'Thank you for your joy' ADORE celebrates 50 years with 'wonderful' in-person event

By Alastair Emblem

Our ADoRE 50th Anniversary celebrations reached their high point on 25th October with a wonderful in-person celebration at St Bede's Church in Basingstoke. One attendee described it as "oh so very special in every way."

The church was packed with around 150 guests and our Holy Mass was celebrated by Bishop of Portsmouth Rt. Rev. Philip Egan, with five other priests, two deacons and many other servers assisting. Bishop Philip congratulated ADoRE on its steadfastness in continuing for fifty years, and thanked the group for its meetings and prayers, which he described as "a powerful work of intercession for the Church." You can watch the Mass here

 ADoRE is a monthly meeting of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, dedicated to the encouragement of a personal relationship with God, through Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Formed in 1975 in Portsmouth Diocese, it is one of the longest continually running Charismatic Days of Renewal in Britain.

At the conclusion of Mass, the Bishop presented a special Papal Blessing to ADoRE, which I accepted on behalf of the group. The inscription on the framed certificate reads as follows:

"The Holy Father Leo XIV cordially imparts the requested Apostolic Blessing to the Members of the Alton Day of Renewal (ADoRE) as they mark the occasion of their 50th Anniversary and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary invokes an abundance of Divine graces. 25th October 2025" Signed by Miguel Maury Buendia, Apostolic Nuntio

Radiating and attracting people to the Lord

After Mass, during refreshment break, Bishop Philip cut the special Jubilee Cake, congratulated us again and said: "Thank you for your joy, which radiates and attracts people to the Lord."

The worship at Mass had been greatly enhanced by the singing of the Basingstoke Filipino Choir and they continued to inspire us during a time of praise and worship, which everyone joined in, singing with great enthusiasm. One person said: "The choir was absolutely amazing and praise and worship time was just so beautiful." Watch a video of the praise & worship here

After a short but moving testimony from Scarlet, we welcomed our guest speakers Charles and Sue Whitehead, who encouraged us to go deeper in our times of prayer, developing greater intimacy with the Lord. "The talk by Charles Whitehead was profoundly inspiring." Watch Charles and Sue's talk below.

"It was all so very wonderful"

After a shared picnic lunch where people could catch up with old friends and make new ones, we returned to the Church for a time of adoration, reconciliation and prayer ministry. The two priests were kept busy hearing confessions and the teams of experienced ADoRE Prayer Ministers prayed with 39 people. Here are some of the comments:

"I was prayed over during confession. It was wonderful."

"Prayer ministry was a great help"

."I found it very moving & reassuring giving me the power to receive some interior healing, peace and hope."

Overall, it was a busy but joyful and fruitful day, with many expressing positive comments:

"It was all so very wonderful. I am so glad that I was there!!"

"The drive was worth every mile, especially to share in the jubilee celebrations!"

"Fellowship and meeting with familiar online faces in real life was just great and beneficial."

"A wonderful day and so happy to pray/worship/hear talks."

"The whole day was marvellously put together."

Reflecting on "a very special occasion," ADoRE Leader Alastair Emblem said: "The Day of Renewal was born out of a prayer group in St Joseph's Parish Basingstoke, started by Parish Priest Fr Brian Coogan in the home of Ron and Margaret Nicholls. Over the last fifty years, literally thousands of people have attended the monthly meetings and experienced an awakening of their faith. 

"Five years ago, during lockdown, we had to go on to Zoom, and since then our attendance has grown dramatically. People from all over the UK and abroad now tune in to our monthly 3-hour sessions."

"Now we have only two in-person all-day meetings each year, and they are really popular with those who can get to them. This jubilee meeting was a very special occasion and we have had so many congratulations and thanks."

Next Meeting

On 22 November 10.00-13.00 we will meet on Zoom once again for the last time this year. The theme for the day is "PILGRIMS OF HOPE: SIGNPOSTS TO THE KINGDOM," We come across so many on our Pilgrim journey who are lost, without hope. We know the way (Jesus); we have a guide (the Holy Spirit); we have the gift of hope. We need to be sign posts, showing the way, sharing our hope. Our guest speaker, Hannah Vaughan-Spruce, Executive Director of Divine Renovation UK, will explain how the renewal of parishes - for example, through the Divine Renovation programme - is a source for hope in the UK Church