London: Young Adult Masses at Farm Street

"Dear young people, please, don't be observers of life, but get involved. Jesus did not remain an observer, but he immersed himself. Don't be observers, but immerse yourself in the reality of life, as Jesus did." -- Pope Francis, July 27, 2013 Youth Prayer Vigil at Rio

This Young Adult Ministry, based at Mount Street Jesuit Centre, serves people in their 20s and 30s in London. Founded by Fr David Stewart SJ, the first Mass for Young Adults, at the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, (next to the centre) took place on Palm Sunday 2003. Since that time it has grown into a vibrant young adult community led by a dedicated team of lay ministers under the direction of Sr Anouska Robinson-Biggin fcJ.

The weekly Masses are organised by young adults for young adults. They are almost always celebrated by Jesuit priests from the Jesuits in Britain and further afield and is well supported by the parish team of Farm Street Church. Each week the Mass incorporates some element of Ignatian spirituality. The Mass begins at 7pm (though sometimes there can be a short delay on the fourth/last Sunday of the month). Before all the Masses there is the opportunity for quiet prayer, sometimes accompanied by quiet music.

First Sunday Mass

The First Sunday Mass is the sung liturgy. Drawn from the Principle and Foundation we focus in this Mass on praising, reverencing and serving God. The dedicated music ministry animate this Mass and are always looking for new volunteers so if you are musical and interested in serving the young adult community in this way please email. After the Mass we go to a local pub and spend time building community and socialising there.

Second Sunday Mass

In this Mass the celebrants will introduce the young adults to the Examen, one of the essential elements of the Penitential Rite.

Third Sunday Mass

The Third Sunday Mass is a more reflective liturgical celebration with time given after the proclamation of the Gospel for personal prayer and reflection using prayer points suggested by the celebrant of the evening. The celebrant introduces the time of prayer with a short time of reflection that leaves the young adults with a question to ponder/pray about during the quiet time. An introduction to meditation and imaginative contemplation can form part of the Mass. After the Third Sunday Mass we gather socially in the Parish Hall.

Fourth Sunday Mass

The Mass on the fourth Sunday will focus on The Election, the key part of the Spiritual Exercises about making a choice and the young adults will be invited at this Mass to reflect on how they can choose even more to follow Christ in their lives. What can they offer to God for the week ahead? This Mass is animated by the young adult music group 'Lauda'.

Fifth Sunday Mass

When there is a Fifth Sunday in the month the celebrant will focus on the idea of gift and make reference to the Contemplatio. The link between Eucharist and gift will also be explored further.

There is no fixed social after the Masses on the 2nd/4th and 5th Sundays but there is often a small group who move on together towards one of the local pubs to continue their socialising there. We hope you will become a regular at our liturgies and look forward to welcoming you there.

Accessing the Church

The best way to access the Church is from the Mount Street entrance especially if you happen to be running late as the Farm Street entrance to the Church is locked after the Mass has begun and entrance can only be gained from the Mount Street side.

For further information and links see: www.msjc.org.uk/young-adult-ministry/

Contact Sr Anouska on:email: yam@mountstreet.info - tel: 020 7495 1673