(Famous) Thought for the week from Cardinal Newman

Yesterday was Good Shepherd Sunday, and the annual "Vocations Sunday". This is an oft-quoted thought about vocation from Cardinal Newman

God has created me to do him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission; I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I have a part in a great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do His work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep His commandments and serve Him in my calling.

An annual event at Newman House

Russell could no longer stand Chris looking like this

So he took matters into his own hands.

Like a lamb to the slaughter!

While the crowds bayed for a more thorough job!

Confirmation Mass with Bishop John Arnold

(Russell has posted Vito's photos of the Confirmation Mass on Flicker. To see all of them go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/newmanhouse/)

Confirmation 2007 Part 2

Prayer for the Gifts of the Spirit

"Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit"

Be strong and faithful!

Confirmation 2007 Part 1

Bishop John enjoying the Rite of Sprinkling

The Homily: Do something significant for Christ

The confirmands renewing their baptismal promises

The Laying on of hands

The Easter Vigil Part 4

John incensing Fr Brian, Fr Peter and Fr Casimir

Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us: therefore let us celebrate the Feast!

Tom: received into full communion

The candle by the Tabernacle is lit: Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

The Easter Vigil Part 3

Ingrid is clothed in the white garment: You have put on Christ!

Four other young people were also received into full communion with the Catholic Church:

Edward is received

Kristian is confirmed

Alice: Peace be with you!

....

Picture of Tom in the next post

The Easter Vigil Part 2

Delali Sefe reading one of the Old Testament prophecies

At the blessing of the Font, which was masterfully constructed for us by Russell

Ingrid is baptised (and yes, the water was warm!)

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

There was a loud burst of spontaneous applause as she emerged reborn from the waters of baptism.

The congregation being sprinkled after renewing their baptismal promises

The Easter Vigil at Newman House Part 1

The congregation waiting for the blessing of the fire

The Easter fire is blessed

Marking the Paschal Candle

Chris sings the Exsultet

Faith & Politics: Catholic Parliamentary Interns

Since 2004, Newman House has been a partner in the Catholic Parliamentary Internship scheme. Three interns spend a year working with a Christian MP, undertake a course of studies at Heythrop College. They make visits to the constituencies, to various government and EU departments and agencies, and usually pay a visit to the Vatican. Another part of their package is that they live as part of the student community at Newman House. There are two further interns who are based in Brussels.

The London interns for 2007-8 will be John Shinkwin, William Blair and Dominic Berner. We asked them to share their thoughts on being awarded their places on the scheme.

Dom Berner: “It is a very exciting prospect spending 10 months in such an eclectic and communal environment! At the same time, I am anticipating a significant challenge in helping my MP, which I’m sure, will be stimulating. I hope to learn a great deal from those I will be living with and those I will be working with in Westminster. I am so grateful to be given this opportunity, which, I’m sure will be a healthy mix of politics, spirituality and friendship!”

Will Blair: “I've always had a great interest in politics, and when I heard about the CPI scheme it sounded absolutely perfect for me - not just because of the close involvement in British Parliamentary politics (which sounds amazing!) but also the spiritual context of the programme which, I hope, will provide me with a greater means of understanding and discovering what I want to do with my life in the future - not an easy question! After 3 years at Oxford I feel I've still got a fair way to go in answering it, and I'm absolutely thrilled to have something as exciting as this scheme lined up for me in September.”

John Shinkwin: “Working in Parliament, studying ethics at Heythrop and living at Newman House seem to form a rather splendid combination. I am very excited about working for an MP, and look forward to the energetic life of the Westminster jungle, mixed with study of the theoretical basis of social action. I'm also looking forward to living and working alongside Will and Dom, and am glad that we three interns will be rooted in such an obviously vibrant community of fellow Catholics.”

The scheme is run by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales for Catholic graduates, and you can find out more information about it here:
http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/internships/