Newsletter for the week beginning Sunday 22nd January 2011
Sunday Mass
Mass this Sunday will be presided over by Father Pat Madden from Whitley. As always, there will be coffee and tea afterwards.
International Mass and Meal: 12th February
Our ‘special’ celebration this term will be an International Mass on 12th February, where we want to celebrate the rich diversity of the places and cultures we come from. We're hoping for music (and maybe dance?), from many different places and for readings and prayers in different languages. There will be a short meeting (15 min) after Mass next Sunday (29 Jan) for all those who are willing to help make this Mass really special.
There will also be an International Meal, and it would be lovely if as many of you as possible could make a typical dish from home (sweet or savoury).
Readers and Eucharistic Ministers
We urgently need volunteers for both ministries! Please consider whether you would be willing to become either a reader or a Eucharistic minister, even if you are only in Reading for a year. There are no long-term rotas and training will be provided. (Readers need to be baptised Christians; Eucharistic Ministers need to have been confirmed in the Catholic Church.)
Please contact me if you are interested in either ministry.
Term Card
Our new term cards are now available - after Mass on Sunday or to download from the Chaplaincy website.
Taizé Prayer - Wednesday 25 January, 8.15 - 9 pm
Gentle prayer time with chants, readings, silence… on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the Catholic Chaplaincy. Come from 7.45 if you would like to practice some of the chants.
Hot chocolate and biscuits afterwards!
Relaxation - Tuesday 31 January, 5.15 - 5.45 pm
We're now taking bookings for our workshop on Breathing Exercises for Relaxation. This is open to all students. (There will be a separate workshop for staff in March.)
Email relax@reading.ac.uk to book a place (it's still the Chaplaincy, just a different email account).
Opportunities for 2012 Graduates
In the last few days I've received information about two very interesting gap year opportunities: The first one is from CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Developemet) about their ‘Step Into The Gap’ programme, which entails working both with young people in the UK and with partner organisations in the developing world.
The second opportunity are the Catholic Parliamentary & Public Policy Internships 2012-2013, with either a Christian MP, or CAFOD or Caritas, or in the Archbishop of Westminster's media office.
Both these programmes aim to develop leadership skills among young Catholics with an interest in public life or social action, and they'd look very good on a CV, too. Applications should be as soon as possible.
For more info on CAFOD contact me or follow the link for the Parliamentary Internships.
Advance Notice: Weekend Retreat for Students
at Worth Abbey (W. Sussex) from 24th-26th February. Cost: £ 45
God bless,
Sabine