Are you interested in “Remembering Your Faith?”

Most of us were baptised Christian when we were just small infants. We have, therefore, no memory of this event. The closest we may have come to it is a family photo, a story told or a robe passed on.

Our baptism marked, in earnest, the beginning of our relationship with God. This relationship, like all others, is one that we have to work for it to make any sense. Sometimes, however, doing this can be hard. We don’t know where to start or what benefit it could be. We might not even know the questions to ask. Our last ‘religion class’ might have been when we were in school – a time now also slipping fast into our memory.

Conscious then that as a parish we are asking you to hand on the faith to others we would like to offer you the opportunity to find out more about it yourself: What is your faith about? Why do we do it? What if anything can it offer me? What do we actually believe? and so on….

Are you interested in ‘remembering’ your faith? If so why not join us over 8 evenings as we explore these questions together.

Join us for these evenings when, in a relaxed environment for just one hour, we will have some input from a speaker and an opportunity to ask questions and explore our faith.

Tuesday evenings 7-8pm.  Venue: Parish Church, Camross

New Beginnings: seeds of a new community – 6th November

This evening will explore why it is that we gather as a community: Did Jesus even plan a Church? Was he not simply a good Jew? So why are we Christian? What has the community of the Church got to do with my relationship with God? etc.…

Sharing the Story: the bible, is it worth a read? –13th November

This evening will explore the role of the bible in our faith: What is it? How did we get it? Why do we hold it as being so important? How can it, a book from nearly 2000 years ago, have anything to offer me today? etc….

The story continues: a living community meets the risen Lord – 20th November

This evening will explore the stages of our faith: As the early Christian community emerged they started to put structures on what they were doing. Today we call these structures sacraments. What are they?  Why do we celebrate them?  What help are they to me? Are some more important than others? etc….

Keeping that faith alive –27th November

This evening will explore faith and prayer: I know faith is about conversation and relationship with God but how do I do that? What is it that I should or could pray about? What do we believe about prayer? Can I find a way of praying that makes sense to me? Are there different ways to pray? etc…

2013

From prayer to praxis – 15th January

This evening will explore what being a Christian actually means:  Is it supposed to effect my life?  Sure a Christian is the same as any other person; what makes us any different?  Am I supposed to be doing something special? Is it possible to be a Christian in the busy world of today? How can I do something about my faith? etc…

The community now and in eternity – 22nd January

This evening will explore our belief in what we are destined for: The whole reason we have a relationship with God is so that we might have eternal life. But what does that actually mean? What do we believe heaven to be like? What is the kingdom of God I hear about?  Who will be there?  Will I? etc…

Telling the story today – 29th January

This evening will explore the difficulties we face as parents today: How can my faith be a support to me?  Does it really offer me anything practical to my world? Is it worth the effort? Why might I stick with it? Is it worth handing on? If so, how do I do that? etc…

An evenings open forum – 5th February

This final evening will allow us the opportunity to ask questions: Something that came to mind as I attended these evenings and I would like to know… a question I always wanted to ask was… I know this is very practical, but… I am sure there is no answer to this, but… etc…

Why not come along. See, in a friendly and informal setting, what your faith is about and what it might offer you today.

Training evenings for those people who will serve in our parishes as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist in the coming years was held recently by the Ossory Adult Faith Development. A great number of people attended throughout the diocese and the evenings were a great success.

As part of this training, to all who participated, a small handbook was given outlining some helpful background, explanation and practical guidelines on the role of an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist in a parish and copies of a suggested format for Communion with someone who is sick.

These booklets might also be helpful for those who are already trained and serving as Ministers of the Eucharist in our parishes. If you would like to order some of these please contact Martina at the Adult Faith Development office, Wednesday – Friday at 056-7753624 or at afd@ossory.ie. The cost of the booklet is €1.

The booklet and CD for Lent Scripture Reflection are now available. So as to ensure their distribution, to the various parishes, if those interested could contact the Adult Faith Development office 056-7753624 or email afd@ossory.ie with the quantities needed.

The Lent Scripture Reflection Booklet, is an opportunity for groups or individuals to come together once a week to reflect on the scriptures. The booklets guide people through a simple method of scripture reflection and contain the Sunday Gospels of Lent.  The cost of each booklet is €3.

The Lent CD is based on the central characteristics of Lectio Divina.  Used alone or with a group this CD will act as a guide in reflecting on the Gospels of Lent.  There are four tracks for each of Sunday [(1) the reading of the Gospel, 2) A scriptural exegesis, 3) a reflection on what it is saying to us today, 4) a piece of reflective music and a brief meditation]. It is a double CD set this year and the cost remains at €5.

These resources can be used in a group or by individuals, to encourage and to reflect on the scriptures during Lent.

It was, by means of a lectio divina style of reflection, an opportunity for people to learn more about Jesus and to reflect on his importance for our lives today.

Over 150 people took part throughout the diocese.

Those parishes who ran the programme were asked to select one or two leaders who then gathered for an hour one evening of the week to partake in a guided reflection.  These people were then, in turn, the leaders in their respective parishes for a gathering some day later in the week.

Then, the following week, the leaders returned to their ‘leaders gathering’ where they had the opportunity to evaluate their own experiences and to prepare for the next reflection that they would animate in their parishes.

It is hoped that, after the summer, similar opportunities for reflection on the scriptures will take place.  If your parish is interested or if you would like to make any suggestions for these evenings please contact Ossory Adult Faith Development, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny.