Retreat Opportunity

Exploring
God’s Desire For Us
and
Our Desire For God
with
Fr. Stephen Cummins OP

Friday 26th September
(7.15 pm – 9.30 / 10 pm)
&
Saturday 27th September
Clonfert Family Centre
&
Franciscan Convent,
Ballinasloe,
H53 NX59

All Welcome

* Reservation of places necessary as venue can only accommodate twenty adults

Introduction

Members of our small network of Catholic Christians in the greater Ballinasloe area derive great encouragment, enjoyment  and benefit from devoting an occasional Friday evening and Saturday morning to God through the medium of a shared retreat-style experience.   We are also delighted to share such experiences with others, including women and men of other Christian denominations.

And what is a ‘retreat-style experience’?   We hope the retreat outline below offers some clarification, and if you opt to join us anticipate a friendly welcome.

You may also appreciate knowing that those of us who have partcipated in previous retreats have valued the particular blend of stimulation, rest, togetherness, quiet and prayer / communion that our time together has yielded.  In particular we have valued the lovely manner our retreat providers have helped us centre on God for a time, and supported us recognise God’s eagerness to respond to our deepest needs.

Our thanks to Fr. Stephen Cummins OP for his willingness to support us once again.  Fr. Stephen is both Prior of the Dominican Priory in Tallaght and parish priest of St. Mary’s parish, Tallaght, and comes to us with a great background in both retreat and parish ministries in Ireland, the UK, France and Africa.

Retreat Outline

FRIDAY 26th SEPEMBER 2025

7.15 pm
Participants gather at Clonfert Family Centre
/ Tea & Coffee

7.30 pm
Guided scripture-based meditation on opening lines of Psalm 62 (63) to support us enter the spirit of the retreat
‘O God, you are my God, 
for you I long, 
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you 
like a dry weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.’

8.05 pm
God’s desire for us and our desire for God’
– Short presentation from Fr Stephen drawing on spiritual writers from both ancient and contemporary sources. 

8.45 pm
Discussion

9.10 pm
Time of quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

9.30 pm
Night Prayer with option to leave immediately afterwards

9.40 pm
 Continuation of time of quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

10.30 pm
Reposing of Blessed Sacrament and closure of Family Centre

SATURDAY 27th SEPTEMBER

9.00 am (Optional)
Shared exploration of scripture readings that will be proclaimed during Mass led by Fr Stephen

10.00 am
Mass in Franciscan Convent Chapel

10.50 am  
Tea / Coffee in Clonfert Family Centre

11.10 am
A second presentation from Fr. Stephen followed by facilitated conversation

12.05 pm
Time of silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
& opportunity to avail of Sacrament of Reconciliation

12.45 pm
Closing prayer service

Recommended Donation

€20 / €25 per participant, to be placed in donation box at the beginning of the retreat

Reservation of Places

Interested persons are encouraged to reserve  one of the remaining eighteen places by texting, emailing or ringing Justin on 087 6171526  / admin@creideamh.ie

Additional Information

In relation to all other enquiries please contact:

Justin Harkin
Secretary
CREIDEAMH Network
087 6171526
admin@creideamh.ie

Number of Places Reserved
(4th September 2025)

13 places reserved.
7 place remaining
Venue can only accommodate twenty people.