Lent 2024 Initiative
– an in-person opportunity
Invitation
During Lent small groups of adults, supported by group facilitators, Partners in the Gospel, clergy and catechists, will gather weekly in parishes throughout the Elphin diocese for an hour or more. During their time together they will read, ponder, discuss and pray with the latter chapters of St Mark’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
Last October /November Bible Study /Scripture Sharing Groups formed in a number of parishes throughout the Elphin diocese. The shared goal of each group was to read and ponder the opening chapters of Mark’s gospel mindful of the question: ‘How is God speaking to us through this text today?’ Groups also took a little time during each meetingto pray as inspired by their engagement and conversation.
The focus will now turn to the latter chapters of Mark’s Gospel. Over six mornings or evenings, pending when the group meets, and with the aid of some resources provided by the diocese, group will devote time to reading and exploring chapters nine to sixteen of St Mark’s Gospel.
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
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- 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
- To encourage and support engagement in this initiative as a Lenten spiritual exercise.
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 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 the latter chapters of St Mark’s Gospel
- Shared Reading of Mk 9:1-32
- Exploration as to how this passage is ‘a word for today’ and related discussion (supported by facilitators)
- Brief time of prayer, as inspired by reading of Mk 9:1-32
Session 2 – 6
- Welcome and review of learning from previous session
- Conversation inspired by engagement with St Mark’s Gospel during the week
- 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 €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. Facilitators / Partners in the Gospel etc very kindly give their time free-of-charge.
Host Parishes, Dates, Times and Venues
CONFIRMED
MONDAYS (Evenings) 12th, 19th, 26th February , 4th, 11th & 18th March.
8.00 – 9.15 pm
AHAMLISH (Grange & Cliffoney)
Mary Leonard’s Home
Aughagad, Grange,
Sligo.
F91 EH05
Facilitators: Mary Leonard & Anne Hargadon
To reserve a place please contact Mary on 087 784 7304.
TUESDAYS (Mornings) 13th, 20th, 27th February & 5th, 12th & 19th March
10.30 – 11.45 am (after 10 am Mass)
BOYLE
The Committee Room
St. Joseph’s Church
Abbeytown
Boyle
Co. Roscommon
F52 TY46
Facilitators: Eithne Deane, Hanora Lavin and
Tuesday mornings after 10 am Mass (10.30 – 11.30 am)
To reserve a place please contact Eithne on 086 2385649
11.35- 12.50 pm (after 11 am Mass in Sacred Heart Church)
ROSCOMMON
St. Coman’s Club,
Abbey St,
Roscommon.
F42 YT51
Facilitator: Tom Beirne, Mrs Mary McBrien & Fr Eugene McLoughlin
To reserve a place please contact Assumpta in Roscommon Parish Office 090 662 6298
TUESDAYS (Evenings) 13th, 20th, 27th February & 5th, 12th & 19th March
7.30 – 8.45 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
7 – 8.15 pm
STRANDHILL-RANSBORO (beginning 20th February)
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 – 8.45 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 Sabrina Rooney on 071-9145028 (office hours) or Patricia on 083 198 5053
7.30 pm – 8.45 pm (Beginning March 5th)
ROSSES POINT
S.N. Réalt na Mara School Hall,
Rosses Point,
Co. Sligo.
F91 TR29.
Facilitator: Fr. Michael Drumm
To reserve a place please contact Fr. Michael Drumm @ [email protected]
WEDNESDAYS (Mornings) 21st, 28th February & 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th March
11.10 am- 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
WEDNESDAYS (Evenings) 14th, 21st, 28th February & 6th, 13th & 20th March
7.30 – 8.45 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 (beginning Feb 21st)
FRENCHPARK-BALLINAGARE & FAIRYMOUNT-TIBOHINE
The Parish Office
Frenchpark
Faciliators: Anne Gilligan & Fr Micheal Donnelly
To reserve a place please contact Anne on 085 1008362
Beginning Wednesday 21st Feb. & concluding 27th March
7.00 – 8.15 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) 15th, 22nd, 29th February & 7th, 14th & 21st March
11.30 – 12.45 pm (after 11 am Mass)
CASTLEREA-CLOONBONIFFE-TRIEN (Kilkeevan)
The Parochial House (Fr. John McManus’s residence),
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) 15th, 22nd, 29th February & 7th, 14th & 21st March
7.30 – 8.45 pm
KILTOOM & CAM
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.
8 – 9.15 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 – 9.15 pm
ATHLEAGUE-FUERTY
The Parlour
Athleague Presbytery
Athleague
Co. Roscommon
F42 P440
Facilitators: Caroline Neilan & Fr. Christopher Edebianga MSP
To reserve a place please contact Justin on 087 6171526
7.30 – 8.30 pm (beginning 22nd February)
BALLINAMEEN/BREEDOGUE
The Presbytery,
Knockglass
Ballinameen,
Co. Roscommon
F52 C899
Facilitators: Eithne Deane, Mary Cregg & Fr. Larry Ebuk MSP
To reserve a place please contact Eithne on 086 2385649
FRIDAYS (Evenings) 23rd February & 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd March
8 – 9.15 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) 11th, 18th, 25th February & 3rd, 10th & 17th March
7 – 8.15 pm
BALLINASLOE (at request of CREIDEAMH Network)
Clonfert Family Centre,
Brackernagh,
Ballinasloe.
H53 NX59
Facilitator: John Weldon
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 – 8.45 pm
KILGLASS-ROOSKEY-SLATTA
The Parochial House,
Rooskey
Co Roscommon
N41 X0P0
Facilitators: Tara Doherty, Anthony Smith and Fr. Willibroard Sakwe
To reserve a place please contact Tara on 089 4359206 or Anthony on 085 1225438.
DEFERRED UNTIL AFTER EASTER SUNDAY
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
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: 27th December 2023.
