The Oratory’s group for young adults (aged 18-35) meets monthly, usually on Thursday evenings.
Meetings take place in St Wilfrid's Hall, the entrance to which is in the forecourt of Oratory House.
The hall opens at 7.45pm, with a talk at 8pm, and a social afterwards (with hot snacks and drinks) until 10pm.
Please note the age range for this group (18-35); if you are outside this bracket, there are many other parish groups and opportunities available, which are listed here.
To receive e-mail notifications of upcoming events, please sign up for the mailing list via the button below.
Upcoming Events
The following meetings are scheduled:
Saturday 25th October, 11am-1pm: Catholic Filmmaking: Using Visual Media to Spread the Faith
(Stefano Mazzeo, St Michael The Archangel Productions)
Talk Summary: In this talk, Catholic film producer Stefano Mazzeo will speak about his experience making films and documentaries, mainly for EWTN, over the past 14 years. He will discuss the Church’s use of various media over the generations, his own philosophy as a filmmaker, and some of the opportunities and challenges that currently exist in using visual media to bring the Gospel and the teachings of the Church into the public square. The talk will be illustrated with a number of video clips and will be followed by an opportunity for Q&A. All young Catholics are warmly invited to attend, especially those working in creative fields, or with skills in these areas.
Speaker Bio: Stefano Edward Mazzeo is an English Catholic filmmaker based in Cornwall. He has worked in various genres of the media all his professional life, starting at the Cornishman Newspaper, Penzance, in the 70s. He attended Plymouth College of Art (print studies) and then Bournemouth College of Art and Design, where he studied Technical Graphics. His degree is in Humanities, with specialisms in TV and Film History and production. He also had a higher national certificate in Theology.
For the last fourteen years, he has produced TV movies and miniseries, mainly for EWTN. These have been historical docudramas regarding the history of the Catholic Church. Early on in his work for EWTN, he was commissioned to make miniseries on The Crusades, The Inquisition, and The “Reformation”; these were known as the “Black Legend” Trilogy. He also made other series, one on the history of the Catholic Church in Wales and an eight-episode series called the Message of Fatima to celebrate the centenary of the Apparitions of Our Lady in 2017. His last two productions have moved more towards the one-off TV movies with The Message of Lourdes and The Curé of Ars.
He aims to make films about Catholics and the Catholic Church that are either neglected by the mainstream media or not given complete or favorable treatment, such as the Crusades, as in his award-winning Crusades miniseries. The films are used for evangelisation, education, and entertainment. Mazzeo believes that the Church and her history are compelling and entertaining.
His films and miniseries have been shown worldwide on EWTN, TV Lux in Slovakia, Croatia, South Korea, South America, Africa, and India.
Please click here to register to attend.
***
Thursday 30th October, 8pm: Pilgrimage: Walking Toward God in a Restless World
(Lauren Heithaus, Hidden Catholic)
Talk Summary: This talk explores the meaning and power of pilgrimage in the life of a Catholic today. We'll look at how pilgrimage has shaped the Church throughout history, from medieval journeys to holy shrines to modern-day spiritual travel, and why it still matters. I’ll share key pilgrimage destinations in the UK and abroad, reflect on my own transformative experiences as a pilgrim, and offer insight into how these sacred journeys can awaken faith, deepen identity, and foster community. I’ll also introduce some of the pilgrimages I now offer through my company, Hidden Catholic, created to help others encounter the beauty and depth of our Catholic heritage through travel.
Speaker Bio: Lauren Heithaus is the founder of Hidden Catholic, a company that offers immersive Catholic tours and pilgrimages across the UK. Originally from the U.S., she now lives in London with her husband and two sons. Her work weaves together history, travel, and faith, helping others rediscover the beauty of Catholicism through the lives of the saints, sacred places, and stories often hidden in plain sight. Lauren speaks and writes on Catholic heritage, pilgrimage, and spiritual motherhood, and hosts a regular segment on Radio Maria England.
Please click here to register to attend.
***
Monday 17th November, 8pm: The Blood of the Martyrs
(John Pontifex, Aid to the Church in Need)
Talk Summary: Drawing on more than 20 years visiting Christian communities in places of acute danger where persecution has been rife, John Pontifex, Head of Press & Public Affairs at the Catholic chairty Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will bring to life the stories of some of the most remarkable individuals willing and able to make the ultimate sacrifice for their faith. Looking at examples from Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq and Syria, he will show how the example of Christian heroism continues to shine out in our own times and how this can inspire and challenge our own faith. His talk comes in the run-up to #RedWednesday, the ACN initiative to shine a light on persecuted Christians and John’s talk will suggest ways we can come together to support the persecuted Church today who sorely need our help in prayer, giving and solidarity.
Speaker Bio: As Head of Press & Public Affairs for ACN (UK), John has been researching and writing about the situation for Christians in situations of persecution and oppression since 2002, carrying out fact-finding visits to countries including persecution hotspots past and present including Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt, Eritrea and Nigeria, where he went earlier this year. He is the founder and editor of ACN’s international publication Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians oppressed for their Faith which has reported on Iraq in every edition since the research project was first established in 2006. He was invested as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre in November 2023.
[Signup link available soon]
***
Monday 1st December: God: The Science, The Evidence: - The Dawn of a Revolution [Talk and Book Launch Event]
(Michel-Yves Bolloré and Olivier Bonnassies)
Further details to follow soon.
Subscribe to the mailing list via the button above to receive notifications of future meetings.
Please subscribe to the mailing list via the button above to receive details of forthcoming meetings.