Lenten Retreat Opportunity

Living
as
Missionary Disciples

Friday 28th March
(7.30 pm – 9.30 pm)
&
Saturday 29th March
9 / 10 am – 1 pm

Clonfert Family Centre
&
Franciscan Convent,
Ballinasloe
H53 NX59

All Welcome

Reservation of places necessary as venue can only accommodate twenty adults

Introduction

Pope Francis recently wrote “Because of the relentless pressures and tensions of an obsessively competitive society, retreats to “recharge our batteries”  have become very popular.  But a Christian retreat is very different from a “wellness” holiday.  The centre of attention is not us but God, the Good Shepherd, who, instead of treating us like machines, responds to our deepest needs as his beloved children”, (Foreword of Austen Ivereigh’s book First Belong to God – On Retreat with Pope Francis, Messenger Publications, 2024).

Mindful of  Lent as a time for personal renewal, we invite you to join us  for this special time of shared reflection, conversation, prayer and rejuvenation.

Our thanks to Rev. Dr. Eugene Duffy, Achonry Diocese, for his willingness to serve as our retreat facilitator and presenter.  Fr Eugene has much experience in accompanying women and men who seek to be true to their faith and Christian calling.

We hope you will join us as we take time, with Fr. Eugene’s help, to ponder God’s graciousness and the great invitation to live lives  worthy of the calling the LORD has graciously extended to each of us (Eph 4:1).

You are welcome to join us as an active participant or quiet observer… subject to places being still available (see below).

Presenter & Facilitator

Fr Eugene Duffy is a priest of the Diocese of Achonry where he works as Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Renewal and Development. He has taught theology at All Hallows College, Dublin, ATU Galway and Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, and has lectured widely on the Church, Christology, the Sacraments and pastoral renewal.  He  will also be known to many people in the Greater Ballinasloe area for his years of service as Director of the Western Theological Institute.  Throughout his priestly ministry he has also published and edited many acclaimed articles and books and supported many groups undertake retreat-style experiences.  

Retreat Outline

FRIDAY 28th MARCH 2025

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

7.45 pm
Guided scripture-based meditation to support us enter the spirit of the retreat

8.05 pm
‘The vision and values of the Kingdom of God’
– Short presentation followed by facilitated conversation

9.00 pm
Time of quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

9.20 pm
Night Prayer

9.30 pm
 Participants return to their homes

SATURDAY 19th OCTOBER

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

10.00 am
Mass in Franciscan Convent Chapel

10.50 am  
Tea / Coffee in Clonfert Family Centre

11.10 am
‘Being Church today, honouring the call to live out of our baptism’
– Second presentation followed by 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 including a brief commissioning ceremony based on the conversations of the retreat

Recommended Donation

€25.00 per participant, to be placed in donation box.

Reservation of Places

Interested persons are encouraged to reserve  one of the remaining fifteen 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
(18th March 2025)

5 places reserved.
15 places remaining
Venue can only accommodate twenty people.