Signed, sealed delivered =)

The forms and deposits were posted today!

Things are finally moving in the right direction and we are one step closer to getting to Spain =)

Keep your eyes peeled on the post Greenwich Deanery, as more information will be coming your way shortly.

So excited that things have got off the ground!

Let's hope for sunshine this weekend,
Dani =) x

Congratulations!

Well done to those three lucky young people who have won their fares for Spain. It's fantastic that they will have the opportunity to come to Spain, especially when times are so hard in the UK for us all (don't even get me started on the whole petrol situation).

At least for a week, these lucky pilgrims will have time for themselves, for God and for each other.

We just continue to pray that all our fundraising efforts pay off to make the cost of travelling to see the Holy Father that little bit easier for everyone.

Choi for now,
Dani =) x

Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

My sincerest appreciation goes out to St Catherine's School in Kent this week for their amazing support in our efforts for Spain.

They have raised enough money in the Greenwich Deanery raffle to pay for a young lady's deposit and they plan to continue to raise as much as they can to support her. Not only did they sell the prizes we had on offer, but the Head added an extra prize of dinner to go with the evening out to the theatre AND endorsed a letter written by the chaplain to the PTA asking for a donation. How kind is that?

Thank you to all the staff and students who have taken part so far and an enormous thank you to Catherine, the brains behind the operation. I'll be in touch soon with more projects!!

Please continue to pray for us in our efforts.

It's dinnertime,
Dani =) x

Red Nose Day

For the last couple of years, I must admit I've not been watching the RND BBC night. I guess I found it all too real and distressing but last night I really wanted to see what happened to Whitney in Easties so I flicked over to the BBC and I'm glad I did.

It really was a fantastic show with a variety of things for all tastes- I'm gutted I missed Outnumbered (it's brilliant methinks) and a few weeks ago I saw Hugh Dennis in Waterloo and felt the compelling urge to tell the Twitter nation. So it's fair to say I'm a bit of a fan of the bonkers family comedy.

The little videos of young people in parts of Africa and the UK were stunning. I moan because I have exams, because I can't buy my favourite ham and the tube prices leave me quite furious and then you see someone like that young man Lenny Henry was with who is practically raising a family on his own, (and I swear he was like twelve) it does honestly break your heart.

Radio 1 longest show, the Desert Trek Crew and the InBetweener boys all got us enticed and invovled but we've got to remember it's for those young people, children and families on our doorstep and abroad who really need our love and support.

It's awesome to know that even after all the economic issues we've had here, over £42million pounds was pledged last night to look after those who need it the most. We really are quite a generous nation.

Here's a little treat for you- I sported my red nose last night, (they really need to think about designing it for flat noses- we don't all have ski slopes) and took a picture: http://twitpic.com/4asa60


Back to revision,
Dani =) x

Knights of St Columba

These lovely gentlemen are a Catholic lay order who work to support Catholic churches and communities. They do their bit to support local communities, chaperon at large events, visit poorly people in hospital and suport the young people in our local churches.

As part of their pledge to support young people from Greenwich Deanery going to World Youth Day, they have kindly offered to pay the full fare of three young people from the deanery. The competion which people took part in ended on Monday, so we will soon find out who the lucky three are.

A massive thank you to the Knights for their hard work and support.

To find out more about the Knights and their great work, visit www.ksc.org.uk

Only one day left to get your raffle ticket at STC,
Dani =) x

It's not just us fundraising ...

As many of you have probably seen the Sainsbury's adverts, and the BBC documentary from Riches to Slums, it's that time of year again for digging deep- Red Nose Day.

This year, two radio DJs Chris Moyles and Comedy Dave are doing their bit to raise money for projects in Africa and right here in the UK. They are doing the longest, radio show EVER. They've been on since 6.30am and are set to go through right till tomorow evening (around 19.30). So far they have raised over £200,000 for Comic Relief and are set to continue to raise even more for such a deserving cause.

They've all sorts of exciting things going on to help them stay awake as they work alongside the regular DJs on Radio 1. About an hour ago, Chipmunk was in testing the guys street langauge which made for hilarious listening.

So if you haven't already bought your red nose, visit www.bbc.co.uk/radio1 to see how you can donate or text 'Chris' to 70011. You can also follow their progress and find out what DJs and celebrities have come in with wake up food and presents to keep the team going on Twitter @BBCR1 and @R1MoreMoyles.

So many people go without everyday and on Friday 18th March we can come together to do our bit for those less fortunate and support those kind hearted humble people who do what they can to provide for those who need it most.

You can also check out what is going on in the Radio 1 studio if you press the red button on any BBC Channel.

Night,
Dani =) x

Further Tragedy

We continue to keep those in Japan in our prayers, as they contiue to suffer at Nature's hands. Many refief organisations have gone over to provide whatever support they can. So maybe we should try doing our bit by praying for them.

Eternal rest...
Dani =) x

Seven Days

Ok, so there's seven days to hand in booking forms and £100 deposits, five days to buy a raffle ticket at St Catherine's and one day to hand in your essay for the Knights of St Columba competiton, where you could win £625.00, which would pay for your entire trip to Madrid.

Lots of exciting things going on and not much time left to get involved!

Keep checking www.facebook.com/takingsouthwarktospain to keep up-to-date with all the happenings in Greenwich Deanery.

Popping out to the youth group meeting,
Dani =) x

CYMFed Congress 2011

Tomorrow is CYMFed's (Catholc Youth Ministry Foundation) big event tomorrow in London. It's a fabulous event that takes place every year for all those working with young people (priest, catechists, chaplains, teachers, youth leaders) giving them a chance for prayer, reflection and some inspiration from some epic speakers including David Wells from Plymouth Diocese.

Let's pray that all those who are attending, that they may be refreshed, renewed and full of great ideas to take back to their local communities. The people behind the Million Minutes will be there so if you're going be sure to find out more and grab some resources.

To find out more on CYMFed, visit www.cymfed.org

Have a lovely weekend,
Dani =) x

Sad News

A tsunami has hit Japan, after a massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast.

Let's hope the rescue teams can get to injured people quickly.

See ya
Dani =) x

Song Contest

Got this posted on the wall of our Facebook page wwww.facebook.com/takingsouthwarktospain today:

Pls listen to this UK ENTRY to the WORLD YOUTH DAY SONG CONTEST and pls VOTE! http://madridmeencanta.org/ficha.php?id=109999207
Canción: Faith In You (Cherrie Anderson)
madridmeencanta.org

Exciting stuff, lots of people doing what they can to get invovled and spread this message of joy.

Night,
Dani =) x

Passports...

To all those who have signed up- when you get a minute, just check your passport is in date =)

ALSO.... Have you heard of EHIC? You may want to have a look at this http://www.e111.org.uk/index-2.html before JUNE and make sure you have yours before we go to Madrid.

Eastenders is on now,
Dani =) x

Thirteen Days to go...

Young people of Greenwich Deanery!!!

You have just under two weeks to hand your deposits and booking forms into the parish. I'll be around in the youth group meetings over the next few weeks and we are hoping to have a meeting on the 20th March will all those who signed up.

If anyone is concerned about money- please don't be. That shouldn't be the only reason that you don't go to WYD. You can speak to Fr Michael or myself and we will see what you can do to assist you, but please try and speak to someone soon.

To get a copy of the booking form, click here: www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/wydmadridbookingformnewprice.pdf

Enjoy the sunshine,
Dani =) x

It's Pancake Day!

Happy Pancake Day to everyone!

As the start of Lent is close upon us, Fr Michael raised the topic with the young people and got them thinking about what they are going to do during the season.

Then it hit me that I've not even thought about it. It's so easy to get caught up in 'everyday life', that thinking about what you may want to give up/do better etc just flies past you before you know it.

The awesome bubble that was last year allowed me time to think, reflect and prepare for Easter but THIS year I don't even know whether I'm coming or going. And then you get too busy to pray, to go to mass and before you know it you have an estranged relationship with the man upstairs.

So how do I keep on top of it all, what with studying, family and uninteresting social life? I suppose everyone goes through phases like this and it starts off small and then becomes big. But I don't want it to be big! It's troublesome enough already =(

I guess Ash Wednesday is as good a place to start as any.

Prayers and Best Wishes,
Dani =) x

Getting closer and closer....

Just to remind the lovely young people we have a meeting this Sunday 6th March in the parish hall at 4.30pm. It won't be long and it's really to get an idea of how many people are definitely interested.

Only five months now.

Choi for now,
Dani =) x