Awakening 2011 London day 30

Awakening London was a long awaited dream; anticipated with mixed feeling of happiness and anxiety. Happiness, as we were formally introducing Jesus youth at Our Lady and St. George Parish, in Walthamstow, where we currently have an active prayer group, but were still unknown to the general parishioners. The anxiety on how we would be accepted and what would be the response in terms of numbers of people attending.

The preparations for awakening were equally exciting, giving us opportunities to visit homes of the teens attending our prayer meeting, and also a chance to herald this great initiative at three masses the previous Sunday. So hence setting ahead in complete confidence in God’s providence, along with the whole hearted support of the Bethel prayer group (run by group elders in Malayalam) with a go ahead in prayers by Fr. Maurice the parish priest we were ready to take on what had to come our way.

Lo and behold, we had an encouraging response in spite of it being a Thursday, mid week. There were people sitting throughout the evening right from the start at 6 pm, and parishioners popping in at odd hours to be with the Blessed Lord. Many thanks to Fr. Maurice for celebrating mass for us at 10pm which I must say kind of set the ball rolling for those gathered there, driving away all the anxiety and just letting the joy of being with the Lord a reality.

With Love and prayers

London Service team

Awakening 2011 Manchester day 29

Awakening day 29th

Manchester has just completed its twelve day adoration in full splendour and colour; with a mass procession; with an overwhelming turn out of over 85 fellow parishioners and with wonder-struck on lookers on road. Our Lord's presence has really touched the minds of many who have had the gracious opportunity to be in his presence during the "Awakening". With this initiative, the sanctification from the blessed sacrament has perpetuated out to the common man and indeed, brought out a significant impact on the souls of many.

The last day of exposition witnessed and testified our Lord's great mercy and compassion on his people with good weather and a good turn out of parishioners. The initiative has triggered a chain of many more activities in the parish with Jesus Youth, Manchester. The response has been so outstanding, that periodic perpetual exposition is being considered. Refreshments were provided after the mass as a token of gratitude and love towards all.

Click here to see Manchester Awakening feedbacks . . .

"Exposition in Manchester has taken grounds in the minds of many, imprinting the Lord's dominance in our lives."

Love n' prayers

JY Manchester

(Abstracts from Justi Vincent's email dated 8th of April 2011)

Awakening 2011Manchester day 25 and 26

'You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express, because you are receiving the salvation of your souls, which is the purpose of your faith in him'' 1 Peter 1:8-9

The word of God has come true in Manchester at St Joseph Church, central Manchester (One of the Historic Church in UK, Relics of the Cross is displayed, Fr. Ian Farrell a must meet priest, I was blessed to go for confession). Each person coming in front of Our Lord has surely grown up in their faith, as they had a personal experience of the Lord speaking to them. The Eucharistic Adoration has been a time to listen to what Our Lord has to say to us personally, His plans are beyond our thoughts, blessings are countless, and His peace is ever lasting

(Abstracts form Jitto David's email dated 3th April 2011)

Awakening 2011 Manchester day 21

Today being the fourth day of the 'Awakening' adoration, we experienced the spirit moving in our midst. More than 30 people came today to worship and adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. One of the parishioners shared with me that the active participation of the Jesus youth in this parish has made a lot of difference and this church has become more vibrant, she also said that she experienced Jesus' presence in a special way today and therefore she would like this type of adoration to happen frequently in this parish.

When I was sitting before the blessed sacrament, I surrendered my final copy of my dissertation to the Lord. I was going through a tough time since past few weeks with the dissertation work, but today I felt so much at peace when I sat before Him. I thank the Lord for the graces and blessings He has showered upon me.

I thank Hazel, Priya and Treasure for coming all the way from Chester and for leading such a wonderful time of praise and worship.

God bless you all.

Rini Mathews

(abstracts from Rini Mathews email dated 30th March)

Awakening 2011 Manchester day 18

'Awakening' in Manchester started yesterday in St. Joseph's church, Longsight. We started the day with the Holy mass which was celebrated by our parish priest, Fr. Ian Farrell.

Fr. Ian has been a great support to the Jesus Youth in Manchester and he has always opened his parish for all the JY activities.. So once again when we approached Fr. for awakening adoration he was happy to give us a room in the church to conduct the adoration.

In spite of many difficulties that we were facing past few weeks, God took full control of our situations and He is drawing more and more people to Him... it was indeed great to see many parishioners finding time to sit before Jesus..

We hope and pray that the people who come to the presence of God may experience the healing touch of God in their lives.

please find attached few pictures from the first day of the adoration. .

Please keep 'Awakening' in Manchester in your prayers..

(abstracts form Rini Mathews email dated 28th of March)

Awakening 2011 Bristol

We were blessed to have 24 hours of Adoration as part of Awakening here in Bristol, which started from Friday 7pm (18 of March) to Saturday 7pm (19th of March) at St.Nicholas of Tolentino Church. It was the first time that a 24 hr adoration has taken place in Bristol. The adoration began with the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr.Richard, the parish priest. Around 40 people including youth and the parishioners were able to be come and spend some quality time with our Maker. As part of the Adoration, Fr.Richard led a contemplative session based on Bible readings on the topic 'People of the Eucharist' between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday. It was a time where everyone could reflect upon our calling to lead a life according to the Will of God. We were able to intercede and pray for various intentions, especially the youth, and dream about the Church filling with many more Youth in the future. Personally, before the Adoration started there were a lot of things running through my mind making me quite restless. But once I was in front of Our Lord I was able to forget what was going on in the outside world, sit still in front of the Lord and have a personal conversation with Jesus without having to worry about anything and reflect upon various aspects of my life, feeling a lot more lighter at heart. Similar experiences were shared by those who attended the Adoration. Everyone was filled with Joy, Peace and Happiness in Christ. Everyone, including Fr. Richard and the local parishioners were happy that they could be part of Awakening. In the end, we did not feel like leaving the Church. The adoration was drawn to a close with a Solemn Benediction by Deacon Joseph.

on behalf of the Bristol JY

- Panchami George

Awakening 2011 Preston

We had the privilege of celebrating 2 days of "Awakening" in Preston, on 19th March (10a.m - 5p.m) and 20th March (10a.m - 9a.m).

Fr. Mathew Choorapoykayil was kind to open the doors of St.Joseph's Church, for our use and exposed the Blessed Sacrament for adoration at 10a.m.on Saturday. All of us within the prayer group and our families took turns to attend the adoration. It was a refreshing experience for all of us to spent some time recollecting the favours showered on us for the past 2 years. On Sunday we started our adoration with Holy Mass, with youth coming in to spent some time with the Lord. Though few in number, we gave our hearts to our Saviour as most beautiful bouquet of roses. We silently adored Jesus, surrendering everything especially, the youth in Preston to the King of Kings.

All the intentions of Awakening and many more were remembered while we recited the Rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet. We praised and worshipped in one heart,while we felt the Holy Spirit enveloping the room and setting our hearts ablaze!

Personally, the adoration has helped me renew my relationship with Jesus. I feel closer to him and at peace from the very worries that surrounded me. I am sure Awakening will bring in many graces and blessings we least expect into our lives and what can I say, except to "expect the unexpected" from the Lord of miracles!

Thanking the Lord for this wonderful opportunity and praying for a greater awakening of hearts,

Yours sincerely,

Merlin

(abstracts from Merlin Paul's email dated 21st March 2011)