Joy has come to Aylesford in these last few days as the community has played host to hundreds of young people from all over the UK for the annual Brighlights Festival. Brightlights began 16 years ago in Westminter Diocese and is the longest running Catholic Youth Festival in the UK. This year they came to Aylesford and have enjoyed the place and people so much that they have asked to return next year.
The festival is a mix of worship, prayer, inspiring speakers, live bands and simple friendship. Everyone here has been overwhelmed by the joy and faith of our young guests. The festival goers have been joining the community for prayer and friars have been involved in workshops and hospitality. The keynote speakers yesterday were Magnus MacFarlane Barrow of Mary's Meals and Archbishop Elias Chacour of Galililee. Both spoke powerfully to the festival theme of 'Just Love' and shared their experiences of how love summons them to those little initiatives that have become a huge moment of grace and compasion in the lives that they touch through their work. In the evening we gathered for Mass in the Relic Chapel with Fr Christopher Jamison OSB, of BBC's 'The Monastery' and 'The Big Silence'. He will speak to the festival today along with the Mizzen family.
More photo's and reports tomorrow. Fr Brendan has been going stirling work behind the camera!
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| Br Paul & Br Ged |
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| Fr Damian & John, The Southwark Director of Youth Ministry |
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| Concert Time |
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| Faith Child - Praising God with vibramt song! |
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| Smiles on faces |
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| Magnus MacFarlane Barrow - CEO of Mary's Meals |
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| Br Tiago and friends listening to Magnus |
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| Hannah, our festival MC |
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| Contemplating |
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| Archbishop Elias Chacour of Gaililee |
The festival is a mix of worship, prayer, inspiring speakers, live bands and simple friendship. Everyone here has been overwhelmed by the joy and faith of our young guests. The festival goers have been joining the community for prayer and friars have been involved in workshops and hospitality. The keynote speakers yesterday were Magnus MacFarlane Barrow of Mary's Meals and Archbishop Elias Chacour of Galililee. Both spoke powerfully to the festival theme of 'Just Love' and shared their experiences of how love summons them to those little initiatives that have become a huge moment of grace and compasion in the lives that they touch through their work. In the evening we gathered for Mass in the Relic Chapel with Fr Christopher Jamison OSB, of BBC's 'The Monastery' and 'The Big Silence'. He will speak to the festival today along with the Mizzen family.
More photo's and reports tomorrow. Fr Brendan has been going stirling work behind the camera!
Rejoice with us - The Church is young, inspiring and full of joy!
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