OVERVIEW

On this page, we go into more details about the programme, with additional information about the monthly themes and profiles of the speakers.

To go back to the main 2027 page click HERE

To see this month's programme click HERE

FOLLOWING THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Knowing who we are in Christ and

standing firmly in our identity.

2027 is a year in which we will strengthen our trust in who Jesus is, based on his “I am” statements, whilst also trusting his guidance and help, as described in Psalm 23. Knowing who Christ is, and what our identity is in him, we can stand firm in our faith and share it in a loving way, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Background: We sense that the Lord is asking for our Faith to “Stand Out” in the increasingly complicated and ungodly culture in which we are living. The truth of the gospel is being profaned and twisted; or thrown out in favour of normalising what is evil as good, acceptable and desirable. 

The question we need to ask ourselves is: “how can we more faithfully follow Jesus and stay close to him in a culture that is constantly pulling us away?”

November 27th (On Zoom) 

"I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD” 

The Promise of Heaven

Jesus identifies himself as "the resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25) and "the gate for the sheep" (John 10:7). He promises eternal life to all who believe, dwelling within us by the Holy Spirit, who gives our hearts a foretaste of heaven. He calls us to fix our vision on eternity, surrender all, be "temples of the Holy Spirit," pray for the coming of God’s kingdom on earth, and live as "more than conquerors" in Christ.

Speaker: Geoff Poulter has been in active Catholic ministry since 1976. He and his late wife Gina were Directors of the Catholic Bible School and leaders of Celebrate Southampton for many years. Geoff now leads training courses in Prophecy, Healing and Discipleship by request.

Identity: When Jesus was tempted by the Devil, the first thing Satan did was to attack his identity as Son of God. In the same way, he is attacking the Church and its identity and authority to proclaim the truth of the gospel; and our identity as followers of Jesus is also being eroded.

The danger is that, if we water down our belief in the identity of Jesus – who he is – we lose our identity of who we are in Christ. If we begin to compromise, we become less like Jesus called us to be, and more like the world.

The whole programme is underpinned with prayer and each guest speaker is requested to conclude their talk with a time of prayer for participants to be re-filled with the Holy Spirit, and with God’s power and presence, so that they can be inspired and activated to put into practice what they have learned from the session.

2027 THEMES AND SPEAKERS

January 23rd (On Zoom)
“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD” 

Knowing who Jesus is and our identity in Him.

Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.

He knows each of us and died for us personally, so that, through our Baptism into Him, we have a new identity as adopted sons and daughters of our loving Father God.

Knowing our identity in Christ completely changes our relationship with God and how we see the world. We need to learn a childlike trust in our shepherd.

Speaker: Abhy Thomas has been involved with Catholic Charismatic Renewal for over 20 years through the international Catholic movement, serving in various capacities. He has been a member of the CNSC in England & Wales since 2020 before becoming the CNSC coordinator in February 2024.

February 27th (On Zoom)
“I WILL LACK NOTHING” 

Trusting in God’s providence.

Jesus identifies himself as “the gate for the sheep” - the only way to spiritual nourishment, salvation, abundant life and eternal safety. He leads us to “green pastures” to fulfil  God's promise to give us what we need, (though not necessarily what we want, or in our timing. We consider the importance of waiting on God. His timing is always for our good and to cultivate us to grow in our faith.

Speaker: Fr. Chris Thomas is the founder of The Irenaeus Project in Liverpool, hosting Prayer, Scripture and Renewal courses and events. He is also author of many books on practical spirituality, including real and inspiring stories from his own life. Fr Chris's Books.

March 20th (On Zoom)
“BY QUIET WATERS HE LEADS ME” 

Worship is the antidote to anxiety.

Jesus identifies himself as "gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls". His humility makes Him approachable - we can come just as we are. When weary and heavy laden, we can come to Him in worship - but is Jesus our first love? Have we become lukewarm? Let us renew our dedication to worship, especially in silent Adoration, alert to the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit.

Speaker: Ros Powell, a Catholic Evangelist with a healing, deliverance and prophetic ministry, she is a frequent keynote speaker at New Dawn Conference. She also has a powerful prison ministry: along with her team she speaks and ministers healing and restoration to inmates throughout the UK. Ros's website

April 24th (On Zoom)
“HE REFRESHES MY SOUL” 
Baptism in the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus identifies himself as the true vine, who refreshes us and makes us fruitful.
Baptism makes us new creations grafted into Christ the true vine: called to live out the grace of the Sacrament intentionally through prayer, obedience and charity. Abiding in His love means surrendering to the Holy Spirit, whose charisms make us fruitful witnesses in our families and communities. The Church teaches the necessity of charisms, inviting us to desire, pray for and discern the gifts given for our mission.

Speaker: Jenny Baker is the National Leader of Celebrate Trust and Conferences. She previously worked for Catholic Faith Exploration (CaFE) producing and presenting Catholic formation DVD resources for parishes. She also served as Vice-Chair of the English National Service Committee for many years. Celebrate Trust Link.

May 22nd (In person at St. Bede's Church Basingstoke.) 
“HE GUIDES ME” 
Discerning the voice of God.

Jesus identifies himself as “the Way, the Truth and the Life." The Good Shepherd's sheep "follow him because they know his voice." (John 10:4) We learn to recognise and trust the Shepherd’s voice through Scripture, listening prayer and the Spirit’s truth, rejecting the enemy’s lies. Immersed in God’s Word, we discern His guidance and commit to Christ alone, walking the narrow way that leads us fully into His life.

Speaker: Charles Whitehead KSG is a highly respected Catholic Renewal leader. He has taught all over the world and is author of several books. Worked with Pope St. John Paul II as Chairman of the International Catholic Charismatic Office in Rome. With his wife Sue, he founded the Celebrate conferences.

June 26th  (On Zoom)

“I WILL FEAR NO EVIL”
Finding God in difficulties and suffering.

Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd who willingly lays down His life for His followers, knows each of them individually, and protects them from harm. Jesus freely laid down his life, entering human suffering so that even in our darkest valleys He holds us in love, finds us when we cannot find Him, protects us as our shepherd, and allows only what His permissive will can use for our good and His glory.

Speaker: Daniella Stephens is a Catholic evangelist and teacher who travels the UK and abroad speaking at churches, schools, conferences, retreats, prayer groups and youth groups. Her ministry is principally to young people. She is also Operations Manager at Prince of Peace Community, who run the New Dawn Conference.

July 17th (On Zoom)
“YOU ARE WITH ME” 
Trusting in God’s presence and power.

Jesus identifies himself as “the bread of life.” He is our daily sustenance. Even surrounded by enemies we can trust God’s protection, eagerly welcoming Him in the Eucharist where Christ is fully present. We’re invited to approach Mass with longing, recognize the Holy Spirit who guides us, honour God with our praises, and serve Him in the least of our brothers and sisters.

Speaker: Allegra Mutanda. In May 2026, Allegra was appointed National Coordinator of Youth 2000, an international Catholic spiritual initiative and youth movement centred on the Eucharist and the New Evangelisation, for young adults aged 16–35. She previously worked as Director of Evangelisation in St. Peter's, Winchester. She is also a member of the CHARIS national team.

August 21st (On Zoom) 
“HIS ROD AND STAFF COMFORT ME” 
Finding God’s Peace.

Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd who will do anything to care for his flock. The shepherd’s rod and staff assure us of God’s strength, protection and loving correction, freeing us from the modern anxiety of self‑reliance. As many lose meaning and drift from God, the Good Shepherd leads us to peace, hope and purpose, guiding, rescuing and disciplining us according to His plan for our lives.

Speaker: Barbara Mason has been involved in faith formation for over thirty-five years in the UK and internationally, giving retreats, talks, catechetical instruction and Bible Studies to young people and adults. She is the author of the study guide "Is Religion Necessary? And Other Questions", and several CTS pamphlets.

September 18th (On Zoom)
“HE ANOINTS MY HEAD WITH OIL” 
The Good Shepherd our Protector and Healer.

Jesus identifies himself as the Divine Physician and the one who drives out evil by the “finger of God.” Shepherds anointed sheep with oil for protection, and in Scripture anointing signifies royal authority, fulfilled  in Jesus, the King of Kings. Through the Spirit, we share His authority over evil, exercised in gifts of healing, deliverance, discerning spirits, renouncing sin and proclaiming Christ’s victory.

Speaker: Stuart Burman is Co-ordinator of CHARIS in Arundel and Brighton Diocese and has run diocesan healing ministry training courses and Life in the Spirit courses. He works as a Business Programme Director and volunteers for his local Parish and Worthing Churches Homeless Nightshelter.

October 16th  (In person at St Joseph's Bracknell)
“HIS GOODNESS AND MERCY FOLLOW ME”

Forgiveness is the key to happiness.  

Jesus identifies himself as the Son of God, who "has authority on earth to forgive sins." Jesus teaches us to forgive even what feels unforgivable, and to bring our anger to God honestly. Though we revisit past sins, Christ has erased them through His blood, freeing us to love others selflessly. He is the Good Shepherd who seeks and saves every lost one, through the mercy of the new covenant.

Speaker: Kristina Cooper was formerly Editor of the charismatic "Good News" magazine for 35 years,  as well as giving spiritual talks and writing on Spirituality for other Catholic publications. She is currently Co-ordinator of CHARIS in Southwark Diocese.