Take this Autumn's programme, which contains three talks (all ‘open’ meetings). We have already heard Dr. Ian Jessiman, a prominent member of the Guild of Catholic Doctors, speak to us on ‘Current Problems in Medical Ethics’ - a topic of importance, because there are so many members of today’s secular society, who wish to throw overboard key elements of Christian morality.
Next in line we shall listen to Mgr. Malachy Keegan on ‘What have Prisons and Prisoners to do with me?’. Father Mal (the informal name, which instinctively comes to mind) is well known to many of us, because he lives locally and has assisted in the parish by saying Mass on many occasions. Many will remember the series of talks on prayer, which he gave in the parish some years ago - and later another series on the sacraments. We first knew him as the Roman Catholic Chaplain to Brixton Prison, but subsequently he has been appointed as the Principal RC Chaplain overseeing all of the RC Prison Chaplaincies in England and Wales. He is exceptionally well placed to tell us about our prisons, what reforms (if any) are needed and why we, as ordinary Catholics, need to take an interest.
And finally we shall listen to Imam Sulayman Gani on ‘Understanding Islam’. The thinking here is that, if this world is to achieve a genuine peace, then Christians and Moslems have to make an effort to understand each other better. So this meeting is a contribution to that process. The Imam received our proposal for this event very graciously and he expects to arrange for some of his own people to be present - so the discussion after the talk will also be of special interest.
Details of the two meetings to come are as follows:
Thursday 25th October:
The talk by Mgr, Malachy Keegan at St. Mary's RC Church, West Croydon in The Resource Centre.
Thursday 15th November:
The talk by Imam Sulayman Gani at Tooting Islamic Centre, 145 Upper Tooting Road.
Access for our Tooting event is through the girls' school entrance around the corner in Lessingham Avenue, SW17. (Upper Tooting Road is the main road directly between Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway Underground stations. The Islamic Centre is about halfway between the two stations, but is slightly nearer to Tooting Bec). As the talk is to be given in a Hall, rather than in the Mosque itself, the removal of shoes will not be necessary.
Both of these meetings are open, so that non-members are welcome. In each case after the talk there will be a period for questions and discussion. At the October meeting non-members will be invited to make a voluntary donation (£2 is suggested). At both meetings you are asked to arrive by 7.45 for 8pm
What will our Spring 2008 Programme contain? Frankly I don’t know just yet, but if you have any ideas on speakers and/or topics I shall be very interested to hear from you.
If you would like to have further information about the Newman Association, please take a look at the Association website at www.newman.org.uk, or direct your questions to me.
David Barrett