The diocese of Elphin has published a new booklet to encourage and support the formation of Advent Scripture Sharing Groups in parishes in the run-up to Christmas.The idea for the booklet - entitled Discerning and Responding to God’s Presence In Our Lives - came from the success of a Lenten scripture sharing initiative earlier this year which attracted 650 people.
It was launched by Bishop Christopher Jones who said he encouraged all Christians to “look upon Advent as an expectant season, a privileged time of looking forward in relation to the triple coming of the Lord, in history, in grace and at the end of time”.
Mr Justin Harkin, Director of Pastoral Development in the Elphin diocese, said there was a need for “an antidote to the excessive materialistic avalanche that can characterise the build-up to Christmas” which he said was “becoming oppressive”.
“This initiative invites people to stand back and to value their nature as spiritual and communal beings,” he said.
Mr Harkin said there was nothing difficult or challenging about it and it did not require the presence or direction of any expert.
“Adults are encouraged to gathered with a few friends or neighbours for a half hour each week in one of their kitchens or sittings rooms and to follow a simple process of enquiry outlined in the booklet,” he explained.
“What we are doing is not new, some of us have been at this for years and we experience it as life-giving,” Mr Harkin continued.
“It is also a throw-back to the time when visiting neighbours was part of peoples’ experience.”
“Engaged in well, it fosters good friendships and a sense of belonging between participants,” he added.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce