In reverse order: the Christmas card in question was a photograph of the head mistress herself and it was one of those photographs where she had looked straight back at the camera. This meant that wherever you were in the room, at whatever angle you looked at the picture she was always looking straight back at you. I think my parents realised what a great gift this was and put her in prime position on the mantle piece in the living room so when you were in the room on your own Sr. Mary Philomena was still watching you! It probably saved a few ornaments and the cost of a few sticks of glue as well.

There is something quite unusual about an image of someone which will look straight back at you wherever you are in relation to it. This was the same with the sculpture of Christ in Risen Glory which is at the back of St. Augustine's. Wherever you sat in the church Christ looked straight back at you. In another way, whatever mood or situation you were in, Christ looked straight back at you and it was comforting. It also helped me realise a little bit of what we celebrate at the feast of the Ascension.

Christ in His risen body ascended to heaven can be with each one of us on our journey in a way that he could not be when he was bound by historical time and space and an historical body. Christ risen and ascended can see us all and we can all see him wherever we are whatever situation we find ourselves in. So next time you look at an image that follows you round the room, or better still if you get the chance to see the image of Christ at St. Augustine's which is open all day every day remember that Christ is with you, looking at you in love, calling you to him. What a wonderful feast to celebrate especially if we are feeling small and insignificant. No matter how big the universe is, not matter how many people there are Christ is with you on your journey in a particular way!