Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Bournemouth

Fan the Flame was a week of teaching and renewal for the congregation and others, held at the Church of St Francis of Assisi in Bournemouth, from 14th to 18th May 2006

The week was led by our two Missioners Fr Patrick Allen OSB and Brother Michael Bailey OSB from the Church of The Ascension of The Lord, Lavender Hill, London

Each evening began with 'Songs of Praise', with hymns which had been chosen by the congregation and visitors to this website. The subjects for each evening were...

• Sunday 14th May 10am The Commissioning Mass, with the Bishop of Richborough as Celebrant
• Sunday 14th May Baptism
• Monday 15th May Grace
• Tuesday 16th May The Cross
• Wednesday 17th May Resurrection
• Thursday 18th May Eucharist

As described in the 'Fan the Flame Guidebook for Lay Co-ordinators', "The 'Fan the Flame' process of spiritual renewal was devised and began in the Diocese of Chichester in the early 1990's. In 1997, the Mission Task Force was founded under the chairmanship of the Bishop of Horsham, formerly Diocesan Missioner in Chichester. A growing group of clergy and lay people from the Catholic tradition, the Mission Task Force is committed to spiritual renewal and evangelism."

We asked that these five evenings were made a priority, and trusted that God would refresh us and enable us to attend, so that we could rekindle our Faith in the Power of the Spirit.

Transport was arranged for those who needed it, and a creche was provided for the children. Refreshments were provided at the end of each evening, and a 'bring and share supper' was held after the Thursday evening. A leaflet was produced to advertise the week.