Autumn/Winter Scripture Initiative 2024
– an in-person opportunity
Invitation
Beginning shortly, 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 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 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
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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-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
More venues will be added, as soon at they are confirmed.
DONAMON CASTLE, DONAMON (EVENINGS)
Mondays 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th Nov. & 2nd & 9th Dec.
7.30 – 8.30 pm
The Parlour
Donamon Castle
Donamon
Co. Roscommon
F42 YE13
Justin Harkin
To reserve a place please contact Justin on 087 6171526
KILGEFIN (Ballagh, Cloontuskert & Curraghroe)
& LANESBORO PARISHES (EVENINGS)
Mondays 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th Nov. & 2nd & 9th Dec.
7.30 – 8.30 pm
Lanesboro Parish Hub
Laneboro
Co. Longford
N39 V1F2
Geraldine Malone & Josephine Kenny
To reserve a place please contact Geraldine Malone on 086 8405102
BOYLE PARISH (MORNINGS)
Tuesdays 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th Nov. & 3rd & 10th Dec.
After 10 am Mass
The Meeting Room
St. Joseph’s Parish Church
Carrick Road,
Boyle
F52 TY46
Eithne Deane & Hanora Lavin
To reserve a place please contact Eithne on 086 2385649
ROSCOMMON PARISH (MORNINGS)
Tuesdays 12th, 19th & 26th Nov. & 3rd, 10th & 17th Dec.
After 11 am Mass
The Legion of Mary Room
First Floor,
St. Coman’s Club,
Abbey St,
Roscommon.
F42 YT51
Tom Beirne, Mary McBrien and Fr Eugene McLoughlin PE
To reserve a place please ring / text Justin on 087 6171526.
STRANDHILL-RANSBORO Parish (EVENINGS)
Tuesdays 29th Oct., 5th, 12th, 19h & 26th Nov. & 3rd Dec.
8 – 9 pm
Ransboro Parish Centre
Star of the Sea Church
Ransboro
Co. Sligo
F91 YC97
Fina Golden & Gerard Kelly
To reserve a place please contact Fina Golden on 087 681 6821
DRUMCLIFFE & MAUGHEROW PARISHES (EVENINGS)
Tuesdays 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th Nov. & 3rd & 10th Dec.
7.30 – 8.30 pm
The Meeting Room
Old School
Rathcormac
Co. Sligo
F91 XT57
Celia Dunleavy, Clare Devaney, Mary & Geraldine
To reserve a place please contact Fr. Tom Hever on 071 914 2779
SLIGO – ST ANNE’S PARISH (EVENINGS)
Tuesdays 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th Nov. & 3rd & 10th Dec.
7.30 – 8.30 pm
Meeting Room,
St Anne’s Church
Cranmore Rd.
Sligo
F91 R250
Patricia McCaffrey & Fr Steve Walsh
To reserve a place please contact Sabrina in Parish Office (office hours) on 071 9145028.
SLIGO – CATHEDRAL PARISH (MORNINGS)
Wednesdays 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th Nov. & 4th & 11th Dec.
After 10.30 am Mass
The Library,
St Mary’s Presbytery,
Temple St.
Sligo
F91 KTX2
Marian Roycroft & Sr Moya Hegarty
To reserve a place please contact St. Mary’s Parish Office (office hours) on 07162769
SLIGO – ST JOSEPH’S & CALRY PARISH (EVENINGS) – Provisional
Wednesdays 13th, 20th & 27th Nov. & 4th, 11th & 18th Dec.
7 – 8 pm
St Joseph’s Parish Centre,
St. Joseph’s Church
Ballytivnan Rd
Ballytivnan
Sligo
F91VH73
Bernie Flynn & Fr Noel Rooney PP
To reserve a place please contact Bernie on 087 973 0209
BALLYGAR-NEWBRIDGE-TOHERGAR PARISH (EVENINGS)
Wednesdays 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th Nov. & 4th & 11th Dec.
8 – 9 pm
Ballygar Tidy Towns / Men’s Shed
Ballygar
Co. Galway
F42 TD30
John Weldon & Fr Doughlas Zaggi PP
To reserve a place please contact John on 087 9068032.
KILTOOM & CAM PARISH
Wednesdays 13th, 20th & 27th Nov. & 4th, 11th & 18th Dec.
8 – 9 pm
Meeting Room,
Kiltoom Parish Hall
Kiltoom
Deacon William Gacquin & Una Feely
To reserve a place please contact Kiltoom Parish Office dring office hours on 0906489105.
ELPHIN & AUGHRIM PARISHES (EVENINGS)
Wednesdays 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th Nov. & 4th & 11th Dec.
8 – 9 pm
Elphin Day Care Centre,
Chapel St.
Elphin.
Co. Roscommon
F45 VE27
Josephine Stroker & Fr Stephen Ezenwegbu PP
To reserve a place please contact Fr Stephen on 0719630486
BALLINAMEEN-BREEDOGUE PARISH (EVENINGS)
Day & time to be communicated
The Presbytery,
Knockglass
Ballinameen,
Co. Roscommon
F52 C899
Eithne Deane, Mary Cregg & Fr. Larry Ebuk MSP
To reserve a place please contact Fr. Larry on 07196 68104/ [email protected]
SLIGO – CARRAROE CHURCH AREA (MORNINGS)
Thursdays 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th November & 5th & 12th December
After 10 am Mass
Carraroe Community Centre
St. John’s Church
Carraroe
Co. Sligo
F91 E729
Marian Roycroft and Maura Garvey
To reserve a place please contact Marian on 086 1744205
KNOCKCROGHERY-LECARROW-RAHARA (EVENINGS)
Fridays 8th, 15th & 29th November & 6th, 13th & 20th December
8 – 9 pm
Culleen Hall
Kilkeenrevagh
Knockcroghery
Co. Roscommon
F42 EN12
Fr. Joseph Ali, James Mullooly & Richard O’Brien
To reserve a place please contact James on 087 9450314
SLIGO – ROSSES POINT PARISH
Details expected soon.
CREIDEAMH NETWORK BALLINASLOE PARISH
(at request of the CREIDEAMH Network (www.creideamh.ie))
Sundays 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th Nov. & 1st & 8th Dec.
6 – 7 pm
Clonfert Family Centre,
Brackernagh,
Ballinasloe.
H53 NX59
John Weldon &
To reserve a place please contact John on 087 9068032/[email protected]
Further Enquiries
Please ring, text or email Justin on 087 6171526 / [email protected]
Thank you.
Updated: 28th October 2024.
