Sunday, August 05, 2012

Founded by Blessed John Henry Newman...

...The Oratory School is in a most glorious setting at Woodcote, near Reading. For the past couple of summers it has welcomed the EVANGELIUM Conference of young Catholics adults...and this 2012 event was perhaps the biggest yet, with some 140 young people and a packed programme. There is a strong link with the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, several Ordinariate priests attending. Splendid music - Gregorian Chant, good hymns -  at Mass in the school chapel. Talks and workshops on a variety of subjects, all linked to the challenge of evangelisation.  Fr Andrew Pinsent on science and faith with a detailed look at the great scientists of the centuries, so many of whom were Catholics - including the man who discovered the Big Bang theory, and the founder of modern genetics...Hannah Vaughan Spruce on  how to pass on the Faith as a catechist, Sister Hyacinthe of the Dominican Sisters of St Joserph on Prayer,  Fr Marcus Holden on St Augustine and Pugin and England...and lots more...

There was a panel discussion on Apologetics, with people submitting any question they wanted: panel led by  Fr Marcus Holden, Fr Andrew Pinsent, and a team of lay people (incl. Auntie).  There was Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and Morning and Evening Prayer. There was a social evening in the beautiful setting of the old manor house which is at the heart of the school buildings, with wine and music and talk until a late late hour...

On the Sunday morning, Auntie spoke on "The Bride of Christ" looking at why God made us male and female, exploring the theme of Christ the Bridegroom and the Church the Bride...looking at Bl. John Paul's Letter to Women, the CDF document on the collaboration of men and women, etc etc....

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