Throughout the year the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart will be taking part in a number of Catholic youth festivals throughout England and Ireland. They are wonderful opportunities for people to explore their faith in a way that celebrates God’s love and provides great music, workshops and worship to boot.
This year we will be at
Flame Congress
Wembley Arena 24 March 2012
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September 2010 saw the historic visit of Pope Benedict XVI with powerful, memorable scenes in the Piazza at Westminster Cathedral, at the Big Assembly, Twickenham, and in Hyde Park. There were thousands of young people joyfully celebrating faith and being affirmed in their voice and role in a vibrant Church.
2012 is the year when the Olympics Games come to Britain. Pope John Paul II – himself a keen sportsman – wrote magnificently about the relationship between sport and faith. In his name, the Pope John Paul II Foundation for Sport will seek to continue to develop sport within the Church in the months and years following 2012.
These inspirations set the scene for an event where thousands of young Catholics are invited to participate in an event which will offer them the very best of Catholic Youth Ministry in England and Wales: speakers – local and international – who will set their hearts on fire with messages of hope, faith, challenge, justice, and leadership in adversity; music which will be used back in schools and parishes to bring fresh animation and participation in liturgy; a dynamic atmosphere of joy and participation which happens when young people come together in such numbers and are well led, and completely engaged.
All in all, Flame Congress will be an event to ignite young hearts and souls afresh with the joy of the Gospel message.
Fr. Dave is going to be at Flame promoting the Missionary of the Sacred Heart way of life. Make sure to say hello when you’re there. We’ll also have young people from our local parish in attendance.
Eucharistic Congress
Dublin June 10th – 17th
Since Pope Benedict XVI announced that the 50th International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Dublin in June 2012, people have been asking “what exactly is a Eucharistic Congress and what is its purpose?”
A Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering of people which aims to:
• promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church
• help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy
• draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.
The Congress normally takes place every four years. The daily celebration of the Eucharist is at the very heart of the Congress. The wider programme of the Congress includes other liturgical events, cultural events, catechesis and testimonies, and workshops during the week of the Congress. The most recent Congress was held in Quebec in 2008 and was a source of encouragement and renewal for the many thousands who took part.
Most people in Ireland are familiar with the fact that a Eucharistic Congress was held in Ireland in 1932. Our parents and grand-parents speak of it as a significant event in their own experience of Church. Since we started preparing for the Congress, people from all over Ireland and even further afield have sent us a wide range of memorabilia relating to the 1932 Congress, some of which will be on display at a special exhibition in 2012.
Fr. Alan will have a stand in the RDS, so do drop by to say hello. We’ll also have one or two MSCs leading workshops during the course of week.
Brightlights Youth Festival
Aylesford, Kent 29th June – 2nd July
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Brightlights is an annual Catholic young adults’ festival welcoming hundreds of people every year from all traditions and backgrounds. This summer festival, full of music, inspirational workshops and seminars, international speakers, sacred spaces and moving liturgies, welcomes you with its special chilled out atmosphere.
This year the theme of Brightlights expands on the number 12. It will explore discipleship, belonging and community. Fr Dave will be there promoting the Missionary of the Sacred Heart (MSC) way of life.