In a brief Lenten message to mark the launch of the Elphin Diocese’s 2008 Lenten Scripture Sharing Booklet Bishop ChristopherJones has said that he is delighted and encouraged by the formation of Lenten Scripture Sharing Groups in so many parishes.

“Such groups, and the friendships, sharing and prayer they encourage” he said, “make a wonderful contribution to the building up of our faith. The Lord delights when two or three gather in His name. As you start out again (or for the first time) I pray your participation will be joyful and enriching”.

This is the diocese’s second year to produce a Lenten Scripture Sharing Group’s booklet. Last year 650 copies were circulated to parishes in response to requests for such a booklet and requests for a similar booklet for Advent came to 890.

The basic idea is that a few friends or neighbours come together in one of their homes for a half hour for each of the six weeks of Lent and follow a seven-step method outlined in the booklet. The seven steps include reading the Sunday Gospel and a commentary on it, discussing its connection with life today and praying for the intentions of group members.

This year’s booklet is also a first in so far as it marks a collaborative venture between priests and lay people with an interest in encouraging this form of prayer in the diocese. Among those involved in writing commentaries / producing it were Aidan Anglin (Breedogue), Bernie Burke (Riverstown), Celia Dunleavy (Drumcliff), Fr. Michael Duignan (St. Angela’s College), Fr. Gerard McCarthy SVD, (Donomon), Mary Mulligan (Athlone) and Ann Allen & Justin Harkin of the Elphin diocese’s Pastoral Development Office.

Enquiries concerning the availability of the booklet should be directed to Ann Allen, Pastoral Development Office, Church Grounds, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. Tel/Fax: 071 96 34960. E-mail: ann@elphindiocese.ie

Ann Allen (Pastoral Development Office, Strokestown), Celia Dunleavy (Drumcliff, Co. Sligo), Mary Mulligan (Athlone) and Bernie Burke (Riverstown) celebrating the printing of the Elphin diocese’s Lent 2008 booklet for Scripture Sharing Groups.