I thought we haven't had an image of Mary lately on my posts, so I am offering this one today.
Its a clay figure of the Magnificat I've been working on in my shed. I had hoped to cast her in plaster before the cold weather begun, and bring her inside, but it hasn't happened yet. Obstacle after obstacle has presented itself.
If the frost gets to her while she is "left out in the cold" she will be ruined and I will have to begin again. So this image may be all I will have to remember "her " by!
I created the figure, encouraged by the words of Mr.Bentley the art advisor of “Primavera Fine Art Foundation" (which is committed to creating a renaissance of fine theological art in the Church,) ‘Every great work of art is a window between time and eternity. When we learn to contemplate art or come in contact with it, we actually come in contact with God, a little piece of His glory.’ (That statement was not directed personally to me or my work I must add!)
Well, I can't claim it to be a "great work of art, but I can hope (and pray)it may reflect some of Mary's heart.
I think when Mary sung the "Magnificat it was such a lovely and blessed moment in her life, which was otherwise steeped in sorrows.
As the mother of Divine Innocence, she must continue to look with sorrow on the disregard for the innocence of children in today's modern culture.
It was this disregard for children which prompted me to write to the House of Lords, to the Children's minister Baroness Morgan of Drefilin. I was objecting to the introduction of compulsory sex education for children. Already some schools are introducing it for children as young as seven.
When this programme was proposed for my 10 year old daughters, I felt I had no choice but to remove her from the lessons. (Mr. Knight says parents COULD have the option to take children out of certain lessons.) If you have ever tried this, (As I did) you will be made to feel you are going against the grain. The school does not have to prove its professionalism or its religious ethos. (The poster in the foyer does this for them ...) Unfortunately, you, the parent do. I did ask if I might view the material in the programme before removing my child, but I am still awaiting a reply. Surely my request was reasonable?
It wasn't until my in-laws heard I had objected that they told me their son (then ten years old) had come home after the course asking "Did you have to do That once for me to be born?"
So I can only guess at what the programme teaches.
It is known that up until the age of 12, children are at an "Aspirational" stage in their lives. A time to dream about becoming astronauts, painters, postmen, singers, brick layers - You name it. One thing that young children do not need to aspire to is sexual relationships. It's not really something they think about, they are too busy learning the latest skateboard moves.
The Government want to rob them of this time of innocence allegedly to reduce the number of future teenage pregnancies...no doubt the cost of housing teenage mums and chasing absent fathers for financial support is taking its toll.
If they were really doing something with a child's interests at heart, then they would do more to encourage stability in the family unit.
I believe it is more likely that this bill if it is passed, will lead to premature experimentation, more social problems and a more dysfunctional and fragmented society.
Schools Minister Jim Knight wants this bill to become statutory,(which happens to mean "fixed" - like a statue! - I digress...)saying:
"We want to be clear we're not talking about five-year-olds being taught about sex. At Key Stage 1 they will be learning about themselves, their differences, their friendships, how to have strong friendships and how to manage their feelings...Five-year-olds could be taught topics such as the differences between men and women as well as that animals produce offspring. "
Sounds quite benign, but then children at this age are usually quite happy with the knowledge of the sexes they already have; for example:- Girls like pink, boys don't. Girls have long hair, boys don't. If they know that their younger sibling is in mum's tum - then why need it be pointed out through the " animal" model - unless the Government want to include further detail?
Mr Knight then adds why he feels this imposition on a child's understanding is necessary:
"That then allows them in Key Stage 2 to learn about puberty and then about the facts of life, all these sorts of matters."
Is it a matter of stealth then, for the Government to want to prime children at the age of five, in order to make them receptive to "these sorts of matters." at a later date?
It was with some relief I read on an AOL news report that somewhere in England, there were other objectors who saw the scheme for what it is:
"Family campaigners called on the government to scrap plans to teach sex education to primary school children in England.
Stephen Green, national director of Christian Voice, said the proposals would only "encourage experimentation" and contribute to the rise in teenage pregnancy and infertility. He said the idea of teaching young children about sex is "a wickedness" from a Government that wants to see "a whole generation fornicating".
Well, I would express it as the "dis-budding of a Nation." Because the Government desire to present a child's mind with something it would not naturally seek at the age of 10.
It feels strange to me that it is necessary for a group like this to voice an objection. Shouldn't every Catholic parent at every Catholic school be asking for information on the true content of the programme? Do Catholic parents no - longer feel they have any authority as to how their children are educated?
The following ,"Our Lady of Good Success" in which Mary prophecies the subversive corruption of the young is worth a peruse at this point.
I have never thought of myself as a political person, but as A PARENT, I was glad to find this link,write to them so that at very least, I was able to tell my M.P. how it would affect the outcome of my future voting.
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When we look at a religious piece of art, it is meant to raise our hearts to God. When we look at our children, we must also see them as mini- masterpieces who are precious children of God; A work of art which we as parents are to form in the image of Chirst.
I look once again to my image of Mary singing her Magnificat, her face upturned to heaven, her hands held expectant of receiving his grace and blessing. Filled with joy as she contemplates the innocent babe in her virginal womb. Today may Mary herself ask God's help on our behalf for the sake of our children and all future generations. Amen!
(Apologies for the many re-edits on this post, my own children are on holiday from school this week!)
