Places at Oxford weekend on 'Sharing Gospel Joy'

Catholic People's Weeks (CPW) still have a few places available on their weekend 'Sharing Gospel Joy' to be held 16-18 February, at Boar's Hill Priory in Oxford. It will be run by a team from the Columban Missionary Society, in collaboration with CPW.

'Sharing Gospel Joy' is the theme of the centenary of the Columban Missionary Society, being celebrated this year. In the Pontificate of Pope Francis the call to change, to transformation, to renewal, to reform has been reaffirmed as central to being Church, especially underlined in the 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium - the Joy of the Gospel. Mission is about promoting God's Kingdom - tuning into and co-operating with God's liberating and transforming activity in our world. By virtue of our baptism, we are all called to be a missionary community, constantly reaching out beyond the borders of the Church in service of the Kingdom of God.

The popular weekend will use stories of inspirational people who have crossed boundaries to share Gospel joy, and help participants reflect on their own mission in today's world.

Columban Father Jim Fleming has expertise on interreligious dialogue, having worked in Pakistan and in outreach to asylum seekers in Birmingham. Ellen Teague and Julia Corcoran are part of the Columban Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Team, and will look at responding to the plea of Pope Francis in Laudato Si to heed "the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor". Married couple Virginia Moffatt and Chris Cole, who live in Oxford, will tell their stories about peacemaking in today's world. Virginia has recently edited 'Reclaiming the Common Good: How Christians can rebuild our broken world', and written 'Echo Hall', about three generations of women experiencing love, loss and conflict in times of war. Chris is founder of Drone Wars UK, which keeps a critical eye on the increasing use of military drones, and is active in civil disobedience against war and the arms trade.

Boars Hill is a Carmelite Priory just outside Oxford, within easy reach of the A34 and M40. Its peaceful setting has pleasant walks from its doorstep and fantastic views over the nearby city of Oxford. It provides good accommodation in single and twin rooms with good wheelchair access and is a venue that will appeal to adults of all ages.

The weekend will be chaired by Ellen Teague and organised by Ted Monks Chaplain. Fr Jim Fleming SSC will be the chaplain.

For more information and bookings contact: Ted Monks email: BHW2018@catholicpeoplesweeks.org.uk