Scripture Sharing Initiative
– an in-person opportunity
Invitation
Over coming weeks a small group of adults, supported by two facilitators with catechetical training, will gather in the Clonfert Family Centre, Ballinasloe, to read, ponder, discuss and pray with the opening chapters of St Mark’s Gospel.
Our group warmly invites adults interesed in exploring how God seeks to meet us in our needs and aspirations through sacred scripture to join us on a ‘come-and-see’ basis, and to remain with us for as long as they enjoy this initiative.
Introduction
Over six Sunday evenings, 8 – 9.15 / 9.30 pm, pending the size of our group, our group will devote time to reading and exploring segments from St Mark’s Gospel. Time will also be given at the end of each session to praying with a designated passage.
As there is much to ponder and discuss, the initiative will focus on the first nine chapters of St Mark’s Gospel. The remaining seven chapters will be covered during a follow-up initiative in February and March 2023.
Please note this is not an adult religious education course. While participants are likely to learn a lot through their engagement, the primary goal is to help us know and love Jesus Christ more intimately and to hear how he is speaking to our hearts and minds through St Mark’s Gospel today.
We hope the following details will prove helpful to everyone who would like to know more / reserve a place.
Objectives
- To support participants to read and ponder St Mark’s Gospel as a life-giving resource in the Spirit
- To help participants toward a more wholesome understanding of St Mark’s Gospel
- 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-half hours, pending the size of the group, and as agreed at the end of the first meeting.
Resources
Each participant will receive a Participant’s Booklet and Bible or copy of St Mark’s Gospel 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 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 St Mark’s Gospel and our way of proceeding
- Discussion
- Brief engagement with opening paragraphs of St Mark’s Gospel
Session 2 – 6
- Welcome & conversation based on reading in advance of session
- Shared reading of designated passage
- Discussion
- Exploration as to how the passage is ‘a word for today’
- Prayer time
- Review and closure
Cost
A donation of €20 to €30 would be appreciated from those who can afford to contribute. This will assist us make a donation to the Elphin diocese toward the cost of booklets etc. and meet light and heat costs. Facilitators very kindly give their time free-of-charge.
Evenings, Time & Venue
Sundays, 8 – 9.15 pm, October 22nd – November 26th 2023
Clonfert Family Centre
Brackernagh
Ballinasloe
Co. Galway
H53 NX59
Facilitators
John Weldon and another
Enquiries
Please contact Justin Harkin on 087 6171526 / admin@creideamh.ie
Expression of Thanks
The Creideamh Network wishes to express thanks to the Elphin diocese for sharing the resources that support this initiative with us.
Adults who would like to avail of this initiative, but for whom Sunday evenings are not workable, are encouraged to visit www.elphindiocese.ie/mark to see other possibilities.
All Welcome
Last updated: 04/10/2020.