A Sustained Effort

Recently I came across some passages in a wonderful book about the Spiritual Life called My Daily Bread by Antony J Paone that I found extremely encouraging.   

I've copied the passages below: 

   

Christ:

My child, do not be afraid nor discouraged at hearing my instructions about the way of perfection.  Pray for a burning desire to follow Me along this way.  Make a daily effort to do so.  Many people refuse even to consider such an effort.  Others make a half hearted attempt, but they turn away at the first sign of difficulty.  My loyal followers try again and again, in spite of repeated failures.  By their refusal to quit, they go far in the work of self-perfection.

Make your resolution to follow My example in your daily life.  Then do your best to fulfill the resolution. Do not judge your progress by your feelings, nor by visible signs.  Just purify your intention, concentrate on the virtue you need or desire and strive to eliminate all natural self-seeking.  How few are those who are really all for Me, those who try to please Me in all things simply because I deserve it.

True, this perfection is not reached in a day.  However, it will never be reached if you never start trying.  It is not easy to live entirely for Me, continually trying to control and direct your feelings and selfish desires for My sake.  I shall stand by you to guide and strengthen you.  Still, you will have to do your part.  Make every effort to guide your thinking throughout the day, so that you may not lose sight of Me in your various activities.  From time to time test your pure intention by contradicting your natural desires.

Autumn Happenings

Autumn & Advent @ The Corpus Christi Prayer Group

We've got plenty planned over the next couple of the months at the Corpus Christi Prayer Group, including Mass this week....

Wednesday 2nd November 8pm: Celebration of Mass – All Souls
(Please note later start time this week)
This week we will be celebrating Mass for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls). Come and join us in this special time of prayer and remembrance for all those who we know who have passed away. Fr Anthony Doe will joining us to celebrate Mass with us this evening.
** The Latin Mass Society will be using the church before us this week, so we will begin our celebration of Mass slightly later than usual at 8pm SHARP!**
Wednesday 9th November 7pm: Adoration, Prayer and Praise
Join us for an evening prayer, praise and reflection in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Wednesday 16th November 7pm: Meditation, Contemplation and Adoration
This week we will be spending an evening of adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, guided by scripture and led reflections. We will begin with the rosary from 7pm. Come and join us in this evening of prayer

Wednesday 23rd November: ‘Maranatha’ - an evening of reflection and preparation for Advent (led by Simone Lia)Simone will be leading us in an evening of preparation and contemplation as we look forward to the Advent season. All are welcome as we consider the significance of this period in the Church year.

Wednesday 30th November: Advent Reconciliation Service
As we enter Advent, we will be leading an evening of personal examination and reflection to help us prepare ourselves for Christ’s coming at Christmas. Priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Wednesday 7th December: Celebration of Mass for the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception
The intercession of our mother, Mary is important for us all, so please come and join us to celebrate Mass for the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception at the prayer group this evening. We will begin by praying the rosary at 7pm, before moving into our celebration of Mass.  Celebrant TBC.

Wednesday 14th December: Eucharistic Healing Service 
Fr Angelus will be joining us for this special time of grace and prayer for healing. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, with the opportunity to come forward to receive a blessing.

Wednesday 21st December
Wednesday 28th December
The Prayer Group will be taking a short break over the Christmas period, so we will NOT be meeting on these weeks. 

The Importance of Prayer and Prayer Groups

In our busy and harried lives with it's fast pace of demands and electronic distractions, it is often easy to neglect time with God through prayer, even when we are wanting to follow Christ.  Jesus doesn't want us to be stressed out, overwhelmed and miserable. He says 'Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.'  We find our peace and joy in Christ through spending time in prayer. A prayer group can not only help us to find the time to pray deeply and connect with Him but also we connect with each other, becoming a family in Christ.

Here are two messages given by Our Lady Queen of Peace to visionaries in Medjugorje:

September 25, 2000: "Dear children! Today I call you to open yourselves to prayer. May prayer become joy for you. Renew prayer in your families and form prayer groups. In this way, you will experience joy in prayer and togetherness. All those who pray and are members of prayer groups are open to God’s will in their hearts and joyfully witness God’s love. I am with you, I carry all of you in my heart and I bless you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Message of June 25, 2004: "Dear children! Also today, joy is in my heart. I desire to thank you for making my plan realizable. Each of you is important, therefore, little children, pray and rejoice with me for every heart that has converted and become an instrument of peace in the world. Prayer groups are powerful, and through them I can see, little children, that the Holy Spirit is at work in the world. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Sports Tournament

On Sunday some of the Corpus Christi prayer group joined in for a fundraising sports tournament for the work of Youth2000. Over 70 people took park in Hyde Park and it was great fun despite our team losing spectacularly.  However, the first will be last and the last will be first. So in a way, we won. Is that right?

Coming up at the Corpus Christi Prayer Group

Wednesday 2nd November 7pm: Celebration of Mass – All Souls
Come and join us as we celebrate Mass for the first Wednesday of the month. This month our Mass coincides with the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls), so this is an excellent opportunity to come together and pray for all those we know who have passed away

Young Adults in the North

With Bishop John Arnold
Sunday 13 November @ 6pm.

The next Young Adults in the North (YAN) gathering with Bishop John Arnold is on Sunday 13 November at St Ignatius Parish, Stamford Hill 27 High Road N15 6ND from 6pm – 9.30 pm.

The evening starts with Mass and the evening continues with a meal and the opportunity to take part in faith discussion and reflection with other young Catholics.

The theme of the evening is based on the Sunday Gospel: “Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities” ( Matt 25:23)

For more details please see: http://www.rcdow.org.uk/youth/news/?item=3528

Good Counsel Network Fundraising Ball

Good Counsel Network will be having a Fundraising Ball on Saturday 19th November 2011. We expect this to be a fun evening with a delicious 3 course dinner, live music and great dancing. The details are as follows. Please pass this information to as many of your family and friends as possible.

Venue: Ognisko, 55 Exhibition Road, South Kensington
(Nearest tube station is South Kensington)

Date: Saturday 19th November 2011
Time: Arrive at 6.30pm, ends Midnight
Price: £70 per person
Dress: Ladies Evening Dress, Gentlemen Black Tie

Last year we sold out so please book early!!!

Please Note: You must let us know of any dietary requirements when booking.

For more information on tickets please call 020 77231740

Vocations Discernment Group

Events in London for Young Adults wanting to make courageous choices

'Spiritual Direction'
a presentation by Fr Anthony Doe

FRIDAY 28th OCTOBER 2011
7.00pm - 9.30pm

Refreshments available

Hinsley Room, half way down Morpeth Terrace by Westminster Cathedral

No need to book, just turn up!

For more information see www.free2become.org/upcomingevents.html

Email: info@free2become.org

Prayer group social

A few of us went on a country walk in Surrey on Saturday. We were blessed with that unexpected freaky October heatwave. It was a beautiful day and much fun was had by all!

This Weeks News

Wednesday 28th September, 7pm – ‘Praying with St Therese of Lisieux’ – An evening of guided meditation and catechesis led by Margaret Toth

An evening of meditation and contemplation, inspired by the ‘Little Flower.’ We are excited that Margaret Toth, who is currently completing her PhD on St Therese in Rome, will be joining us to lead us in our prayer this evening.

Wednesday 5th October, 7pm – Celebration of Mass

Come and join us as we celebrate Mass together for the first Wednesday of the Month. Fr Graham Stokes will be joining us to lead us in our celebration this evening. Fr Graham has been coming to our prayer group for many years, but this will be the first time he celebrates Mass for us, so I’m sure you’ll all want to come and make him welcome.

Corpus Christi Prayer Group Autumnal Country Walk

Venue: Country Walk from Oxted Station to Hurst Green

Date: Saturday 1st October

Meeting place and time: For those who would like to we would attend 9am Mass at Westminster Cathedral, the plan would be then to make our way to Victoria Railway Station (about 5min walk). For those who can't come to Mass: meet at the Station, at the entrance to Platform 2 at aprox 10.15am ,with your ticket to Oxted Station

Train Departure time : 10:23am from Platform 2

Cost: About £8.90 there and £8.10 back, so about £17.00 in total.

It would take us about 40min. by train to get there and about the same for the return journey from Hurst Green (although this also depends upon what time train we take to get back). The walk is advertised as about 3 hours long with no really difficult terrain. There should be a couple of pubs along the way where we can get some food/drink. However all who want to come are strongly advised to bring a small but sufficient packed lunch with them just in case. (As we may end up of the beaten track or the pub may be closed for some reason etc.) We should hope to arrive back to Victoria Station 6pm-7pm, but trains from Hurst Green to Victoria are quite frequent so this could be later or earlier, depending on how fit we are! (Or how much we are enjoying ourselves in the fresh country air!). The weather is unpredictable so far, so be prepared rainy as well as sunny. Last but not least important: bring your rosarys as praying a rosary while we walk may be likley to happen at some point, after all Our Lady walks with us.

God Bless, hope to see you all there!!

Catholic Boogie Night

Brazilian vibe

Saturday October 8th 7pm til late

St Augustine's church hall, Hammersmith

55, Fulham Palace Road, W6 8AU.

The concept is a relaxed Catholic social night, where young Catholics can meet each other, dance and have fun.

We are going to kick things off with a Salsa Session, given from a professional Salsa Teacher for free up until about 930ish. Then we'll try out our moves on the dance floor.

Only £5 / ticket or £10 on the door. And all money raised will go to promoting CBN and Catholic Charities, i.e. Aid to the Church in Need or The Good Counsel Network. So please be generous and support us by coming along.

Line up for the Night:-

- 7pm Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Church. (Adoration will be available throughout the night)

- 7.30pm Arrival/ Chill time to ease into the evening

- 8pm- 930pm Salsa Session

- 930 onwards Freestyle Brazilian Vibes

There will be food served, as we have a buffet area for a small charge of £2 per plate.

We also have DJ Said who will be spinning his discs

We end the night with Night Prayer led by Father Emmanuel

Tickets can be reserved in advance via the CBN facebook page, or are available from Daniel after the Corpus Christi Prayer Group on Wednesday.

Alpha Course in Kensington

Alpha Course In Kensington

We are being renewed in our call to Evangelization to others. Why don't approach a friend or colleague and invite them to the next Alpha Course at Kensington?

Explore the meaning of life

Take on the biggest questions

Share your journey

Come and feel at home @ The Alpha Course in a Catholic Context.

...this is open to everyone

...where you can relax, enjoy a meal, share your thoughts

...that is absolutely for free and you have no commitment

It will be held at Our Lady of Victories RC Church @ 235a Kensington Hight Street, London, W8 6AF

It'll be held every Tuesday from 7 to 9.30pm, starting next 4th October.

How to get in touch?

Phone: 020 3581 1677

Email: olov.alpha@gmail.com

September and October Events

This week @ the Corpus Christi Prayer Group: Eucharistic Healing Service

Wednesday 14th September, 7pm – Eucharistic Healing Service
Fr Angelus will be leading us in a time of prayer for healing. In this time of special grace, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, with the opportunity to come forward and receive a personal blessing.


Men's group - this weekend

The Men's Group will be meeting again this Sunday for a game of football with the Franciscan friars in Canning Town. Afterwards we head back to the friary for a bit of social time and there will be the opportunity to join the friars for their Holy Hour at 5pm.

When: See dates above– meet at 1:30pm for 2pm kick off.
Where: St Fidelis Friary, Killip Close, Canning Town E16 1LX,http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=539883&y=181431&z=0&sv=E16+1LX&st=2&pc=E16+1LX&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf
The nearest tube/DLR station is Canning Town.

If you are running late, please come straight to the nearby park:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=539959&y=181146&z=106&sv=539959,181146&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=646&ax=539959&ay=181146&lm=0

The friars are happy for you to join them for dinner after the holy hour but please contact Br John-Baptist or Fr Emmanuel at the friary (02074740766) as they will need to know the exact numbers.



Divinity & Doughnuts

This group, based in St Alban's, is for people in their twenty somethings and thirty somethings who wish to explore their faith in light of the world today. The next talk in their Faith Formation Programme will be held on Sunday 18th September:

Discussion - How can I grow in Faith?

2pm Sunday 18th September
Ss Alban & Stephen Parish Hall Building, Beaconsfield Road

This discussion on faith will be the penultimate session of our Divinity & Doughnuts Faith Formation Program.
We’ll meet to share some thoughts on how we can grow in our faith and also reflect on some of Pope Benedict XVI’s words at WYD on growing in faith.
Please note this a change to the talk we originally advertised for this date.

You are very welcome to join us - wherever you feel you're at with your faith.


Retreat @ Boar's Hill: St Therese of Lisieux

Boars Hill Oxford Carmelite retreat centre, Oxford
September 30 - October 2

St Therese of Lisieux, with Vincent O'Hara OCD

This prayerful weekend will explore the riches of St Therese's short life, with particular emphasis on her teaching on the Little Way and her understanding of suffering.
For more information, contact the administrator 01865 321 991 or email carmelite.retreat@btconnect.com


Blessed Sacrament procession through London

To celebrate the first anniversary of the Beatification of Bl. John Henry Newman, and the 2010 visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Britain.

Saturday OCTOBER 1st 2011
STARTS 1.15pm WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL

Procession leaves 1.30pm, via Ambrosden Avenue. Francis Street, Vincent Street, Horseferry Road and Lambeth Bridge to St George’s Cathedral Southwark, with Benediction at 2.30pm (approx).

All welcome. Come and honour the Blessed Sacrament, and witness to the reality of the presence of Christ in London.

September and October News

Dear All,

I hope you’ve all had great summers and are mentally and spiritually refreshed. I know that many of you went to Madrid for World Youth Day or to the Youth 2000 festival in Walsingham. But if that wasn’t enough for you, there’s plenty going on this autumn at the Corpus Christi Prayer Group and beyond.

In this newsletter......

1. Corpus Christi Prayer Group
2. Men’s Group
3. Day of Prayer @ Westminster Cathedral
4. Young Adults Retreat @ Worth Abbey Benedictine Monastery


Corpus Christi Prayer Group

After our summer break the Corpus Christi Prayer Group will be meeting once again from this Wednesday, and what better way to begin the autumn, than to Celebrate Mass together! We’ve got plenty planned for the next few months, so would be great to see you all along. As ever, we meet every week in Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, from 7pm.

Wednesday 7th September, 7pm – Celebration of Mass
We will be welcoming Fr Jacob to our prayer group tonight to lead us in the celebration of Mass together. Come and join us from 7pm for the rosary, after which we will celebrate Mass together. Perhaps it’s an extra special grace that this is the vigil of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary! What a great opportunity to get our spiritual lives back in gear after the summer.
 
Wednesday 14th September, 7pm – Eucharistic Healing Service
Fr Angelus will be leading us in a time of prayer for healing. In this time of special grace, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, with the opportunity to come forward and receive a personal blessing.

Wednesday 21st September, 7pm – Adoration, Prayer and Praise
An evening of prayer, worship, meditation and contemplation in front of the Blessed Sacrament. We will begin with the rosary from 7pm.

Wednesday 28th September, 7pm – ‘Praying with St Therese of Lisieux’ – An evening of guided meditation and catechesis led by Margaret Toth
An evening of meditation and contemplation, inspired by the ‘Little Flower.’  We are excited that Margaret Toth, who is currently completing her PhD on St Therese in Rome, will be joining us to lead us in our prayer this evening.

Wednesday 5th October, 7pm – Celebration of Mass
Come and join us as we celebrate Mass together for the first Wednesday of the Month. Fr Anthony Doe will be joining us to lead us in our celebration this evening.

Wednesday 12th October, 7pm – ‘Edward the Confessor – Sovereign and Saint’ – An evening of prayer and meditation led by Sr Mary Trinity SOLT
We are delighted that Sr Mary Trinity will be able to join us again at our prayer group. This is the vigil of the feast day of St Edward the Confessor, and our prayer this evening will explore St Edward as an example of Christian living. Sr Mary Trinity is coming from Wales to tell us about this canonised Saxon King of England, so would be great if as many can come as possible to show our appreciation.

‘Like’ us on Facebook: Corpus Christi Prayer Group
‘Follow’ us on Twitter: CorpusChristiPG
Check out our NEW! Blog: http://corpuschristipg.blogspot.com/

 
Men’s Group

This group meets roughly once a month and is a chance for the lads amongst us to get together for a bit of football and fellowship. We meet at the Franciscan Friary at Canning Town, East London, and some of the Friars usually join us for a game in the local park.

Please make an effort to at the friary BEFORE 2pm.

The dates next few dates are:
18th September
16th October
20th November
4th December (tbc)

Afterwards we head back to the friary for a bit of social time and there will be the opportunity to join the friars for their Holy Hour at 5pm.

When: See dates above – meet at 1:30pm for 2pm kick off.
Where: St Fidelis Friary, Killip Close, Canning Town E16 1LX

If you are running late, please come straight to the nearby park


 The friars are happy for you to join them for dinner after the holy hour but please contact Br John-Baptist or Fr Emmanuel at the friary (02074740766) as they will need to know the exact numbers.

Hope to see you there

If you would like to know more, please contact Marco (07957564352)

 

Summer Schedule

Throughout August we are on our Summer break. The group resumes in September.

Wednesday 7th September, 7pm: Celebration of Mass
We will meet again as a prayer group on the first Wednesday in September. And what better way to get the Autumn off to a flying start than to celebrate Mass together! We will meet from 7pm as usual for the rosary and some worship, before moving into our celebration of the Eucharist. Hope to see you all there.

Wednesday 14th September, 7pm: Eucharistic Healing Service
Fr Angelus will be joining us for a time of grace and prayers for healing. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration, with the opportunity to come forward and receive a blessing in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Live@Walsingham

If you happen to stumble across this blog and are impatient for the group to start - then perhaps you might like to head over to Live@Walsingham, a prayer festival held at our National Shrine. Details below!

This festival of prayer, praise and personal time with God takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Aimed primarily at those aged 16-35, it’s a chance to deepen your faith, focus on your relationship with Jesus and spend time in prayer and adoration, all in the company of nearly 1000 young people from around the country! It’s a great opportunity to make new friends and catch up with old ones too.

Speakers this year include Fr Augustino, a Mexican American Franciscan, Bishop Mark Davies, from the Diocese of Shrewsbury, Carole Brown and John Pridmore.

When: Thursday 25th August 6pm – Monday 29th August 1pm 2011
Where: Roman Catholic National Shrine to Our Lady, The Slipper Chapel, Houghton St Giles, Walsingham, Norfolk, NR22 6AL
Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=592083&y=335316&z=0&sv=NR22+6AL&st

Travel:
By car – Walsingham is about a 2.5-3hr drive from London, with parking available at the festival.
By train – Trains from London run to Norwich or King’s Lynn. You will need to take local buses from the train station to get to the festival. For local travel information, see http://www.traveline.info/
By coach – You can now book you place on the London coaches. We're now taking coach bookings for any under 35's. These coaches will cost £30 return, and depart both on Thurs 25th Aug (11am) & Fri 26th Aug (6.30pm) from Westminster Cathedral in London Victoria. There's only 96 spaces available, so book your place asap as places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To book, contact the National Office (info@youth2000.org)

Accommodation: Marquees are available on site – bring your sleeping bag and ground mat. Alternatively, why not bring your own tent and camp. If that doesn’t appeal to you, there are plenty of accommodation options, including B&Bs in the local area!

For more information, please see the Youth 2000 Website:
http://www.youth2000.org/content/walsingham-summer-festival

Or contact the Youth 2000 National Office:
info@youth2000.org
020 8675 2743