Press release for launch of Lenten Resource Print
Pastoral Development Office of the Diocese of Elphin

Wednesday Nov. 11th 2009
Enquiries:    Justin Harkin  087 6171526

Bishops Encourage Scripture Sharing Prayer Groups

Lenten Resource to be launched in Sligo & Roscommon

Nine Irish dioceses - Achonry, Ardagh & Clonmacnois, Armagh, Clonfert, Elphin, Kerry, Killala, Limerick and Tuam - have come together and produced a Lenten Scripture Sharing Group resource booklet entitled Turning Our Hearts to The Lord. 

For six of the dioceses - Achonry, Ardagh & Clonmacnois, Clonfert, Elphin, Killala and Tuam – this is their second such collaborative venture.  During Advent they successfully piloted a similar booklet.  More specifically 1,500 + participants, through an evaluation process, highlighted many points of appreciation, including their valuing of:

  1.  the weekly coming together with friends and neighbours to pray and to chat,
  2. the prayer format offered by the resource booklet, drawing from the Prayer of the Church (Divine Office) and Christian meditation
  3. the opportunities for supported and shared exploration of Gospel passages.
At their request the new Lenten Resource has been prepared.  Moreover Armagh, Kerry and Limerick dioceses have come on board, anticipating a similar desire for such a resource among their parishioners. 

The bishops of all participating dioceses, including Cardinal Seán Brady, have also been welcoming and encouraging of this collaborative venture.  The initial proposer, Bishop Christopher Jones (Elphin), has spoken of both publications as very positive developments:  “As bishops we are delighted to encourage and affirm people in their desire to gather and to pray.  Sacred Scripture is a wonderful treasury and great blessings flow from prayerful engagement with it.  We commend and praise all who initiate and participate in Lenten Scripture Sharing Prayer Groups and pray that all will encounter the transforming grace Christ desires for all of us this Lent.”

Bishop Jones will also host two launch events for the Lenten Resource in the Elphin diocese.  These will take place (8 – 9.30 pm) in The Gillooly Hall, Sligo on Wednesday February 3rd and in The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon on Thursday February 4th.  .  The heart of the launch ceremony will be a 50 minute presentation by scripture scholar and retreat giver, Sr. Moya Hegarty OSU, on praying with the psalms and with Gospel passages. 

The launch is open to all interested people.  A €5 donation towards the cost of the booklet would be appreciated.

For more information please contact Justin Harkin in the Elphin diocese’s Pastoral Development Office, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon.  Tel:  071 9634960 & 087 6171526
 
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