Something is brewing in the tranquil world of Trappist beers. In order officially to bear the order’s name, these increasingly popular tipples must be produced in a Trappist monastery by monks and, as with all Trappist products, only enough is made and sold to cover the monastery’s operating costs and charitable work. Presently, the beers are brewed in only six abbeys in Belgium and one each in the Netherlands and Austria, but the Trappists’ first American version will soon go on the market in the United States. St Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, west of Boston, Massachusetts, is about to launch its own brewery, developed with help from its Belgian brothers in Chimay and will offer Spencer Trappist Ale.” There is, however, less cheer in the Belgian town of Achel,
02 November 2013, The Tablet
Monastic brew
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User Comments (4)
In our families, we have divorced people, people in de facto relationships, gays and lesbians, as well as those like me who have been married to one partner for most of a lifetime. We love all these people, and I for one don't for one moment that God loves them less than I do. The Christ welcomed all- prostitutes, fishermen, pharisees, collaborators- and called them to follow him. Cannot the Church do the same?
Excellent report, Rachel. Thanks yor sharing your experience
But wht ever does happen to those opinions and reasoning that people shared? Provided they were asked to share at all.
Seeing and hearing about topics discussed at the Synod on the Family, it might have been useful to have had a "Synod on the Eucharist" first.
Clarification on the full Church's beliefs on what is Jesus' intent in inviting us to share Communion would be a helpful preliminary to the present discussions.
Thank you for sharing this. I wish there were more priests who would encourage their flocks to get together like this and share in faith and love. The forthcoming Bill on assisted dying would make another interesting topic as it is something I have to say I have mixed and confused feelings about.
I find it difficult to comment on this. Our present Bishop appears to want a reversal to 'olden days' - pre-Vatican 2 and I fear his opinion is also planted in those times regarding church rules and regulations.
I do, however, have to say that where priests can be laicised when their vows are made directly to God, it does seem a little odd to me that when humans make their vows to each other, human beings - weak and fallible beings - though admittedly before God, that it is not permissible to revoke those vows.
Thank God that we are not the judges and that we can leave the judgements to our dear and loving Father who knows us as we are and understands all.