Dear Friends, we're already halfway through the fifth week in Ordinary Time and Lent is fast approaching. This edition will give an idea of the resources and events available to you over the coming weeks. 

From Monday 5 March to Friday 9 March, I am hoping to visit some small groups from across the diocese to talk about the resources and see them in action (mornings, afternoons and evenings all fine)! If you would like a visit please give me a ring on 020 7931 6043 or email marknash@rcdow.org.uk - Thank you, Mark

If this proves popular, and multiple groups at the same time wish to extend an invitation, I will seek to get another member of the writing group to visit in my stead.

The majority of the printed copies of Sparks of Light have been distributed to parishes (largeprint, audio and children's editions will follow shortly). On the theme of holiness, Sparks of Light features biographies and reflections on four models for virtuous living: St Gianna Molla, St David Roldan-Lara, St Josephine Bakhita and Bl Pier Giorgio Frasati. 

Season preparation dates for our Lent season are listed here:

Tue 7 February 2012 (7.30-9pm) – St Aloysius, Somers Town, NW1 1TA

Wed 8 February 2012 (7.30-9pm) – Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George, Enfield, EN2 6DS

Mon 13 February 2012 (7.30-9pm) – St Mary and St Michael, Commercial Road, E1 0AA

Thu 16 February 2012 (7.30-9pm) – St Edmund of Canterbury, Whitton, TW2 7BB

Tue 21 February 2012 (7.30-9pm) – Vaughan House, Victoria, SW1P 1QN

Confident and Catholic: Exploring a Vision for the Church in Our Land

This series is to address some of the Church’s key priorities, aims and objectives currently identified by our bishops in their document A Vision for the Church in Our Land. The bishops hope that these priorities will serve to make us more confidently Catholic in our proclamation of the truth of the Gospel and our engagement in society at large.

7pm – 8.30pm, Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, SW1P 1QJ.

All are welcome. Register at www.rcdow.org.uk/faithmatters or at faithmatters@rcdow.org.uk or tel. 020 7931 6078.  Suggested donation is £ 5.00 per lecture.

28 Feb - Faith of our Fathers: Legacies of English Catholic History by John Morrill, Professor of British and Irish History at Cambridge, a permanent deacon (Diocese of East Anglia)

6 Mar - Vocation in Church and World by Mr Martin Rainsford, Headteacher (Douay Martyrs School, Ickenham) and  Fr Paul O’Reilly, SJ, Medical doctor and priest

20 Mar - Catholic Social Teaching: Practising Visions of Hope by Dr Anna Rowlands, Director of Studies (Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge)

27 Mar - Sharing our spiritual riches: Interreligious Dialogue by Archbishop Kevin McDonald, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Committees for Catholic-Jewish Relations and for relations with other religions

This Lent we’ll be running a period of guided prayer for young adults. It’s an opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ with support from a prayer guide Once a week for the five full weeks of Lent you will journey together as you learn more about yourself and your relationship with God. (Cost £10-£30)

On 24 March there will be a National Catholic Youth Congress held at Wembley Arena. The organisers are expecting 8000 young people and young adults to attend. Parishes will be organising groups to attend, but if you want to come with a young adult group to this day please get in touch: 020 7798 9360.  (Cost £15-£18)

The Youth Support Team of the Agency of Evangelisation, have put together a Post-Confirmation Course for you to use with your young people (aged 14 -16) immediately after they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  The programme is easy to use and is available to download now from the Youth Resource Section of the Diocesan Website.

Saturday 25 February 2012 – 3.00pm

Deaneries attending: Ealing, Enfield, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lea Valley, North Kensington, St. Albans, Stevenage and Tower Hamlets.

Sunday 26 February 2012 – 3:00pm

Deaneries attending: Barnet, Brent, Camden, Hackney, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington & Chelsea, Marylebone,Upper Thames, Watford and Westminster.

11 February 2012 (1.30pm to 5pm)

A thirtieth anniversary celebration of Pope John Paul II's exhortation Familiaris Consortio at Amigo Hall, SE1 7HY. Workshops on marriage enrichment, marital spirituality, marriage preparation, passing on the faith and helping children experiencing loss. For more information contact 020 8690 9310 or email marriagese@tiscali.co.uk