Poster Campaign for the World
Day of Prayer for Vocations
promoting Diocesan Priesthood

Christopher Jamison, Abbot of Worth
was the principle speaker for the National Office
for Vocation's Forum this year

Gabriella Gasz and Camilla Oberding
of the Community of our Lady of
Walsingham recently made first
Profession of Vows.

Vocation Sunday - 7th May 2006

The Holy Father's Message for the 43rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations invites the entire People of God to meditate the theme Vocation in the mystery of the Church. Reflecting on the parable of the prodigal son, Pope Benedict writes "In order to answer the call of God and start on our journey, it is not necessary to be already perfect."

Vocations Office Turns to the Beautiful Game to Promote Priesthood.

The ‘glamorous’ world of football, not necessarily the first thing that springs to mind as the driver behind a campaign to attract more men to the Catholic priesthood in England and Wales, but there are some surprising parallels.

Both soccer star and priest are passionate about their life choices and take great pride in what they do, putting in years of hard work and sacrifice. The qualities a young man needs to develop to be able to make a positive contribution to a football team or a parish are similar in some ways too. Commitment, teamwork and dedication are important aspects of every professional footballer’s and Catholic priest’s lives, and reach beyond the very public arenas of pitch and pulpit.

Read the full press release on www.ukpriest.org another website from the National Office for Vocation.

The Convent Comes to BBC2

Following the success of last year's The Monastery programmes, a four part series is being screened in June and July 2006 which follows four ordinary women who endure forty days and nights of convent life. Read More on the 'Life for Seeker's 'website.

Four Day Convent Experience for You?

Not all of us can take forty days away from our work, studies or family lives, but would you like to spend four days on retreat in a monastery or convent? Many religious communities offer retreats for those seeking sanctuary. A retreat is an opportunity to find space to reflect, pray and share with others. 'Come and See' weekends are designed for those people who are considering the call to religious life.

National Office for Vocation Annual Forum 2006 - Saturday 17th June 2006

We were very fortunate this year to have Dom Christopher Jamison, Abbot of Worth Abbey as our speaker for the day. The forum was attended by almost forty people including diocesan Vocation Directors, members of the NOV committee, Religious and laypersons who all had an interest in vocation work.

After opening group discussions, Abbot Christopher talked about current generational trends in the 18-25 age group and the unique difficulties these trends present. In the afternoon session, specific ways in which we can 'bridge the gap' between Church and young people were discussed. Members of the Elm Grove Community talked to the group about ways in which they've reached out to other young people in the Brighton area.

The Compass Project is sponsored by a group of Religious Orders and Congregations. The residential venue is at Worth Abbey and the program which runs for nine months every year gives participants the space to explore the religious vocational life, spiritual support and an experience of community living. One of the participants spoke of how the project had helped her in her journey.

There was also time for discussions, feedback and sharing.

New Catholic Art Exhibition in London, Summer 2006'

'FINDING CHRIST, FINDING LIFE’: An exhibition of new and rarely seen pictures by Elizabeth Wang, will be held in London at the French Church, Leicester Square from July 1 - Sept 24, 2006. Eighteen large-scale prints of original paintings will be displayed, together with written meditations. Entrance is free.

More details are available on the 'Radiant Light' website

"The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction?" Decide for yourselves. Click here for resources, events, links and debate on the Life4seekers website. This website has been written by the Catholic Enquiry Office of England and Wales.

Milestone for New Community

Two of the founding members of The Community of our Lady of Walsingham, Gabriela Gasz and Camilla Oberding, made their first profession of vows on the Feast of the Annunciation 2006. Gabriela and Camilla took this important step in their own journeys, and that of their young community, in a Mass celebrated by Bishop John Arnold in the crypt of Westminster Cathedral.

The Community of Our Lady of Walsingham (COLW) is a new community rooted in Carmelite spirituality with the vocation of all at the heart of the community's charism.

Congratulations to Gabriela and Camilla as we continue to pray for their burgeoning community. For more pictures of the celebration see the COLW website.

PRIESTS: PROMOTERS OF THE ENCOUNTER BETWEEN MAN AND GOD

"The world through the eyes and ears of a Priest" ! The Catholic Insider is a website from which you can download a series of podcasts created by Father Roderick Vonghogen, a Catholic priest from the Netherlands. Father Roderick's topics for broadcast range from the fascinating history of the Catholic Church to the underlying themes of George Lucas' Star Wars films. Father Roderick releases a new podcast every weekday. Explore the website and enjoy the shows!

A Life in the Day - Read the story on Sister Mary Elisabeth from the Sunday Times Magazine - 18th September 2005. Sister Mary Elisabeth is the youngest fully professed Carmelite Nun in Britain, aged 31.

Vocation Events - Website with all the information you need on vocation events taking place around the country. Includes retreats for 2006. www.vocationevents.org.uk

This site was last updated on 8th May, 2006

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