World Youth Day is fast approaching, taking place from 22nd – 27th January in Panama. Please keep the event in your prayers, that it will be a rewarding and spiritually-nourishing experience for everyone attending. Please also pray that some vocations to the priesthood and religious life will be borne out of WYD.

Sr. Elaine from the National Office for Vocation is going, and will post on the NOV Facebook page and Twitter page. Please share the posts and help spread the energy of the event.

Tributes have been made to Sister Wendy Beckett, a Carmelite nun who found fame in the 1990s with her popular TV programmes critiquing art, who passed away on 26th December 2018.

Sister Wendy was brought into the limelight with her series Sister Wendy’s Odyssey (1992) and Sister Wendy’s Story of Painting (1996). She had devoted her life to solitude and contemplation (since 1970 in a caravan in the grounds of the enclosed Carmelite monastery at Quidenham in Norfolk). For more information about Sister Wendy, please visit www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/dec/26/sister-wendy-beckett-obituary, where you can also watch Sister Wendy’s Story of Painting.

Ever wondered if there’s more to life? The BBC have created a documentary following three young people living an alternative lifestyle, one of them being 27-year old Brother John, who is a Benedictine monk at Downside Abbey in Somerset.

To watch the insightful documentary and find out about what life is like in a monastery, please click here.

Portsmouth Diocese are launching a new discernment group for those wishing to explore what vocation God has planned for them to live out. Taking place the first Friday of the month, starting 2nd November from 7-9pm at Sacred Heart Church, Portland Street in Fareham. The evening will consist of sharing a meal together, prayer, reflection and friendship! If you’d like to come, please contact:

Rev. John Cooke on 01329 318 869 or at jcooke@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Mrs. Clare Ryan on 01329 318 869 or at cryan@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

From 3rd – 28th October 2018, Catholic Bishops from around the world will meet in Rome to discuss and debate on the subject: “Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment”. Pope Francis chose this theme as he feels very strongly on the importance of addressing how the church helps and accompanies young people. Please keep the Synod in your prayers, that the Holy Spirit will guide the Bishops in shaping the future of the Church for young people.

For more information on the Synod, please click here.