Faith Winter Session

I've just got back to Hull from the excellent Faith Winter Session at Stonyhurst. The Parr brothers from Bridlington kept me company but unfortunately had to deal with my deteriorating sense of geography (and stupid use of sat nav) while driving. We ended up going the scenic route through Keighley and Bradford before finally finding the M62.

The conference was, as ever, an extremely encouraging occasion, bringing together some of the finest Catholic young people in the UK. In one of the homily's, Fr John-Paul Leonard, from Middlesbrough, said that as well as the current economic crisis, the UK is suffering from a spiritual bankruptcy. He said it was time for us to step up to the mark and be witnesses to Christ.

The talks were on St Paul’s vision of creation and salvation. This morning, Fr Mike Dolman spoke on The Church: Christ’s living presence in the world today. He reinforced the fundamental importance of Sunday Mass and a regular confession. The two things that separate us here in 2008 (nearly 9) from Christ 2000 years ago are time and space. These two veils are taken away at the Mass, where Christ becomes truly present for his people. Therefore, Sunday Mass is non-negotiable for Catholics, and we should go to Mass during the week as regularly as possible.

Then at today's glorious, solemnly celebrated Mass with incense and carols, Fr Stephen Boyle said we should rejoice in 2009 as it's 2009'th year of the Lord. He preached a message of hope in the midst of what 2009 will bring - more conflict in the Middle East, more people losing their jobs in the credit crunch and the inauguration of one of the most pro-abortion presidents ever.

Unfortunately, this is a rushed post on the conference and I can't find the wire for my camera here. I'll put up some photos when I get back to Kettering after the New Year celebrations.