Images From Fresher's Mass

A Full House For Fresher's Mass.

On Sunday morning a packed chapel eagerly awaited the arrival Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor for Fresher's Mass. Only early arrivals found a seat and as Mass began a queue had formed spilling out into the corridor. The Cardinal invited those standing outside to come in and sit on the floor, and a long stream of students came through the chapel door and found some floor space. The Cardinal spoke about the importance of our student lives and focussed on how we should take time to be with God throughout the academic year to grow deeper in ourselves. In response to the question he had heard posed by the BBC series 'Who Do You Think You Are?', he reminded us that we must remember we are people known and loved by God. He then commissioned our chaplains for their work over the coming year. After Mass he congratulated the choir and all students for their singing and enthusiasm in worship. He then joined with Newman House residents and visitors to talk with them over a coffee. There was also pizza being handed around to everyone, although, I didn't see the Cardinal with a slice!

Thought for the week from Cardinal Newman

Break a ray of light into its constituent colours, each is beautiful, each may be enjoyed; attempt to unite them, and perhaps you produce only a dirty white. The pure and indivisible Light is seen only by the blessed inhabitants of heaven; here we have but such faint reflections of it as its diffraction supplies; but they are sufficient for faith and devotion.

United Nations...International Night.

From top: Karen serves up, Father Peter pours out and Erica and Laure look likely to tuck in!

The flags of the world, the people of the world and perhaps most importantly the food of the world! If you'd walked along Gower Street on Friday evening you'd be forgiven for mistaking the basement of Newman House as a conference centre for the latest talks on resolution 441 to help combat climate change.

As it happened, it was in fact the Newman House residents enjoying food and friendship for 'International Night'. Nearly the whole house turned up to enjoy the event. There was food for all, as each resident cooked their own cultural and national dishes for eachother to enjoy. As well as displaying culinary delights, the evening also gave the opportunity for everyone to wear their national dress, and many residents were only to willing to display their traditional costumes. From kilts to stillettos and tweed to pearls. There was a truly international flavour to the whole night. And best of all was the opportunity everyone had to meet new people and make new friends. Another successful night provided by everyone and for everyone!

Cath Soc Meet Again.

After a brilliant first week 'meet and greet' for CathSoc, many students returned for a 'pub quiz' on Monday night, hosted by Ellie Kirby (president). The theme was of a religious nature and everyone appeared to enjoy the evening. Particularly 'Team St Marcel' who emerged victorious! Sister Mary also spoke to us all after the quiz and then we finished the event with Evening Prayer in the chapel. There's lots going on at CathSoc throughout the term and you're all welcome, so do come along and make friends.

Our House Performers.

The talented trio, from left to right; Monika (piano), Erika (vocals) and Keith (violin).

A big 'Congratulations' to Erika, Keith and Monika, who took to the stage on Wednesday evening to display their musical talents. All three performed to a large crowd in the heart of Covent Garden at the Club for Acts and Actors. Many Newman House residents went along to support them and certainly did not leave disappointed! We arrived for drinks at the bar and then went downstairs to take our seats for the performance. To kick off, Erika sang Ave Maria and Handel's O had I Jubal's Lyre. These were followed by Keith on violin, with Serenade, Cantabile and Estrellita. Finally Monika treated us all to some Chopin and Brahms, and even the classic English Country Garden. Erika and Monika closed the concert with Lloyd Webber's Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera. They performed so professionally and confidently, each giving so much expression to the pieces they played and sang. The end of the concert was met with huge applause and cheers, a sign of how well they all did. A great evening!

The 'New'-Newman House blogger.

Dear all visitors,

I am Christopher Stringer and will be responsible for updating this website with the latest news and events taking place in Newman House. If you would like to contribute something or have any suggestions please let me know (Room 215).
I hope you find this blog a useful source to help you know what's been going on. It would be nice to see the blog working as an opportunity for all those interested to make a contribution. So, please add your posts.

Thanks,
Chris.

Spring 1974

A little more nostalgia before we move into the new Year.

This picture shows residents of the Chaplaincy in January 1974. Do you recognise any of these faces? If you do, add a comment, or send us an email to alumni@universitycatholic.net

‘When in Rome…’ Eyes and Ears in the Eternal City

The first in an occasional series from one of our Alumni who is in formation at the English College in Rome.

It has now been nearly a year since starting seminary formation at the Venerable English College, Rome, and now is perhaps a good time to pause a bit and reflect on it all. It is said that John Paul II encouraged seminarians to ‘learn Rome’, during their time here. Indeed, to take him at his word, the past year has opened my eyes and ears to a city which cradles a profound and remarkable amalgamation of faith and culture, something not apparent during previous, more or less fleeting visits, and which has some rather interesting consequences.

What is there to learn, then? Lived prayer, primarily: prayer not simply as an action, but also as an attitude towards daily life. The growth of these two branches of prayer has led to some interesting implications, namely, due to the nuanced blend of faith and culture in Rome, one can be walking down the street, see a wonderful sculpture or piece of architecture, or hear some startling music, and somehow, it becomes substance for prayer. I don’t mean this in a literal sense; I don’t find myself praying for Michelangelo or the Trevi Fountain for instance! I mean that seeing or hearing something beautiful on a human level may act as a sort of skylight onto the Triune God, if, indeed, one has the eyes to see it and ears to hear it. At prayer, the memory of these little aesthetic signs enables prayer to be somehow more incarnational as all those material things of daily life, both the beautiful and the ugly, are not simply put to one side in order to make way for something more pure and spiritual, but are caught up in the dramatic process of offering up everything to the mystery of God, which at heart, I suppose, is what priestly vocation is all about. For me, this has been an experience specific to Roman life, although, of course, this need not be the case at all; inspiration being more or less readily available wherever one cares to look. However, I wonder if this captures something of what John Paul II meant when he encouraged seminarians to ‘learn Rome’.

David Wingfield was a member of the community at Newman House during the Academic Year 2004-5.

Summertime...and some memories

The summer months are an odd time at Newman House. Many of our friends who have been here for the Academic Year have moved on, and we are preparing for the new batch in September. It's probably wise to point out that posting to the blog has dropped off a little, and between now and September there will still be occasional postings, but they will be less regular for the moment.

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If you're an alumnus and would like to contribute some memories, please get in touch with us at alumni@universitycatholic.net

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However, here's a piece by Sue Lyons, who lived here during the year 1967-8. Our thanks to her for putting these memories together.

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Any memories I have of the Chaplaincy must start in the library, a dozen people studying quietly in the pools of light coast by the table lamps, Pete in one of the comfy chairs in the middle, just “resting his eyes”, book on the floor beside him, until the murmur goes round, “drinks in the bar?”, “coffee’s brewing in room ….” And the library is deserted.

My overwhelming feeling when I think of my time at 111 is the sense of community and support. As a non-catholic I was slightly taken aback in the first week, when Max appeared at my room to recruit me as a member of Cathsoc. I think he was more embarrassed than I was at trying to recruit the ‘heathens’ and beat a hasty retreat. I nevertheless participated in most parts of life at 111, drinks in the bar, the Sunday night dances, folk singing, talks, and even including the occasional attendance at Mass. I will always the have warmest admiration and affection for the wonderful team of priests and nuns who were always available to support and encourage those in need, especially the bottle of whisky that came out of the Bruce’s office drawer. That of course was only for a real crisis!

I do recall other occasions when staff rose magnificently to the occasion, Bruce Kent appearing clad in pyjamas to rescue a group of revellers, stuck in the lift, desperate after a couple of hours spent consuming beer in the bar. My time at the Chaplaincy also seems to include some distinctly watery episodes: an unexpected shower, whilst trying to revise quietly on the roof on the annexe – may you be forgiven, you perpetrators of the dastardly deed; an even wetter occasion, an unexpected bath inflicted upon me by my “friends” – well, what if I had woken one of them brutally at around 6 am with a glass of water splashed gently over his face, in response to a dare; Sister Reggie, queen of the kitchen sweetly requesting that the culprits mop up the bathroom and hall floor.

I end where I started, creeping in late at night past the library, peeping in at the night owls completing last-minute assignments in the pools of light from the table lamps on my way to bed……