On Sunday December 2nd Christian Churches throughout the world begin their new year with the first Sunday of Advent. Staff and associates of the Elphin diocese’s Pastoral Development Office are busy helping parish groups prepare. Over the past fortnight an attractive and easily navigable new booklet has been produced entitled Discerning and Responding to God’s Presence In Our Lives and two hundred copies are already in circulation.

The booklet, which was launched by Bishop Christopher Jones last weekend aims to encourage and support the formation of Advent Scripture Sharing Groups in every parish.

The idea for the initiative came from the success of the diocese’s new Lenten initiative earlier this year. Over 650 people joined such groups in twenty of the diocese’s thirty-eight parishes. The diocese decided to introduce such an initiative following the success of similar initiatives in the dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin and Killaloe.

Commenting after the launch Justin Harkin, Director of Pastoral Development said: “There is a need for an anti-dote to the excessive materialistic avalanche that can characterise the build-up to Christmas. It is becoming oppressive. This initiative invites people to stand back and to value their nature as spiritual and communal beings. There is nothing difficult or challenging about it and it does not require the presence or direction of any expert. Basically adults are encouraged to gathered with a few friends or neighbours for a half hour each week in one of their kitchens or sittings rooms and to follow a simple process of enquiry outlined in the booklet. This process draws upon a provided Gospel passage and a written reflection”. He continued: “What we are doing is not new. Some of us have been at this for years and we experience it as life-giving. It is also a throw-back to the time when visiting neighbours was part of peoples’ experience. Engaged in well, it fosters good friendships and a sense of belonging between participants. I encourage every adult to give it a try.”

Bishop Jones is delighted with the development. In launching the booklet he encouraged all Christians to look upon Advent as an expectant season, a privileged time of looking forward in relation to the triple coming of the Lord: in history, in grace and at the end of time. “Advance in the knowledge that God’s plans for us are always for peace, to give us a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11) and that all things will work together for good for all who love God (Rom 8:28)” he said.

Copies of the booklet can be ordered through local clergy / Parish Scripture Sharing Group co-ordinators or directly from the diocese’s Pastoral Development Office in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. The diocese is also happy to share the resource by e-mail with any other parish or diocese that would like to run with it.

The booklet has also been identified as suited to family (with older children) and personal prayer.

Fr. Tom Hever (Sligo Social Services) Amanda Davidson (St. Mary’s, Sligo), Bishop Christy Jones, Maura Meade (St. Mary’s, Sligo) and Fr. Ian Kennedy (Aughanagh) presenting the Elphin diocese’s new Advent booklet Discerning and Responding to God’s Presence in Our Lives. The booklet is forming the basis for a new reflective diocesan initiative aimed at counter-acting the materialistic and consumeristic thrust of the pre-Christmas season.

Among those encouraging engagement with the Elphin diocese’s new Advent initiative in the Boyle-Castlerea area are Sr. Olive Flanagan (Galilee Community, Aughanagh), Fr. Eamonn O’Connor (Tarmonbarry), Sr. Mae McManus (Galilee Community) and Fr. Joe Fitzgerard (Castlerea).

 

Over eighty adults in Roscommon parish are expected to participate in the Elphin Diocese’s Advent Initiative. Our pictures shows some of the parish’s experienced Scripture Sharing Group Leaders. Front row (left to right): Sr. Lena Moore, Peggy Fagan, Pauline Mulhern and Grainne Merriman. Back row: Fr. Eugene McLoughlin, Alice Stevens, Sr. Anna Duignan, Moya Gordon and Msgr. Charles Travers.

St. Peter and Paul’s (Athlone) parishioners Patsy Norton, Fr. Liam Devine PP, Tony Larkin and Sr. Bernard Lynch are among those who have welcomed the Elphin diocese’s new Advent initiative. The title of the booklet which is at the centre of this development is Discerning and Responding to God’s Presence in our lives – An Advent Resource for Scripture Sharing Groups.