Times of Masses at SS Alban & Stephen Catholic Church in St
Albans
Divinity and Doughnuts
Divinity and Doughnuts is for people in their twenty somethings and thirty
somethings who wish to explore their faith in light of the world today
Some of our previous speakers:
Scott Albrecht. Scott is a faith-based peace activist and
co-founder of the London Catholic Worker. Along with his family he currently
runs a refuge for women who have been trafficked into the UK for sexual
exploitation.
Fr Peter Malone, Fr Peter is
an international film reviewer and author of a number of books, including
faith and film.
Fr Mark Van Beeumen, Fr Mark
is part of a religious community that seeks to dialogue with the Muslim
community in one of the most marginalised areas of Birmingham.
Jenny Reeler, Jenny set up
a young adult group in Hemel Hempstead .
Stuart Windsor, the National
Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), human rights organisation
which specialises in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted
for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.
Father
Rod Jones, a Benedictine monk from Worth Abbey, The BBC filmed 'The
Monastery' at Worth Abbey, and Father Rod was one of the spiritual directors.
He's currently responsible for running the retreat programme at Worth.
Fr. Dave Nixon MSC, Vocations Director for the Missionaries of the
Sacred Heart.
Fr. Stephen Wang.
Fr Stephen is a priest of the Diocese of Westminster.
He has worked in a London parish and a University Chaplaincy
and currently teaches Philosophy and Theology at Allen Hall Seminary
Our link with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSCs)
Ss Alban & Stephen Parish Church
is an MSC parish.
Divinity & Doughnuts was set up
and supported by Fr Alan Neville MSC.
Fr Alan was just in St Albans for a few years and is now based in Ireland,
as an MSC priest he will live and work in many different parishes and countries.
Fr Dave Nixon MSC has very kindly agreed to continue the
MSC support of the group.
Fr Dave is Vocations Director for the MSCs and has been involved
with Spirit in the City, Bright Lights Young Adults Festival, Youth 2000
Ireland, HCPT and various other young adult events. Although Fr Dave
isn’t based locally he’s very kindly agreed to attend some of our events/talks.
Divinity & Doughnuts Core Team.
Divinity & Doughnuts now has
a core team who are Mary Jane, Mike, Jo, Cathy, Tony and Mary D. 'How to keep in touch with what's happening'.
If you'd like to be added to our e-mail list please e-mail
finfo@divinityndoughnuts.org.uk
You can also find us on Facebook, we also have a facebook group
'Young Catholic Adults of the St Albans Area
Second Sunday Socials
We have a social every second Sunday
of the month and meet after 7pm Mass at Ss Alban & Stephen Church to
go to the Robin Hood pub. The pub is on Victoria Street and is about
two minutes walk from the Church.
2011 Programe: ‘What does my faith mean to me?’ Divinity & Doughnuts will be
running a faith formation program in 2011 called ‘What does my faith mean
to me?’ with four talks and a retreat. The faith formation program
will look at the impact of faith on different aspects of life - sex and relationships,
forgiveness, life style choices, prayer and the final talk will look at
how you can increase your faith.
If you’re a young Catholic Adult in your 20s and 30s you are very welcome
to come along and join us – wherever you feel you’re at with your faith!
Each of the talks will be on a Sunday. After 11.30am parish Mass at Ss
Alban & Stephen Church there will be lunch in the parish hall building
(which is next to the Church), please bring a packed lunch and some food
to share. The talk will start at 2pm and the afternoon will finish
around 4pm. Ss Alban & Stephen Church (14 Beaconsfield
Road, St Albans, AL1 3RB) is just two minutes walk from St Albans City railway station.
Sunday 23rd January 'Pure in Heart - Sex, Relationships & Catholic Teaching'
A talk by Fiona Mansford and Robert Colquhoun
How far is too
far? What is the truth about sex and relationships? Tired of
sexually transmitted diseases, 'safer sex' and broken relationships, many
people are looking for authentic love. Devoid of fear and guilt, this
talk will present God's plan for love and life, showing the joys of living
a pure life.
Fiona Mansford has been in youth
ministry for over 15 years. For the last 5 years she has worked as a lay
Chaplain at a Sixth Form College in North London. She’s currently working
in youth and retreat work and is hoping to establish a new UK based project
called Pure in Heart, which has a two fold vision of prayer and formation
and outreach to young people in schools and parishes.
Robert Colquhoun is the editor of the recent book: Pure Heart Create
for Me: theology of the body today. He organises talks, seminars, catechism
classes and papers about the truth and meaning of human sexuality.
Robert is also a member of Catholic Voices a group of individuals who speak
in the media on the Church's position on major issues.
Sunday 20th March
‘The Father’s Heart – Knowing the Power of
God’s Forgiveness’ A talk by Fr Emmanuel CFR
Fr Emmanuel grew up locally and in his
teens was a member of a vibrant prayer group in St Albans. He was ordained
priest in New York in 2007 and has worked in the Bronx.
Fr Emmanuel is a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal and lives in Canning
Town where he serves the homeless, the poor and those suffering with addictions.
He’s a popular speaker at young adult events. 8th & 29th May 'How can I pray?'
Retreat at Worth Abbey with Father Rod Jones OSB
There'll be an opportunity to join
the Monastic Community in their daily prayer and a chance to reflect on
prayer in daily life and how to pray and listen to God - wherever you feel
you are, or aren't, with prayer.
Fr Dave Nixon MSC will also accompany us on the retreat.
Places on this retreat are limited and
more information, including how to secure a place, will be available nearer
the time.
Sunday 18th
September ‘How can I grow in
Faith?’
We’ll meet to share some thoughts on how we can grow in our faith and also
reflect on some of Pope Benedict XVI’s words at WYD on growing in faith. Monday 19th September, 8pm Ss Alban & Stephen Parish Hall Launch of the Upper Room 2 & David Payne
Talk
Our final session of the faith formation program is on a Monday evening and
we will be going to the launch of the Upper Room 2 in Ss Alban and Stephen
parish Hall.
David Payne, Director of Catholic Evangelisation Services, is the keynote
speaker.
David is an ex-drug addict who found freedom
in Christ 25 years ago and since then has been helping Catholics to find
fullness of life in the Spirit. He is an inspiring and entertaining
speaker as well as the author of two books, Alive and Dare To Believe. David
is married to Giovanna and they have 3 young children.
Second Sunday Socials
Sunday 23rd January 
Sunday 20th March 
8th & 29th May