OYA 2024–2025
Oratory Young Adults meetings include a time of discussion, catechesis, conversation and prayer. Refreshments are available from the Cafe Neri bar from 7:30 and the main discussion begins at 8pm. Adults aged 18 to 35 are welcome to come along.
25 October — What’s in a name? Who to talk to when you pray
God reveals himself to us under many names and titles throughout history. But how should we use all these different names? Is it a problem if we speak to God the Father more than God the Son? Or the other way round? Thankfully the answer is not only straightforward — it is extremely practical and will help us in our life of prayer. Come along to find out how we are taught to speak to God in the Gospel.
15 November — Hell
Often neglected and much avoided, but however uncomfortable it may make us to think about, Christ talks about hell and we have to listen. As St Philip warned: “He who does not go down into hell while he is alive, runs a great risk of going there after he is dead.” So come and enjoy an evening of discussing hell as we focus on not going there ourselves.
6 December — Not making the same mistakes: Why did Mary say yes?
The whole of human history hinged on that moment when Mary said “yes” to God’s plan. But what made her succeed in doing God’s will where so many others fail — from Adam and Eve all the way to ourselves. Join us as we think about how Mary’s example can help us to say “yes” to God too.
24 January — “It doesn’t get easier, you just get faster” — Progress in the spiritual life
St Paul didn’t have a bike, which is why he could only compare the Christian life to training for a race or a boxing match. But have you ever thought that cycling could help you to understand the spiritual life? Come and find out how.
21 February — How do I hear the voice of God?
Sometimes we think it would all be easier if God just spoke to us directly and told us everything we need to know. God is trying to communicate with us at all times, even if we’re not really listening. So how can we get better and listening, and what does God have to say to us? That’s what we’re discussing in this month’s OYA.
7 March — Pray at all times: Finding time to do everything else
Scripture tells us to “pray at all times” — but isn’t that impossible? Even the holiest saints need to stop to eat and sleep, and we have so many other responsibilities to take care of too. In fact, this commandment is something we can all put into practice without running away to a monastery. Come along to find out how.
2 May (in place of April meeting) — God wants you to eat biscuits
It might not sound very cheerful, but nothing quite puts life into perspective more than the prospect of an imminent death. Find out how the thought of death actually helps us to make the most of this life, to find enjoyment in the good things God gives us, and (very importantly) why God wants you to eat the biscuits…
23 May — You are God’s work of art: The Catholic response to gender & sexuality
Traditional Christian teaching on relationships is not very popular in the world today. And as Christians living in the world, we can feel surrounded by challenges to our own purity, to say nothing of the tough questions we face about sexuality and gender identity. But these are not entirely new ideas, and Christianity has some very beautiful things to say on the topic. Come along to find out more.
13 June — “Impossible to imagine, not difficult to believe”
One of the strangest things we believe is that whenever Mass is said, Jesus Christ makes himself fully present, but we have no way of detecting his presence, since he remains hidden under the appearances of bread and wine. “Impossible to imagine,” as St John Henry Newman said, “not difficult to believe.” Come and join us a we explore the great mystery that is the Blessed Sacrament.