Saint Patrick's Evangelisation School (SPES) - Hope in the heart of Soho
So last week was, as always, a pretty busy week! Academics wise, we didn't look at the Catechism, but instead took part in a Life in the Spirit Seminar, led by Kate Moir, Gabriel Sedda and Fr Angelus. Some of us had engaged in Life in the Spirit Seminars before, 2 of us with Soul Food, a Catholic group based here in London. Since the reopening of St. Patrick's, and the building of the brand new community centre, lots of exciting things have been happening. Currently, the Theology of the Body series of talks with keynote speaker Fr Sam Medley from the Southwark Diocese have been taking place. We'll have the last of the series happening this Wednesday. We've been totally inspired by Fr Sam's witness, and delivery of the beautiful teaching of TOB (Theology of the Body).
... and by business, we mean the business of the Lord, in the Lord's vineyard!!
Firstly, please do allow us the privilege of apologising for our lack of communications over the past 6 months! Sooooo... we thought we'd celebrate our 'coming back' with a massive
Next Friday, 4 March 2011, is our First Friday Vigil which will begin at 7 p.m. with the celebration of Holy Mass. At 9 p.m. the vigil will start with Night Prayer and carry on through the night with songs, praying the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and time of being quiet and still in the presence of the Lord. The vigil will come to a close with praying Morning Prayer together at 6 a.m. The evening is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus praying especially for vocations, young people, and the School of Evangelisation (SPES). All are very welcome!
SPES has received an invitation to meet Therese at Lisieux last week. Deanna and I joined this pilgrimage with Monsignor Keith Barltrop, Parish Priest of St Mary of the Angels, Bayswater, who organized in 2009 the visit in From her writings “The Story of a Soul” to
a real journey to Lisieux to came to know and understand more deeply Therese’s life and her message “The little way” is the path of hope and saintliness, it is the path of confidence and abandonment, …”of the child who sleeps without fear in the arms of his Father.”
We visited very important places in Therese’s life, St Therese’s family settled in this house. Therese spent her chilhood here.
This is the room where Therese was cured of a serious illness by the smile of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Saint Peter's Cathedral where Therese sat every Sunday at Mass and where she received the grace of understanding to her missionary vocation. The main altar was donated by her father ( Louis Martin). Near the entrance of the chapel where Therese made her first confession.
The Basilica of Saint Therese where mosaics illustrate the message of St Therese and also the relics of St Therese are displayed there.
We had Mass and also we said Vespers with the Carmelite nuns, we had access also to the reliquary.
These 3 days were a blessed experience for Deanna and I which we want to share and to pray with Therese asking for her intercession and her teaching “ The Father doesn’t need our great deeds, but only our love”.
St Therese of the Child Jesus –
Pray for us
