Bishop Alan Hopes and the SPEC mission team led diocesan catechesis for young people in the Year of Faith on Tuesday 15 January. The catechetical series called ‘You Believe’ is an opportunity for young adults in the Diocese of Westminster to explore the Catholic faith together with our bishops.
The session was celebrated on Tuesday 15 January at 7pm at St Aloysius, Somers Town (Euston) in central London and was held in the meeting hall of the new Centre for Youth Ministry.
Bishop Alan spoke about Faith in Jesus Christ and elaborated on the words from the Creed looking and the humanity and divinity of Christ. Bishop Alan also said that “Our faith, what we believe, is not just a theory or a system of propositions. Our faith is who we believe in. we can know and understand intellectually all the Church’s doctrinal statements about Jesus Christ. And, of course, that is important. But, as Pope Benedict XVI said, we need to encounter the One in whom we believe. We need to encounter the person of Jesus Christ who lives within our Church.”
“We do that by being still in his presence each day, listening for his voice in our lives. We do that by reflecting on the Gospels and being guided by him in our lives; by seeking his forgiveness when things go wrong in our lives; by meeting him in the Eucharist, receiving his Life into our lives; by serving him in others and especially in the poor and needy people of our world. Our encounter with Christ must have an effect on our daily actions and behaviour, the decisions we make and the way in which we live, speak and think.”
“Then we will feel compelled to be part of the new evangelisation to the who world- to become missionaries for Jesus Christ to the whole world, representatives of whom we will find in our homes, our streets, our colleges and our work place.”
More about 'You Believe'
The year-long programme is at the heart of the celebration of the Year of Faith for young people in the Diocese of Westminster. At the diocesan level, it seeks to address the on-going and essential desire for catechesis, faith encounters and positive experiences of the Church for our young people beyond the age of the confirmation, as well as to meet the invitation by the Pope to place evangelisation and catechesis at the centre of the Year of Faith.
Further dates for 'You Believe' are:
Tuesday 5 February Life in the Church – with His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor.
Tuesday 12 March Celebrating Faith
Tuesday 30 April Finding Happiness
Tuesday 14 May Living Life to the Full
Tuesday 25 June Communion of Saints
Tuesday 17 September The Gift of Prayer
Tuesday 22 October The Journey of Renewal
Bishop Alan Hopes started 'Young Adults in the West' a regular meeting with young adults several years ago, and has always had a close bond with the young people of the diocese. He has attended the last two World Youth Days in Sydney and Madrid with young people from London. Last year, he took part in the 40 Days for Life vigil with many young adults from the diocese and beyond.
St Aloysius at Euston is conveniently located in central London, with easy walking access to Euston, St Pancras International, and Kings Cross stations for Hertfordshire parishes, as well as the Piccadilly, Victoria, Northern, Circle and Hammersmith & City underground lines for London connections. If you want to send young people aged 16-17, please remember to make sure they also have the consent of their parent or guardian.
Please contact Westminster Youth Ministry for more details by emailing davidreilly@rcdow.org.uk
