Living the Sacraments – CREIDEAMH.IE

Total number of places: 16
Number of places remaining: 2 (23/4/2022)

Introduction

Over recent months some members of the CREIDEAMH Network have expressed interest in re-exploring the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. While grateful for insights gleaned from homilies, short articles and in some cases, books, the small group would welcome a forum in which the Church’s teachings would be presented in an accessible way and for opportunities to discuss the teaching in light of members’ own lived experiences, faith journeys, search for God and for happiness.

We hope the information that follows will support you in discerning if this would be something you would enjoy and we look forward to welcoming you should you reserve a place.

If you are not sure whether this is for you, you are welcome to join us on a ‘come and see’ basis, especially if the following objectives speak to you.

Objectives

To offer participants an opportunity to receive the Church’s teaching and to discuss same in a safe, friendly and respectful environment
To explore how Christ seeks to reach us in our humanity through each sacrament
To stimulate learning and faith-enquiry in a gentle, light-hearted and non-threatening way … women and men with a sense of humour especially welcome!
To nurture discussion as to what it is to live ‘a Catholic life’ today
To support short periods of scripture-based group prayer (led and directed by facilitator) connected with the sacraments.

Number of Places

So as to maximise the participatory nature of the course the number of places is limited to sixteen.

Participants may opt to conclude the course at the end of May, i.e. after completion of the second session on the Eucharist, or continue to the end of June, thereby taking in the sacraments of healing and of service.

A Typical Session

For each session participants shall sit in a circle and following a word of welcome proceed through the following elements:

Sharing of insights etc. gleaned from reading and reflection since the group’s last meeting
Brief introduction to the sacrament that will be the focus of the session
Short time of scripture-based prayer … conversation linking with the sacrament
Input on sacrament integrating opportunities for discussion
Another short time of scripture-based prayer, incorporating exploration of how God’s word finds fulfilment in the sacrament that has been discussed
Reading for next session (which takes less than an hour)

Expectation

Participants are requested to commit to actively participating in each session and to undertake a minimum of one hour’s reading and reflection between sessions.

Course Materials

Each participant will receive:

a loan copy of the Christian Community Bible
(Catholic Pastoral Study Edition)
a prayer card
(for reading before praying with scripture
a loan copy of YOUCAT
Input handouts
(one per session)
Pen, notebook and plastic folder
(to note personal reflections, to keep materials together)

Cost

A donation of €20 for six sessions or €30 for ten sessions would be appreciated. This can be contributed at any time during the duration of the course.

If this will be your first time to undertake an adult faith formation venture of this nature there is no need to contribute until you establish that this is something you find beneficial and life-giving.

Schedule

All sessions will begin at 8 pm and conclude between 9.15 and 9.30 pm.

Date	Session	Topic
Thursday 21^st April		Information Meeting via Zoom (8 – 8.20 pm via Zoom)
Sunday 24^th April	1	Introduction to course, resources & sacraments
Monday 2^nd May	2	Baptism 1
Sunday 8^th May	3	Baptism 2
Sunday 15^th May	4	Confirmation
Sunday 22^nd May	5	Eucharist 1
Sunday 29^th May	6	Eucharist 2
Monday 6^th June	7	Reconciliation
Sunday 12^th June	8	Anointing of the Sick
Sunday 19^th June	9	Sacraments of Service 1 (Holy Orders)
Sunday 26^th June	10	Sacraments of Service 2 (Matrimony)

Participants who do not wish to extend into June may finish up after the second session on Eucharist on Sunday 29th May

Venue

Clonfert Family Centre,
Brackernagh,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
H53 NX59

Course Facilitator(s)

The main facilitator will be Justin Harkin, Director of the Elphin Diocese’s Pastoral & Faith Development Services.
Justin will be accompanied most evenings by CREIDEAMH network members who have undertaken theological, scripture or catechetical studies or who hope to undertake such studies in the near future.

ZOOM Link for Information Meeting

The meeting will take place on Thursday 21^st April, 8 – 8.20 pm

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8761715260?pwd=TTcxUTc1K3FhNTVOTXZrRlBoNEw3Zz09

Meeting ID: 8761715260

Passcode: 270420

To Reserve A Place(s)

Please ring, text or email Justin on 087 6171526 / admin@creideamh.ie

Further Enquiries