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