What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him? James 2:14
EVERYONE has a vocation do God‘s will and the following Ministries are designed to enable as many people as possible to explore and develop the discernment of God’s purpose for their lives individually and as a whole! We are commanded to “Love God” and “Love each other” in order to truly love ourselves, the sharing of Charity is the crux of our faith…
As an extension from and expression of, the foundation of prayer and ideally the Eucharist [Ephesians 4:12], each local Oratory endeavours to express their faith in active apostolates within their local community e.g. voluntary or charitable work [Matthew 25:31-46 & James 2:24]. This work may be carried out individually, in teams, in conjunction or partnership with other churches or Christian groups but it must reflect the virtue and practice of true charity i.e. selfless and not self serving and ideally work that will benefit the immediate local community of the Oratory or by extension thereby.
The Brighton Oratory is currently engaged in the following apostolates and welcomes volunteers from other Churches or none to assist us in our work.
CHERUBS KITCHEN
Operating commercial franchises but as a “not-for-profit”, “Cherubs” Kitchen aims to be a force for good in our local community, using local suppliers wherever we can and contributing to the community of which we are part. We aim to do this by…
1) working with local suppliers and as much as possible, trying to source Sussex ingredients for taste and quality, contributing to local economic and environmental sustainability;
2) being a good employer and giving team members opportunities to grow and develop, working with providers towards NVQ and industry recognised professional qualifications; everyone who works for us has a say in what we do and how we do it – everyone matters;
3) by hoping that your appreciation of our food will benefit others; as a commercial enterprise run as a not-for-profit business, we believe that “what goes around comes around” and so we give away any clear profit after costs to local food charities providing assistance to the less fortunate in our community, particularly the homeless.
Working with our partners, Interserve Learning & Employment and Southdown (Housing Trust and Community Support Work), we also provide training and employment for those who, often through disadvantaged circumstances, require experience in a professional kitchen to return or continue, or even begin a career in catering. Though we have limited opportunities for salaried positions, we do engage volunteers/staff either by self-referral, referral from Social Services or other agencies, including by personal introduction from homeless projects. Our aim is to provide a supportive and encouraging environment that will enable participants to attain personal and achievable aims through the guidance of their NVQ trainers and on-site mentors to positively affect their lives.
“THE HUB” HOMELESS DROP-IN
In partnership with the Salvation Army at Brighton Congress Hall, the Oratory provides volunteers to assist with the smooth running of a drop-in centre for people living on the streets of Brighton and others surviving on low income. Our aim is to create a “safe place” where Street folk, many of whom are suffering social exclusion, violence, abuse and their own personal battles with drug/alcohol addiction, need a haven where they can shelter and take refuge. Some are just experiencing financial hardship and not all our guests are sleeping rough on the streets but may be in hostels, assisted/sheltered accommodation or on low income, Benefits or are refugees.
The day begins at 8.30am when doors open and guests are welcomed with tea/coffee and breakfast and the opportunity to sit in the warm, watch the latest news or read newspapers, sit and chat. A shower is available and an assortment of toiletries, clean clothes and underwear for folk to help themselves. Lunch is served from 12 Noon.
Volunteers are needed to assist with the smooth running of the drop in, sorting out donated clothes and toiletries, washing up and serving hot drinks. We are also looking for people prepared to be “hosts” i.e. to sit and listen or chat with our guests, many of whom live lonely lives or are generally socially excluded and welcome conversation – just simply being regarded and talked to as a human being. All volunteers are CRB vetted and guidelines provided about how to behave with our guests. In return we can offer a free lunch, tea/coffee and generally a lot of fun with a dedicated team of chaplains and volunteers.
If you would like to express interest in joining our team of volunteers, please contact us.
BRIGHTON PRO-LIFE
The Oratory is wholeheartedly committed to the defence of the unborn and to supporting all efforts to end abortion, believing “all life IS sacred”. There are many different campaigns and organisations working across our country and in our city to this end and “Brighton Pro-Life” is a network to keep supporters of them all informed about current projects and events.
This spring during Lent, our community will be one of many in several cities joining together for the largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history – the 40 Days for Life campaign.
40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:
- 40 days of prayer and fasting
- 40 days of peaceful vigil
- 40 days of community outreach
We are praying that, with God’s help, this groundbreaking effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city – and throughout England.
CARITAS
An ecumenical study and discussion group begun by our Provost, Msgr Jerome OSJV meets on the second Monday of the month and weekly during Lent from 7.30pm at the Chapel @Brighton.
The purpose of the group is for Christians from different traditions and denominations to meet together to pray, study Scripture and discuss and share their experiences of living the Christian faith in our contemporary age.
DAILY MASS ONLINE
The Daily Mass Online attracts an average 1’400 viewers a month, many are housebound, elderly or infirm with limited opportunities to participate in the offering of the Mass except via this medium; other viewers are devout Catholics unable to attend Mass in person due to work commitments or for whom getting to Mass is difficult through distance or lack of transport. Still others are curious about the Catholic Faith and particularly about the traditional form of Mass of the Latin Rite. For all, the Daily Mass Online is an opportunity to participate spiritually in the offering of the supreme act of the Church’s worship, uniting their prayers with those of the Church and of Our Lord Himself on the Cross for our redemption.
How can you help? By attending and answering the Mass, it would enhance the experience greatly of the viewers and encourage a real sense of their inclusion in the wider Church Catholic. We also need folk to help set-up and pack-away between Mass times as the hall is used for other activities and groups between broadcasts. Mass is broadcast live from the Chapel @Brighton at 0830 Daily Mass.
EX ECCLESIA
EX ECCLESIA is our outreach to lapsed Christians, enquirers and people who think or feel that their way of life or condition prevents them from developing a relationship with God. Sometimes these events are combined with Catechetical presentation touching on subjects some find controversial.
If you have counselling skills and qualifications perhaps you might like to assist us in the variety of programmes both pastoral and discussive that we offer to address some of the issues people have. Or perhaps you have experience of overcoming similar issues that prevented you from developing a relationship with God. An open mind and a great deal of charity are required. If you feel you have what it takes to re-present Catholicism as a truly loving faith… please contact us!
The Brighton Oratory 