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!
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