"Halloween" - introducing belief in the secular world?

Image source: Michael Halcomb's
blogpost on halloween:
http://michaelhalcomb.blogspot.co.uk/2011
/10/rethinking-halloween-christian.html

Hallow

Ok. When we pray the greatest prayer that we have been taught, which is the Our Father, we pray:
"Our Father, who art in heaven, HALLOWED be thy name".

Yup. Hallowed. Sounds close enough to the word "halloween" to take this freaky celebration as linked, in some way, to Christianity.

So what's this halloween stuff all about? Like, REALLY all about? And why do I have an issue with it (enough to write a blogpost about it)?

In the YouCat, #519 teaches that to "hallow" or to "treat God's name as something holy means to place him above everything else". It then goes on to say that "to hallow God's name means to do justice to his reality, to acknowledge him, to praise him, to give him due honour, and to live according to his commandments.

Oblivious

I dunno about you, but I rarely see God's name, his army of angels and saints, or the Church that Our Lord Jesus Christ died for, acknowledged or honoured during this 'night of fright'. In fact... quite the opposite. On the streets tonight, we'll see groups of children and teenagers glorifying the devil, demons and witches in their apparel - and it's not the worst of it that they're most likely oblivious to doing this.  The worst of it, is that halloween has become such a joke, that people tend to think demons and witches, and the devil himself is a joke. I would really like for everyone to meet an exorcist, to discover how much of a joke demons ARE NOT! So I stress my point: it's probably not so much that children & teens are allowed to go around wearing devil costumes and freaking each other out with ghoulish 'tricks' or the yuckiest 'treats' that can be bought out of Poundland. The idea of dressing up, or eating sweets and chocolate, is a pretty fun thing - and it's good to encourage this in moderation. But they need to be educated on what exactly they are representing when they do this at halloween, and the reality of it.

Belief

I watched this freaky movie the other night, called The Skeleton Key with Kate Hudson - really well made movie about a young and upcoming nurse, who goes into a home to care for an elderly man. However, there has been a history of voodoo in that place, and the 'wife' of the elderly mute is a spirit who has lived hundreds of years, transferring from body to body, and this young nurse is her next victim. When this spirit has gotten into the body of the nurse, [thus getting to my point], she says this: "It gets harder every time. They just don't believe like they used to. Gotta get 'em all riled up." When you lose faith, or belief, then your vision of the bigger picture of life becomes narrower.

Consider your eyesight. You can see objects or people nearly 180 degrees around the front of your peripheral. Having faith in God is pretty similar to that, in that the spectrum of belief is wide - one tends to believe in the devil, his demons and bad angels, and voodoo, and witchcraft. Of course... these are all things of the spiritual world that very few of us are well connected to. When you don't believe, that spectrum is narrowed - your eyesight is then only what you can see right in front of you.

Mockery

One could argue that you've gotta dangle the bait in front of the preys eyes before the prey can act... is that what halloween is about then? Could the purpose of halloween be a good thing in the end? Could it help children and teens understand the reality of evil? I believe in the way we do it today, no. Like I mentioned, it's become a joke - a mockery. And mockery is neither good, true, real nor kind. And a second 'no' because if parents and teachers don't educate the kids on this stuff, then the message or the reality of evil is lost. When I look at the fake blood on people's faces, I think and reflect on the real blood of the Christ mocked after His scourging during His Passion. Not much has changed, right?

Solution

I know of an awesome Catholic family, so God-fearing, and beautiful witnesses to the faith (the father was one of my lecturers @ SPES), who actually go around with candles on trick or treat night dressed as angels, and granting the peace of Christ to anyone who opens the doors. I mean... imagine if all Christian families did that on "trick-or-treat"night. Wow... there'd be competition with it becoming a "peace night" on certain streets of the States!

As for me, I plan to give little bags of sweets out, but will include a little slip calling the child/teen to holiness, and a miraculous medal. And I'll be surprised if my front door doesn't get egged tonight!

Anyways, in ancient Catholic tradition, we celebrated the feast of All Saints (all God's holy people who have left this world) as "All Hallows" on the 1st November. That would... errr... be tomorrow. Today is thus, in ancient terms, "All Hallows Eve" which is where the term "Halloween" comes from. It is meant to be (and if you pray the Divine Office, you'll see), a great celebration of holiness. A "holyween"!

So as my conclusion, my issue with people celebrating halloween is that, like Christmas, people have COMPLETELY MISSED THE POINT!! If you don't truly believe in God and his army of HOLY angels and saints, then you don't truly believe in the devil, and his army of demons and invokers. My advice: go and read up about it, and then see what your heart is thirsty for. Please God that won't be the fake blood of vampires but the Eucharistic Blood of Christ upon the altar of the Church.

2 great testimonies on the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul

Mates Br. John the Baptist and Trevor share their testimony and relationship with St. Peter, whose feast, along with St. Paul, it is today! These guys are real witnesses to our faith. One being religious (Franciscan Friar of the Renewal - CFR), and one being lay, we're all pretty much the same age, and all have a passion for Christ that the world could use with some of... especially here in London!

St. Peter and St. Paul founded the legacy of what is the Roman Catholic Church today. Let's look to them today and ask for their intercession that the Lord be with His Church today and always. Hear what Br. John the Baptist and Trevor have to share about them:

http://www.totus2us.eu/The_Saints/Totus2us-The_Incredibles-St_Peter_the_Apostle.mp3

Ruth Davies, is the amazing woman that runs the website Totus 2us! Aimed for young people to hear different perspectives and experiences of the faith lived out by other young Catholics, this website is worth checking out regularly because it is regularly updated with some awesome content to inspire and motivate us in this test of endurance in the faith.

I hope to one day write a blogpost especially about this website. Ruth is always so busy trying to interview others, I think it would make a nice change to interview her about all her work one day soon!

LONG LIVE THE BRIDE OF CHRIST... THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH... AND HER LEGACY!

SS Peter & Paul: ORATE PRO NOBIS

LISS Day 19

A new covenant

Today's scripture reflects on: Jer 31:31-4 & Romans 5:6-8

I'm captivated by the whole of Romans chapter 5. I keep reading it over and over again! How did I not discover this treasure before?

Verses 1-11 are about peace and joy
"So then, now that we have been justified by faith, we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; it is through him, by faith, that we have been admitted into God's favour in which we are living, and look forward exultantly to God's glory. Not only that; let us exult, too, in our hardships, understanding that hardship develops perseverance, and perseverance develops a tested character, something that gives us hope, and a hope which will not let us down, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us." This is Romans 5:1-5. Wow. And I mean... WOW. At least 10 things flow through my mind and soul reading just that first sentence. We are justified, we are at peace. Amen. Through our belief in our Lord Jesus Christ, we're 'admitted into God's favour'. I sin everyday. How can I be worthy of admission?! How can I even dare to look forward exultantly to God's glory? And yet, my external and internal being cries out to do just that - even though I do such wrong too. My friend Janine said to me this evening, that we all carry our cross so that we can be saved by the cross of Jesus. In the hardships He bestows on me, He also bestows blessings. Would my spirit be working overtime right now if my heart had not been broken? Would I be yearning for God's mercy as much as I do, if I had not accepted my own faults. Would I know such thing as hope and salvation if I had not already experienced a pouring of the Holy Spirit in the summer, believing in His Truth and Love? The words of this passage are like gentle cushions that my heart seems to be nestling in.

"When we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the godless. You could hardly find anyone ready to die even for someone upright; though it is just possible that, for a really good person, someone might undertake to die. So it is proof of God's own love for us, that Christ died for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:6-8.  This means He died for me too. I don't usually like for others to make special provisions for me - after all, I am nobody special. Yet, I can't help but feel that I owe God my whole being because He Loves me so much. I feel like I can never do enough for Him. I want to pray more, I want to adore more, I want to 'minister' more, I want to share more, I want to love more, I want to... but this is it. This is all about me. Christ died for me. When can my selfishness flip itself into God's Will?

Yesterday, I experienced a big questioning of myself, because Father Emmanuel had asked me 'how do you know if it was what the Holy Spirit wanted, or what you wanted?', and then for midday prayer, I felt stabbed when we prayed Psalm 120:

Longing for peace
Be patient in suffering; persevere in prayer (Romans 12:12)

To the Lord in the hour of my distress *
I call and he answers me.
O Lord, save my soul from lying lips, *
from the tongue of the deceitful."

What shall he repay you in return, *
O treacherous tongue?
The warriors arrows sharpened*
and coals, red-hot, blazing.

Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech, *
dwell among the tents of Kedar!

Long enough have I been dwelling*
with those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak, *
they are for fighting.

Glory to the Father and to the Son  *
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be forever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

You declared peacemakers happy, Lord Jesus,
since they will be called sons of God.
Give us that peace which the world cannot give
so that your Church may be freed from the schemes of arrogant men,
and, devoted to works of peace,
go forward joyfully to meet you, the King of Peace.

Ant. I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me.

My Lord Jesus, I am so confused. Have I managed to harbour such a deceitful tongue? I place all my trust in You, and want so much to abide in your new commandment - how could I tarnish Your name and call myself Your servant when I am so ungodly? I am ashamed. I pray to You that I never again cause anybody to feel such ruin and destruction at the hands of my lying lips and treacherous tongue. You cleansed me from my sin when I received Your reconciliation. Now walk with me as I carry my cross and try to become the instrument that You have always intended me to be, in Your peace, and without arrogance.

"How much more can we be sure, therefore, that, now that we have been justified by his death, we shall be saved through him from the retribution of God. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more can we be sure that, being now reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. What is more, we are filled with exultant trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation." [Romans 5:9-11]

(I have not really reflected on the Jeremiah passage this evening... St. Paul's words are just too strong at this present moment in time, so I will come back to Jeremiah at some point in the future)

Upcoming events January - Mid February 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

1-4 January 2011: Passion 2011 Live
Tuesday 4 January 2011 - 03:30(am): Religion: necessary evil, unnecessary evil, or not evil at all?
Thursday 6th January 2011, 19:00: Soul Food's Epiphany Mass
Friday 7th January 2011, 19:00: First Friday all-night vigil
Saturday 8th January 2011, 12:00: CFR Open Day (Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal)
Saturday 8th January 2011, 19:00 – 01:00: New Year Alpha Party
Tuesday 11th January 2011, 18:30-20:30: Logos Formation Day - Personal spiritual journey
Wednesday 12th January 2011, 19:00: Youth 2000 Prayer Group @ Covent Garden
Starting 13th January 2011, 19:00: LISS (Soul Food)
Saturday 15th January 2011, 09:00: Training for counselling outside abortion clinics
Sunday 16th January 2011, 13:00: Culture of Life afternoon
Sunday 16th January 2011, 18:00: Frassati Society's first meal and talk
Saturday 22nd January 2011, 10.30am - 4.30pm: Sacred Song in a Secular World
Saturday 22 January 2011, 19:30: Catholic Underground London
Tuesday 25th & Wednesday 26th January 2011, during the day: Sacred Images Exhibition
Saturday 29 January 2011 from 10am-4.30pm: New Wine, New Wineskins
World Youth Day
Sunday 30th January 2011, 18:00: Psycho Spirituality - An Encounter with the Self: The Human Condition
Tuesday 1st February 2011, 19:00: Catholic Union "Do"
Tuesday 1st February 2011, 19:00: Theology of the Body on John Paul II
Tuesday 1st February 2011, 18:30-20:30: Logos Formation Day - Creation
Saturday 5th February 2011, 11:00-16:00: Catholic Roadshow Planning Conference
Sunday 6th February 2011: Come Away with Me 2011: BCYS Training Day for Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders
Saturday 12th February 2011, 14:00: Generation of Love



Passion 2011 Live1-4 January 2011
http://live.passion2011.com/
Live online streaming of a Christian conference for 18's-25's in Atlanta USA, called Passion 2011. Passion 2011 is more than simply another event. Rather, it is another step in a journey that is all about finding true meaning as we take our places in a story that is so much bigger than ourselves. It's about trading in small dreams for a role in a grand epic that is shaping history and has no end. And it's a rare chance for tens of thousands of university-aged young people to gather from across the US and around the world to celebrate their common faith and purpose. Anyone involved or interested in Youth Ministry are invited to check this out.


Religion: necessary evil, unnecessary evil, or not evil at all?
Tuesday 4 January 2011 - 03:30 (am)
BBC News Channel
Tony Blair and atheist Christopher Hitchens debate whether religion is a force for good in the world. Rudyard Griffiths chairs.
I'm aware this one isn't an event, but some of you on my mailing list might be interested in recording the debate/checking it out. It was something I picked up on Intelligence Squared debate site.


Soul Food's Epiphany Mass
Thursday 6th January 2011, 19:00
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.
Please also see below for their LISS (Life in the Spirit Seminar) and visit their website: http://www.soulfoodgroup.org/


First Friday all-night vigil 
 Friday 7th January 2011, 19:00
@ 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.


CFR Open Day (Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal)
Saturday 8th January 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


New Year Alpha Party
Saturday 8th January, 7pm – 1am
The Mason's Arms pub (upper room), 665 Harrow Road, Kensal Green, NW10 5NU. (1 min walk from Kensal Green station, Bakerloo Line)
Chill out, music & dancing until 1am!
Spacious and cosy upper room of Victorian Pub all for us
Buffet food & drinks provided
Bar available
*** RSVP by Tue 4th Jan please ***
Suggested offer at the door of £7 (towards buffet food & drinks and room rental)
Dress code: Black-tie or Cocktail/Party dress


Logos Formation Day - Personal spiritual journey
Tuesday 11 January 2011, 18:30 - 20:30
St. Anselm and St. Cecilia’s Church, Kingsway, Lincoln's Inn Fields, Holborn, London, WC2A 3JA
Where am I? Where to go?
Where am I going?
How do I become more self aware? What stops me from journeying...?


Youth 2000 Covent Garden Prayer Group
Wednesday evenings between 19:00-21:00 and then to the Coal Hole for socialising.
Corpus Christi Presbytery, Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NB.
Youth 2000 seeks to draw young people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, lived at the heart of the Catholic church. It does this primarily through weekend prayer festivals, where young people are introduced to the essentials of the catholic faith: Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, confession, scripture, devotion to Our Lady. These big festivals happen at different locations around the UK around 5-6 times a year... but those who live and work in Central London can receive a regular weekly dose of these events at Covent Garden every Wednesday evening. It's a great opportunity for young Caths to top-up on the faith, hope and love of God in fellowship with each other.


LISS (Soul Food)
 LISS sessions as follows:
13th Jan: Session 1 - Welcome and Witness
20th Jan: Session 2 - God the Father
27th Jan: Session 3 – Search and Rescue
3rd Feb:  Session 4 - Salvation through Jesus
4th – 6th Feb: Weekend Retreat at All Saints Pastoral Centre (London Colney, Hertfordshire), which covers sessions 5 to 7.
Session 5: New Heart, New Spirit
Session 6: Come Holy Spirit
Session 7: Learn to walk, Learn to run
10th Feb: Session 8 - Life in the Spirit
The format for most of the sessions will be praise and worship, followed by teaching, personal testimonies and small group sharing.  You will be kept in the same small group for all of the sessions, with two group leaders to guide you. The Life in the Spirit Seminar is a journey of discovery undertaken together as a community; hence it is important to be able to attend every session if at all possible.
Information about Soul Food is above, but please register your attendance on their website http://soulfoodgroup.org/


Training for counselling outside abortion clinics
Saturday 15th January 2011, 09:00-16:00
St. Fidelis Friary, Killip Close, Canning Town, London, E16 1LX
Starts with Holy Mass at 9am. Training begins about 10-10.30 am. Please bring a packed lunch as there will be a shared lunch. It will be very informative, and good for those who want to participate by praying also. The training will be done by the Helpers of God's Precious Infants, and will include updated and new material from Monsignor Reilly.
Please RSVP to the Helpers.


Culture of Life afternoon
Sunday 16th January 2011, 13:00
St. Michael & St. Martin's RC Church, 94 Bath Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 3EH.
All local (West London) pro-life advocates are invited to this special afternoon whereby we will be enjoying pro-life talks and networking.
Contact Sean McGee via seanpsalm139@hotmail.com for more info if you're in the area!


Frassati Society's first meal and talk
Sunday 16th January 2011, 18:00
Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 36 Nightingale Square, Balham, SW12 8QN.
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. We are very excited to invite you to our first offical Frassati Society Sunday Meal & Talk which will be lead by Fr Agustin Conesa, who will speak to us on the theme, 'Our Vocation to Beatitude' - the heart of Jesus' teaching.
At his beatification in 1990, Pope John Paul II named Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati 'The Man of the Beatitudes' - a model for young Christian living.  Each month as we come together for Mass and prayer, fellowship, food and formation, we will explore the richness and beauty of Jesus's teaching as we look at a different Beatitude each month. As we are moved to live the Beatitudes more profoundlly in our life, the model of Pier Giorgio Frassati will be an example of how we can live out this call. The night kicks off with Mass @ 18:00.
For more information, please contact Laura Cuthbertson on laura@hgbalham.com.


Sacred Song in a Secular World
Saturday 22nd January 2011, 10.30am - 4.30pm
St Mark's Catholic School, 106 Bath Road, Hounslow, TW3 3EJ (nearest tube: Hounslow Central).
For all singers to enjoy music making with John L. Bell of the Iona Community.  Together we will review how to enable congregational song, honouring the Scriptures as a source of inspiration.  Please bring a packed lunch.  There will be a bookstall selling books, CDs and sheet music. £8 per person.  Reserve your places in advance and pay on the day.
Contact Jenny Kettleton, 020 8346 4033, kettleton.family@tesco.net


Catholic Underground London
Saturday 22 January 2011, 19:30
Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 36 Nightingale Square, Balham, SW12 8QN.
We dive into the New Year with 'Indecisive' - a Catholic band from North London. In 2010 (last summer) they made it to the final of the 'Live and Unsigned' competition in the O2! They are fantastic: http://www.myspace.com/indecisiveofficial or maybe try just one of their songs... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMO8l6NRxKQ.
It looks like we're all set for another great night. As always we begin with the truly inspiring Holy Hour in the Church led by the Friars, with Adoration, Benediction, Confessions, worship music and Evening Prayer. Then we move over to the music venue next door where Indecisive will play their set. This is such a great chance to invite all of your friends whether they would normally step into a Church or not. We are expecting great things for Catholic Underground in 2011 - don't miss out!
Suggested donation for the night: £5. See you there... with your mates.


Sacred Images Exhibition
Tuesday 25th & Wednesday 26th January 2011, during the day
The Chapel Strand Campus, King's College London
Migration and Visual Culture: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Catholic Imagery and Popular Culture among Polish Young People


New Wine, New Wineskins
Saturday 29 January 2011 from 10am-4.30pm
St Agnes’ Catholic Church, 35 Cricklewood Lane, Cricklewood, London NW2 1HR. Ample parking, close to train and bus services.
Do you want to reach out to your young adult community? Calling priests, catechists, catechetical coordinators, Parish Pastoral Council members, volunteers and young adults. Join us for two lectures and small group discussions, followed by liturgy. Being a Young Catholic Today by Nelle Carty M.Div. (USA), Making Sense: Reaching out to Young Adults by Paula Jordao (Verbum Dei Community).
Please bring your own packed lunch.
Suggested donation £5.00. Registration: ausrakaraliute@rcdow.org.uk or tel. 020 7931 6078 before 25 January. www.rcdow.org.uk/evangelisation


World Youth Day
There are many ways and options for getting to World Youth Day out there. But I thought I would let you know of this option in case you know anyone that is still stuck and contemplating on going, even as options are running out!
The Claretian missionaris of UK and Ireland are organising for anyone aged 16-30 to participate in World Youth Day at Madrid. Programme includes:
August 12-15: Inm Segovia, with all Claretian Youth Groups from all over the world.
August 15-21: In Madrid, with Pope Benedict XVI and more than 2 millions of young people.
August 22-23: In Madrid, evaluation with the Claretian Family and trip back to the UK.
The Claretian Family has several houses, parishes and schools in Madrid and Segovia where all young people can be accommodated.
Estimated cost per participant is £395 which includes accommodation, food and return ticket! That's an AMAZING price for the immense graces you will receive over that period of nearly two weeks!
Contact Fr. Angel of Immaculate Heart of Mary via 0208 573 2065 or angel.ochagavia@gmail.com


Psycho Spirituality - An Encounter with the Self: The Human Condition
Sunday 30th January 2011, 18:00
Newman House Catholic Chaplaincy, 111 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6AR, 020 7387 6370
Sr. Paloma Marchesi, a Carmelite Missionary Sister, and also a wonderful Spiritual Director to me, is leading four psycho-spirituality talks over the next two months at Newman House. These talks will truly help us in our personal and spiritual growth, addressing questions like 'how do I grow emotionally mature?' and 'how can I achieve interior peace?' Following talks include:
How to Handle Emotions: Sunday 6th February 2011, 6.00pm
Understanding difficult relationships and working through them: Sunday 20th February 2011, 6.00pm
The Way of Centering Prayer: Tuesday 22nd February 2011, 8.00pm
There is a poster attached, and I will also remind people of late February talks at my next mail-out in February.


Catholic Union "Do"
Tuesday 1st February 2011, 19:00
St Mary Moorfields Church in the City
There will be a sung Mass at 7.00pm (Eve of Candlemas). This will be followed by drinks and dinner down in the Hall. The event will be held in conjunction with the Young City Catholic so it will be an excellent opportunity for young Catholic professionals to get together.
A donation of £10 towards a sumptuous dinner and wine would be gratefully received and can be paid on the evening. However the caterers will need to know how many people to cater for! Please email Olivia of Catholic Union by 28 January!
Please feel free to forward this invitation to your friends and fill this event with an interesting variety of people!
For more info on the Catholic Union of Great Britain and its work do please visit http://www.catholicunion.org/


Theology of the Body on John Paul II (A series of talks)
Tuesday 1st February 2011, 19:00 - 21:00
SPES, St. Patrick’s Presbytery, St. Patrick's Church, 21a Soho Square, London, W1D 4NR
Theology of the Body of John Paul II. The evening will kick off with a light soup supper and time of social. The talk will last about an hour with an opportunity of Q&A at the end.
The remaining series of dates are scheduled:
8th February
15th February
22nd February
Contact: Deanna Joy at spes@stpatricksoho.org, www.sohope.blogspot.com and 0207 434 9965.


Logos Formation Day - Creation
Tuesday 01 February · 18:30 - 20:30
St. Anselm and St. Cecilia’s Church, Lincoln's Inn Fields, Kingsway, Holborn, London, WC2A 3JA
The Bible stories of Creation and the Church;
Praying into the creation of nature;
Praying into the creation of human life and soul;
We are co-creators with God...


Catholic Roadshow Planning Conference
Saturday 5th February 2011, 11:00-16:00
St George's Cathedral, Cathedral House, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7HY.
All Catholics are warmly invited to a planning conference for a two week England and Wales wide Catholic Roadshow happening in May 2011.
Gerry Coates, founder of 'Heart Speaks Unto Heart' radio station for the Papal Visit, has been hard at work making the possibility of a Catholic Roadshow into a reality. It will hit universities, schools, Cathedrals, city centres, and other public venues located all over England and Wales which Gerry will be revealing more about at the planning conference. Fr Stan Fortuna is likely to come over for 18+ days to lead the roadshow, and Gerry is hoping to seriously promote Catholic Youth Ministry and engage Catholic Youths over England and Wales as part of this mission. This conference is a great opportunity to discover how your outreach teams could become part of this mission, and it would also help Gerry to gauge interest.
Attached are the details of the conference and the list of provisionally set dates and locations for the Roadshow. Please save the planning conference date and location in your diaries.
If you are interested, kindly RSVP either to Gerry directly (gerrycoates@blueyonder.co.uk), or myself (happy to pass on your details). It would be great if you could tell me which institution/organisation/group/company/parish/community you would be representing, if not yourself. If you wish to be removed from any further communications regarding this roadshow, let me know gently ;)
Please keep this excellent opportunity for Catholic Youth to share our beautiful faith with the masses as one community in your prayers, and please share this information to anyone and everyone you think might be able to contribute!
Please also note that this conference is also on the same date as the LISS weekend!


Come Away with Me 2011: BCYS Training Day for Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders
Sunday 6th February 2011
Don Bosco House, Coventry Road, Coleshill, B46 3EA
Workshops focus on the following:
Let us proclaim the Mystery of Faith
Faith vs. Society
Praying with Young People
Managing Challenging Behaviour
Resources within our Reach
Facebooking for Youth Groups
Cost = £27
For more information: comeawaywithme2011@gmail.com


Generation of Love
Saturday 12th February 2011, 14:00
St. Michael & St. Martin's Catholic Church, 94 Bath Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 3EH.
Didn't get enough of the all-night Catholic youth event that Hounslow Youth Team put on in celebration of Christ the King back in November? Don't despair! We're already bringing to reality our next event 'Generation of Love'. This day/evening event includes:
- A talk by Emmett & Lucy Dooley (formerly of Pure in Heart) who will be helping us to explore the theme of LOVE as young Catholic singles, couples and 'discerners' of religious life.
- Interactive games, workshops, faith sharing, and lots of God-loving during Adoration, Confession and Mass while TW3 lead live praise and worship!
- The evening turns hot after SIT DOWN DINNER with our very own rendition of 'Blind Date - RC stylee!', and then it's time to do your thang on a jam-packed dance floor where our DJ'll be playing the hottest freshest and cleanest club tunes til 1am.
Dress Code: Dress to impress... without showing flesh!!! No caps/hats are to be worn in the Church.
All under 18's must download a consent form from http://ssmm.org.uk/ (available from next week).
For more info, contact myself or Nicole Carver, or email hounslowyouthteam@gmail.com. We've got hundreds of flyers yet to send out to all Parishes in the West London area, so look out for them in the coming weeks!
Cost: Suggested donation of £5 - but if that is too much, then you're welcome to give whatever you can! It's gonna be a wicked night!
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS CATHOLIC YOUTH EVENT ENDING IN A PARTY, NOT A RAVE... No alcoholic beverages will be served on the night, and no provocative, violent or anti-Christian values will be tolerated whatsoever :)




Some other helpful and/or useful links:
http://encouragetrust.org.uk/ is a charity who provide friendly and informal support based on traditional Roman Catholic principles to people who struggle with homosexuality. Their purpose is to offer friendship and support.
http://marriagecare.org.uk/ provide marriage preparation, relationship counselling, relationship education, a telephone helpline. We also offer general support and advice to those who want to marry or enter long-term relationships.
http://compass-points.org.uk/ Aged 20-35, and wondering whether life in a religious order - as a nun, monk, sister, priest or brother - might just be the life for you? Compass will help you find your direction.


Have a great January and abundant blessings for 2011!

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.

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.

Blesséd Atmospheres

Catholic crowds will make Papal Events more sacred.

Unless you are a journalist, or a practicing Catholic, it's gonna be pretty tough for you to get through the entrance gates at  one of the Bellahouston, Hyde Park, or Cofton Park events. This may be, to some, unfortunate. But not to me.

The downside to the exclusion, is that others outside my faith don't get to witness this holy man in person. At World Youth Day in Sydney, I was fortunate to feel a sense of the Holy Spirit there amongst us - because the prayers of thousands of young people were profoundly focused on the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI. I remember speaking to some non-Christian youngsters with passes afterwards, and they thoroughly enjoyed the whole event. If they didn't enjoy the Pope aspect, then surely they wouldn't have enjoyed the whole event! Plus, the fact that they were present means that somehow, their curiosity about the Catholic faith, or Christianity, or the Pope himself must have been piqued. Whether or not they felt an element of a greater power there, I don't know. Nonetheless, a significant moment and special encounter such as that, is best reflected upon personally first anyway.

Open-minded people who wish to attend a Papal event peacefully, should be able to, in my opinion. But I believe they should make every effort to consciously watch and observe, and not disturb the surrounding people who wish to pray. These are our moments of communication with our Lord, and also self-reflection. A presence such as the Pope's serves to boost our willingness to open up to God more. The last thing anyone wants whilst meditating, is to be disturbed by disrespectful people. If you wish to scoff, ridicule and giggle at what you think is an absurdity, then leave the grounds, and do it outside the gates. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. But we're also entitled to our personal time with God, and there has to be a mutual respect between these two things.

At a Catholic event such as the Papal Vigil or Beatification Mass, Catholics will experience the same sort of atmosphere as any other person would at a music festival or a football match. Yes, we wave our arms in the air too. Yes, we also get slightly too excited at the fact that there's someone we adore, and admire up on that stage - so much so that before we know it, we're screaming and chanting. And yes, we do feel the electric atmosphere that unites us as one crowd, as one body in the Lord. I posted this (edited) description of a Catholic's experience at such an event on My Papal Visit 2010 facebook site:

When just one person feels the glory of God right down to the depths of their being, the power of the Holy Spirit is brought to life. Can you imagine how electric that power is if there is a group of people submitting to their all-consuming love for God? Can you imagine if that joyful group wasn't just 50, or 150 people, but thousands?

As a collective, this joy is a gift - a personified example of God being Love, and love being the quintessential goal of every human being. It's so simple... just like our love for the LORD. And we're here to believe it with every ounce of our being.

But yes, that is also all I can do. Believe and profess it. I have no way of physically proving my faith. The closest thing to physical proof of God's existence is through the healing and miracles that take place throughout the world day by day. Rigorous examinations of these healings and miracles have been done in the past; for example when The Immaculate Conception appeared to Bernadette at Lourdes. I've been touched by healing through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, and I've also encountered God's all-encompassing love. That is why, I believe. And that is why I personally prefer to be amongst others that believe too; whether Catholic, or any other denomination of Christianity respectful of the way we do things.

So when the Pope's over, I wish to celebrate this same love with the people who wish to celebrate the same thing as me. I wish to be able to momentarily free myself into His hands in the vicinity of the powerful Holy Spirit, magnified in the unity of thousands. I wish to be... in a crowd with a blesséd atmosphere.

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• Have you recently experienced a blessed atmosphere? Perhaps you've just been on a pilgrimage and have God's presence stronger outside the crowds? 
• Aren't Christian, but empathise with what I'm saying?
• What if you can't stand crowds but want to experience this love too? 

If so, I want to know about it! Post your comments!