Sunday 31 December 2006

New Year's Resolution at Balham


The Youth 2000 New Year retreat - which goes under the name 'Resolution' - is well under way at Balham's Holy Ghost Parish. The food's good, the venue is great, and the flowing of grace is magnificent as usual. There are plenty of priests here for confession - so why not get down here? The Eucharistic Healing Service begins at 8pm tonight, followed by Holy Mass at 11pm (bit late for me I'm afraid, but still - not a bad place to be at midnight). Mass for New Year's Day is at 12noon.

6 comments:

DrMatthewDoyle said...

Happy New Year Father(s)! The vestments are much nicer this year - lacy albs and is that two deacons??

Fr Richard Aladics said...

None at all. They are all priests.

John Paul said...

Really wish I could have come and probably should have... Will be there next year. Well done for those priests committed to going and giving thier new year for the youth. Can I ask a question though? For those who don't meet the age limit, over 35 I mean - what happens to them? Does youth 2000 have an adult programne?

Fr Richard Aladics said...

Youth doesn't have a particular adult programme. The young people's programme however, is realised in such a way as to pave the way for the adult stuff, namely, taking part in an active way in the New Evangelisation. What flows out of Youth 2000? Here, everyone needs to speak for themselves. But for my part I would say that Youth 2000 has equipped me as an evangeliser.
We adults however, do need support and spiritual formation. Where are the evangelisation centres for over 35s? There are such places as Maryvale, but we need to start by making our own lives a centre of faith, and then to attract others to join us and to build up small communities of faith where we live. Get hold of a copy of JPII's "ChristifidelesLaici". This will inspire you more than I can. God is relying on us.

Fr Julian Green said...

You may be fortunate enough to be in one of the few lively parishes left in terms of evangelisation. However, if you are not, then look out for one of the new movements that has a group in your area, one which will respond to your interests and temperament. The New Movements are - for example - Opus Dei (though they are more than a movement, they are a prelature), Communione e Liberatione, Cursillo, Focolare, Faith, Neocatechumenal Way. There are more, but try reading about them - maybe one will attract you. Don't worry that often they seem to be vilified in some quarters - it's because they are doing their job.

Rachel_M said...

even if you are over 35, u can still go to youth 2000, they just ask that u volenterr to healp in some way, e.g security or if you are bringing someone that is under the age of 16 and you are there gaurdian!