The meetings are held in the Priory on most Thursday evenings between eight and nine o’clock. The aims of the prayer group are: -
- · To offer praise and thanks to God
· To deepen our spirituality and religious awareness
· To offer and receive mutual support, especially in times of difficulty and trouble
· To pray for our own needs and those of others
The meetings are informal but do follow a general pattern. No one is obliged or pushed to say anything. Some people come along just to listen but join in the hymns and a decade of the Rosary.
We invite a leader each week to choose a theme which may fit in with the liturgy. For example, at Easter or Christmas time; or it may take the form of a teaching. Usually there will be prepared readings from the scriptures and other spiritual material to complement the theme. All are invited to make a contribution as the Spirit moves them and the theme develops. Towards the end of the meeting all are free to bring forward their own petitions and those of friends and parishioners who have requested prayer. The sick, in particular, are prayed for at this point. We finish with a few set prayers, especially to the Holy Spirit. Finally, the priest gives us God’s blessing and we exchange the sign of peace with each other.
The prayer group undertake to have two Masses said each month for the members of the group, for all parishioners and for the general welfare of the community. Anyone wishing to visit the prayer group ‘in action’ will be made most welcome.
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