Autumn/Winter Scripture Initiative 2024

– an in-person opportunity

Invitation

During October and November  small groups of adults, supported by group facilitators, clergy and catechists, will gather weekly in certain parishes of the Elphin diocese for an hour or so.  During their time together they will read, ponder, discuss and pray with the passages from the first ten chapters of St Luke’s Gospel.  Each group invites  interested adults to join them and if you are uncertain as to whether you should participate, you are most welcome on a come-and-see basis, and to stay in so far as you experience meetings as friendly, life-giving and helpful.  

Introduction

There is a long tradition in some parishes of the Elphin diocese of women and men taking time periodically to gather with friends, old and new, to chat and to pray with passages of sacred scripture.

In more recent years, following requests, the diocese has sought to support group leaders by providing study bibles and other resources which support such meetings.  Over the past two years groups have engaged with certain letters of St Paul and St Mark’s Gospel.  During October and November the focus will fall on St Luke’s Gospel, and this will be continued during Lent 2025.  A key question at the heart of all sessions of this initiative is, ‘How is God speaking to us through this text today?’   

Please note this is not an adult religious education course.  While participants are likely to learn a lot through their engagement, the primary goal of this initiative is to help each participants know and responde in love to Jesus Christ more intimately, and to hear His word to us, both individually and collectively, at this time.  

We hope the following details will prove helpful to everyone who would like to know more / reserve a place.

Objectives 

    1.  To support participants to read and ponder Luke’s Gospel as a life-giving resource in the Spirit
    2. To help participants toward a more wholesome understanding of Luke’s Gospel as an aid to encounter with God
    3. To stimulate learning and faith-enquiry in a gentle, light-hearted and non-threatening way
    4. To support short periods of scripture-based prayer (led and directed by facilitators)
    5. To foster the bonds of friendship between Catholics and other people of goodwill who participate.

Elements

6 sessions, each between one-and-a-quarter hours and one-and-a-half hours, pending the size of the group, and as agreed by the group at the end of the group’s first meeting.

Resources

Each participant will receive a Participant’s Booklet and a Study Bible or copy of St Mark’s Gospel with footnotes on loan for the duration of the initiative.  

Expectation

Experience has taught us that this and similar initiatives work best when participants are open to giving an hour between sessions to reading, pondering and reflecting on the passage or passages of scripture that will be discussed.  

We also request that all participants respect the uniqueness of one anothers’ faith journeys, life experiences and experiences of Church and Church community.  

Outline of Sessions

Session 1

  • Word of welcome and introductions
  • Review of objectives
  • Introduction to this initiative and St Luke’s Gospel
  • Shared Reading (and reflection) of Lk 1:26-38 (The Annunciation)
  • Exploration as to how this passage is ‘a word for today’ (supported by facilitators)
  • Brief time of prayer

Session 2 – 6

  • Welcome and review of learning from previous session
  • Shared reflection arising reading designated passages of St Luke’s Gospel during the week
  • Shared reading and discussion of a designated passage
  • Exploration as to how the passage is ‘a word for today’
  • Prayer time

Cost

A donation of €20 to €25 would be appreciated from those who can afford to contribute.  This will assist the diocese recoup the cost of bibles and booklets and meet light and heat costs.   Group Facilitators etc. very kindly give their time free-of-charge.

Host Parishes, Dates, Times and Venues

Information will be added as soon at it becomes available.

Further Enquiries

Please ring, text or email Justin on 087 6171526  / [email protected]

 

Thank you.

Updated:  11th September 2024.