Father Michael Meets Oisin Hawes

3 September 2010  

This week as we focus very clearly on the forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI, cliftondiocese.com brings you a series of podcasts where Clifton Diocese Papal Visit Coordinator Father Michael McAndrew meets local people looking forward to this special time in our spiritual lives.   Today (3 September) Father Michael talks with Oisin Hawes and ‘Benedict’s Brew’.

Our five-part series sees Father Michael visiting papal pilgrims and other people preparing for the Pope’s visit.

Our series concludes on today (3 September) in the Stroud Valleys when Father Michael calls into Nailsworth’s Village Inn.  He’s meeting up with landlord Oisin Hawes, the man who’s created ‘Benedict’s Brew’, a special beer to celebrate the Holy Father’s historic visit.  Father Michael discovers plenty about the brewing process and finds out about the growing excitement as parishioners in Oisin’s parish of The Immaculate Conception in Stroud, look forward to welcoming Pope Benedict XVI.

Yesterday (2 September) Bristol’s St Nicholas hosted Father Michael’s meeting Bernice Pascal, a long-standing parishioner who’s dedicated to serving her local community.  Bernice will be part of the Mass the Holy Father will celebrate in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 18 September, representing  our diocese in the Mother Church of the Catholic community in England and Wales.  Bernice talked about the changes she’s seen in society and the Church since coming to Bristol from Dominica in 1956.

The five episodes will be published on cliftondiocese.com each day this week.

We look forward to welcoming Pope Benedict who comes to help us, as a society, to see that faith in God is not so much a problem to be solved as a gift to be discovered afresh.

The papal visit begins for our diocese on the eve of the Holy Father’s historic visit to the United Kingdom.  A special evening of prayers will take place in the Cathedral led by Bishop Declan and Bishop Tom Burns of Menevia, we will join together and pray that the papal visit lights up the heart of our nation.  All are welcome to take part from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm on Wednesday 15 September.  You can find out much more about this unique celebration by listening to our 'Taper Tales' podcast series preseneted by Father Jason Jones, the ector of the National Shrine of Wales.

As we prepare to welcome Pope Benedict XVI we invite you to an evening with the man who’s presenting the BBC’s portrait of the Holy Father.  Award-winning TV documentary maker Mark Dowd will share with us how he’s grown in his understanding of the Holy Father’s vision for our world.  All are welcome to this free event as we look forward to welcoming the Bishop of Rome.  It takes place in Bath on Friday 10 September at 7.00 pm.

The official website thepapalvisit.org.uk is the best place to find out the most up-to-date information in the build up to the special time in the life of the Church in our countries.  It will also provide full coverage during the visit - a great place for you to follow the visit virtually if you are unable to be at any of the large public papal events.

You can also make your donation towards the visit at the official website.  It's simple, secure and direct.

Sign-up to the e-alert packed with the latest news about the Holy Father’s historic visit.

Our striking posters, displayed in all our parishes and many other places, welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom are available to all.  You can download your copy in the multimedia panel on the right and put them up to welcome the Holy Father and his historic visit.  You can also download posters promoting the events in Bath and the Cathedral.