Over all too fast! :(

It came...                   
         ... and it went...          
             ... way too fast!

As you can see from previous blogposts, our youth team had been preparing for the feast of Christ the King of our Bodies, Minds and Souls for two months, on a completely voluntary basis. It was hard work, but SOOOOO much fun! We had 131 youth come from over 20 parishes - 45 of which stayed throughout the night with us! It was so beautiful... and we enjoyed it so much, that we went to planning our next event early December.

This image was included in the thank you email to all our attendees :)

I've just finished the flyers for the next event, which are going to print right this second!

Word out on Catholic Roadshow Planning Conference date [see later update]

Heart Gives Unto Heart Radio

England & Wales Catholic Roadshow 2011

Planning Conference 11am - 4pm Saturday 5th February 2011
Bishop Amigo Hall, St George's Cathedral, Cathedral House, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7HY



Catholic Roadshow 2011 ----- 
7th – 28th May 2011

Masses - Gala Concerts – Parish and School events including lectures & workshops - “On the Road” Vocations Team of Priests & Nuns - Catholic Cathedral Art & Photo Exhibitions - GREAT MUSIC from Hip-Hop to Gospel Choirs, Hymns and Classical concerts... and MUCH MORE!

21 Gala Evening Concerts & Daytime Events


Sat 7th May           London - Southwark

Sun 8th May          Crawley/ Brighton/Lewes Prison
Mon 9th May         Southampton/Portsmouth
Tues 10th May       Exeter
Wed 11th May        Bristol
Thurs 12th May      Cardiff
Fri 13th May          Coventry
Sat 14th May          Birmingham
Sun 15th May         Manchester
Mon 16th May        Sheffield
Tues 17th May        Leeds
Wed 18th may         Middlesbrough
Thurs 19th May      Newcastle
Fri 20th May           Lancaster
Sat 21st May           Blackpool-Preston
Sun 22nd May         Liverpool
Mon 23rd May        Liverpool
Tues 24th May        Nottingham
Wed 25th May        Northampton
Thurs 26th May      Norwich
Fri 27th May           Brentwood
Sat 28th May          London - Westminster


We need volunteers to make this happen - 
Come “On The Road” - help organise the show!  
Join us on 5th February and get stuck in!

Gerry Coates
: Catholic Singer Songwriter Poet Broadcaster Promoter
020 8974 6590 Mobile 07906 073376

gerrycoates@blueyonder.co.uk    www.gerrycoates.com

________________________________________

Please contact me on pilgrim.claz @ gmail.com if you wish to get involved as a YOUTH rep!!! ;)

Advent pilgrimage of the soul

"Make my Heart ready, O Lord!"

After doing some cleaning this morning, I found a poem from my pilgrimage, that someone had given to me when I reached O Cebreiro - one of the most arduous climbs of the whole Camino. In my whole life, I shall never forget it, or never forget the peace I encountered upon reaching the top of that mountain, gazing upon the beauty of all the other surrounding mountains, God's work, with tears streaming down my eyes. This poem helped me to reflect on my new found peace that night.

That is why it is wonderful for advent; because of the prayer and peace it encourages in a faithful reader, and a readying of oneself for the 'awakening of the dawn' that I interpret to be, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The most amazing weekend of self-discovery through God's littlest gifts

MY GOD, this weekend, You revealed much to me about myself - things I so needed to discover, so that I may open myself more to Your will here on earth, and come closer to knowing the way you choose for me. I will never understand why You grace me so abundantly like this - tasting the fruits of Heaven, and aching for the consolation only You can fill in my earthly solitude. How can I ever give You the thanks You so deserve, in loving this unworthy wretched and sinful soul of mine? I love so dearly, that You know me better than I know myself - You know what I need, You know just the right way to communicate with me, You know how I can best serve you. Every moment of this weekend just gone, I offer to You... Father, Son and Holy Spirit - for You do not abandon me in my period of searching and discerning. Walk with me, Lord. Send Your Holy Spirit to guide us as I discern my vocation, and discover which way - single life, marriage or sisterhood would make You happiest.

________________________________ FRIDAY ________________________________

On Friday evening, I spent time with the Youth Club at our Parish. This is always a wonderful time for me - an opportunity to try to bring out the best in these youngsters, and help them to understand God's ways through the teachings of the Catholic Church (if and when they come to me for advice). When I was in my teenage years, I had no young moral guide to look up to, no one to help me become my own judge and lead me on the right paths that were both good, and also socially acceptable. I honestly believe that the more teenagers are exposed to God in their lives, the better informed they will be when making important lifestyle choices. It is down to the people involved in their lives to give them that exposure to the ways of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This evening, we had a bit of an arts/crafts session, where we made a collage of the images printed of the feast of Christ the King, to put on display at the back of the Church as a thank-you to all our parishioners who were so generous with providing the drinks, snacks and breakfast served at the event. Three sweet teenagers that helped were giving something back to the community, without perhaps realising it, but will clock on in the future, I'm sure. On the same evening, a teenager approached me for relationship advice, where they didn't feel comfortable to approach anybody else. What a blessing that God would bring this young person before me that I can help!

My God, thank you for the gift of the youth in my community. Through this gift, You have helped me to recognise that Your Church on earth is full of hope and promise, and that I am being called to help nurture this through inspiring the young carriers of our faith to know Your love. I pray that I may always be a good example of Christ's ways, in order for others to follow that brightest light ever known to man: Your Truth. 


That night, I made my way to SPES for all night adoration. I arrived quite late - about 00:30, hoping to stay for at least 1 hour so that I may complete my First Friday Devotions. Alas, I could only manage 30 minutes because I had a massive headache - probably because I was just so bunged up with cold. I felt that I couldn't worship my Lord properly... and it was a smack-in-the-face reminder that I am human, and am limited by the well-being of my own body to praise my God.


My God, thank you for the gift of helping me to recognise and accept my human nature. What good am I to you, if I push my body so much that my mind can no longer form a coherent sentence to praise You with, when I could spend that time recovering? I know that I have my limits, but still I choose to ignore it. My body is Yours - it belongs to You, and I should try harder to care for it correctly and treasure the life You have so graciously given me. Stay with me so that my body can be used always to do Your will, and not cause unnecessary suffering by overworking my physical self.

______________________________ SATURDAY ______________________________

The next day, Saturday, I'd intended to spend the whole day with Mary at A Day with Mary in Acton... except I needed to rest in order to recover for the activities of this day. I arrived during their lunch time, so the Church had around 25 people in it, going round visiting all the statues, and THERE SHE WAS. The most important woman in my life... the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the front of the Church, was a beautifully lit statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was so beautiful, and my heart was overjoyed to see her again. After dropping my bag and hoodie off at a pew to save a seat for myself, I went around the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes praying to all the Saints, and the holy men and women that I encountered an image of. I did what I always do, honour them through their image, and touch or kiss the image that reminds me of their deep love for God, and the good witness they were on earth. I once had to bring to confession that I was terribly jealous of the Saints. How could I have felt that way?!?! I think to myself now, how much I love them all the more for their deep devotion and faithfulness in living the way Christ inspired us to live, and for following him, no matter the cost. I had a major moment of madness/anguish when I was just going to get back to my seat. I had touched all the statues, and was feeling content, but knew there was one left I wanted to touch... the statue of Our Lady.

When I went to touch it, about 4 women behind me screamed at me not to touch her - they were almost aggressive in their intervention. I'd never been to one of these before, so I didn't know that we weren't supposed to touch her. I did turn around and put my hands up almost in defence and said 'ok, ok'. But it somehow unnerved me that I couldn't reach out to her, and the ladies' behaviour was a bit of a shock. What was even more shocking, was what happened afterwards. I tried to return to my seat, but an older lady had almost piled all her stuff over my bag and hoodie, saying that she was sitting here. I asked her if the space along the rest of the bench (3 rows from the front) was free, and she said no. So for some silly reason that I don't understand, I started getting upset - because I felt like I was being pulled away from my Blessed Mother, and I knew that exposition was about to start - so I would have been (in a sense) physically pulled further away from her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. So I moved two rows back, and again, I received an almost hostile refusal to sit in these practically empty benches. I became so unbelievably upset, that I burst into tears, and moved to the back of the Church - where I had a feeling the lady sitting there was also going to tell me to move, but probably didn't because she could see I was terribly upset. I ask myself, even now, why am I being such a cry-baby? What was going on with me, that I would weep with such grief unknown? The lady prevented anybody from sitting down on the rest of the bench saying the seats were reserved, yet these seats remained empty for the next 2 hours (up until 16:30). I know that what started me off, was almost this self-imposed idea that people were separating me from Jesus, even if they didn't mean to, and that if it were Jesus sitting on the bench, no way would he have refused someone to sit beside Him. But this, being such a petty thing, I still do not understand why I didn't stop crying after 5, 10 minutes. No... I wept and felt my heart-breaking for nearly an hour!!! What was I crying for? I have no idea, except that God was central to the reason I cried... and realised then and there, that I do not know myself. For if I knew myself, I would know why I anguished and griefed the way I did. My praise and adoration that afternoon, felt almost painful, for some reason... and something inside me was hurting - but I didn't know what, and still don't know what. It just shows how much I was not myself, because I don't fully know myself. And I am alone and in-between in finding my true home in God. With Him, I could share my anguish. The only time I felt anguish before, was at Walsingham in the summer - because I felt the power of Christ's healing mercy as I brought before Him all the wrongs that I'd committed and caused others to commit, whilst He died on that cross for me. He showed me the hope of salvation, and it changed my life forever. This time, my anguish is part of a longer journey...

My God, this pain I felt was a blessing. With it, You gifted me with the ability to acknowledge my loneliness, my solitude. No one can ever fill my solitude, until You fill it in me, if You allow me to knock at the gates of Heaven, and allow me into Your Kingdom when I have left this earth. Through this gift of anguish, You have settled a wave of torment not in my conscious, and graced me with Your peace. This is our earthly pilgrimage - to accept pain, and suffering... so that I may strive all the more for Your eternal Peace and Love, in Your Kingdom called Heaven. Thank You, my Heavenly Father.


That evening, I hit Balham, and enjoyed the Emmanuel Community. I'd already prayed half the prayers necessary for my First Saturday Devotions - including the Rosary. Now it was time to experience some praise and worship with a group of young international Catholics whose life is, at the moment, Youth Ministry. Something I feel so drawn to myself. Only a few hours ago, a Seminarian friend of mine said that I didn't look myself on Saturday at Nightfever. And in a way it is true - I'd had a very emotional day, my spirit wasn't completely in the praise and worship, I knew I had to make a confession (that's always a scary thing for me!)... I guess I wasn't in the right frame of mind. Despite it being a beautiful day full of adoration and Christ's presence in the Blessed Sacrament, something wasn't quite right with me. All I knew was that the Lord was, and is, and is to come. This evening I also heard a wonderful speaker, who had also found the Love of our great God - Monsignor John Armitage. I wish I had filmed his talk - it was truly inspirational, and I felt that his love for God was very real and practical for him. It gave me much joy to hear his words. I was also affected by the testimony of one of the Emmanuel Community musicians - whose eyes and heart were opened by God's Love and fulfillment. It reminded me of my transformation in faith, and how my view of the world has completely changed since my encounter with God - the best thing that would ever happen to me in my life on earth.

My God, through this evening, You shared the life and love of Your faithful with me - and together, our fellowship and prayer brought us in communion with each other and all the holy angels and saints, to bow down in adoration before You. Although people might think I would find it difficult to learn something about myself from this evening, we could probably disagree with them... for You taught me that me experience with You in the summer, will always boost me when I feel down. I need not look further than Your Holy Word to find You there, or to read the words of others who now bask in Your glorious Kingdom!

_______________________________ SUNDAY _______________________________

Sunday was a truly blessed day for me! For the second time in my life, I attended a Tridentine Mass. It was such a joy to be present at - and I truly felt the respect that all the people present had for God. The solemnity of it all really brought home to me, all the glory and honour that millions before me proclaimed for our most awesome Lord God.


My God, through this wonderful and blessed experience of the Tridentine Mass, You cautioned me to revere You always with sanctity and unattainable mystery. Yes, You are always close to me, yet, I know I must always respect You with the utmost reverence, because You are so infinitely above me. Your extraordinary power is magnified in this most Holy Sacrifice of the Tridentine Mass, and I must accept that You are most High, even if You are also so close.


In the afternoon, I went to meet and pray with the Carmelite Missionary Sisters. At the vocations expo I went to towards the end of October, I met a wonderful sister, who said something very special to me, that made me consider if she would become my Spiritual Director. I wanted to explore this further, but Christ the King preparations made that a little tricky. Based at Grosvenor Place, this community reminded me of Vespers that I experienced for the first time whilst on my pilgrimage, staying at the convents with the Nuns. The Carmelite Missionary Sisters (as I guess with all communities or congregations) have daily, that peace and prayer I have been so desperate to experience on a more regular basis. Where the day before at 'A Day with Mary' I was so far from my Lord Jesus Christ physically, here in this small chapel at Grosvenor Place, I knelt in adoration right before my Lord - and I loved every moment of it. After a sharing time over tea and biscuits, which was wonderful - as I got to explain to them the mini-miracle I experienced through the intercession of our Blessed Virgin Mary, Sister Paloma and I sat to discuss my desire to grow in my Spiritual life. It was strange... as the whole weekend was beginning to take shape into one big message for me. Sister Paloma prepared me some work to do at home - and the work is all about discovering myself. How great is our God, that He would grace me with this vital message, when I needed to hear it most! And I doubt not, that Sister Paloma can help me to achieve what it was she said I have the capacity to achieve, when I first met her!

My God, through this experience of adoration with the Sisters, you proved to me that if someone wants You enough, there will be a way for them to find You. You will present Yourself in Your own good time, in the way they need to experience You most. I thank You most graciously, for gracing me with a wonderful Spiritual Director, who can help me grow in my Spiritual Life, and my love for You. I know my prayer life is weak, and I can do so much more to pray for the reparation of others' sins, as well as my own - and You showed me that my walk need not be completely alone. I seek to deepen my intimacy and communication with You, and You have helped me to begin this wonderful journey through gifting me with my new Spiritual Director.


After my meeting with Sister Paloma, I headed to First Sunday at Farm Street, to meet some new people, and to generally meet a new crowd of young London Catholics - and it seems as though there's many that I have not yet met! There wasn't anything particularly special about this meeting - but something so totally extraordinary happened to me en route home.

On the tube home I sat on a seat that was very close to my favourite seat (the penultimate seat of the first carriage) Getting on at Green Park, I didn't notice the young lady at the end seat at first, but she came to my attention when she half shouted that she was trying to sober-up. It looked as though she was going to be sick on the floor. Anyway, she leaned her head on the glass, and something was calling to me, to show my Christian love to her. So for the first time ever, I found from within, an ounce of courage, approached the complete stranger with intent of offering her comfort and looking after her. Our encounter could not have turned out any better than it did. I asked the lady sitting next to her for some tissue, and I went to kneel before the girl (yes, I was prepared to squat/kneel over the puke if I had to... but alas, there was none there... just spittle). I offered her the tissue, and knew it was a good idea, as I could see a few drops of mascara drenched tears running down her face. I asked her to take the tissue. She just blankly stared at me and closed her eyes again, leaning her head against the glass. I repeated myself as an order this time round, and said 'take this tissue because you're crying, and you might get mascara over your lovely coat. Everything is going to be alright'. This must have grabbed her, for she looked at me properly this time, and said 'I'm so sorry', and she burst into tears. I took one of the tissues, and started drying her tears, although I wasn't doing a good job of trying to prevent the mascara rubbing all over her cheeks. I smiled at her and said that everything is going to be alright, and that she should let her tears out. When she said again, and she kept repeating this throughout the train journey, she said 'I'm sorry I'm being so embarrassing'. I simply told her, 'Hey, don't worry, yesterday I wept like a big fat baby, but I was kind of lucky because I did it in a Church'.  I then asked her a little bit about herself - her age, which stop she needed to get off at, as I didn't want her to miss her stop. When she told me that she studies fashion design at Richmond College, I saw the true potential in her. One doesn't study something they don't have a talent in, so she is obviously talented artistically. Throughout the journey, she was revealing little things to me, but didn't understand why she was revealing them... and this was all happening in between all the waterworks. Of which I was reassuring her that I was catching her tears before the fell onto her gorgeous jacket saying 'I know it costs a bomb to dry clean a number like this!', which made her laugh, and cry even more. I remember that at Hammersmith, she admitted to me that her Dad is an alcoholic, but she couldn't continue that conversation as she burst into tears once again. She also said that she wasn't a good person. I was really feeling for her, and kept on repeating that everything will be alright. By this point, she had already repeatedly said to me 'You're so nice... thank you so much, I'm so sorry etc', and her body language was now very receptive to my comforting, as she had turned her body toward me as far as she could. Then she said something, that gave me the opportunity to express my faith, and my deep love for God. She said 'If I believed in God, you would go straight to Heaven! But I don't believe in God because my Mum didn't bring me up to believe in anything'. And my response to this was 'well, maybe this is God's way of coming into your life, and maybe He's trying to tell you something.' We were close to approaching Acton Town station now, and I told her just a couple of stops left - which broke the God talk. But when I offered to walk her home from the station, she promised me that she would be ok as she lives only 2 minutes away from the station. So I trusted her promise on this, and decided to drop the subject of 'mothering' her all the way home. At this, she once again repeated that I'm so nice and that if she believed in God, I would go straight to Heaven. I told her, 'let's just hope that one day, I do! I totally love my faith, and God.' Then she asked me 'Do you believe in God?!' and I showed her my rosary bracelet which has a beautiful cross of Jesus and the Father dangling from the Our Father bead, and replied 'Yes I do, very much!' And she said 'Ohhhhh... you are SO going to Heaven!!! If I wasn't so drunk, I'd add you on facebook!' Which cracked me up. By this time, she was sobering up quite a bit, but still wobbly on the legs when she stood up. But all throughout the journey, whenever she said 'you're so nice', I just said back to her, we should all be like this to each other... that's the way we are meant to be towards one another.

One thing I truly noticed about myself, was that it wasn't the 'you're going to Heaven' bit that hungered me most. It was the 'If I believed in God' bit that hungered me most - because I saw it as my opportunity to express my faith, and help her to acknowledge God's love through my comfort and compassion. I feel I am being called not to pray for myself to enter into Heaven, but to help people find God's love. I did not give her my personal card - as it has my blog page on there - which is so filled with religious related articles... but giving her that would have just scared her off. I offered my encounter with this girl to the Lord, so that through this taste of the love Christ has asked us to share for one another, she may seek Him, and come to know His Love even more. I will continue to pray for her, and ask any readers to pray for her conversion also. It felt so natural for me to care for this young lady in this way, and it brought to light a discovery about myself from the past, that I had not acknowledged in a long time... which is that I am a 'giver'. I wasn't, and have never been, so acutely aware of the way God had intended me to become, even when I discovered that I am a giver (more info on my personality type here). And so to discover this about myself in practice, was an extremely fulfilling moment for me - and for once, I truly understood what it meant to be 'a giver', otherwise known as an ENFJ.

My God, through the gift of this girl, a child You have made in Your likeness and image,You have shown me more about my whole self than I had come to contemplate in the past. You have exposed within myself, ways I can help to sow the seeds of Your Truth and Love in the consciences of others, but at the same time give them the freedom to seek You further, and offering it up to You. Although You have presented to me many gifts this weekend gone, I shall treasure this one the most, because it wasn't just a deeper discovery about myself, but also the potential of using the gifts and qualities You graced me with, to do good in the glory if Your name. I ask all the holy angels and saints, all the holy men and women, to pray for me in this journey of 'giving', and ask most of all for all to pray for this young lady, that she may one day, open her heart in search of You, and experience the light of Your Love, and explore it further. I pray and trust so much, that in Your good time, it will happen.



My God, this whole weekend, was Your sign to me, that my path to doing Your will, is best done upon discovery of myself. For to know myself is to know You. And I can never repay You for this valuable lesson... this new pilgrimage You have set for me, of self-discovery.

40 days for Life, London - Lent 2011 invitation

 

I put together this video above, firstly as a thank-you to Robert and the rest of the 40 days for life team, so that they could use it as a visual example of what the prayer vigil during Lent in 2011 will be like.  It's up on youtube if you wish to share it and invite even more people along in Lent :) Secondly, I made it so that other young Catholics can see what we as Catholic Londoners can do for those unborn babies about to be killed everyday. One of my previous posts (click here) explains much more about what abortion is, and why it is so wrong.

I do have more videos of other prayer vigils coming up soon, and I'll be working on those probably over the Christmas period. I don't have proper video editing software - and that is the difficulty. But hopefully, you get this video, and that it's watchable enough. *chuckles* maybe I should appeal for financial help in purchasing some proper software!

Upcoming Events in the London Area: Nov/Dec

Dear all,

There's so much going on over the next 4 weeks - I was getting confused with what's in my diary, facebook, emails, texts etc... that I decided to put it all into one central location, and share it with y'all to help simplify decision-making! I'm sure there are more events going on, but these are the ones I've been made aware of.

Hope this provides a good roundup of some of the things going on over the next month or so ^_^ Please pass onto ANYONE you feel might be interested in any of the events :)


Love and Blessings!

• Tuesday 23rd November: Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Mystery of Christ's Life (subsequent talks every Tuesday after)
• Wednesday 24th November: Film Night | The Bridge 6:30pm-9:30pm (different films every Wednesday of Advent)
• Thursday 25th November: Right To Life (RTL) Fundraising Dinner (Pro-Life event)
• Thursday 25th November: Soul Food (every Thursday @ Ogle Street)
• Thursday 25th November: A chance to show that your FAITH makes you tick! (For the 18's-25's only... sorry!)
• Friday 26th November: SSMM Youth Club (subsequent youth club every Friday after - breaks over Christmas).
• Friday 26th November: (First) Advent Talk: The Yearning for Christ of Creation (subsequent talks every Friday of Advent)
• Saturday 27th November: Fundraising Dance
• Saturday 27th November: Worldwide day of Prayer for Abortion
• Friday 3rd December: Soul-D-Out (Non-Catholic event)
• Friday 3rd December: First Friday all-night vigil @ Soho Square (St. Patrick's)
• Saturday 4th December: A Day with Mary @ White City (Our Lady of Lourdes)
• Saturday 4th December: Youth Christmas Concert 7:30pm-9:30pm
• Saturday 4th December: NIGHTFEVER | Mission in Balham 8-10:30pm
• Saturday 4th December: Electric Glow Party (9pm-3am) (Non-Catholic Event)
• Friday 10th December: Catholic Underground London | Jahaziel (part of Advent Festival)
• Saturday 11th December: Advent Festival
• Sunday 12th December: Frassati Society meeting w/ adoration and supper.
• Friday 17th - 21st December: Wintershall Nativity play
• Saturday 18th December: Simbang Gabi @ 9:30am, in Kingston Parish
• Saturday 18th December: Christmas Fundraising Dinner 7-11:30pm
• Sunday 26th December: Charity @ Cardinal Hume Centre
• 28th-31st December: Faith Movement's Winter conference
• New Year's: Renewal @ Balham

Catechism of the Catholic Church
The second of SPES's new series of 'Catechism of the Catholic Church' talks, the Mystery of Christ's life begins at 6:30pm this Tuesday evening with supper at St. Patrick's in Soho Square.


Film Night
@ Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Gregory's Church, 13 Warwick Street. London W1F 9JR.
Wednesdays 7pm - 9:30pm (Refreshments from 6:30pm)

24 November The Bridge (2003) - a poetic and powerful story of a father forced to choose between love and duty
1 December No Greater Love (2010) - a documentary on the nuns of the Carmelite Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Notting Hill
8 December The Blind Side (2009) - a homeless and traumatised boy becomes an all American football player with the help of a caring family
15 December The Nativity (2006) - a film that focuses on the story of the Holy Family up to Christ's birth


Right to Life(RTL) fundraising dinner
Right to Life, Britain’s leading lobby group for Life issues, is pleased to invite you to join them at their first ever dinner, where the celebrated, politician and campaigner the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe will share her thoughts on the challenges ahead for the Pro-Life movement. She will be joined by Jim Dobbin MP, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group and other distinguished guests.
We are delighted to be able to host the dinner in the “Hall of India” at the Royal Overseas League in St James’s, London.
Date and time: 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm., Thursday, 25th November, 2010
Venue: Royal Overseas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR
Ticket Price: £50 (three courses)
Dress code: Lounge Suit

There will be opportunities for attendees to ask questions and to have photos taken with Ann Widdecombe at the end of the evening. The cost per ticket is £50 which is a great price for what promises to be a fantastic evening, and all profits will go to support the sterling work of Right to Life.


Soul Food
Soul Food is a Catholic charismatic prayer group for young adults. We meet at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Central London every Thursday from 7 to 9pm for worship, teaching and faith sharing. Most people who come are in their 20s or 30s, but everyone is welcome.
A night at Soul Food starts with praise and worship, followed by a talk or Bible based teaching on a particular theme. This is usually followed up with a time of response such as prayer ministry, small group discussion or faith sharing, individual prayer and meditation or Eucharistic Adoration.

To find out what Soul Food is currently up to, please visit our website: www.soulfoodgroup.org

What makes you tick?
Date night: 25th November (Thursday) around 5pm - till whenever - till last man standing!
We need hip LDN peeps aged between 18-25 to come and have a chat with us on what is in, what is out, what makes you tick, i.e what music do you love, what inspires you, (do you love Justin Bieber as much as the next person - you love him so bad you went and got the Bieber cut?), what makes you think - I want to do that when I'm older or I need to get saving for those pair of trainers I saw online like now!!!
We want to know everything about what makes you tick these days! Stuff that mum should know or shouldn't know etc etc
You guys are opinionated - and we want to understand with who, what and why!!!
Do as Ghandi says "Be the change that you want to see in the world"
Dont worry its not a formal thing - where we make you sit at a desk and write up an essay - its will be an informal chat with booze and toilet facilities at a fun London haunt! If you are over the grand old age of 25 - please forward this to someone you might know that is under 25 that might be interested in taking part.
The location is TBC - it will be in Central London.

Those of you who are up for it will receive free drinks (beer or wine - no Champagne orders I am afraid) and bar snacks (for the weak) AND a £5 HMV voucher to spend on whatever your heart desires
GO ON treat yourself - its Christmas!!!!!!

Peace out L-Town

If you want to know more please email me Veralynne_fernandez@creata.com or call me: 07841678198


SSMM Youth Club
Join the SSMM Youth team this Friday in chilling out with the teenagers of our Parish.
St. Michael & St. Martin's Parish Centre, 94 Bath Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 3EH. Fridays from 7:30pm.


Advent Talks: The Yearning for Christ ...
... of Creation - 26th November by Fr Hugh MacKenze
... of the human heart - 3rd December by Fr Kevin Douglas
... of fallen Man - 10th December by Fr Roger Nesbitt
... of the human body - 17th December by Fr Dominic Rolls

You are very welcome to join us (Willesden Green Parish) for prayer and talks based on the Sunday Gospels of Advent:

7:00pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
7.30pm Talk
8:10pm Discussion and light refreshments
9:00pm Finish

Speakers are involved in FAITH movement


Fund raising dance in aid of St. Peter's Life Line
From Vincent Otis: St Peter’s Life-Line supports the St Peter’s Community of Schools in Kajuki, Eastern Province, Kenya, by providing funds for capital projects, specific facilities or equipment. We also aim to provide regular, budgeted funding for teachers’ and staff salaries, feeding programme for the children, and for other specified and agreed running expenses directly associated with the operation of the schools.

The event itself will include dance lessons by professional dancers comprising of chachacha, rhumba, jive and samba. There will also be food and drinks on sale at reasonable prices.
Tickets are £7 in advance, £10 at the door.
Please take time to visit:
www.stpeterslifeline.org.uk


Worldwide Day of Prayer
Pope Benedict XVI has issued an unprecedented request for prayers worldwide from all pro-life people against abortion.
No matter your religious or spiritual affiliation, the leader of the Catholic Church is asking for your prayers on this day, for the sake of all humankind. "The Holy Father’s Vigil and his invitation to join with him in prayer is an important and inspiring example to all about the importance of uniting in faith to... ask God’s protection and help for human life." Stand up for our unborn brothers and sisters together with the rest of the world. Please invite everyone you know.

November 27 is also the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, which commemorates the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, and the intimate bond between the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son, Jesus.


First Friday all-night vigil
@ Soho Square (St. Patrick's). Every First Friday, SPES (St. Patrick's Evangelisation School) has an all-night vigil devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which corresponds with the First Friday Devotion that was promised to us via St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. For more information about First Friday Devotions, you can visit this page of my blog. The monthly event kicks off with Mass @ 7pm, then dinner is served after, and this takes us into Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for the whole night.


Soul-D-Out (non-Catholic Event that looks good to any soul/Gospel fans)
A LIVE night dedicated to showcasing the soulful best of the UK and beyond. Soul-D-Out ( UK ) Live! provides the whole experience in plush surroundings. A two or three course meal with LIVE entertainment followed by the after-party! We feed your senses and develop your minds.... ...

Backed by 'Blind Recognition' band
Hosted by d'nyce of Bang 103.6fm (www.bangradio.fm)
Rampage (bbc 1xtra)
...Music by Rampage & DJ Maurice (Soul2streets)

Friday 3rd December 2010
Doors open 6pm - 2am
Showtime 9pm SHARP!!!!!

£8 standing before 9.30pm, £10 after!
Advance online sales: www.urbantickets.co.uk

You can also dine at Cotton's Restaurant and watch the live show which starts at 9pm, please make these reservations at Cotton's (in advance) on 0207 833 3332. The food is fantastic!


A Day with Mary
Every First Saturday, I do an act of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as was requested of us when she appeared at Fatima. The one for December takes place in Our Lady of Lourdes @ White City. Perhaps some of you would like to join me... although I know there is so much else going on! More info about First Saturday Devotions are on my blog page mentioned above!
A DAY WITH MARY is an open day of prayer held in a Catholic church or shrine. It emphasizes
worship of the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Our Lady. You are welcome to join the event for a
little while or for the whole day. It includes the Mass, Scripture, Rosary, Meditations
on the Passion, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, Processions of the Blessed Sacrament
and of Our Lady, Act of Consecration, Theological Instructions, Hymns, a programme on the story of
Fatima and periods of rest with refreshments. The Sacrament of Penance is readily available. There is a
bookstall and the opportunity to enrol in the Brown Scapular (consecration to Our Lady) and Miraculous Medal if so wished.


Youth Christmas Concert
From St. Anthony's Church (E7): After a very successful Christmas concert last year, the amazing SAINT ANTONY'S YOUTH CHOIR are returning to entertain and bless us with a selection of gospel, inspirational and Christmas music.
This event will be run BY YOUNG PEOPLE from the parish, and any proceeds raised will go straight towards covering the cost of the trip of the three young people who are attending World Youth Day in Madrid next summer.

Tickets are £2 if you are on the guestlist, or £3 on the day.
To get onto the guestlist, you simply have to RSVP here "Attending", or text Edwin on 07965 581 813.
Children in primary school suggested donation 50p, children aged 5 and under go free.


NIGHTFEVER
From Laura Cuthbertson @ Balham: I would like to invite each of you personally to an event called 'Nightfever' taking place on Saturday 4th December from 8pm - 10:30pm in Holy Ghost School, Nightingale Square. The first half of the night takes place in the school with lively rock and gospel music, an inspirational talk by Mgr. John Armitage, powerful testimonies and a candle lit procession into the church for music, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.


Electric Glow Party
@ The Wall Bar. ISLAND2ISLAND presents the ELECTRIC GLOW
INTRODUCING THE 'TIME TO MAKE YOU SHINE' GLOW STICK PARTY

GET YOUR GLOW STICKS READY.......!!!
GIVEAWAYS ON THE NIGHT INCLUDE GLOW STICKS & TSHIRTS!!
Bringing you the best in RnB, HIP HOP, Bashment, Soca, UK Funky, UKG, Party classics and SEGA.

This Night is guranteed to be ROADBLOCK
===========================================
TICKETS & INFO
£10 in advance
£15/20 on the door
Contact Steven Raman for more info


CATHOLIC UNDERGROUND
Spreading the Gospel message through the CULture. MOBO award winning rapper Jahaziel is performing, and it's all happening at 7:30pm at Notre Dame de France Church in Leicester Square.




Advent Festival
From SPES: Adoration · Music · Refreshments · International Mass between 2 and 7pm at Notre Dame de France Church in Leicester Square on Saturday 11th December and on Sunday 12th December. (http://sohope.blogspot.com/ would have more info!)


Frassati Society Meeting
Sunday 12th December
Adoration from 5.15pm, Mass at 6pm, followed by a light supper and a meeting where the roles within the Society will be appointed (President, Secretary, Coordinators for Service Project, Hikes, etc).

The Frassati Society is a young adult apostolate which combines prayer, service of the poor, and community (specifically, hiking!) in the spirit of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati. In January we will begin our main activities, including a service project, and a monthly Sunday meeting including Mass, Adoration, and a dinner with a speaker


Wintershall Nativity play
This wonderful production takes place both inside and around the Holly Barn Theatre at Wintershall, complete with shepherds and sheep, oxen, donkeys and the three wise men on horseback. It is the true story of the birth of our dear Lord Jesus and brings to life the real meaning of Christmas, helping all of us escape the turmoil of its present day commercialism and missing spirituality. Come warmly dressed with boots or appropriate footwear. The ‘inn’ opens for tea, coffee and mince pies etc one hour before each 90-minute performance. This year's performances are taking place from Friday 17th December until Tuesday 21st December 2010. The performances started at 4.45 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. each day.


Simbang Gabi
... is a Filipino traditional 'Christmas Novena', where Mass is celebrated (traditionally at dawn, but not practical in this country), at 9:30am in Kingston Hill Parish - and I'm sponsoring this Mass. Sponsoring basically means doing the Offertory, and the readings. I'm inviting all my Catholic friends to help me sponsor this Mass (which will have Fili food after Mass... yum!). It is meant to strengthen relationships between families and/or communities! As a whole, I'm just inviting all my Catholic friends to join me if they can. I've never been able to take part in Simbang Gabi before, and it would be great to have you guys with me.


Christmas Fundraising Dinner
From Raj Kamudu: Hi folks my friend Roselle is running in the London Virgin Marathon 2011 and Gastro School is helping to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre by hosting a Christmas Dinner Party at their venue in Brook Green. We would love the pleasure of your company at what promises to be a memorable evening of fine wine, food and music...Please reserve the 18th Dec in your diaries for our Fundraising Christmas Dinner Party: Admission £35 RSVP Lounge suit

Menu as follows:
Pumpkin soup gruyer goujon truffle oil
Fillet of sea bream fennel puree tomatoe brunoise anise beurre blanc
Ballotine of guinea fowl mango mouseline roast baby vegetable jus de volaille
Chocolate and rasperry Macaroon lime sorbet

PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO GASTRO SCHOOL NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2010 AND POST TO 33 CAITHNESS ROAD WEST KENSINGTON W14 OJA
TO CONFIRM YOUR BOOKING PLEASE LEAVE YOU NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS.


Charity @ Cardinal Hume Centre
Some of our Youth Team in Hounslow have expressed a desire to 'do Him some definite service' on boxing day this year, by serving food and generally offering a helping hand at the Cardinal Hume Centre for the Homeless. It would be great if we could show God's love and care for others as a team, and actually practice what we preach.


Faith Movement's Winter Conference
@ Stonyhurst College in Lancashire 28-31st December. http://www.faith.org.uk/Events/WinterBook.htm


Renewal@Balham
Dates: Registration starts at 6pm on Wed 29 Dec, 2010. This four-day event finishes on Sat 1 Jan 2011, at 1pm.You are welcome to come to all or part of the event as you wish.Venue: Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Nightingale Square, Balham, London, SW12 8QN
Age Groups: The event is primarily for young people between the ages of 16 and 25, although it is open to young adults up to aged 35. Please see website for further details on Youth 2000's policy for anyone attending under the age of 18.
Accommodation: There will be separate accommodation available for men and women - you just need to bring a sleeping bag, roll-mat and wash kit. As this is a youth event, we are unable to offer accommodation to anyone over 35 (unless as part of a family group).

Costs: Suggested donation is £40 per person to cover the cost of the retreat & for your meals/refreshments.

Details: Daily mass, rosary, talks by dynamic speakers, workshops, discussion groups, social time to make new friends, great music and New Year party celebrations!
Further Information: Visit our website http://www.youth2000.org/, email: info@youth2000.org or call 020 8675 2743

Checkin' in with the Lord

For our celebration of Christ the King of our Bodies, Minds and Souls, the team produced a small booklet for the event, as a guide to some of the activities taking place that evening. We wanted these booklets to contain information they could take home, to help them with deepening their spirituality and prayer-life. So I wrote this as a brief introduction into getting them to firstly consider their faith more by what they're praying and how they pray.  Lord, if it be Your will, use me as Your servant to help bring Your people closer to you in prayer and spirituality.


Believe it or not, we’re here to TRUST in the Lord, not DISGUST the Lord. Every single choice we make can make us ONE with the Lord, or BREAK our home with the Lord. We are living examples of what Christ died on the cross for: L.O.V.E. But we’ve got to let God into our hearts if we want to live good lives ourselves, becoming that example of goodness, and aiming for the Heavens. There’s no better way to do this than by checking in with the Lord through prayer. So how can we as young Catholics do this?

For the younger ones amongst us… CEL

CHURCH
Church isn’t a ‘take or leave’ ting. It’s an EVERY SUNDAY ting. So get over it. 1 hour of your week ain’t much of an ask to thank the One who made you (obviously via your parents). Every single part of the Mass is precious praise and reverent worship. Mass is only ever boring if you don’t mean what you’re prayin’ – either because you’re pre-occupied, or you don’t understand what it is you’re sayin’! Don’t disrespect… get out your New Testament, and get down with understanding the beauty of the Mass.

EVENTS
Hittin’ Christian Youth events is a wicked way to reinvigorate your relationship with God – and you get a real good balance between entertainment and prayer. Events vary from local Parish vigils, to bi-monthly events like Catholic Underground London, to annual prayer festivals like Youth 2000’s New Year’s Renewal@Balham retreat, Greenbelt and Brightlights. Try one out… and don’t do it because you’re feeling forced to… do it for Christ, who should be the centre of your life.

LYRICIZE (or go one better: Proselytize!)
Never heard of  Jahaziel? GuvnaB? DJ 4Real? Heavy beats with hott holy lyrics not only inspire you to think about your own faith when putting it into words, but also makes you a stronger Christian for doing something about it. These inspiring artists are the lyrical masters of the Christian Brit-Urban scene at the mo. Check out other international Gospel/grime, rap and hip-hop artists like Trip-Lee and Lecrae, then get your bibles, your pens and paper out, and get down with some tight lyricing! Poetry and prose is just as good if you aren’t into lyricing.


For the more experienced ones amongst us…

Prayer should be dynamic like any other form of communication, so there’s no absolute answer to ‘how should I pray?’; because every person communicates in a different way. Most prayer takes concentration, silence, and a keenness to offer God your prayer with all your body, mind and soul. More traditional forms of prayer include:

Eucharistic Adoration
Prayers of adoration are ones where God is honoured through exaltation of who He is. This is THE most important type of prayer, because God is before us in the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ himself. Here, we remember and appreciate that God gave us his eternal love by becoming human – one of us. This is a perfect opportunity for us to know God more intimately, and listen to Him. There is no doubt that our relationship with God through the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is deepened significantly.

Petition
Probably the type of prayer that young people use most, because generally speaking, we tend to turn to God only when we want or need something. We must be careful not to petition God for things that will displease Him. When petitioning to God on our own behalf, we should remember to pray with a passion and hunger that shows Him how much we need Him in our own lives.

Marian Prayer: e.g. The Rosary
It pleases the Blessed Virgin Mary greatly when we pray the Rosary. Through her überabundance of grace, our prayer becomes more effective as it passes along the celestial link to her Son, the Son of God, who is God Himself in communion with the Holy Trinity. The Rosary isn’t just a ‘wearable fashion accessory’. It is a tangible guide to reflecting and meditating on the wonderful mysteries of Christ’s Passion and their family life together with St. Joseph her spouse most chaste. Page xx of this booklet helps you in your desire to live holier lives through the prayer of the Rosary! Other Marian prayers include The Angelus, the Memorare, and many others.

Other methods of prayer include Intercession, Thanksgiving, Confession, Novenas, Litanies, Acts of Consecrations/Devotions. Check these out on google, and try hit a Catholic website rather than the other Christian sites out there.


Keep checking in with the Lord by praying for each other. 
Blessings.

If you're floatin' (Christ the King)

Preparing the way for a King: continuing the 'Heart Speaks Unto Heart' conversation!

So, this weekend marks the end of the liturgical year. Safe! We're approaching New Year anyways, so a fresh new start in a liturgical sense is all good! And all this excitement for a fresh new outlook is magnified all the more, as there's something extra special going on this Saturday - particularly for me, and the rest of the youth team at St. Michael and St. Martin's in Hounslow. Because for the past 2 months, we have been preparing the way for our wonderful King!

Yes... this Sunday is the feast of Christ the King - and we've decided to open our Parish doors to all young Catholics in West London to celebrate it BIG STYLE with us! What's it all about? The theme is about continuing the 'Heart Speaks unto Heart' conversation that the Papal Visit focused on back in September, with exploring how we can use our bodies, minds and souls to 'do Him some definite service'. Basically, we are responding to Christ's call to live our Christian faith in all that we are, think and do in our everyday lives. Our night consists of an all-night Eucharistic Adoration, as well as a fantastic talk by Emmett 7 Lucy Dooley on sex and relationships (how we must aim to be Pure in Heart!), games on our lifestyle choices, a short-film on Saints (whom we all aspire to become), grilling Fr. D (where young people can ask a priest for some honest answers about some of their concerns, or advice), and introducing traditional forms of prayer like the Rosary, Lectio Divina and Divine Mercy Chaplet. It's not all about quiet time with the Lord, as we've got fantastic live Praise and Worship music provided by TW3, there's ample social/break time for munch and caffeine boosts and we finish off the night with a hearty breakfast at 6am!

Because of all the things we've planned for the night, we have continued to pray for the graces of the Holy Spirit, and we truly feel that God's got our backs on this! We're praying also that many young Catholics will hear His call to come to our event, and act upon it! I know for sure that our confirmation group are really excited about the event, and is the subject of all the whispers at the moment amongst them.

So as one of the organising team for this massive event, how has it been for me? Well, it has been an amazingly fun journey! Not just because I received an opportunity to express my love for our God Almighty creatively, by producing all the publicity (with the help of my amazing team!), getting our team hoodies sorted, being part of the band (TW3) that will play live throughout the night, and volunteering to dress the Sanctuary on the night, but also because it has allowed me in some way to open myself to Christ to work through me. I've absolutely loved working in this capacity so closely alongside Christ. I kinda imagine myself to be almost walking along a dusty road side-by-side with Jesus, having this immensely fun convo with Him! Yeah yeah... I know... I have an overly active imagination. But I give it free reign when it comes to all things Holy.

I personally feel, that so far, the best thing to have come out of the planning of this event, is the formation of a team of devoted, inspirational young Catholics, wanting to 'do Him some definite service', who shall hopefully remain a unified force for the Catholic faith in the near future! But it isn't about us... it's about you. We're praying that the best thing to come out of the event itself is a willingness for young Catholics to actively do more for the Lord, for each other, and yourselves! It's all about you and God's love! So keep praying for help from above!

Peace and Blessings!

Christ the King - a Catholic Youth event in West London

A matter of Life and Death

What is it to you? 

I've been praying over this blogpost for weeks - and now it's time to share with you what I have learned about abortion.

I knew very little about abortion until just over a month ago. I cannot describe to you my shock and surprise at how much this issue impacts EVERYBODY.  Everything to do with abortion is immoral - and I pray you finish reading this blogpost knowing that you've learned something, and feel encouraged to do something about it. I'll give you a 'lil low down on everything I've learned about abortion in the UK.

Tiny History

The Dark Ages
Abortion has been around for many centuries. Women used all sorts of methods to abort (aka abortifacients) fetuses in their wombs - from sitting over steaming pots, to drinking herbal teas, and even forcing consumption of toxic chemicals. Between the 2nd and 19th century, not only did the majority of attempted abortions lead to death (meaning women could have knowingly been risking their own lives), but science had not yet shown people what the physical state of human life was at any point in embryonic development - and so people (including saints!) made different judgements on when life (and ensoulment) actually begins, and when the fetus is a human being.

Abortion's strong historic links to Reproductive Racism and Eugenic Ideology
Most of today's abortion providers such as Marie Stopes and Brook Advisory Centres were advocates of abortion for reasons borne out of evil: eugenics and racism. If you don't know what these are, then you seriously need to read up about it - because they're both unjustifiable reasons of hurting and killing other human beings whether in the womb or out of it. Eugenics is the process of improving the human race by controlling reproduction in order to make a "more pure" human race, altogether promoting "good breeding". Racism is the simple belief that a fellow human being is less of a human being because of their social, ethnic or religious background, and wickedly acting upon this belief for the purpose of racial superiority. This could ring bells for you. You could very well have studied texts for English Literature at GCSE on prejudice and injustice (for me it was Taylor's Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry)... it was my first exposure to racism in my life. Maybe you have a friend who is affected by racism, and you understand from real experience how wrong it is. You may have very strong feelings regarding WWII - particularly if you are disabled or have Polish blood running through your veins. Adolf Hitler was one of these characters steeped in eugenic and racist ideology. And guess what? Marie Stopes wrote letters and poems of adoration to him at the same time as setting up her clinics in the poorest towns, targetting the wave of West Indian immigrants coming over for work, whilst encouraging child labour exploitation in the factories of the manufacturing industries.

We no longer live in those dark ages, people. We are all intelligent enough to recognise that eugenics and racism are both disgusting and morally wrong. I'm not saying that people who carry out abortions are racists, but unfortunately, eugenics and sophisticated racism is still happening largely under the guise of the "safe sex" movement - which people fail to recognise as manifestated in contraception and abortion for the minorities (Source: iCare magazine). We know what a fetus looks like at every point of its development now, thanks to science, and the gift of right judgement that we are sealed with at Confirmation encourages us to seek the truth, and actively live it in the choices we make. I'm here to help you see that truth - and you'll hear it from my perspective.

Oh... by the way... it was estimated that Adolf Hitler ordered the killing of between 15 and 20 million people. We can all agree the Holocaust was morally wrong - so why are we as a whole society rapidly approaching that number by accepting the killing of unborn children? Here's what's happening at the mo...


Facts on UK Abortion today

• Since 1967, abortion has been legal in the UK, and 7 million pre-born babies have been killed due to abortions since it was legalized. Source: Dept. of Health, Abortion Statistics for 2009.
• 200,000 abortions take place in England and Wales a year. That equates to around 540 deaths of unborn babies a day. Source: The Good Counsel Network.
• 60% of abortions take place because of contraception failure - which abortion clinics fail to make aware publicly. Source: The Good Counsel Network
• Abortions can take place on the grounds that two doctors agree the pregnancy would damage the woman's physical or mental health up to 26 weeks gestation, but there is no time limit to abortion if two doctors agree the woman’s health or life is gravely threatened by continuing with the pregnancy or that the fetus is likely to be born with severe physical or mental abnormalities. Source: Education for Choice 
• Pay taxes? 94% of abortions are funded by the NHS with 60% taking place in the independent sector under NHS contract. Source: Dept. of Health, Abortion Statistics for 2009.
• 5% of women consider abortion because they have serious practical problems they do not have a solution for. The other 95% of women choose to have an abortion because they're in a casual relationship and 'don't want to be tied to the guy for the rest of her life', and simply don't want to be pregnant. Source: The Good Counsel Network.
• 70% of women who have an abortion had their decisions made for them by their mothers and partners (for the majority of cases). Source: The Good Counsel Network.
• 1 in 30 women aged 19-21 had an abortion last year. Source: Dept. of Health, Abortion Statistics for 2009.
• Pregnant women who abort have a six times higher rate of suicide than those who carry their babies to term. Source: European J. Public Health. 2005. 
• Women who abort are 65% more lkely to be at rish of long-term clinical depression than women who gave birth. Source: Medical Science Monitor. 2003.
• Women who abort are 144% more likely to abuse their children. Source: Acta Paediatrica. 2005. 

Abortion Methods include...
- The morning after pill                               - ellaOne - Ulipristal Acetate (UPA)
- RU-486 - Mifeprex (The Abortion Pill)   - Vacuum Aspiration
- Dilation and Suction Curettage (D&C)    - Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
- Induction or Prostaglandin Abortion        - Partial Abortion or Dilation and Extraction (D&X)

There's a lot of information available on this, particular in a magazine called iCare - which is where most of the statistics above have come from. Do email me if you want copies of this magazine sent to you! For the meanwhile, here's an illustrated video of how abortionists enforce the D&X method on a fetus of 24 weeks gestation. It might disturb you for life, but I wish for you to watch it with three questions in mind: 1) Is this natural and safe? 2) Is this moral? 3) Do you think this is God's Will for us here on earth to sit by and idly watch this happening up to 540 times a day?

What do you think? How did you answer those questions? Perhaps with more questions? Questions like...

Women's reasons for abortion
... 'but taking away abortion means taking away the woman's right to choose?' or 'why is abortion wrong in the cases of rape?'. In Catholic teaching, all killing is a mortal sin. Our belief is that from the moment of conception, which is when the sperm has fertilised the egg, a man and a woman has naturally created another human being, as is willed by God. We all belong to Him, and it is not just ourselves that we should consider in important life decisions such as whether another human being should die or live. If you wish not to have to make this decision, then the only solution is to postpone your sexual activity with a partner until marriage. I know it's not something you want to hear, but trust... it is the reality of how God created us, and no contraception will prevent life from forming 100%.
In answer to rape: should a child have to pay the punishment of death because the man wasn't the woman's intended partner? If you are the pregnant woman, is that child's life worth less than yours? Rape is such an unfortunate and sad occurence, and those women who have been raped will be very much in need of comfort and support. But believe it or not, women who have been raped, and have borne a 'child conceived in rape', abhor the fact that people use them for their own political and social views. According to The Good Counsel Network (http://www.goodcounselnet.co.uk/) a number of such women have spoken out saying things like "I was raped, and everytime you've used my circumstances to justify abortion, I'm being abused again by you". An important fact regarding this is that, most women who are raped and get pregnant don't want an abortion. Most are pressurised into it (according to The Good Counsel Network).
There are also many answers to the 'women's right to choose' argument - with many books available on it, and many online resources. One such online resource specifically aimed at young people is this one: deathroe.
Can you believe that only 5% of women considering abortion actually have a practical problem that they can't see a solution to? The other 95% of women choose to have an abortion because they don't want to be pregnant; 70% of whom are coerced into abortion because their mothers and/or partners will it of them. For women who do not have strong faith, they might feel it is important for them to act upon the will of their elders, and those who would support them - so if those closest to her are coercing her to have an abortion, she may well disregard God, and the growing baby inside of her (Source of figures just mentioned: The Good Counsel Network). Few young people would consider God in their moral decisions, and even fewer would consider the Church teachings when making their decisions. Yet the Church is, in my opinion, the biggest advocate of natural life there is. For example, the Church condemns abortion, except for the one instance of the Principle of Double Effect, which is described better in question 6 of this Priests for Life Q&A.


Abortion affects everybody - including you
Too many people are unaware of how much abortion affects everybody, and society today is largely ill-informed of what abortion involves - most especially young people. As mentioned above, if you're a tax payer, it affects you. If you're a doctor, it affects you. If your Mum once had an abortion, you'd understand that you could have been living with another brother or sister right now if the abortion hadn't gone ahead. If you're in a classroom of 30 people or more, there is every chance that one of the girls in your class could have an abortion by the time she hits 21 years of age.
Abortion has affected my conscience directly, by means of a charity run I completed recently. My Grandaddy died of cancer in February this year, and although I walked El Camino for a plenary indulgence for his soul, I still felt I could do more to celebrate his life and help in some way ease the suffering of those with his condition. So I decided to partake with Mum's work the 10k run. The UK is a leading world location for stem-cell research and research done on aborted fetuses - but it isn't so clear on whether the charity Cancer Research UK are involved in this kind of research. When I contacted them about it, they never replied back to me. Until I discover whether they do support research on aborted fetuses or not, I genuinely can't say whether I have blindly been running and raising funds for research that supports abortion or not. And this, scares me.


What can we do to help those considering Abortion?
It might seem light-years away before a complete end to abortion, but we have to start somewhere - just like a tiny child starts somewhere :) We might not be able to stop 540 abortions that happen everyday, but we can stop one. In other words, we might not be able to help 540 women, but we can help one. People have been fairly active in this field for many years already with various organisations coming to existence - it's just that young people aren't so aware of them. Here I'll talk about two organisations that are there to help the women that are considering abortions, and those who have already gone through abortions. People of many different religions and backgrounds get together with a general banner name of 'pro-life' and actively try to raise awareness of abortion, and peacefully make their presence known outside abortion clinics. For many Catholics over the past 32 days, we have been doing that with prayer and fasting, through this wonderful initiative...

40 days for Life
40 days for Life has very recently crossed the pond over from the US, and today will be the 32nd day people will be praying and fasting outside an abortion clinic in central London. It is all peaceful, we do not impose our prayer onto anybody, but we are public with it. I've met some really wonderful people there, and we have had some success stories as a result of our prayer. One such person was Clare, who also writes a blog and brings her children as witness to our beliefs. Do read the link I've just given you, there's a fantastic part in there about 'opening up the abortion debate', where a Baptist Pastor questions Marie Stopes on 20 things he wanted answers to. To give you an idea of what happens at 40 days for Life, here is one such video I've taken during one of the quieter periods mid-afternoon:

The biggest gift of help we can give these women going through abortion, and their unborn children who are about to die, is prayer. Prayer is unbelievably powerful. We pray for the abortionists - that they may be converted (meaning they may see and accept that they are killing human life, and change for the better). We pray for the women going into the clinics, that they may also be converted and change their minds. And we pray for their unborn child, who may have one day become a doctor, or a bus driver, or a celebrity singer. I'm even guessing that through prayer in some way, this woman was converted from pro-choice to pro-life.

Up to day 20, successes of the 40 days for Life campaign include:

• 6 lives saved (God only knows the real figure could be closer to 10-15 or higher)
• Many women received positive, tangible help in time of crisis.
• Over 240 hours of street prayerful, peaceful and legal vigil.
• Around 5,000-10,000 passers by every day notice vigil proclaiming the humanity of the unborn child.
• 1 abortion worker quit their job
• 1 abortion clinic closed during weekday, no Saturday openings during campaign despite website stating they are open on Saturdays.
• 10,000 Human Life Alliance magazines in process of distribution
• 1 Film Premiere organised
• Hundreds of first time pro lifers activated
• 1 Friendly letter from Pope Benedict's office
• 15 presentations on 40 days for life around London
• At least 500-600+ participate in campaign
• Friendly gestures and participation from Muslims, Hindus and others
• 30 positive news stories
• Enquiries from Spain, France, Zambia, Ghana, Germany and Colombia towards conducting their own 40 days for life campaign.
• 10 Friendly parishes offering help on a larger scale
• Hundreds of homes and businesses visited during door to door outreach.
• 5 further events organised!

I was even there for one particular success story. A teenage girl (let's call her Emma-Jane for now) had come for a second visit to the abortion clinic, even after one of the counsellors had spoken to Emma-Jane just after the first visit. Emma-Jane wasn't having any of the counsellors words the first time, but this second time round, the counsellor approached the young lady again, and tried to talk to her. The young woman just turned around and said "Don't worry. I'm keeping my baby". Her baby was estimated to be at 9 weeks of gestation. Upon checking that out on youTube, I found this very touching video, that I confess to weeping over, because it is a story of someone who aborted her baby without the information she really needed. What struck me so much about this video, was the music. I'm a massive fan of classic Disney movies - dumbo is one of them. This same song plays during the moments Dumbo goes to visit his mother locked up in the jail for protecting him - and she expresses her love for Dumbo with the maternal affection he was so desperately in need of. A bond created between Mother and Child is inseparable - even death cannot deny that this child's life was created in the womb of a woman. It is a biblical truth that a woman carries a child (not just 'pregnancy tissues' or 'a clump of cells'), no matter what gestational age it is - and a spiritual connection was formed the moment the child was conceived. I used to cry over this part of the Dumbo movie for hours - and I think if I was to watch it again, I'd do the same, but with extra reasons. But imagine all the prayer volunteers' joy at hearing this young woman share with us that she was going to keep the baby? I made a point to approach her friend and thank her for the support she'd given.

There is a week left of 40 days for Life. So one act of service for the Church you could take on, is actually going to pray outside the clinic for an hour or two. Today, there's a massive prayer vigil and procession that's being led by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and ran by the Helpers of God's Precious Infants, at Twickenham Parish at 9am. This procession is police escorted, is mainly a Catholic event although I would think everyone's welcome, and it happens I believe once a month. Today will be the first time I go. Other upcoming events include:
- Film Premiere of Blood Money on Wednesday 27th October (see 40 days website) - do come and watch the vital messages shared by this movie.
- Prayer procession & Vigil from St. Charles Borromeo @ Ogle Street, 09:15 and ending early afternoon on 30th October.
- Prayer procession from Westminster Cathedral to Westminster Abbey on Saturday 13 November - organised by EuroProLife and is an ecumenical initiative.

The Good Counsel Network
The Good Counsel Network are a charity that provide practical help and advice to women who are worried about pregnancy. They offer counselling to those who have gone through abortion. There isn't a practical problem that they haven't yet been able to solve. If your pregnancy problems are immigration related, they can help. If you can't feed your baby, they will help you buy food for the baby. If you have family members you know will kill you should they find out your pregnant, they will find you a solution. With 14 years of experience, these guys really do know what they're doing. They believe that there is no reason one needs to have an abortion.
One way in which The Good Counsel Network are asking young people to help (other than being outside abortion clinics), is by praying. They have an adoration rota, and also a rosary rota, where people can dedicate a time to pray a rosary once a month. They've received a rise in numbers or people visiting their clinics as a result of the 40 days for Life campaign, and so they both work together outside the abortion clinics by ensuring the prayer vigil happens across the road, but keeping one of the counsellors with blue leaflets on the same side of the road as the clinic. These blue leaflets give people a phone number to call in case they are in a crisis pregnancy, know of anybody in a crisis pregnancy or are simply worried. As mentioned, prayer is extremely powerful. Everyday they try to celebrate Mass in their little chapel - so if you are a priest reading this, and you're in London any time soon, then please do consider popping by and celebrating Mass with them. They have a fundraising ball taking place on Saturday 30th October to raise money for their work. All those details are on their website!


What about the men?
Men have such a vital part to play in helping those considering abortion - particularly if the woman considering the abortion is about to kill your child, because you're the Father. Yes, the woman carries the baby in her womb, it is being fed by her body so that it may grow. But it was your sperm that helped create the life in her womb. Without you, she wouldn't be considering abortion. Guys, believe it or not, it's time to man-up! This is what The Good Counsel Network had to say to such instances as this, '"Do not say, I will support you whatever you do", because it could lead to her going off in the already emotional and worried state she is in, and having the abortion because you didn't say you'd actually support her and the baby. From a bloke's point of view, don't sleep with her until you're married anyway. BUT... if you find yourself in that situation because you've made a mistake, then you need to take responsibility for it.'
One of my mates actually said to me once when we were standing outside the clinic in the pouring rain "women shouldn't be doing this... it's us men that should!" He must have experienced some sort of flack worse than I have - 'cos he ain't usually that macho! I didn't agree with him though, because if a woman needed someone to talk to, then they're likely to speak freely to another woman than a man - and so argued that we're both needed. But seriously, some men are deeply affected by abortion, and in America some men in the pro-life movement carry banners which say that they regret their lost Fatherhood, or that they're mourning their lost child. And just because it's the women that make the ultimate decision what is done to their bodies, men could be shut out of this equation, and feel powerless to do anything about it. So generally, it would be good if a man could approach a partner who is considering abortion, and tell her compassionately that he will do everything in his power to protect and raise that child together with her, and that everything may turn out better than she was expecting.


Get yourselves educated further on abortion
Because abortion affects everybody, everybody should educate themselves on what the world of abortion is really like. Channel 4 televised a very interesting documentary on abortion (contains shocking and disturbing images - so age restricted to people under 18) and looks for quite some time on the point that a baby can feel pain as early as 20 weeks - which means the UK abortion law is supporting the physical suffering of pre-born babies at gestational stages when some women experiencing premature birth have proved delivery of a baby that can survive in intensive care. How utterly crazy is that? That in one ward, a 24 week old baby is being torn to pieces and killed, whereas in another ward, a premature week baby of 24 weeks old is fighting for his/her life in intensive care? It's madness!!!

I'll leave you now with this beautiful video by IgniterMedia of a couple that treasured every single moment they had with their baby after birth, knowing that he might not survive for long. Guys, abortion is such a big deal. Don't just sit there and do nothing about it. Because after all, abortion is a matter of life and death.

Invitation to Devotion

You may or may not be familiar with the Devotions on the Firsts. I know I wasn't... until my encounter with the Holy Trinity during my summer pilgrimages, when with all my body, mind and soul, I offered myself, sinner though I am, to the Will of God, begging His refuge; and to my wondrous surprise (understatement!), my empty heart was set alight with His love. It made me thirst to learn more about, and proclaim the Gospel truth, and become his servant in thought, word and deed, as well as becoming an everlasting witness to my faith, which I am to actively and publicly communicate. Through the Holy Spirit, God graciously planted in me a deep and growing desire for three things. I wish not to describe all these three things in this post - as it is not yet time for me to share with you my encounters during my pilgrimages. But I can tell you that the third one was a request for penance, reparation and a deeper devotion to our Heavenly Father through prayer, for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, which by my lowly self, am not worthy of, yet need beyond the bounds of my own human capacity.


I thought the only way I would be able to offer this penance and reparation was by concentrating harder during my standard daily prayers, the Rosary, etc., but I realise now, that those who intercede on our behalf want more than this. By God's will, I stumbled across a beautiful book in which the Blessed Virgin Mary explicitly promised to assist all those at the hour of death if we make reparation to her Immaculate Heart. More recently, I discovered the devotion which the Sacred Heart of Jesus requests on the First Friday of every month, for nine months. So here, I share with you what I have discovered about these things; what they are, and why we are called to do them. I would love to invite you to share my spiritual journey, as a young Catholic discovering more about the depths of God's love and my desire to live a life of holiness. 

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Today is an ultra special day. It is not only the first day of the month dedicated to The Most Holy Rosary, which means that like last year, I strive to pray my rosary whenever I can - but at least once a day. It is also the First Friday of the month...


First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus  
(source: http://www.fatimaprayers.com/currentnews/the-9-first-fridays-devotion.html)

The First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is based on a promise made by our Lord Jesus Chirst during an Apparition to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. This promise was implicitely approved by the Church in the 1920 canonization of St. Margaret Mary.

The 12 Promises are contained in a letter written in May, 1688, by St. Margaret Mary to Mother Saumaise:

"On a Friday during Holy Communion, [Our Lord] said these words [...], if I mistake not: I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that Its all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on nine first Fridays of the month consecutively, the grace of final repentance; they will not die under My displeasure or without receiving their Sacraments, My Divine Heart making Itself their assured refuge at the last moment."

The Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque:
1. "I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life."
2. "I will establish peace in their homes."
3. "I will comfort them in their afflictions."
4. "I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death."
5. "I will pour abundant blessings upon all their undertakings."
6. "Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy."
7. "Tepid souls shall grow fervent."
8. "Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection."
9. "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored."
10. "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts."
11. "Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced."
12. "The all-powerful love of my heart will grant to all those who shall receive communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure nor without receiving the sacraments; my heart shall be their assured refuge in their last hour."
The following First Friday devotions are advantageous in honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

• - The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
• - Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• - Act of Reparation
• - The Litany To The Sacred Heart of Jesus 

I want so badly to please our Lord Jesus Christ, and I'm inviting you to do the same alongside me - from wherever in the world you are. Over the next 9 months, I will share more with you real-life experiences relating to the 12 promises, and how this devotion is sure to change my life. Perhaps I could even help you with finding that 'picture of My Heart', or give you examples of how peace in my own family home has come as a result of my outpouring of this devotion. For any young Catholics in the London area, I'll be heading to the 19:00 First Friday Mass at the parish of Our Lady of Fatima in White City.

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Tomorrow is also an ultra special day. It is the first Saturday of the month of The Most Holy Rosary - a month of Our Lady.

Devotion of the Five First Saturdays to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
 (source: http://www.fatimaprayers.com/currentnews/five-first-saturdays.html)

On July 13th 1917, Our Lady of Fatima, after showing the three Fatima seers a vision of hell, she said

"You have seen hell, where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my immaculate heart... I shall come to ask for... the Communion of reparation on the First Five Saturdays."

On December 10, 1925, Our Lady said to Sister Lucia (who was then one of the three children)

"Look, my daughter, at my heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful [Children of God] pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console me with your prayers and sacrifices. I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for their salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, shall confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

Why Five Saturdays?
Five first Saturdays of reparation were requested to atone for the five ways in which people offend the Immaculate Heart of Mary:
1. attacks upon Mary's Immaculate Conception
2. attacks against her Perpetual Virginity
3. attacks upon her Divine Maternity and the refusal to accept her as the Mother of all mankind
4. for those who try to publicly implant in children's hearts indifference, contempt and even hatred of this Immaculate Mother
5. for those who insult her directly in her sacred images.

Letter of Sister Lucia explaining this devotion:
1 November, 1927, letter to Doña Maria de Miranda, her godmother, Sister Lucia wrote:

"I don't know if you already know about the reparatory devotion of the five Saturdays to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As it is still recent, I would like to inspire you to practice it, because it is requested by Our dear Heavenly Mother and Jesus has manifested a desire that it be practiced. Also, it seems to me that you would be fortunate, dear godmother, not only to know it and to give Jesus the consolation of practicing it, but also to make it known and embraced by many other persons.

"It consists in this: During five months on the first Saturday, to receive Jesus in Communion, recite a Rosary, keep Our Lady company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, and make a confession. The confession can be made a few days earlier, and if in this previous confession you have forgotten the (required) intention the following intention can be offered, provided that on the first Saturday one receives Holy Communion in a state of grace, with the intention of repairing for offences against the Most Holy Virgin and which afflict Her Immaculate Heart.

"It seems to me, my dear godmother, that we are fortunate to be able to give Our dear Heavenly Mother this proof of love, for we know that She desires it to be offered to Her. As for myself, I avow that I am never so happy as when first Saturday arrives. Isn't it true that our greatest happiness is to belong entirely to Jesus and Mary and to love Them and Them alone, without reserve? We see this so clearly in the lives of the saints...They were happy because they loved, and we, my dear godmother, we must seek to love as they did, not only to enjoy Jesus, which is the least important -- because if we do not enjoy Him here below, we will enjoy Him up above -- but to give Jesus and Mary the consolation for being loved...and that in exchange for this love they might be able to save many souls."

The following First Saturday devotions are helpful in honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary:
1. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
2. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
3. Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary*
4. Act of Reparation
5. The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
6. The Sacrament of Reconciliation
*You may use any of the traditional forms or your own words in making the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Everything in Mary leads toward her Son, Jesus the Christ. Everything in Mary lifts up our hearts to praise God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

And so, tomorrow, I intend to celebrate this, by seeking the grace to offer my devotion in the above ways, and to celebrate the life she so willingly brought to this world, by joining the 40 days for life group, who are currently praying and fasting for the conversion of those who work at abortion clinics, and to end abortion in London (and indeed the UK). The power of prayer is wondrous, ladies and gentlemen - for two days ago, the Marie Stopes abortion clinic (where they prayed outside) closed for the day. Imagine the power this set of devotions would have for the conversion of poor sinners, and the reparation of our own sins against the Blessed Virgin Mary's Immaculate Heart!!

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A Day of Rest and Social Time!

Although I strongly encourage fervent prayer, I know that I am but a human being, limited to the needs of the human mind and heart too - so I am going to want some social time (Christian socialite that I am)! What better way for me to do this, than with my fellow young Catholics at First Sunday Plus @ The Church Of The Immaculate Conception in Farm Street?! I've never been before, but know a bunch of friends that do go! Promoted in London by the British Jesuits, it's a great opportunity for young Catholics to practice their faith in an Ignatian context. Mass kicks off at 19:15 and we'll be hitting the pub afterwards ^_^ 

I pray this blogpost may somehow encourage some of you to become active in some form of regular devotion, to contemplate and reflect on the requests of our merciful Jesus and Blessed Virgin Mary, and/or to even meet me at one of my First Fridays and/or First Saturdays over the next 9 or 5 months respectively. I especially ask all readers of this post to say at least one prayer for me in my devotions. ^_^

God bless you!