The Gillooly Hall, Sligo and The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon were the venues for the Elphin diocese’s very enjoyable launch of a Lenten Resource for Scripture Sharing Groups on Wednesday and Thursday February 3rd & 4th respectively. Over 140 group leaders and participants from all parishes of the diocese gathered for these special occasions.

The launch began with a short launch address by Bishop Jones in which he praised and thanked everyone involved in this diocesan initiative.

After he spoke the gatherings were treated to a delightful fifty-minute presentation on praying with the psalms and Gospel passages. This highly informative and engaging presentation was given by Sr. Moya Hegarty OSU, Ballytivnan, Sligo.

Both Sr. Moya and Bishop Jones praised participants and Group Leaders for spearheading this initiative in their parishes and for creating opportunities for people to meet, pray and chat / build friendships. “Many blessings will flow from your goodness” remarked Bishop Jones.

After the launch many participants thanked Sr. Moya for the many keys she provided by way of unlocking the beauty, wonder of usefulness of the psalms, the world’s oldest prayer book.

“We were so taken with Moya in Sligo” shared Justin Harkin, Elphin’s Director of Pastoral Development “that we organised for her presentation in Roscommon to be recorded. Over the coming weeks we look forward to circulating it on CD to the 100+ Lenten Groups. Copies will also be available via the Elphin diocese’s Pastoral Development Office in Strokestown.

Over seven hundred adults are expected to join Lenten Groups across the parishes of the Elphin diocese this Lent (which begins with Ash Wednesday on February 17th). In Roscommon parish alone more than 120 are expected to participate.

Other adults interested in joining or forming such groups (which can be as small as 3 adults) and in getting the Lenten resource are encouraged to contact parish clergy, secretaries, Parish Pastoral Council members of the Elphin diocese’s Pastoral Development Office in Strokestown (071 9634960 / pdo@elphindiocese.ie

Brian O’Grady (St. Anne’s), Bernie Flynn (Calry), Sr. Moya Hegarty OSU (Ballytivnan), Bishop Christopher Jones, Finola Donegan (St. Anne’s) & Ann Cummins (Calry) at the launch of the Taking Our Hearts to the Lord Lenten booklet & CD in The Gillooly Hall, Sligo on Wednesday Feb. 3rd.