Flame 2019 returns to the SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday 2 March 2019. Flame is a great celebration of the Catholic Church for youth.  We are in a context where social media “likes” can determine self-esteem. There is a far deeper truth to be shared, and we will be exploring that with Flame’s theme: #Significance.

There’s a brilliant line-up of speakers, including GuvnaB and his wife Emma and the inspirational and engaging speaker Robert Madu from the US. One of the Bishops who will have attended the October Synod on Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment will speak to the Arena, and the day will conclude with exposition led by Cardinal Vincent.

Book your place now at https://cymfed.org.uk/flame2019/.

Among the 40,000 runners who will line up to start the 2018 London Marathon on 22nd April is one ‘fancy dress’ competitor with a difference: Sr Theodora Hawksley CJ, 32, has decided to run the marathon in religious dress to promote vocations to religious life.

‘When I told my community that I would be running the marathon this year, my provincial superior said, “Do you want to run it in a veil?” My first reaction was “Gosh, it’s a big enough challenge as it is!” but then I thought, “What a great opportunity to witness!” It’s a great way of showing the world that religious life is alive and well – and even running marathons!’

We are in the immediate run up for The Day of Prayer for Vocations, which is being celebrated on Sunday 22nd April. The theme for this year is ‘It’s Your Call’. Please click here to visit our page of resources.

If you would like to have some guidance on what kind of life God may be calling you to live out, perhaps you would be interested in having a vocation guide. You would meet up on a one-to-one basis once a month and discuss your possible calling. Please email enquiries@ukvocation.org if you would like to apply for a guide.

Alternatively, why not sign up for a retreat with a religious community for quiet reflection and time with God? See a list of upcoming retreats on our website: www.ukreligiouslife.org/events.

‘Bad Habits’, a programme shown last October following a group of wild twentysomethings who spent time in a convent, has been shortlisted for the Radio Times Readers Award in the Sandford St Martins Awards!  If you enjoyed the programme, you can vote for it here: www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-03-27