Pondering and Praying with St Mark’s Gospel
Scripture Sharing Initiative
– an in-person opportunity
Invitation
Over coming weeks small groups of adults, supported by group facilitators, Partners in the Gospel, clergy and catechists, will gather in parishes throughout the Elphin diocese for an hour or more. During their time together they will read, ponder, discuss and pray with the opening chapters of St Mark’s Gospel. Each group invites adults interesed in exploring how God seeks to meet us in our needs and aspirations through sacred scripture to join them on a ‘come and see’ basis, and to stay in so far as you experience the meetings as friendly, life-giving, enriching and helpful.
Introduction
Over the past two years Bible Study /Scripture Sharing Groups have formed in a number of parishes in the Elphin diocese. During that time the number of participants has grown from c. sixty to one-hundred-and-fifty adults. The focus of these groups to date has been the letters of St Paul, giving rise to many engaging discussions, helpful insights and prayerful moments.
On Bishop Kevin’s recommendation the focus will now turn to St Mark’s Gospel. Over six mornings or evenings, pending when the group meets, and with the aid of some resources provided by the diocese, each group will devote time to reading and exploring segments from St Mark’s Gospel. Time will also be given at the end of each session to praying with a designated passage.
As there is much to ponder and discuss, the initiative will focus on the first nine chapters of St Mark’s Gospel. The remaining seven chapters will be covered during a follow-up initiative in February and March 2023.
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 us know and love Jesus Christ more intimately and to hear how he is speaking to our hearts and minds through St Mark’s Gospel today.
We hope the following details will prove helpful to everyone who would like to know more / reserve a place.
Objectives
- To support participants to read and ponder St Mark’s Gospel as a life-giving resource in the Spirit
- To help participants toward a more wholesome understanding of St Mark’s Gospel
- To stimulate learning and faith-enquiry in a gentle, light-hearted and non-threatening way
- To support short periods of scripture-based prayer (led and directed by facilitators)
- To foster the bonds of friendship between Catholics and other people of goodwill who participate.
Elements
6 sessions, each between one-hour and one-and-a-half hours, pending the size of the group, and as agreed at the end of the first meeting.
Resources
Each participant will receive a Participant’s Booklet and Bible or copy of St Mark’s Gospel 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 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 St Mark’s Gospel and our way of proceeding
- Discussion
- Brief engagement with opening paragraphs of St Mark’s Gospel
Session 2 – 6
- Welcome & conversation based on reading in advance of session
- Shared reading of designated passage
- Discussion
- Exploration as to how the passage is ‘a word for today’
- Prayer time
- Review and closure
Cost
A donation of €20 to €30 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. Facilitators / Partners in the Gospel etc very kindly give their time free-of-charge.
Host Parishes, Dates, Times and Venues
MONDAYS (Evenings) 23rd & 3oth Oct., 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th November
8.00 – 9 / 9.15 pm
AHAMLISH (Grange & Cliffoney)
Parish Meeting Room
Parochial House
Grange
Sligo
F91 HR26
Facilitators: Patricia McCaffrey & Bernie Flynn
To reserve a place please contact Bernie on 087 9730209.
TUESDAYS (Mornings) 24th & 31st Oct., 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th November
10.30 – 11.30 am (after 10 am Mass)
BOYLE
The Committee Room
St. Joseph’s Church
Abbeytown
Boyle
Co. Roscommon
F52 TY46
Facilitators: Eithne Deane and Justin Harkin
Tuesday mornings after 10 am Mass (10.30 – 11.30 am)
To reserve a place please contact Justin on 087 6171526
TUESDAYS (Evenings) 24th & 31st Oct., 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th November
7.30 / 8.30 pm
DRUMCLIFFE & MAUGHEROW PARISHES
The Meeting Room
Old School
Rathcormac
Co. Sligo
F91 XT57
Facilitators: Celia Dunleavy, Clare Devaney, Mary Lyons & Fr. Tom Hever
To reserve a place please contact Fr. Tom Hever on 071 914 2779
8 – 9.00 / 9.15 pm
STRANDHILL-RANSBORO
Ransboro Parish Centre
Star of the Sea Church
Ransboro
Co. Sligo
F91 YC97
Facilitators: Fina Golden & Gerard Kelly
To reserve a place please contact Fina Golden on 087 681 6821
Tuesdays 7.30 – 8.30 / 8.45 pm
ST. ANNE’S SLIGO
Parish Meeting Room
St. Anne’s Church
Cranmore Road
Sligo
F91 R250
Facilitators: Patricia McCaffrey & Fr. Pat Lombard PP
To reserve a place please contact Patricia on 083 198 5053
WEDNESDAYS (Mornings) 25th Oct. & 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th November
11.10 am- 12.10/ 12.25 pm
(after 10.30 Mass in Cathedral)
St. MARY’S (Cathedral) PARISH SLIGO
The Library,
St. Mary’s Presbytery,
Temple St.
Sligo
F91 KTX2
Facilitators: Sr. Moya Hegarty OSU & Marian Roycroft
To reserve a place please contact St. Mary’s Parish Office @ 071 916 2670
11.35- 12.35 pm (after 11 am Mass in Sacred Heart Church)
ROSCOMMON
St. Coman’s Club,
Abbey St,
Roscommon.
F42 YT51
Facilitator: Justin Harkin & Fr Eugene McLoughlin
To reserve a place please ring / text Justin on 087 6171526.
WEDNESDAYS (Evenings) 25th Oct. & 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th November
7.30 – 8.30 pm
BALLYGAR-NEWBRIDGE-TOHERGAR
The Courthouse (beside Church)
Ballygar.
F42 TD30
Facilitators: John Weldon & Fr. Doughlas Zaggi PP
To reserve a place please ring / text John on 087 9068032
8.00 – 9.00 pm
ELPHIN & AUGHRIM PARISHES
Elphin Day Care Centre
Chapel St.
Elphin
Col Roscommon
F45 VE27
Facilitators: Josephine Stroker & Fr. Stephen Ezenwegbu PP
To reserve a place please contact Fr Stephen on 089 4394577
8.00 – 9.00 pm
BALLINAMEEN/BREEDOGUE
The Presbytery,
Knockglass
Ballinameen,
Co. Roscommon
F52 C899
Faciliators: Deacon David Muldowney & Fr. Larry Ebuk MSP
To reserve a place please contact Deacon David on 0861701396
8.00 – 9.00 pm
KILGEFIN (Ballagh, Cloontuskert & Curraghroe)
& LANESBORO PARISHES
Lanesboro Parish Hub
Laneboro
Co. Longford
N39 V1F2
Facilitators: Geraldine Malone & Josephine Kenny
To reserve a place please contact Lanesboro Parish Office on 043 3321166
WEDNESDAYS, 8th Nov. to 13th Dec.
7.00 – 8.00 pm
ST. JOSEPH’S & CALRY
St. Joseph’s Parish Centre
Ballytivnan Rd.,
Sligo
F91 VH73
Facilitators: Bernadette Flynn & Fr. Noel Rooney
To reserve a place place contact Fr. Noel on 086 6054106 / [email protected]
THURSDAYS (Mornings) 19th & 26th Oct. & 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th Nov.
11.30 – 12.30 pm (after 11 am Mass)
CASTLEREA-CLOONBONIFFE-TRIEN (Kilkeevan)
The Meeting Room (above sacristy),
St Patrick’s Church
St Patrick St.
Casltlerea
F45 X671
Facilitators: Mary Flynn & clergy of the parish
To reserve a place please contact Rita in parish office @ 0949620040
THURSDAYS (Evenings) 19th & 26th Oct. & 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th Nov.
7.30 – 8.30/ 8.45 pm
KILTOOM & CAM & ST PETER & PAUL’S ATHLONE
Kiltoom Parish Hall
Ballybay
Kiltoom
Co. Roscommon
N37 Y4X7
Facilitators: Úna Feeley & Deacon William Gacquin
To reserve a place please contact Kiltoom Parish Office on 0906489105.
Thursdays (Evenings) 26th Oct. & 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th Nov.
8 – 9 pm
ST JOHN’S CARRAROE, SLIGO
Fr. Curley Room,
Carraroe Community Centre
(Beside St. John’s Church)
Carraroe
Sligo
F91 H5PT
Facilitators: Maura Garvey & Marian Roycroft
To reserve a place please ring / text Maura on 0871442020 or Marian on 086 1744205.
8 – 9 pm
ATHLEAGUE-FUERTY
The Parlour
Athleague Presbytery
Athleague
Co. Roscommon
F42 P440
Facilitators: Caroline Neilan, Justin Harkin & Fr. Christopher Edebianga MSP
To reserve a place please contact Justin on 087 6171526
FRIDAYS (Evenings) 3rd Nov and fortnightly thereafter
8 – 9 pm
KNOCKCROGHERY-LECARROW-RAHARA
Culleen Hall
Kilkeenrevagh
Knockcroghery
Co. Roscommon
F42 EN12
Facilitators: Fr. Joseph Ali and James Mullooly
To reserve a place please contact James on 087 9450314
SUNDAYS (Evenings) 22nd & 29th Oct. & 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th November
8 – 9.15 / 9.30 pm
BALLINASLOE (at request of CREIDEAMH Network)
Clonfert Family Centre,
Brackernagh,
Ballinasloe.
H53 NX59
Facilitators: John Weldon & Fr. Charles Nihameh
To reserve a place please ring / text John on 087 906 8032.
DATES ETC. TO BE DECIDED OVER COMING DAYS
Day of week and specific time to be decided
7.30 pm – 8.45 / 9 pm
ROSSES POINT
S.N. Réalt na Mara,
Rosses Point,
Co. Sligo.
F91 TR29.
Facilitator: Fr. Michael Drumm
To reserve a place please contact Fr. Michael Drumm @ [email protected]
7.30 – 8.45 pm
KILGLASS-ROOSKEY-SLATTA
The Parochial House or Rooskey Community Centre (pending numbers)
Rooskey
Co Roscommon
N41 X0P0
Facilitators:
To reserve a place please contact Fr. on 071 9638014
Booking of Places
To be assured of a place please communicate your interest to the contact person or office identified associated with your venue of choice above
Further Enquiries
Please ring, text or email Justin on 087 6171526 / [email protected]
Thank you.
Updated: 20th October 2023.
