Monday 27 June 2011

Invocation 2011


Once again, so busy, didn't get chance to update - sorry!

Will do an overall update in the next few days but in the meantime here is a report from three of our members on "Invocation 2011"



Invocation is a national vocations festival, for young adults held at St Mary’s college, Oscott in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. This took place between the 17th – 19th June. This is a programme aimed to help young people between the age of 16-35 to discern their vocation and deepen their relationship with Christ. This was a fantastic opportunity to understand and consider our vocation; God’s will in our lives, and maybe even consider the Priesthood or Religious life.

This weekend away provided us the chance to take part in the Mass, Adoration, Confession and workshops designed to help us learn more about our Faith. The Mass on the Sunday was Celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio and an Apostolic Blessing from The Holy Father “Pope Benedict XVi” on the event was read out.
There were lots of different people from around the country, and we had the pleasure to meet and interact with them and make new friends and meet up with some friends from London who we had previously met at the “Faith” conference. It is hard to believe there are so many Religious orders, and nice to see so many young religious sisters.
The accommodation was simple, I think it is fair to say a bit rough. There was a field to pitch our tents or as some of us did sleep in the large marquee with lots of other people – all we needed was sleeping bag, mat and i-pod. (and a toothbrush). For some people sleeping under the stars wasn’t what they had in mind so they took off for local B&B’s and came back for the day. The main marquee where meals were held and talks held was nicely laid out, with carpets, chairs tables etc, it looked like it was laid out for a wedding. (Jerson Thomas said of the event) – “I wasn’t really sure about going because of exams, and the weather forecast was not good, it is fair to say that it was worth going as for many, priesthood opened up as a possible vocation.”
There were several workshops that you could choose from over the weekend. These included: a workshop about prayer life by Sr Gabriel Davison. One on Catechesis (looking at the new Y.Cat) with Dr Caroline Farey, Interior life and society by Dr Andrew O’Connell. The Carmelites, Dominicans, and Franciscans all held workshops on their own individual spirituality. To name but a few!
One of the highlights for all of us was the Blessed Sacrament procession around the college grounds by candlelight.
There are lots of photos, video’s and reports on the “Invocation” Blog site plus more information on their website. Blogsite - http://invocation2011.wordpress.com/.
We all really got a lot out of the weekend and would definitely go again (“but maybe take my own tent next time” – Jerson)
We thank everybody who gave us the opportunity to go and if anyone is thinking of going next year – tell them – “GO!”
By Jerson Thomas, Jackson Thomas and Jessica Robertson