa had four other younger sisters: Zeenat-un-Nissa, Zubdat-un-Nissa, Badr-un-Nissa and Mehr-un-Nissa.

Regarding her looks, “… she is described as being tall and slim, her face round and fair in colour, with two moles, or beauty-spots, on her left cheek. Her eyes and abundant hair were very black, and she had thin lips and small teeth. In Lahore Museum is a contemporary portrait, which corresponds to this description… In dress she was simple and austere; in later life she always wore white, and her only ornament was a string of pearls round her neck.” Also with the way she dressed comes about her making an invention.” Zeb-un-Nissa invented a woman garment known as Angya Kurti. This was a modified form of the dress of the women of Turkestan. The modification was done to suit Indian conditions”.

Zeb-un-Nissa lived in a period when many “great” poets were at the peak of their reputation; e.g. Mawlana Abdul Qader Bedil, Kalim Kashani, Saa’eb Tabrizi and Ghani Kashmiri. There is a noticeable influence of Hafez Sherazi’s style on the poetry of Zeb-un-Nissa. However, she is considered as one of the poets of the Indian School of Poetry in Persian. “Zebunnisa was trained in the serious study of religious doctrine and in matters in faith, and she was known as an excellent scholar in several academic areas and as a literary figure and parton of some renown. She sang well and composed songs and planted many of the gardens of her day.” Another talent that she had with writing was writing different kinds of Persian hand like nastaliq, mashkh and shikesta beautifully.

Zeb-un-Nissa selected “Makhfi” (which means Hidden One in Persian) as her pen-name in her poetry. In addition to her poetic book or collection of poems, called Diwan, which contains approximately 5,000 verses, she also wrote the following books: Monis-ul-Roh, Zeb-ul Monsha’at and Zeb-ul-Tafasir. In Maghzan-ul Ghara’eb, the author writes that the poetic book of Zeb-un-Nissa contained 15,000 verses. Zeb-un-Nissa encourage complications and translations of various works also. A certain Mulla Safi-un Din Ardlei (Arabeli) under her patronage translated the gigantic Arabic work Tasifer -I-Kabir into Persian and named it Zeb-ut-Tasfir after her.

Later years, imprisonment and death:
There are multiple conflicting accounts offering explanations for the circumstances which ultimately led to her imprisonment at Salimgarh Fort, Delhi, at the edge of Shahjahanabad (present Old Delhi). In 1662, when Aurangzeb was taken ill and his physicians prescribed a change in the environment, he took his family and court with him to Lahore. At that time Akil Khan, the son of his vizier, was Governor of that city. In the following period, Akil Kahn and Zeb-un-Nissa allegedly had a brief yet failed affair, after which Auranzeb began to distrust her and later imprisoned her. Other theories suggest that she was imprisoned for being a poetess and a musician (both anathema to Aurangzeb’s austere, more orthodox and fundamental way of life and thinking). Yet another explanation points to her correspondence with her younger brother, Muhammad Akbar. She supported the young prince in the inevitable ongoing conflict of succession, and was discovered to have written to him during the rebellion in 1681 AD (over the course of which he had publicly accused Aurangzeb of transgressions against Islamic law). Her punishment was to have her accumulated wealth confiscated, her annual pension of 4 lakhs nullified, and she was held prisoner at Salimgarh until her death.

Here after 20 years of imprisonment, Zeb-un-Nissa died after seven days of illness still captive in Shahjahanabad while Aurangzeb was on a trip to the Deccan. Conflicting sources state the date of her death alternately as 1701 AD and 1702 AD. Her tomb was in the garden of “Thirty thousand trees”, outside of the Kabuli Gate, the west gate of the city. But when the railway line was laid out at Delhi, her tomb with its inscribed tombstone was shifted to Akbar’s mausoleum at Sikandra, Agra. There is also a tomb in Nawankot, Lahore, Pakistan, but its authenticity is doubtful.

In 1724, years after her death, her scattered and extant writings were collected under the name Diwan-i-Makhfi, literally, the Book of the Hidden One. It contained four hundred and twenty-one ghazals and several ruba’is. Subsequently, in 1730 other ghazals were added to the manuscript, which was also illuminated.

Zeb-un-Nissa did not get married and remained single her whole life, despite the fact that she had many suitors.This also came with the rise of speculative gossip about secret lovers and palace trysts.

Her grandfather, Emperor Shah Jahan, had betrothed her to her first cousin, Prince Sulaiman Shikoh, the eldest son of her paternal uncle, Crown prince Dara Shikoh. Shah Jahan had intended for her to become a future Mughal empress as Sulaiman was the heir to Dara Shikoh, who was next in line for succession to the Mughal throne after Shah Jahan. The marriage would’ve been a perfect match but did not, however, take place, due to Aurangzeb’s reluctance; who despised his older brother. Zeb-un-Nisa spent all her life on literary works and poetry, as she herself said:

In some books it has been written that there was a secret love affair between Zeb-un-Nissa and Aqil Khan Razi, a poet and the governor of Lahore. However, others disagree with the prior theory. For example, in her poetic book (Diwan), some would argue that one cannot find a single Ghazal which supports this point and that all of her poems are based on the Sufi concept of the Love of God.

According to certain sources, “dehumanizing” scandals (created and/or written by some foreigners) regarding the lives of Mughal ladies were not uncommon (during the post-Renaissance era). For example, a claim of: “A sordid episode of [Zeb-un-Nissa’s] carnal romance with Aqil Khan Razi and his death inside a hot cauldron with burning fire under it, gained wider currency and was eagerly picked up by the… populace.” However, other sources state that Razi lived long (as a government official) and died naturally.

Her poetic book was printed in Delhi in 1929 and in Tehran in 2001. Its manuscripts are in the National Library of Paris, the Library of the British Museum, the Library of Tübingen University in Germany and in the Mota Library in India. Zeb-un-Nissa loved the gardens in Agra and Delhi and a garden of Zeb-un-Nissa in Lahore is named for her. The garden which she laid out in Lahore itself and which was called the Chauburgi, or four- towered, can still be traced by portions of the walls and gates remaining. Three of the turrets over the archway still stand, ornamented with tiles in patterns of cypress-trees and growing flowers, and the gateways have inscriptions in Arabic and Persian. The Divin-i-Makhfi is widely read in India and is highly esteemed. Its poetry is chanted in the estatic concourses which is meet at festivals at the tombs of celebrated saints.

زندگی نامه مختصر شاعره شرین کلام، بیگم زیب النسا مخفی
Brief Biography of Begum Zib un Nisa Makhfi


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Patreon is live!

Well, here we are, the final day of #MarchMagnus!

And as befitting the final day, we’ve saved our biggest announcement for last – Rusty Quill now (finally) has a Patreon! *cue fireworks from the battlements of Rusty Towers*

We know a lot of people have been asking about this and here it is. For those who don’t know about Patreon, it’s a simple way for fans to give regular support to the creators of things they like, much like the patron/artist relation of old, so that they can carry on making those things with a little more peace of mind. All the money we get will be used to cover our running costs, make production easier and help fund new Rusty Quill developments. In return, you’ll get access to some special, backer-only rewards like statement transcripts from The Magnus Archives and character sheets from RQGaming!

This is also a work-in-progress project – as things get easier for us to produce, so too, we can improve the Patreon offerings! And if there’s anything else you’d like to see or think would be a good idea to offer, let us know.

It’s been one year of The Magnus Archives and all of us here at Rusty Towers would like to thank you for listening, supporting and commenting in myriad ways. You’re all such fantastic folk!

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Carina author tips for writing Christmas novels!

Every year my publisher, Carina UK (HarperCollins) releases a lovely number of Christmas novels and novellas, and this year is no different from any other. So, I thought it a good idea to ask some of their writers for tips on how to go about creating a festive story. My own novel, My Big Fat Christmas Wedding was a joy to write and if you want my very own top tips have a look on the lovely Wendy Clarke’s blog, here.

TA Williams author of What Happens At Christmas

Write it in the summer when you think nostalgically of snowy scenes and winter wonderlands, rather than in the winter when it’s freezing cold, grey and soggy.

Buffy Andrews author of The Christmas Violin

It can be tough writing a Christmas story when the holiday is months away. To help get in the mood, create a feeling of Christmas. Listen to Christmas music. Make a cup of cocoa. Put up a small tree or display a few of your favorite ornaments in your writing area.

Jennifer Joyce author of The Mince Pie Mix-Up

To get myself in the festive mood while working on The Mince Pie Mix-Up during the summer, I listened to lots of Christmas music (AccuRadio have a great selection of festive stations year-round) and used a festive mug for my all-important tea.

Jaimie Admans contributing author to Christmas Wish Come True

My tip would be to immerse yourself in Christmas, no matter what time of year you’re writing in! Drag some tinsel out of the attic, burn a festive scented candle, go and bake gingerbread men, find a Christmas playlist on Youtube, and think of all the senses – what Christmas feels, sounds, smells, and tastes like!

snow gif

Darcie Boleyn author of Wish Upon a Christmas Cake

Play some Christmas tunes, burn some cinnamon candles, look at photographs from Christmases gone by then let the words flow.

Misty Shaw contributing author to Christmas Wish Come True

Remember the Christmas magic from your childhood, how the snow always used to cover the ground.

Annie Lyons author of A Not Quite Perfect Christmas

Watch The Snowman, It’s A Wonderful Life & Love Actually to get those festive emotions (& tears) flowing!

Jenny Oliver author of Four Weddings and a White Christmas

There’s nothing more fascinating (and unique) than other people’s Xmases – so draw on your own memories and traditions as much as possible when writing festive.

Maxine Morrey author of Winter’s Fairytale

‘Nothing beats Michael Buble’s Christmas album for getting you in the festive mood – even when it’s 30 plus degrees outside!’


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Onnica Marquez

University Archivist

Onnica preserves, organizes, and provides access to archival material and special collections.

Onnica also teaches upper-level courses on Collections Management and Exhibitions Planning for the Art History & Museum Studies program.

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Canned Apple Pie Filling

Apple pie is a real treat but it can take an awful long time to make. The filling, the crust, and ultimately baking it can take hours. This recipe helps you prep the filling ahead of time so you have less excuses in the end preventing you from enjoying a hot and fresh pie.

Canned Apple Pie Filling

Course Dessert
Cuisine Americana
Keyword Apple, Pie
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 quart jars

  • 5-6 lbs tart pie apples
  • 4 1/2 c sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 c cornstarch
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 8 c water
  • 3 Tbsp lemon juice

  • Always start by making sure you have 6 clean and sterilized quart jars, lids, and bands ready. You don’t want all your hard work to be wasted on dirty jars.
  • Peel and core apples. (An old fashioned apple peeler/corer is an essential tool for all apple cooking. If you don’t have one, get one.)
  • Cut the apples into small triangles or long slices.
  • Pre-fill the jars with apples to make sure you have enough apples cut for 6 quart jars. Then empty them into a large bowl and set aside.
  • In a large pot add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, salt and water.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil on high heat, stirring frequently. Boil for just 1 minute. The sauce will thicken and become clearer.
  • Remove from heat, add lemon juice, and stir.
  • Using a jar funnel and ladle, switch back and forth pouring sauce and apples for even mixing. Fill the jars full of pie filling up to 1/2′ from the lip.
  • Seal the jars with lids and bands.
  • Place the jars in a boiling canning pot for 20 minutes to fully process.


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Welcome to the May Day

Welcome to the May Day on Saturday 6th May starting at 10.30am finishing with Mass at 5.00pm. We look forward to seeing you, your family and friends. Please come and join us. There will be a Café, Children’s Programme, Workshops and we will conclude with Holy Mass at 5.00pm

Year of Mercy – Seeing ourselves as we really are

Receiving God’s mercy also gives us a clearer picture of ourselves. It guides us to seeing ourselves in a more accurate and truthful light. Too often, we almost run away from our true selves and we don’t take seriously enough our own limitations and our own helplessness. Weaknesses and limitations are often hidden or suppressed, or perhaps even categorically denied. Sometimes, we go around wearing a kind of invisible “mask” that changes, depending on who we are with or in what situation we find ourselves. This “personality mask” hides our true face and who we truly are. Sometimes when God intervenes in a hard way in our lives, it is because he has the aim to remove these masks once and for all and to help us move on from any kind of denial about ourselves. Receiving God’s mercy means that we feel the courage to see ourselves as we really are, and we no longer have the need or the intention of projecting an image of ourselves before God or before others that it is simply untrue. Unfortunately, when we do not acknowledge our own guilt and our own responsibilities, and how our words and actions have an effect on the people around us, then we run the serious risk of living a spiritually unhealthy life. If we keep saying to ourselves, for example: “Don’t worry, it’s not serious, there are worst things in the world, or this or that is not really a sin, or I’m not such a bad person after all, etc”, then we actually not only deceive ourselves, but we slowly close the door to receiving God’s mercy. Let’s face it, the person who is not willing to acknowledge any personal guilt or sinfulness, is not in need of salvation. And when that person feels he or she is not in need of salvation, then having a “saviour” becomes very quickly superfluous to requirements. The courage to see ourselves as we really are is one of the gifts of God’s mercy. When we deal properly with our own limitations, we actually walk the good path to discovering our own true identity. At the end of the day, our human nature desires truth and justice to remain whole and healthy. Truth and justice consists in the acknowledgement of our weaknesses and our sinfulness. For this reason, the sacrament of confession is so important and life-giving, because it gives us the opportunity to bring our sinfulness and our guilt to God and leave them with God. From the perspective of human nature, the confession of our sins strengthens us, sets us free, and enables us to reconcile with the people around us in a much quicker and better way than before. When we go to confession we actually acknowledge who we really are, and we accept the responsibility for who we are. Through the sacrament, we also open ourselves to God and open ourselves to the community of the Church, so that a new beginning and a better future is possible. The sacrament of confession, for this reason, is a source of joy and renewal in people’s lives. In the sacrament, everyone can experience God and receive his blessing and healing from the “ocean of his mercy”. God wants to inwardly touch each one of us, so that confession becomes the place where we all experience the merciful love of God, our Father. Confession is not just a source of grace or mercy, it is also a means of formation and growth in the spiritual life.

Year of Mercy – Discovering God’s Mercy for ourselves

Receiving mercy and giving mercy are the two essential sides of the same coin. Let’s look at the first of four aspects of receiving God’s mercy: Discovering God’s Mercy for ourselves. What is it mean to receive God’s mercy? First of all, we need to acknowledge that we need mercy and that we want God’s mercy in our lives.  The first and only step required to experience mercy, Pope Francis says, is to acknowledge that we are in need of mercy. “Jesus comes for us, when we recognize that we are sinners.” Then we can open our hearts to receive his mercy. Not unlike the prodigal son, we too must have a change of heart, and must get up and make our way back home to the Father. This requires a change of heart, making a decision, and then acting on that decision. It is so important for our own personal faith, that we really believe and live out of the conviction that God loves us – we want to experience that love and even feel that love. This encounter with God’s mercy cannot be taken for granted. We need to work at it and use our time and energy to discover the love of God in everything that is going on in our lives. Faith and a healthy spiritual life builds on the foundation, that we believe that we are loved and this conviction gives us an awareness and confidence of value and personal worth. We need to strengthen this feeling in ourselves in such a way that it offers healing and support in the many questions and problems of daily life. If we live from that knowledge that God loves us, then we don’t need the many distractions, sensations, and stimulations from outside or even constant attention. We live from the awareness and the experience: “God loves me as I am, and he accepts me as I am – with all my limitations, foibles and even wretchedness – God loves me and that will never ever change.” This conviction of being loved needs to be worked at often during our day. For example, we need to plan times in our day where we just stop for a moment and remind ourselves again how God is present in our lives, and how everything that happens to us has a purpose and is motivated by his love. Our real life will take on a new character and have a new feel about it, if we allow this reality to enter into our spiritual lives fully. Prayer starts to become a true “school of love”, where we consider and remember the many gifts of God that we receive during our day. Saint Ignatius of Loyola once wrote: “We want to search for God, discover God and then love God in everyone and in everything”. The people of Israel understood how to search for God and discover God in their journey and history, and for this reason, were able to celebrate God’s guidance and presence. This conviction grew stronger in them and they simply knew that God loved them passionately and that he had chosen them to be his special people.  Prayer in the evening, for instance, is a wonderful opportunity to stop for a moment and consider the day that we have shared – asking ourselves, where have we experienced the mercy and love of God. The Church’s tradition calls this the “examination of conscience”. It is an opportunity to look back at the day with everything that went on during that day, remembering the people that we met and also taking seriously how the day went, including our strengths and weaknesses, our fears and anxieties, our prejudices and our generosity. On the one hand, we need to celebrate what was good and give thanks; and on the other hand, we also need to acknowledge our guilt and our sinfulness in an honest and upright way. Let us use this Year of Mercy to discover again God’s mercy for ourselves.

Year of Mercy – Becoming “Mediators” of God’s Mercy

The Year of Mercy is an opportunity to translate our faith in the mercy and love of God into our daily lives. God’s mercy, and the teaching about God’s mercy, should motivate us to live well and to master daily life. Every Christian is called to receive the merciful love of God; i.e. to have an open heart for the workings of God’s mercy in his or her own life. And at the same time, every Christian is called to be a “mediator” of God’s mercy to others; i.e. to share God’s merciful and forgiving love with the people around them. When we speak about becoming “channels” or “mediators” of God’s love for others, then we are speaking, at the end of the day, about love for our neighbour. Love of neighbour should always be nourished and inspired by our love of God. We are called to look out for each other, and put the welfare of others before our own welfare. We are called to have a generous and open heart for each other and love each other mutually – and this love for each other also brings about a positive acceptance and esteem for each other. Love of neighbour, at the end of the day, is an act of service towards them: Everything that I am, and everything I have, is at the disposal of the people around me. In other words, following Christ means we give our hearts to each other – and the heart that we want to give to each other, is a heart which is full of mercy, and full of tenderness. The heart, has always been the symbol of the innermost core of someone’s personality. Whoever has our hearts, will have our entire self and everything that is important to us. To have a heart full of mercy means that we put each other first, and that we have a constant desire to look out for each other’s needs, and shows this by concrete acts of love. We look at each other in a personal way and we esteem each other, because we are all created “in the image and likeness of God”. Becoming “mediators” of God’s mercy, especially in this Year of Mercy, means that we also strive every day to let our love grow and mature – our natural love for each other and our supernatural love for God. If we want to grow in supernatural love, and take another step into the world of love, then we must pray and hope that the Holy Spirit – who is the “uncreated love” will take possession of our souls and be present in us. We have to feel more than more dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, otherwise it is impossible to grow in supernatural love. How do we grow natural love – the love for the people around us? We grow in natural love when we are willing to “swim” in the “ocean of God’s mercy” and also when we acknowledge our own personal misery and wretchedness. This Year of Mercy, can give us the gift to realise that we grow in our love of God through our own experience and acknowledgement of sinfulness and weakness. This is the great “masterpiece” of the spiritual life – something we know so little about. We have to learn again to accept our limitations and to use our sins and limitations as a “ladder” to reach God. They should never be an obstacle, but a means to “jump not the heart of God”, our Merciful Father.

Year of Mercy – “I will never forget you” Part V

Without doubt, one of the most powerful images of God’s mercy is the parable of the Lost Son – sometimes called, the parable of the Merciful Father. We see here how God’s love and mercy is something that you cannot earn or deserve. And even if we haven’t merited mercy, God still pours out his love in our lives anyway. We see this in how the merciful Father deals with his son. He doesn’t turn him away, he doesn’t even scold him. He waits for him, he hopes for him and when his son finally returns, he celebrates with his son. We have here the most tremendous example of God’s amazing and endless mercy. We have here the faithful love of a father for his lost son. The son did not only leave his father’s house, he also left his father’s heart. However, the father never gives up. In the parable of the merciful Father, we see–in such a powerful way–the essential attribute of God–mercy. This parable is like a “pearl” amongst all the various parables that Jesus taught. It is often called the “gospel within the gospel”, because it is the most beautiful parable of the love of Jesus to the sinner. The love of God and the mercy of God, which is already proclaimed in the Old Testament – for example in the Prophet Hosea – becomes real and concrete again in this parable of Jesus. The parable of the merciful Father is preceded by two other stories, which express the joy of finding what was lost: we can read about the parable of the lost sheep and also the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:1-10). God rejoices when the lost are found. This theme, and this important message, goes through all these parables. The two sons, that are presented to us in the parable, represent two different types of people. The youngest son runs away from the house of his father, and he goes to a strange land – without the father. The older son remains at home, outwardly with the father, but his heart is not with his father –  his heart has another agenda, namely, how can you get the most out of his father for his own life and his own enjoyment. Jesus directs our gaze firstly towards the younger son. He asked his father for his inheritance. It is interesting, that the younger son excepts the inheritance as something self-understood, and at least in the telling of the parable, the younger son never expresses any gratitude towards his father.  He takes the generosity of his father for granted. The father, at the beginning of the story, says absolutely nothing. He remains silent and offers no comment. The son finds refuge with the pagans, and after a time of pleasure and plenty, he is forced to look after the impure animals, the pigs, in order to survive. These two details of the younger son’s predicament represent symptoms of his distancing from faith, and the religion of his ancestors. However, his misery brings him to a new realization, that he discovers in a kind of conversation with himself. In verse 17, it says that the younger son “came to himself” and realized that even the servants of his father were having a much better life than he was. It is interesting that the son does not complain or point the finger at his friends, or the owner of the pigs, or even his own father; he points the finger at himself and he gives himself the blame. Behind the outward sign of misery and need lies hidden the drama of the lost dignity of the younger son, and how he has allowed his relationship to his father to wither away, because of his own search for independence and pleasure. The lost son experiences in himself remorse for what he has done, however, the remorse is not because of the boundless and forgiving love of his father. It is much more remorse based on his own advantage, and how he can get out of this terrible predicament – in other words, it is a means to survive. However, at the same time this “conversion” is a healing one because one word is said that makes all the difference. This word is “father”. In the short conversation with himself, the son expresses how he wants to declare before his father and before heaven that he has sinned. He makes a distinction here between God – in heaven – and his earthly father. In other words, the lost son wants to make it right with his earthly father, but also wants to make it right with God, and renounce his sin. Continue reading “Year of Mercy – “I will never forget you” Part V”

A Good Question: “How credible are you?”

[A Comment from Father Duncan McVicar SI] Father Kentenich felt called by God to lead the Church, with a prophetic voice, “to the new shore”. He once commented: “The Church should always be what it was at its beginning – the soul of the world’s culture. Don’t separate the Church from culture, and don’t separate the Church from the world! However, the Church should always be the soul of the world’s culture – even this confused and utterly secularised culture.” (8th December 1965)

Many were taken aback by the atmosphere created by some German bishops – including Cardinal Caspar and Cardinal Marx – regarding the burning issues within marriage and family doctrine and pastoral care in the lead-up to the Family Synod in Rome in October this year – amongst others. Pope Francis addressed the present-day crisis of marriage family in his challenging and passionate address to the international Schoenstatt Movement in Rome, after we celebrated the wonderful days of the Jubilee Year 2014. He spoke about the impact of a “throwaway culture” that reduces the covenant of marriage – which is the icon of Christ’s relationship to his Church –  to a mere “association” within society, that should conform to modern-day expectations.

He encouraged the audience of Schoenstatt members from all over the world: “That the family is hit, that the family is knocked and that the family is debased as [how can this be] a way of association … Can everything be called a family? How many families are divided, how many marriages are broken, how much relativism there is in the concept of the Sacrament of Marriage. At present, from a sociological point of view and from the point of view of human values, as well as, in fact, of the Catholic Sacrament, of the Christian Sacrament, there is a crisis of the family, a crisis because it is hit from all sides and left very wounded!.. We are witnessing”, he notes, the “reduction of the Sacrament to a rite… the Sacrament is made a social event… [but] the social [dimension] covers the fundamental thing, which is union with God… What they are proposing is not marriage, it is an association, but it is not marriage! It is necessary to say things very clearly and we must say this!”

Continue reading “A Good Question: “How credible are you?””

Three questions… about Schoenstatt…

[With sincere thanks to Schoenstatt.org] Hi, my name is Father Duncan McVicar, I’m from Scotland UK, fifty-eight years of age, a Schoenstatt Father, ordained in the “100th Jubilee of our Father and Founder” in 1985. I studied at the University of Muenster and Tuebingen, and also at Loyola University in Chicago, US. I’ve enjoyed working and living in different countries, including Poland, India, South Africa and Argentina. I was part of the team that prepared the 100th Birthday Celebration of our Father and Founder in 1985, and also co-ordinated with Sister Johanna-Maria the Youth Festival in 2005 in Schoenstatt before the World Youth Day in Cologne. I have been a Parish Priest in England for seventeen years, and presently, I am Parish Priest at St Ethelbert’s in Greater Manchester and Governor of two Catholic Primary Schools and one Catholic High School. The Schoenstatt Fathers at the Schoenstatt Shrine take an active part in the marriage and family pastoral care within the Diocese. One of the really interesting things that I could do last year, was to be the Chaplain to the Mayor of Bolton, which was really an exciting time, allowing me to catch a glimpse of local politics in action. •

What is my dream for Schoenstatt in who we are and where we find ourselves in the Church, in the world, and in our mission?

My dream for Schoenstatt is that we become a much more dynamic Movement than up till now. My dream is that Schoenstatt doesn’t just talk and pray about being the “heart of the Church” but really is and really wants to be. Our Founder called this “mission awareness”. To use the words from Father Esteban Uriburu, an Argentinean Schoenstatt Father who has already been called home to the Lord: Imagine that we are an international football team, Continue reading “Three questions… about Schoenstatt…”


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September 13, 2017

What’s a Grownup?

“We can’t go around talking about what we’re going to be when we grow up…We are up.”
(“Disney’s The Kid”)

My wife and sister share a birthday today. I’m not dumb enough to tell you how old they are, but I will say they are both beautifully mature beyond their years.

I don’t feel that way, however. Maybe it’s because I’m a youngest child, or maybe it’s because I refuse to stop laughing at potty humor (those two facts may be related).

It’s probably just because I still struggle with insecurity about this whole grownup thing. Part of me wonders when someone’s gonna waltz in and fix all the things I keep fumbling around (money, career, parenting, marriage).

Now, to be sure, another part of me feels accomplished, capable, and confident to handle adulthood as it comes. But that first part often seems to scream louder, grabbing my attention like a whiny toddler.

Am I the only one?

Peace begins with pause,

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