Academic Mass 2010

Fr Christopher Jamison OSB, Director of the National Office for Vocation, preached at the Academic Mass, for all students and staff at the London Universities. The Senior Chaplain for London Universities, Fr Peter Wilson, celebrated the Academic Mass which took place on the Feast of Christ the King at Westminster Cathedral on Sunday 21 November.

Exquisite music was performed by the choir of King’s College London, directed by David Trendell, included members of Newman House. The readings and intercessions were read by staff and students from the different London Universities and Catholic student residences in the city.

Prayers said by students in Italian, French, Spanish, Cantonese, Polish and Irish represented the diversity of the Catholic student community in London.

Powerful music, a strong attendance and a calling homily by Fr Christopher Jamison ensured a beautiful celebration.

Vigil for all Nascent Human Life

On Saturday 27 November, at St Peter's Basilica, Pope Benedict will celebrate a Vigil for all Nascent Human Life, coinciding with the First Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent. The Holy Father has invited all diocesan bishops to preside at similar celebrations.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols will be presiding at the Vigil on that evening at Westminster Cathedral.

A website which might be of interest ....

Michael Kelly is a retired teacher in Australia and has put together a collection of essays on the internet, on "Philosophico-religious" topics.

The website is called "Glimpses of God" and can he found here.

Designed by faith

Copyright Sir Arthur 2010

One of London’s oldest independent institutes of higher education is now home to perhaps the city’s youngest catholic community. The Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA) is the setting of a new initiative to give the option of faith to its student body. Christian Catholic Architecture Students (CCAS) was launched last Thursday at the school, long known for it's strongly liberal ethos. The group is seeking to act as a spiritual platform for the school’s predominantly international student body. Up to this point AA students have been left bereft of this fundamental human support. Outlining the significance of this absence a member stated that to truly study architecture requires more than living with a purely worldly outlook.

Whilst Roman Catholic the group encourages multi-denomination participation. Holding its inaugural meeting at the school on 36 Bedford Square, further meetings are now planned there monthly. The group will use Newman House as a focal point and will join weekly Newman House activities.

The group’s next event is the Architects’ Mass 2010 held at Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory's church, Warwick Street on Friday the 12^th of November. CCAS are meeting at 5.30pm at the AA's front doors; the mass commences at 6pm. Celebrating will be Fr Peter Newby, a son of Frank Newby, the celebrated structural engineer known for work such as the aviary in at London Zoo.

So if you’re tired of towing the line, and looking for something greater, come and get involved. CCAS welcomes all to join them, designers of buildings and even those who just dwell in them.

For further details contact CCAS directly at ccarchs@gmail.com

Academic Mass 2010

Westminster Cathedral Sunday 21 November 12pm

Fr Christopher Jamison OSB, Director of the National Office for Vocation, will preach at this celebration, for all students and staff at the London Universities. Pass the invitation on!

Facebook event

Newman House All Saints' Day party

Newman House celebrated All Saints' Day with a fancy dress party

The winners of the best dressed saint costume contest, St Michael and St Joan of Arc

Members of the house enjoying the doughnut eating extravaganza

Faith Matters - lecture series on Blessed John Henry Newman

The Blessed John Cardinal Newman (1801-1890) is a figure of immense significance for both the Church and for society. In an age of rapid change his high profile conversion from the Church of England to Roman Catholicism challenged a culture in which scepticism about the value of religious authority was taking hold. On his recent visit to Britain Pope Benedict XVI explained how through the heroic witness of his life and through his powerful thought Newman speaks to us also today. This series of Faith Matters sets out to explain and explore how this man, held up for us as a model by Pope Benedict, really is a man of our times.

Each lecture will be introduced by a facilitator, who will also lead a question and answer session with the audience. There will also be an opportunity to take part in an online discussion forum on the diocesan website. Faith Matters is an initiative of the Agency for Evangelisation in conjunction with the Mount St Jesuit Centre.

First lecture - Tuesday 2 November

Cardinal Newman: a Man for our Times is the title of the first ‘Faith Matters’ lecture, to be given on 2 November by Dr Judith Champ, Director of Studies and Lecturer in Church History at Oscott College, near Birmingham. This introductory lecture is to set Newman in his historical context, and reflect on his enduring significance in our own time. Dr Champ will explore what it meant for Newman to make the choices and decisions he did and what effect that process had on him and on English Catholicism. The lecture will explain some of the ways in which the dramatic developments of Newman's time helped to shape the identity and the place of Catholicism in English society.

All lectures will start at 7pm in Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, SW1P 1QJ. Faith Matters lectures are open to all, however, registration is required to guarantee the place. You may book your place on line at www.rcdow.org.uk/faithmatters or by e-mail faithmatters@rcdow.org.uk. For more information please contact Ausra Karaliute on 020 7931 6078 or e-mail faithmatters@rcdow.org.uk

Newman House Sports Day

On Sunday 31st November, the Newman House Autumn Sports Day took place in Regent's Park.

Cricket, rounders, football and egg and spoon races were enjoyed by all!

The sportsmen and women returned to Newman House to find lots of delicious homemade cakes ready for them to sample!