Dear Friends,

Last Sunday we had a Day for Dads.  Here is an account of it from one of the dads who was there.

Twenty-Seven fathers turned up for the first ever “Day for Dads” organised by Father Pat at the Allen Hall Seminary on Sunday February 28 – far in excess of expectations, and going some way to nailing the myth that modern-day fathers – at least as far as fathers who attend the Church of the Holy Apostles are concerned – tend to take a back-seat role in the upbringing of their children.

The day-long discussion, which began with a family Mass in the historic Chelsea seminary, had been kicking around on Father Pat’s to-do list for about three years. It was targeted at fathers whose children were still at school, or who would shortly start, and it managed to attract a balanced mixture of the two – all of whom were eager to swap experiences and glean information from other fathers about the trials, tribulations and triumphs of bringing up children in 21st century Britain within the Catholic faith in cosmopolitan London.

No one was disappointed with the result.

Perhaps the first surprise was the range of nationalities that Holy Apostles currently caters for. Participants hailed from all over Britain, mainland Europe, North America, Latin American and Africa. Our little church in Pimlico, which one might be tempted to think exists in a parochial backwater, turns out to be a veritable United Nations, with attendees from all corners of the globe and from all walks of life.

The day’s discussion was set in motion by David Payne, a former drug addict and father of three, whose Pauline conversion brought him back from the brink, and helped him to redirect his not inconsiderable energies into more constructive outlets – not least the work he now does as Director of CaFE – Catholic Faith Exploration – which produces films for schools and parishes that seek to deliver a traditional Catholic message in contemporary form.

For anyone who still has distant memories of the hell-fire and brimstone approach of the bible-thumping preachers of their youth, the day-long discussion personified how far the Catholic Church has moved in recent decades from being coercive to a participatory faith. DVDs by the American story-teller and teacher, Rob Bell, particularly the short film “Lump”, explaining through the eyes of a child how our past always catches up with us, were both powerful and eloquent, helping to highlight the often neglected spiritual dimension of individual life experiences.

As is invariably the case with such encounters, discussion was a first hesitant. It takes time to break the ice – even among people that you may have greeted or shaken hands with at Sunday Mass. But the ice does melt, and the discussions soon became animated – even if not always entirely focused on the themes that were supposed to be under discussion.

For the new friendships made, barriers broken, and experiences shared, we all left considerably richer than when we arrived. A Day for Mums is expected to be next on Father Pat’s  “to-do” list.

For the fathers who took part in the Dad for Dads all would happily attend again.

This week the Bishops of England and Wales brought out a document in preparation for the general Election called “Choosing the Common Good”.  You can download it from

http://www.rcdow.org.uk/fileupload/upload/TheCommonGood332010561612.pdf

During the recent Ad Limina Visit, the Holy Father announced his forthcoming trip to the UK ,
possibly sometime in September 2010. Sadly there is already opposition headed by the Secular
Society of Great Britain to this visit. The Secular Society have an online petition which has already
attracted over 20.000 signatures and yet a petition supporting the visit only has 1,200 signatures.
You are asked to visit the website and sign the supporting petition as we welcome the Holy Father
to our country.         www.petitiononline.com/PopeinUK/petition.html

Last Sunday’s Collection came to £988.00

The week before it was £1007.46.   Cafod Collection was £326.00.  The Turkana Collection was £715.00.    Thank you all

Parish AGM TODAY after 10.30am Mass

Stations of the Cross in Holy Apostles 7pm Friday

First Communion Parents and Children today Sun 7^th March 3.00pm

Choir for Easter –For everybody Friday 12^th March and  Tuesday 16^th March

Getting Married?

The next PreMarriage Course for couples marrying within the next 12 months will be 3 sessions in May – Mon 17^th, Fri 21^st and Mon 24^th.  To book a place on this contact Fr Pat for booking form.

Retreat Day for Parish Catechists & Volunteers  Sat 13 March at the Daughters of Charity Provincial House, Mill Hill, NW7 1RE * 10am to 12noon Optional Guided Quiet Time; 1pm  to 4pm Led By Bishop Alan Hopes * Tel: 020 7798 9150 or email: catadmin@rcdow.org.uk to book – places are limited.

Have you a child for Baptism in the next few months?  There is a meeting for parents on Wed 10^th March at 7.30pm in the Priests House

LiveSimply starts this weekend, collecting dried and tinned food. Next week it is Men’s Underwear, vests and socks, sleeping bags and blankets.If you miss a week no problem—just bring it in the following week. This Lent initiative supports The Open Door Meal and The Passage.

Please pray for Elizabeth Mahon of Charlwood House whose cremation service is on Tuesday at 2.00pm in Mortlake.

Thinking of the Priesthood?

A day at Ealing Abbey “Discovering Priesthood Today” 10am till 4pm on Saturday 13^th March. Contact Deacon Gordon Nunn 0n 020 8862 2162 or deacongordon@ealingabbey.org.uk

Mind the Gap: Faith in Film – ‘Film nights’ with refreshments and discussion. 8 March The Pursuit of Happyness    Time: 7.00-9.30pm (6.30pm refreshments) Venue: Our Lady of the Assumption & St Gregory Church, Warwick St, W1B (2 min. Piccadilly Circus) All Young Adults welcome. daveburke@rcdow.org.uk

Are you celebrating 10^th, 25^th, 40^th, 50^th 60^th

Anniversary of Marriage this year? Archbishop Vincent invites you both to a special Mass of Thanksgiving in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 22^nd May at 3.00pm.  Please let Fr Pat have your names and contact details

Westminster Cathedral – Assistant to the Sub Administrator (internship) – See Advert in the Porch      Starting Sept 2010.This 1 year role would suit a gap year student, looking to gain experience and grow his CV with an internship. The intern will live and work in the Cathedral Clergy House with the Cathedral Chaplains.  approx 35 – 40 hours per week (flexible)   Allowance:   an allowance of £84 per week be paid plus full board and lodgings      Closing date:       30 April 2010

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the Altar takes place every Wednesday in Holy Apostles from after the 10.00am Mass till Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6.00pm and every Sat evening at 5.00pm till Evening Prayer/ Benediction at 5.30pm. Come and be still for a while!

Parish Pastoral Council meeting on Tuesday 23 March 7:15pm White Room.

UNION OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS’ MEETING  Please come to the next meeting of the Union of Catholic Mothers this Thursday, March 11th at 7PM in the White Room at Holy Apostles. We’ll discuss plans for Easter and the rest of the year, and one of our members will teach us how to make handbags!  The UCM offers all mothers friendship, advice, sympathy and practical help. Our aims re supporting the Parish, families, mothers and all Catholic women, who meet to discuss their faith and the responsibilities of marriage, to assist fellow-members in bringing up their children as good Catholics and public-spirited citizens and to share Christian values in family life and in society. New members welcome.

If you want more information please contact Nicol at Nicoldynes@aol.com or 07774581159 – or just come along on Thursday!

 ‘Party Like a Rock Star’ at the Hard Rock Café, 150 Old Park Lane, London W1 on Thursday, 18^th March, from 7pm to midnight.   This promises to be a great ‘party evening’ with live music from ’The Counterfeit Stones’.  Tickets are £60 each and include complimentary food and drink.

Tickets are available from The Passage, St Vincent’s Centre, Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1NL. Tel: 020 7592 1856.Email: tickets@passage.org.uk  See also www.passage.org.uk  It will not be possible to purchase tickets at the Café.  All proceeds in aid of The Passage.”