Lenten Scripture Initiative 2025
– an in-person opportunity
Invitation
Beginning c. March 3rd, 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 passages from the second half (Chapters 12 to 24) 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 / taster-experience basis, and to stay in so far as you experience meetings as friendly, life-giving and helpful.
Introduction
There is a long tradition in 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 fell on the first eleven chapters of St Luke’s Gospel, and now we continue with the latter half of this gospel.
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, our primary goal is to help one another know and respond in love to Jesus Christ, and to hear His word to us, both individually and collectively.
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 Luke’s Gospel as a life-giving resource in the Spirit
- To help participants toward a more wholesome understanding of Luke’s Gospel as an aid to encounter with God
- 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-quarter 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 Study Bible or copy of St Luke’s Gospel on loan for the duration of the initiative. Other resources will be made available during sessions.
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 part of the gospel 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 to themes in St Luke’s Gospel
- Shared Reading (and reflection)
- drawing on a handout
- drawing on a passage from Chapter 12 of St Luke’s Gospel
- 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
- Engagement in an exploratory exercise to help us engage with St Luke’s Gospel
- 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 €30 would be appreciated from those who can afford to contribute. This will assist the diocese recoup the cost of bibles and other resources and meet light and heat costs. Group Facilitators etc. very kindly give their time free-of-charge.
Host Parishes, Dates, Times and Venues
More venues will be added, as soon at they are confirmed.
DONAMON CASTLE, DONAMON (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Mondays 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st March & 2nd & 7th April.
7.30 – 8.30 pm
The Parlour
Donamon Castle
Donamon
Co. Roscommon
F42 YE13
Facilitators: Wilker Costa & Justin Harkin
To reserve a place please contact Justin on 087 6171526
BOYLE PARISH (MORNINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th March. & 1st & 8th April.
After 10 am Mass
The Meeting Room
St. Joseph’s Parish Church
Carrick Road,
Boyle
F52 TY46
Facilitators: Eithne Deane & Hanora Lavin
To reserve a place please contact Eithne on 086 2385649
ROSCOMMON PARISH (MORNINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th March & 1st & 8th April.
After 11 am Mass
The Legion of Mary Room
First Floor,
St. Coman’s Club,
Abbey St,
Roscommon.
F42 YT51
Facilitators: Tom Beirne, Mary McBrien and Fr Eugene McLoughlin PE
To reserve a place please ring / text Tom on 086 3861954.
STRANDHILL-RANSBORO Parish (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th March & 8th April.
8 – 9 pm
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
DRUMCLIFFE & MAUGHEROW PARISHES (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th March & 8th April.
7.30 – 8.30 pm
The Meeting Room
Old School
Rathcormac
Co. Sligo
F91 XT57
Facilitators: Celia Dunleavy, Clare Devaney, Mary & Geraldine
To reserve a place please contact Drumcliffe Parish Office on 071 914 2779
SLIGO – ST ANNE’S PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th March & 8th April.
7.30 – 8.30 pm
Meeting Room,
St Anne’s Church
Cranmore Rd.
Sligo
F91 R250
Facilitators: Patricia McCaffrey & Fr Steve Walsh
To reserve a place please contact Sabrina in Parish Office (office hours) on 071 9145028.
SLIGO – CARRAROE CHURCH AREA (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 11th, 18th & 25th March & 1st, 8th & 15th April
7.30 – 8.30 pm
Carraroe Community Centre
St. John’s Church
Carraroe
Co. Sligo
F91 E729
Facilitators: Marian Roycroft and Maura Garvey
To reserve a place please contact Marian on 086 1744205
SLIGO – ST JOSEPH’S & CALRY PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Wednesdays 12th, 19th & 26th March & 2nd, 9th & 16th April
7 – 8 pm
St Joseph’s Parish Centre,
St. Joseph’s Church
Ballytivnan Rd
Ballytivnan
Sligo
F91VH73
Facilitaors: Bernie Flynn & Fr Noel Rooney PP
To reserve a place please contact Bernie on 087 973 0209
BALLYGAR-NEWBRIDGE-TOHERGAR PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Wednesdays 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th March & 2nd & 9th April
8 – 9 pm
Ballygar Tidy Towns / Men’s Shed
Ballygar
Co. Galway
F42 TD30
Facilitators: John Weldon & Fr Doughlas Zaggi PP
To reserve a place please contact John on 087 9068032.
KILTOOM & CAM PARISH – Confirmed
Wednesdays 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th March & 2nd & 9th April
8 – 9 pm
Meeting Room,
Kiltoom Parish Hall
Kiltoom
Facilitators: Deacon William Gacquin & Una Feely
To reserve a place please contact Kiltoom Parish Office dring office hours on 0906489105.
ELPHIN & AUGHRIM PARISHES (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Wednesdays 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th March & 2nd & 9th April
8 – 9 pm
Elphin Day Care Centre,
Chapel St.
Elphin.
Co. Roscommon
F45 VE27
Facilitators: Josephine Stroker & Fr Stephen Ezenwegbu PP
To reserve a place please contact Fr Stephen on 0719630486
SLIGO – CATHEDRAL PARISH (MORNINGS) – Confirmed
Thursdays 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th March & 3rd & 10th April
After 10.30 am Mass
The Library,
St Mary’s Presbytery,
Temple St.
Sligo
F91 KTX2
Marian Roycroft & Ma
Facilitators: To reserve a place please contact St. Mary’s Parish Office (office hours) on 0719162769
BALLINAMEEN-BREEDOGUE PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Thurdays 6, 13th, 20th & 27th March & 3rd & 10th April
8 – 9 pm
The Presbytery,
Knockglass
Ballinameen,
Co. Roscommon
F52 C899
Facilitators: Eithne Deane & Fr. Larry Ebuk MSP
To reserve a place please contact Fr. Larry on 07196 68104/ larryebuk87@yahoo.com
KNOCKCROGHERY-LECARROW-RAHARA (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Fridays 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th March & 4th & 11th April
8 – 9 pm
Culleen Hall
Kilkeenrevagh
Knockcroghery
Co. Roscommon
F42 EN12
Facilitators: Fr. Joseph Ali, James Mullooly & Richard O’Brien
To reserve a place please contact James on 087 9450314
CREIDEAMH NETWORK BALLINASLOE PARISH – Confirmed
(at request of the CREIDEAMH Network (www.creideamh.ie))
Sundays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th March & 6th April
6 – 7 pm
Clonfert Family Centre,
Brackernagh,
Ballinasloe.
H53 NX59
Facilitators: John Weldon & Fr Gregory Shinvo
To reserve a place please contact John on 087 9068032/admin@creideamh.ie
Further Enquiries
Please ring, text or email Justin on 087 6171526 / justin@elphindiocese.ie
Thank you.
Updated: 26th February 2025.
