Science revision DVDs

Many many people are having their Easter taken over by papers, textbooks and boredom. Yep, it's that time again- revision. As part of our fundraising for Greenwich Deanery, we are offering the chance for students to purchase science revision DVDs by John Campbell a univeristy lecturer who makes science look like a piece of cake. The DVDs are 1-2 hours in length and include diagrams and models to help bring the science to life.

They are £2.00 each and all proceeds will go towards supporting our young people's efforts for Spain. We have six topics to choose from, including the digestive system and basic cell biology.

On the premise that once you purchase one, you won't sell it on further (because that's illegal) you are more than welcome to buy one or all six and it's for a good cause!

For those of you who aren't familiar with John Campbell the man who saved me from sheer confusion, just type his name into YouTube. We must thank him for his generousity in allowing us to do this to help us raise money.

If anyone is in need of some GCSE or A-Level biology revision guides or would like more information about them, send me an email: dani@scys.org.uk.

Not happy about the grey skies,
Dani =) x

Holy Week

Hope you've all had a lovely Easter weekend! I must admit I was surprised to discover #holyweek on Twitter, lots and lots of people over the Easter periood were tweeting about the masses they had experienced and what they doing on the holy days.

I suppose it gave me hope and really cheered me up to know that people are free to express their love for our Christ without feeling like it's not a hot topic for the likes of social networks.

I haven't quite finished reading 'Why Go to Church?' but I've just finished reading a chapter that talks about the disappointment the disciples felt when Jesus snuffed it and disappeared on them. There's this great joyous feeling when you know that God defeated everything when he died for us and rose again. There's a real power in knowing just how much God loves us and how powerful He is. But what do you do on Easter Monday when that excitement has passed (go and see Limitless in the cinema, maybe) and you realise you've got bills to pay an essay to write and shopping to do?

We must find a way to relive that joy in our everyday lives to keep us alive in God's spirit until Lent starts again. But how do we do that? When the 'real world' just rolls on by, how do we roll with it and keep Christ close to our hearts?

If anyone has any ideas on how we can do this, please share.

Looking forward to leftover Sunday Roast,
Dani =) x

Boring Reminders

This Easter Sunday, 24th April is the deadline for the next installment for WYD.

If you are interested in going to Brightlights as part of our preparation, please bring that money with you too.

All this can be popped through the presbytery door in a labelled envelope.

Loving this surprising sunshine,
Dani =) x

New beginnings

As I travelled to the dress fitting for my cousin's wedding, I started thinking about Palm Sunday and how this is the time in my lentern journey where I feel like it's the beginning of my preparation for this Easter celebration.

Easter is such a momentous event in our liturgical year as we remember the death and resurrection of Christ and I've found that reading is really helpful and this Lent I've been reading 'Why go to Church?' by Timothy Radcliffe as part of my lentern preparation.

So I'll leave you with a little something to reflect on from the book. Radcliffe's work is available in all good bookshops.

'Christians believe that the culminating crisis, of deepest loss and closest intimacy, came on the night before Jesus' death, which we are about to re-enact as he asked us. This was not just the sad end of a good man, but the ultimate crisis in God's relationship with humanity. God was incarnate in this human being. God came to enfold us in his life and love and we said 'No'. This person was, we believe, God's Word, God's Wisdom, the one in whom we discover the meaning of our lives, and why there is anything rather than nothing. So that night put in question whether than anything makes any sense at all.'

Happy Palm Sunday,
Dani =) x

Fish and Chips Friday

Had a meeting this evening in the parish for us ladies involved in setting up 'Little Church', a children's liturgy group and at last! We look like we will be able to start in the coming weeks- so for those of you at St Peter's Parish: WATCH THIS SPACE!

We all sat round the table over a plate of fish and chips and it was just a perfect picture of what our parish community is all about. We shared a meal and ideas as we prepared for our ministry together as a team. There is so much going on in London and with our ever growing capacity, it is fantastic that our parish priest is doing what he can to support all the age groups that come through our doors.

As we prepare to minister to the youngest members of our parish, today we realised how privellged a group we are. We are preparing the future of our church, we will watch them grow and every time we interact with them we too will learn and grow in our faith. Everyone is getting really excited about working with these excitable energetic little people and after six months of meetings and planning and disucussing and paperwork, we ae finally getting things off the ground. Little Church, here we come.

For those of you in the parish, please keep an eye on the electronic notice board and parish newsletter for more details. If anyone would like to volunteer and join the team, please speak to a Little Church catechist or Fr Michael.

Catching up on the soaps,
Dani =) x

It's not just R1BW happening this summer ...

Many disappointed young people are finding out today if they have won tickets for Radio 1's Big Weekend in Carlisle. I have to admit, I was one of the 800,000 people to register for the 20,000 available tickets this year and yep I'm left emty handed.

But it's okay because not only do I have a wedding to look forward to that weekend but there are a few festivals and events happening in my own diocese to keep me out of trouble. Aylesford Festival is happening on the 26th June for 12-16 year olds to spend a day in the sunshine with perhaps their parish group, where there will be a variety of workshops, praise and worship and mass for the young celebrants to enjoy with other communities from the Southwark and Brentwood areas.

Also... Brightlights festival after its move to Southwark will also taking place in the beautiful setting that is Aylesford Priory. This festival is for young adults and is a great celebration of faith with live bands and excellent activities for reflection , group work and generally fun.

For more information on both of these events, visit Southwark Catholic Youth Service's Facebook page.

Bye for now,
Dani =) x

Free pills in Wales

Did anyone else see the news at the beginning of the month about the morning after pill being made free without prescription in Wales?

Honestly not sure where I stand on this. I appreciate that it makes birth control easier (and it's not my place to judge- some people don't feel ready to have kids), especially for young girls AND removes the awkward appointment with GP and he or she knowing what you got up to last night. I also understand that other parts of the UK are already (Zane Lowe style) 'on board' with this program and that the contraceptive pill is free if you go via a GP, but would be around £25 without a referral.

I am however, left wondering that surely if you weren't embarrassed enough to take part in your night of unbridled passion, you're mature enough to discuss the implications with a medical professional? My other worry is that you make it easier for irresponsible, unsafe sex because hey you can just pop to the local chemist on your way to school/work tomorrow. And hang on a minute, I thought we were in a recession?

Would love to hear your thoughts on the topic. But please keep your replies clean- this is a family blog =)

BBC Radio 4 shared their views on the decision: http://bbc.in/f0q82o

I suppose part of our Big Society plans will involve being active in sharing our thoughts on big social political issues such as these, so start helping out your society today by leaving a comment.

Wondering what to have for lunch,
Dani =) x

British Dancers in Spain!

The Catholic Herald published an article about a UK based dance group, 'More Than Dance' that have been asked to perform during our holy pilgrimage to Spain. The group are already packing weight under the belts fresh from their performance at Hyde Park so are certainly well experienced. Like us, they are also doing what they can to raise money to send the group to Spain.

Here's a link to the article if you would like a spot of light reading: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/catholiclife/2011/03/31/dancers-bound-for-madrid/

Our prayers and best wishes are with them.

Hoping that Ronnie in Eastenders does the right thing,
Dani =) x

Facebook expert anyone?

Heart Gives Unto Heart is a Catholic Radio station that was launched in the run up to the UK's Papal's visit last year and they hosted a variety of religious and lay people's shows, provided a variety from music from the local secondary schools and even featured an assembly I did at my old school the week before the Holy Father's arrival.

This year the radio station is on a roadshow from 14th May- 25th June. It's set to be a joyous and exciting roadshow with Ooberfuse, Edwin Fawcett and Rise theatre company all signed up to be invovled. Tickets are £5-£15 and they will be in Liverpool, Bolton, Westinster and Canterbury and more places! Visit www.hguhroadshow.co.uk to find your nearest event and buy tickets. Alternatively, follow them on Twitter @HGUHRadio to keep up to date with the event plans.

If anyone is pretty handy on the old Facebook and would like to support the promotion and coverage of the roadshow, please email heartuntoheart@hotmail.com. It's just a few moments of your time to help make the show a success.

Hope you've enjoyed the sunshine wherever you are,
Dani =) x

You Tube search

Just had a quick gander on You Tube's website to see what kind of videos and footage are up on WYD. Found a video that's had over 100,000 views: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLOcE5rl8M4

Clearly God's message is spreading far and wide and even though there was a few dislikes on the video, it was lovely to watch people, young people going nuts jumping and dancing and singing- all in the name of the person we are called to follow. Quite a positive and inspiring way to start the weekend.

Emmerdale's on now,
Dani =) x

18 days to go!!!

Till the next deadline for money. The next installment is £200.00 and although we have quite a few sponsors and donations- we need more!

If anyone has any fantastic ideas to raise money within the parish and some fun ways to get people fundraising at school, feel free to comment.

Getting ready for the match,
Dani =) x

Advertising

Okay, so for those of you who are using social networking and can't imagine life without it, have you visited the official World Youth Day Facebook page?

So far, over 43,000 people from around the world like the page but they need your support too! The page has become a fantastic source for information for people (you can pop questions on the wall), there are competitions you can get involved in and lots more!

If you haven't already, 'like' www.facebook.com/worldyouthday

Only four months to go,
Dani =) x

PS. How cool is this Manga picture? There are more cool pcitures on the WYD FB Page

The sun is SHINING!

Feeling full of the joys today with this gorgeous weather- Spring has started!

We are moving into the latter half of Lent and there is so much going on in the life of the parish. We have a group of ten young people going to Spain and some of the other young people from the youth group are doing what they can to start raising funds.

We've got celebrity sponsors, generous parish groups and incredibly supportive schools helping us reduce the cost of tickets for our group. I can't say thank you enough for your love, support and prayers.

So much to be thankful for on such a beautiful day.

Choi,
Dani =) x