Hello everyone!
I hope you are well and are enjoying this glorious sunshine. It’s been nice to see so many of you around this past week. A special thanks must go to everyone who came and contributed to our Chaplaincy Brunch on Saturday, making it a sumptuous feast… I have never seen such a mountain of pastries be demolished so rapidly! We’re hoping to make it a more regular occasion, so watch this space…
We’re now at the heart of Hilary term, and are thinking slightly ahead to Lent, which begins on Wednesday of next week. We will have Ash Wednesday Masses at 8am, 12:15pm, and 6pm so that together we can begin to live Lent well. As a Chaplaincy community, we are hoping to reflect on ways in which we can each grow in our individual relationships with the Lord, and then how we turn outwards and offer love and service to our neighbours. From next week until the end of term, there will be more opportunities for you to meet with Fr Matthew, Fr Nick, or Fr Ian to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to reflect more generally on your own life and journey of faith in the context of Confession. Keep an eye out next week for more information, and for details of how to sign up for a meeting. For now, here are some words from Cardinal Martini you might find helpful in your reflection.
It is so encouraging to hear about the number of you volunteering in various projects across Oxford. This is such an important element of our faith, and we’d love to hear more about the work you do. On Sunday 25th February, we will be hosting an afternoon gathering for all those involved in volunteering groups, or anyone who wants to find out more about how they can get involved. It will be an opportunity for us to hear about the range of projects happening in our small town, from homeless outreach to work with children and vulnerable adults, and also a chance for us to pray together and reflect on the place of God in the work we do. Save the date, and more details will follow!
That’s all for the moment, please find our full schedule of events below… we can’t wait to see you soon!
PrayerDaily – 7:30am Adoration, 12:15 Mass
Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 8am Morning Prayer
Tuesday, Thursday – 8am Mass followed by FREE breakfast.
College MassesMonday: Jesus, 6pm; Thursday: St Edmund Hall, 12:15pm; Friday: The Queen’s, 6pm
FormationMonday7pm – What is marriage? What’s the reason behind the Church’s teaching on sexuality? Come along for guided discussion on ‘Life, Love and the Theology of the Body’ in the Strange Room. While discussion will be from a Catholic perspective, people of all faiths and none are welcome! Contact Simone Delzin –simone.delzin@sant.ox.ac.uk – for more information.
Tuesday1pm-2pm – Witnesses to Hope: a practical guide to Catholic Apologetics. Unsure about how to respond to the ‘tough questions’ about our faith? Join Becky for a short presentation and discussion on different elements of Catholic Social Teaching, this week we will be looking at questions surrounding the Church’s teaching on gender. Simple lunch and snacks provided!
Wednesday6pm – Scripture Series with Fr Nick, Who did Matthew Think Jesus Was? Talk open to all in the Blue Room.
8pm – God in the Quad, discussion group for postgraduates with FREE pizza and cakes. This week, Carol Mak will be presenting on her doctoral work.
ThursdayNewman Catholic Society evening
Join us for a delicious, homecooked meal from 7pm, followed by a talk on Bioethics and Human Life by Oxford alumnus Michael Wee. As always, this will be followed by a social time and prayer time in the Chapel. All welcome, so please invite your friends!
SocialFriday4pm – Cake and Crafts in the Strange Room – open to all students!
Saturday6pm – Lourdes Mass and reunion meal
Want to learn more about the Oxford-Cambridge summer pilgrimage to Lourdes? Join us for Mass and dinner to meet other pilgrims and to hear about the trip. RSVP to becky.short@campion.ox.ac.uk
9pm – PostGrad social in the Blue Room. Wine and nibbles provided, just ring the doorbell at ‘The Old Palace’ and we’ll let you in. Please contact Anna – anna.branford@some.ox.ac.uk – or join the Facebook group for more information.
Sunday12:30pm – Winter Walk through the Oxford countryside. Discover this beautiful place and make new friends on a relaxing afternoon adventure!
Upcoming EventsFriday 16th and Saturday 17th February – Newman Room
The Oxford Troubadours present… GK Chesterton’s The Surprise! A performance of a little-known play by G. K. Chesterton. Written for production in 1932 and published posthumously in 1952, it has been performed rarely since then.
A master puppet-maker longs for his clockwork creations to be made free. When his wish is granted, he gets far more than he bargained for! Book your tickets here for only £5!
Friday 16th February
We will be hosting a showing of Sophie Scholl: the final days (2005), with introduction from Paul Shrimpton (Grandpont House). This touching film documents the work of the White Rose resistance movement in Nazi Germany. It is one not to be missed!
Friday 23rd February
Nightfever returns! Join us at Blackfriar’s for a time of adoration and evangelisation, inviting members of the public into church to light a candle. If you want to get involved, please contact
georgia.clarke@regents.ox.ac.uk
6th – 8th April
Oxford Chaplaincy will be taking a group to the Paris to Chartres Student Pilgrimage:Hosted by the Chaplaincy of the Sorbonne-Assas International Law School, we will spend a day or two in Paris before joining the walking pilgrimage to the beautiful Cathedral of Chartres, with hundreds of other students and young professionals.
More details to follow soon, including estimated costs, but please contact Louis Neviaski, lomanev@yahoo.fr asap to register your interest!
23rd March to 1st AprilStudent Cross: Oxford to WalsinghamJoin students from across the country for a walking pilgrimage in Holy Week, carrying a cross, accompanied by Fr Simon Bishop SJ, former Oxford Chaplain. For more info, contact one of the Chaplains.
Hope you have a great week, we are praying for you.
The Chaplains
Fr Matthew, Becky, Fr Nick, Fr Ian.
