We are conceived twice

I just wanted to share this with you. Today at the Carmelite Priory as part of the Office of Readings, I had a great opportunity to reflect on this part of the treatise on the Trinity by Didymus of Alexandria. It's beautiful. I think anyone who has ever had a dramatic experience of renewal by the power of the Holy Spirit can empathise with it, and pray that it will be a re-affirmation and re-in-spiration for you!

The Holy Spirit renews us in baptism through his godhead, which he shares with the Father and the Son. Finding us in a state of deformity, the Spirit restores our original beauty and fills us with his grace, leaving no room for anything unworthy of our love. The Spirit frees us from sin and death, and changes us from the earthly men we were, men of dust and ashes, into spiritual men, sharers in the divine glory, sons and heirs of God the Father who bear a likeness to the Son and are his co-heirs and brothers, destined to reign with him and to share his glory. In place of earth the Spirit reopens heaven to us and gladly admits us into paradise, giving us even now greater honor than the angels, and by the holy waters of baptism extinguishing the unquenchable fires of hell.

We men are conceived twice: to the human body we owe our first conception, to the divine Spirit, our second. John says: To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God. These were born not by human generation, not by the desire of the flesh, not by the will of man, but of God. All who believed in Christ, he says, received power to become children of God, that is, of the Holy Spirit, and to gain kinship with God. To show that their parent was God the Holy Spirit, he adds these words of Christ: I give you this solemn warning, that without being born of water and the Spirit, no one can enter the kingdom of God.

Visibly, through the ministry of priests, the font gives symbolic birth to our visible bodies. Invisibly, through the ministry of angels, the Spirit of God, whom even the mind’s eye cannot see, baptizes into himself both our souls and bodies, giving them a new birth.

Speaking quite literally, and also in harmony with the words of water and the Spirit, John the Baptist says of Christ: He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Since we are only vessels of clay, we must first be cleansed in water and then hardened by spiritual fire – for God is a consuming fire. We need the Holy Spirit to perfect and renew us, for spiritual fire can cleanse us, and spiritual water can recast us as in a furnace and make us into new men.

Evangelisation. A big and scary word… for some… (Part 1)

I was once told that teenagers get totally put off by the word ‘evangelisation’. And I agree. Just a year ago, I considered ‘evangelisation’ to be totally uncool, seriously hardcore, and most definitely not for me. I stayed away from it. To be honest with you, I didn’t even know what it was – but I in my self-conscious social mind felt that evangelisation wasn’t cool. I even found people who associated with evangelisation to be on some next level that wasn’t culturally or socially ‘in’; and they weren’t my idea of ‘fun’ – partly because I just didn’t feel what they felt.

But back then, I was a young woman seeking love and happiness through the ways of this world. I was über conformed to this world. In fact, I was giving so much of myself (despite not really knowing myself back then) in the wrong places, in the wrong way, and to the wrong people… just to earn their satisfaction, which in turn satisfied me. Ultimately, my love and motives were selfish, and this is because I didn’t realise what real love was back then. Often, what I thought was the right thing, ended up being the wrong thing – and for some situations, it has taken me many months to seek healing and reconciliation for leading people away from God in my own ignorance. My concupiscence was a natural inheritance from Adam’s fall, which I did not yet understand, and therefore could not fully grasp. I lacked three of the most amazing gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, understanding and knowledge, and therefore I wasn’t aware of this concupiscence (the natural inclination to desire the wrong things; whether consciously or sub-consciously) happening in my life.

So when God came into my life in an amazingly dramatic and awesome experience whilst walking El Camino (the road to Santiago), I was brought to ecstacy by the power and fullness of God’s Love for me – the same Love God has for every single soul He ever created and will ever create (and here I talk in terms of human time, as there is no time dimension in God’s realm). In that present moment, I was basking in the experience of what it means to be alive, and to be so Loved by my Father who created me. I was flooded to overflowing with His light, peace, joy, goodness, and infinite Love. From that point on, my life completely changed. Not long after, maybe about 1-2 hours after, whilst still glorifying God in amazement of what I had just experienced, I felt Him plant in my heart a seed for youth evangelisation (other things happened after this, but that is aside from my focus of this blogpost on evangelisation). And strangely enough, I was not afraid. I wanted this, because it was where God was leading me. I had said to God earlier on El Camino, “God, I am Yours to do with me whatever You will. Guide me where You want me to go. Here I am. Take me.” A seed of God was sown in my heart through the Holy Spirit. I invite you to read Mark 4:3-9. Ponder it and pray over it at some point today.

There began my mission, a seed which is constantly being fed and nourished by the Holy Spirit. But that seed for evangelisation had to start from the beginning, because I seriously had no clue…

What IS evangelisation? What exactly should I be evangelising? Why do I need to evangelise? How on earth do I do something, which until this point, I was utterly put-off by? To be honest, what I say or think or feel doesn’t matter… but it does matter to every soul what God says through me. So just a quick prayer that the Holy Spirit speaks through me here.


What is Evangelisation?
Pope Paul VI wrote something called EVANGELII NUNTIANDI (meaning On Evangelization in the Modern World) which the American Bishops (USCCB) have done a great job of summarising evangelisation as: “bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself.6“

Woooah… those are pretty big words and even bigger concepts there! In simpler terms, Evangelisation means to share with other people this most awesome gift of faith that God has graced you with, because you CARE for every single person you encounter! Your faith-sharing could very well lead the people you share your faith with to think more about God, and bring them to believe the same thing as you. For example (and this is just an example… I’m not comparing the two), you have recently noticed that a friend is looking fitter, healthier, more confident and definitely looks happier. You tell your friend that they are looking really good! Your friend replies back that they started hitting the local gym and attends an amazing tae kwondo class that has given them this new look! What do you do? You probably hit the net when you get home, find out how much a membership is going to cost to attend these classes, and then research tae kwon do on google and start speaking to lots of people who know about it. Evangelisation is the same sort of thing, but in a faith context. The example in context: a) you don’t necessarily look fitter, healthier, more confident or happier, but your soul certainly IS all those things. b) the local gym is your local Church, prayer group, charity activity, faith-based youth club, or retreat experience (among other things). c) the tae kwon do class is an encounter with Jesus. If this example was put into practice, you will have shared a variety of keywords like ‘Jesus’, ‘Church’, ‘happy’, and ‘fun’ with someone who might not know anything about God, or the Catholic faith.

A ‘conversion’ is a journey (or a spiritual pilgrimage as I like to call it) whereby someone comes into a closer union with God in mind and heart (together, the soul). According to Pope Benedict XVI in Lent 2008, he said that “to be converted” means “seeking God, moving with God, docilely following the teachings of his Son, Jesus Christ”. He also makes it clear that we aren’t the masters of our own conversion… which is true! Conversion is the mastery of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit uses ordinary people and simple everyday events to bring someone to conversion. This doesn’t have to be a dramatic event like it was for me, but could be something that occurs over a much longer period of time. After all, it is a journey.

If you can say to yourself that you have a true and personal relationship with Jesus, that you have invited Him into your soul freely and lovingly, and that you believe in who Jesus is to you, then you already have a great foundation for bringing the Gospel message to others and the potential to abandon all that to the Holy Spirit to bring about a conversion through you. This is what you call an Evangeliser.


Challenge: “How dare you tell individuals and society they’re wrong, when your Church has done so much worse! Who the hell do you think you are?!”
St. Paul (a great inspiration of mine) recognised and documented well the hardships that come with Evangelising. The world is set against you. You are seen as the enemy. In some cases you are completely deluded and need to get a life/grow up. That’s genuinely what people will think of you. So we ask the question: “Why do we need to evangelise… especially when it might anger or upset people?”

Pope John Paul II said “For the disciple of Christ the duty to evangelise is an obligation of love”. We were created for love. We do not purposefully intend to hurt, anger or upset anyone… most especially if we are trying to accomplish works for God’s Kingdom. If the intention is to hurt, then that is something we must bring to Confession to seek forgiveness for. As Catholics, we believe that the only way we can go to heaven is by the grace of God, through the admission of our Lord Jesus Christ; for he said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me”. He didn’t joke about when He said “Take this all of you and eat it” (Luke 22:19), which is what we hear and open our hearts to every week at Mass neither! The Sacraments help us to grow in holiness, because we receive Jesus in all Sacraments, and they help to lead us to heaven. Jesus also said “You must love one another as I have loved you” [John 13:34-35]. How did He love us? By sacrificing Himself for us in order to recognise and accept God’s Love, and by ensuring that after His resurrection when He went back to the Father, He had a team of evangelisers ready to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God with the blessing of the Holy Spirit given at Pentecost.


**end of part 1** 
Part 2 contnues on the question of ‘why evangelise?’ and looks at some examples of great evangelical saints :)

Thank you Lord Jesus for coming to my life so that I may share your Light and Love with others who might also be looking for deep answers to questions of living witness to their faith in this everyday world.

Upcoming Catholic Youth & Young Adult events for May - mid June, 2011

WELCOME TO THE BEAUTIFUL MONTH OF MARY!

This is a special month to pray the rosary everyday, and to rejoice in the comfort and consolation of our Blessed Virgin Mary as long as we pray often and many of these groups/events are there to help you with your prayer life :) God Bless!


Tuesday 3rd May 2011, 18:15: FREE screening of The Way
Wednesday 4th May 2011, 19:00: Covent Garden Prayer Group (weekly prayer group)
Thursday 5th May 2011, 19:00: Soul Food (weekly prayer group)
Friday 1st April 2011, 19:30: Anchor Session 5 - The Cross and Resurrection
Friday 6th May 2011, 21:00 First Friday all-night vigil 
Saturday 7th May 2011, 12:00: CFR Open Day (Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal)
Sunday 8th May 2011, 10:00: Million Minutes
Friday 13th-Sunday 15th May 2011: 40 days for life London retreat
Friday 13th May 2011, 19:30: TRUTH:Overflow
Saturday 14th May 2011, 09:30: Unbelievable? The Conference
Saturday 14th May 2011, 19:30: Hounslow Youth Team | May WYD Fundraising Masquerade Ball
Sunday 15th May 2011: Pro-life competitions end (40 days for life)
Sunday 15th May 2011: Vocation Voices
Sunday 15th May 2011, 12:30: Westminster Young Adults | Guided walking tour of the city of London
Wednesday 18th May 2011, 19:30: Pro-life talk by Monsignor Philip J. Reilly on @The Roots of the Culture of Death and Restoring a Culture of Life"
Saturday 21st May 2011, 09:00: Prayer outside Brixton abortion clinic
Saturday 21st May 2011, 15:00: Third Saturday Netherhall afternoon of recollection for male students
Saturday 21st May 2011, 19:30: WYD Fundraiser Ceilidh
Friday 27th May 2011, 13:00: Catholic Roadshow in London
Saturday 28th - 30th May 2011, 11:00: Theology of the body weekend retreat
Saturday 28th May 2011, 19:30: Catholic Underground London
Tuesday 31st May 2011, 18:00: Re-opening of St. Patrick's Church, Soho
Friday 3rd-Sunday 5th June 2011, 10:00: 3rd International Theology of the Body Symposium
Saturday 11th June 2011, 19:00: Pentecost 2011 | Life in the Spirit
Saturday 18th June 2011, 17:00: Youth 2000 Ball
Friday 17th - Sunday 19th June 2011, 16:00: Invocation 2011




FREE screening of The Way
Tuesday 3rd May 2011, 18:15
Vue, Leicester Square
The original release date of this movie is on 13th May, but you get a chance to grab 3 spare FREE tickets to the preview screening to this at Leicester Square. This movie casts people's minds to The Way of St. James (El Camino) - the hardships, the rewards, the Spirit, the communities... the meaning of Life and Love. If you have read some of my blog reflections on LISS, you may have discovered that it was on El Camino that I experienced my conversion. El Camino was the way that brought me to encounter Christ, in the Holy Spirit, and through the Blessed Virgin Mary in the most profound and life-changing way. Considering El Camino is still very much alive in my heart (and always will be), I would like to invite ANYONE and EVERYONE to come and watch the Premiere of Martin Sheen's The Way with me at Vue. It is a movie NOT to be missed, and I shall feel sorry for the person who ends up sitting next to me... I hope they will bring lots of tissues!
An article of interest can be found here.
You can email me on pilgrim.claz@gmail.com if you're interested ;)


Covent Garden / Corpus Christi Prayer Group
Wednesday evenings between 19:00-21:00 and then to the Coal Hole for socialising
Corpus Christi Presbytery, Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NB.
For young adults who live and work in Central London seeking to deepen their prayer and spiritual life. It's a great opportunity to top-up on your faith, hope and love of God in fellowship with each other which concludes with social time a nearby pub. Includes music ministry, prayer, Mass on first Wednesdays, confessions, rosary and contemplative prayer.


Soul Food
Thursday evenings between 19:00-21:00 and then to the Lukin for socialising
St Charles Borromeo Church, Ogle Street, London, W1W 6HS
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.
For more info, visit http://soulfoodgroup.org/


Anchor your Faith! Session 5 - The Cross and Resurrection
Friday 6th May 2011, 19:30-21:30
St. Benedict's Ealing Abbey, Charlbury Grove, Ealing, W5 2DY
The wonderful Marianne Cuthbertson (a truly gifted communicator of the faith!) will be continuing the Anchor course from last month. The anchor course is a great way of rediscovering some fundamental truths about practical Christian living and is perfect for any young Catholic adults who wish to be more informed when living out their Christian duty! Teaching takes place during the first hour, with an opportunity for first Friday Holy Hour which includes an act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. http://www.anchoryourfaith.com/ gives more info on the course. If you have not been before you are very welcome to come along, we run the Young Adult's Group every Friday evening at St Benedict's Ealing Abbey and have a variety of things going on - email Rachel Kidd for more details: rachel_kidd@hotmail.co.uk.


First Friday all-night vigil
Friday 6th May 2011, 21:00
St. Patrick's School of Evangelisation, 21a Soho Square, London, W1D 4NR
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. See the SPES blog mentioned above for more info or contact Deanna Joy on 0207 434 9965 and spes@stpatricksoho.org.


CFR Open Day (Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal)
Saturday 7th May 2011, 12:00
The Associates meet as a group the first Saturday of the month in Canning Town for a day of prayer, service and fellowship. A typical day begins at 12:30 pm with Holy Mass followed by lunch while the Associates exchange greetings with one another and with the Friars. After lunch, each member is assigned some type of work duty which assists the mission of the Friars. Work assignments include such chores as sorting donated clothing, preparing food, maintaining/cleaning the Kitchen and Shelter for the homeless, gardening, and other means of serving the poor. At the end of the work period there is a tea break followed by a talk given by a friar. Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction begins at 5 pm. Following the prayer time with our Eucharistic Lord, there is time for informal sharing over supper (each person brings a dish). The day comes to a close with Night Prayer. In addition to the first Saturdays in Canning Town, the Associates have an annual weekend retreat. Every two years the Associates plan a pilgrimage to a Holy Site.
If you are interested in learning more about the Associates of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal please contact: Fr. Emmanuel, C.F.R. at 0207 474 0766


Million Minutes
Sunday 8th May 2011, 10:00
Million Minutes is a fantastic initiative that raises money to help give young people a greater voice, and provides for projects that will help young people off the streets and transform their lives. You could just register via the website, share your links, and get fundraising... but along with thousands of other young people around the UK, I am going to close my mouth and stay silent. So, I'd appreciate if anyone can pledge some money to this cool charity for me to stay silent... £1/min. Bargain. http://www.bmycharity.com/pilgrimclaz.


40 days for life London retreat
Friday 13th-Sunday 15th May 2011
All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney, Herts, AL2 1AG
Time for rest, relaxation and reflection following the campaign.
Top quality Pro-life talks
2 nights accommodation and all meals starting Friday evening.
£100. Reductions for students/unwaged.
For more info, visit www.40daysforlife.com/london


TRUTH:Overflow
Friday 13th May 2011, 19:30
Holy Apostles Hall, 47 Cumberland Street, Pimlico, London, SW1V 4LY
Pouring out new UK Gospel with Edwin Fawcett and guests, LIVE!
Our soul singing & songwriting brother Edwin Fawcett makes his debut concert in this fantastic showcase of his best works to date! Promising to be a tastefully vibrant and musical night of Truth transmitted through the mysterious overflow of sound and rhythm, you'll walk away energised, inspired and happy to have received from Edwin's ministry. Arguably one of the best praise and worship ministers the Catholic Church has to offer, his Gospel flavour will entice you to see and hear more of him and his works. Don't miss out on this fun evening, and bring all your mates - because there'll be many other young Catholics there, so definitely an opportunity to meet new people! For more info, visit http://edwinfawcett.co.uk/.


Unbelievable? The Conference
Saturday 14th May 2011, 09:30 - 17:00
Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8EP
This Day-Conference on Apologetics includes speakers John Lennox, Jay Smith, David Robertson, David Instone-Brewer and Mark Roques as we explore questions like: "Is Jesus the only way?", "How do I respond to Islam?", "Can I trust the Bible" and "Is there evidence for the resurrection?", among others. Jay Smith will be leading the seminar "Is there evidence for the resurrection?" which will deal with why we, as Christians, can trust the Gospel accounts of Jesus rising from death.
Tickets are £20 each. If anyone can sponsor me to go, I'd be grateful!!!
For more info, visit http://www.premier.org.uk/features/Unbelievable%20Conference.aspx?


Hounslow Youth Team | May WYD Fundraising Masquerade Ball
Saturday 14th May 2011, 19:30
St. Michael & St. Martin's Parish Centre, 94 Bath Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 3EH
Get your ball gowns and dinner suits out everybody... it's time for a ball! In aid of supporting the Hounslow pilgrims to Madrid for the truly awesome events of World Youth Day, you're invited to bring yourselves in all your fine attire, abit-of-dough and your masks, and have a ball with us lot :) The night's going to be a real blast, with surprise entertainment and the chance to dance to excellent live music. You'll get to meet our pilgrims and generally enjoy the lively and multi-cultural spirit that our Parish are known for! Tickets include a 3 course dinner and an automatic opportunity to be involved in our 'surprise entertainment'! And here's another treat: Buy 4 tickets, and get the 5th FREE! Bargain #2!
For more info and to book tickets, contact Claz (me) on hounslowyouthteam@gmail.com.


Pro-life competitions end (40 days for life)
Sunday 15th May 2011
No Location
Pro Life Competition: ends 15th May – win £500.
Pro Life Video Competition: ends 15th May – win an ipad.
Visit www.40daysforlife.com/london for more info!


Vocation Voices
Sunday 15th May 2011, any Mass during the day
Location: Your Parish!
Vocation Voices is an initiative to train young people to speak at the end of parish Masses on Vocations Sunday (15th May) about the importance of vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life. A congregation will really take notice if a young person gives their lay perspective on this important area of discussion and discovery! Parishes all over the country are getting involved, and Fr Christopher Jamison OSB will provide the training either in person or online. Volunteers need to be aged between 18 and 30... so if you know anyone that is confident, or has great public speaking skills and fits the bill, then defo get them contacting Fr. Stephen Langridge on info@southwarkvocations.com!


Westminster Young Adults | Guided walking tour of the city of London
Sunday 15th May 2011, 12:30
Location: City of London!
An extremely well-researched tour that provides a brilliant history of this great city, some of the highlights include the glorious cathedral that is St Paul's, the Old Bailey, London's Guildhall, the Tower of London, Lloyds of London, the spectacular Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe), and also a few of London's shadier spots...
Having done a trial run of the tour with Gerard a couple of weeks ago, I can't recommend it highly enough. And it's FREE!!
We will be meeting near the west doors of St Paul's Cathedral outside Starbucks at 12 for a prompt start at 12:30.
The walk will take approximately three hours, and due to most of the city being closed on Sundays, we recommend that you bring some refreshments with you as there will not be many opportunities to buy anything on the walk. There will, of course, be regular stopping points though so feel free to bring your sandwiches, snacks etc. Please wear comfortable shoes.
Please reply to westminsteryoungadults@gmail.com and don't forget to check http://www.rcdow.org.uk/youth/events/ for weekly prayer groups events etc.


Pro-life talk by Monsignor Philip J. Reilly on @The Roots of the Culture of Death and Restoring a Culture of Life"
Wednesday 18th May 2011, 19:30
St. James Church, Spanish Place, 22 George Street, London, W1U 3Y
'The Helpers' as I call them is an international pro-life group founded by Msgr. Philip Reilly whose main apostolate is prayer vigils at abortion facilities. They will be hosting the talk by Monsignor Reilly.
For more info, contact 020 8252 3109, info@hgpi.co.uk & www.hgpi.co.uk


Prayer outside Brixton abortion clinic
Saturday 21st May 2011, 09:00 - 13:00
Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 6 Knowle Close, Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9
'The Helpers' as I call them is an international pro-life group founded by Msgr. Philip Reilly whose main apostolate is prayer vigils at abortion facilities. The next vigil is at Marie Stopes Brixton Centre abortion facility. Bring some mates with you and venture a little out of your comfort zone to pray for those who do not yet have a voice!
For more info: 020 8252 3109, info@hgpi.co.uk & www.hgpi.co.uk


Third Saturday Netherhall afternoon of recollection for male students
Every third Saturday of the month, 15:00-18:45
Netherhall House, Nutley Terrace, London NW3 5SA
An afternoon of recollection consists in spending an afternoon in prayer helped by different meditations and talks throughout the afternoon. Meditations and talks are given on central themes of the Catholic faith. Recollections are free of charge. Those that wish to have dinner afterwards may do so. Dinner is £3.50. For more information please contact Pablo on: pablohinojo@gmail.com and on 0207 472 5720.
Netherhall is an intercollegiate halls of residents in Hampstead. The spiritual activities are entrusted to Opus Dei. It is open to everyone but the halls have a Catholic ethos. The idea of the residence is to try to give an all-round development to students. In addition, every Wednesday from 8:00-9:00pm the Chaplain holds talks that deal with basic aspects of the Catholic faith such as morality, Creation, or aspects of Salvation. More information regarding activities and information about the house can be found on the wesbite: http://www.nh.netherhall.org.uk/. For more information about Opus Dei please visit: http://www.opusdei.org.uk/


WYD Fundraiser Ceilidh
Saturday 21st May 2011, 19:30
Ealing Abbey (St. Benedict's), Charlbury Grove, Ealing, W5 2DY
Join us for a fantastic evening of traditional Scottish dancing! This is to raise money for the 15 young people we are taking to World Youth Day in August from Ealing Abbey and St Mary Magdalen's, Willesden Green. We would love to have you there, to join in with what is honestly one of the best festive evenings ever, you just cannot beat a ceilidh! :) Tell your friends!!!
Tickets are £7 or £5 for students and you will be fed!:) Ealing Abbey also has a bar.
For more info, contact Rachel Kidd the Youth Coordinator of Ealing Abbey and Willesden Green on rachel_kidd@hotmail.co.uk.


Catholic Roadshow in London
Friday 27th May 2011, 13:00
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Botwell House, Botwell Lane, UB3 2AB
Pope Benedict's visit to England and Scotland in September 2010 was an inspiration to us all. Heartgivesuntoheart Catholic Internet Radio wishes to raise funds for Heart Gives Unto Heart Catholic Internet Radio which is planning to go live in the Autumn. Fr Stan Fortuna, Don Maclean and Edwin Fawcett will be joining the tour for the evening concerts, and there will be different exhibitions and workshops during the day.
Tickets are £8 for the evening concert, but free to attend during the day.
http://hguhroadshow.co.uk/default.aspx for more info!


Theology of the body weekend retreat
Saturday 28th - Monday 30th May 2011, 11:00
The Carmelite Priory, Boars Hill, Oxford, OX1 5HB
Dr Smith speaks nationally and internationally on the Catholic teachings on sexuality and on bioethics. She is serving a third term as a consultor to the Pontifical Council on the Family and she serves the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian unity as a member of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission, III. She has received two honorary doctorates and several other awards for scholarship and is the author of many books.
Join us for a fascinating retreat exploring the intellectual and spiritual riches of John Paul's teachings on marriage, love and responsibility. This intense weekend will be not only intellectually stimulating but life changing for the participants.
For details of how to book a place on the residential retreat, contact Robert on Robert543 (at) gmail.com.


Catholic Underground London
Saturday 28th May 2011, 19:30
Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 36 Nightingale Square, Balham, SW12 8QN
Prepare yourselves for a most awesome night of quality time with the Blessed Sacrament, and the legendary Fr. Stan Fortuna. This refreshing and enjoyable bi-monthly event is extremely popular with the young Catholic Community in London… it's an opportunity to not only socialise but more importantly revitalise our souls and discover more about ourselves. It's the perfect regular Catholic event for confirmation candidates to people in their mid 30's! Live Entertainment: Supporting the world famous rapping priest Fr. Stan Fortuna (who has released 20 albums) are upcoming band Ooberfuse.
Holy Hour includes all the good things that our souls desire: Eucharistic Adoration, worship music, Confessions, Liturgy of Hours and Benediction.
None of it is to be missed! Recommended donation: £5.
**personal word of warning from me: The BEST part of Catholic Underground London is the Holy Hour which begins at 19:30… so don't be late!!!**
http://catholicunderground.co.uk for more info!


Re-opening of St. Patrick's Church, Soho
Tuesday 31st May 2011, 18:00
St. Patrick's, Soho Square, London, W1D 4NR
Mass will be celebrated by His Grace the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols. Following Mass there will be an informal reception in the new community centre. Everyone is warmly invited to attend. To mark the special occasion, St. Patrick's Magnificat, a specially commissioned choral work by James MacMilan CBE will be included in the Mass. How fantastic does that sound!
For more info, contact Fr. Alexander on info@stpatricksoho.org


3rd International Theology of the Body Symposium
Friday 3rd-Sunday 5th June 2011, 10:00
St. Mary's University College, Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, TW1 4SX
In this year of the beatification of Pope John Paul II, the Third International Theology of the Body Symposium will be a gathering of some of the world’s best scholars and popularisers such as Christopher West, Dr. Janet E Smith and Dr. Michael Waldstein together with scholars, popular writers and speakers, teachers and students, religious and lay individuals. It is hoped that the gathering will especially help the pastoral application of Catholic teaching about human love, the body and sexuality and will equip attendees to spread Catholic teaching about the dignity of the human body and the human person. This teaching by Blessed Pope John Paul II is a teaching that all Catholics would rejoice in if they were given the opportunity to be taught it by excellent communicators such as these.
http://www.smuc.ac.uk/tob-conference/index.htm for more info.


Pentecost 2011 | Life in the Spirit
Saturday 11th June 2011, 19:00
02 Arena
A night to worship and celebrate with Christians from many other denominations!
Tickets from about £14
http://www.pentecostfestival.co.uk/o2/ for more info & to book


Youth 2000 Fundraising Ball
Saturday 18th June 2011, 17:00
The Thistle Hotel, Bryanston Street, Marble Arch, London, W1H 7EH
One of the UK's top youth evangelisation ministries are holding a prestigious ball to raise money for the Walsingham Prayer Festival during the bank holiday weekend of August. Put on your best frocks and your crisp tuxes and hit the party to raise money for this fantastic apostolate! The evening will include a drinks reception, 3-course dinner, private DJ & dancing, raffle ticket prizes to be won, the legendary Youth 2000 talent auction & prizes for the best dressed table of the evening! Please extend this invitation to your family, friends, colleagues & parish community.
Tickets are £60 per person. For more info, visit http://www.youth2000.org/content/summer-black-tie-fund-raising-ball


Invocation 2011
Friday 17th - Sunday 19th June 2011, 16:00
Oscott College, Chester Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Mids, B73 5AA
This national festival is aimed at young men and women aged 16-35, who are looking to deepen their relationship with Christ and who are searching for the knowledge and tools to develop their own personal formation, discernment and understanding of God’s will for their lives, for some this may mean being open to the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. The event will provide “Fellowship, Catechesis, Confession and Adoration” with time for prayer, quiet reflection, and discernment through Keynote speakers, interactive workshops and life-changing services, above all the opportunity to encounter the Lord. We hope that you will also take the time to find space and enjoy conversation, accompanied by inspiring priests and religious, who will journey with you sharing their wealth of experience and providing witness to their lives and vocation.
The weekend costs £50 which includes all meals - all you need to bring is a tent!
http://www.invocation.org.uk/Programme.html for more info



Student / Young Adult talks, events & film sessions
University of Hertfordshire:
http://www.uhcathsoc.org/programme.html
London Universities @ Newman House:
http://www.universitycatholic.net/


Congregation focus
http://www.blessedsacramentuki.org/
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament are an apostolic group of men whose ideal is to assist the Church in her efforts to form Christian communities whose center of life is the Eucharist. They commit themselves to the implementation of this ideal in collaboration with lay persons engaged in Christian ministries. They continue the mission begun by St. Eymard, the Apostle of the Eucharist and believe that Christ in the Eucharist has the power to effect a radical transformation in our society and in all people. The congregation proclaim the reality of God’s love in the Eucharist by our “gift of self” to Him and our brothers and sisters. By prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and an active apostolic life, they strive to make Christ in the Eucharist better known and loved. In all that we do, Christ in the Eucharist is our inspiration and the center of our personal and community life.


Website of the month
http://www.loveoneanothermagazine.org/pg/en.html
This is the website to a fantastic magazine worth reading. It's hardcore, but well worth reading even one article. It has been one of the most popular Christian magazines for countries all over the world - published in many different languages. It is aimed at readers of all ages, who wish to think, ponder the meaning of life, seek the truth and faith.


Some other helpful and/or useful links
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2011/index_en.htm
Pope Benedict's latest homilies - particularly Easter Homilies and the homily during the Beatification of Blessed Pope John Paul II
http://www.rcdow.org.uk/youth/events/
A list of all major events in the Diocese, and good resource for checkin' out what's good in the hood. ;)

May Magnificat

Image from http://www.piercedhearts.org

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today is an über special day! It is the beatification of Pope John Paul II - he is now BLESSED! Alleluia!!! It is also the wonderful feast of the Divine Mercy - by which the heavens opened at 3 o'clock and we were invited to immerse ourselves in the loving mercy of Jesus and to pray for all other souls! On top of that, it's also the feast of St. Joseph the worker. St Joseph is the patron of carpenters, builders and all workers... but also patron saint of the universal Church of Christ on earth, the dying, marriages, fatherhood, families, house sales and finances. He is also an excellent example of humility and obedience to the calling of God in his life (click here for source).

On this 1st day of Mary's month, we are called to open our hearts to her son's presence in our lives, and to let the Holy Spirit set our faith on fire with the eternal life and truth of Jesus. We are encouraged to pray the Rosary every single day this month - it's such a beautiful prayer, and I hope you'll fall as much in love with it as me - more even! So here's a poem by Gerard Manley-Hopkins to celebrate today, and hoping that you feel encouraged to pray for the Blessed Virgin Mary's intercession that she will lead you to her son, and the ocean of mercy found in His most sacred heart.

May is Mary's month, and I
Muse at that and wonder why:
Her feasts follow reason,
Dated due to season—

Candlemas, Lady Day;
But the Lady Month, May,
Why fasten that upon her,
With a feasting in her honour?

Is it only its being brighter
Than the most are must delight her?
Is it opportunest
And flowers finds soonest?
 

Ask of her, the mighty mother:
                                           Her reply puts this other
                                         Question: What is Spring?—
                                              Growth in every thing—

                                         Flesh and fleece, fur and feather,
                                        Grass and greenworld all together;
                                          Star-eyed strawberry-breasted
                                            Throstle above her nested

                                           Cluster of bugle blue eggs thin
                                            Forms and warms the life within;
                                            And bird and blossom swell
                                               In sod or sheath or shell.

                                            All things rising, all things sizing
                                            Mary sees, sympathising
                                            With that world of good,
                                           Nature's motherhood.

                                          Their magnifying of each its kind
                                           With delight calls to mind
                                           How she did in her stored
                                              Magnify the Lord.

                                        Well but there was more than this:
                                       Spring's universal bliss
                                       Much, had much to say
                                      To offering Mary May.

                                      When drop-of-blood-and-foam-dapple
                                      Bloom lights the orchard-apple
                                     And thicket and thorp are merry
                                   With silver-surfed cherry

                                     And azuring-over greybell makes
                               Wood banks and brakes wash wet like lakes
                              And magic cuckoocall
                               Caps, clears, and clinches all—

                               This ecstasy all through mothering earth
                               Tells Mary her mirth till Christ's birth
                               To remember and exultation
                                 In God who was her salvation. 

For me, I'm now desperate for work in youth evangelisation as I have been unemployed for 11 months. And so the prayer of St. Joseph is particularly special for me at the moment. I hope there is something here that you can really relate to...


Oh glorious St Joseph, model of all who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in the spirit of penance in expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously by placing love of duty above my inclinations; to gratefully and joyously deem it an honor to employ and to develop by labor the gifts I have received from God, to work methodically, peacefully and in moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from it through weariness or difficulty to work; above all, with purity of intention and unselfishness, having unceasingly before my eyes death and the account I have to render of time lost, talents unused, good not done, and vain complacency in success, so harmful to the work of God.
All for Jesus, all for Mary, all to imitate you, O Patriarch St Joseph! This shall be my motto for life and eternity. Amen