About 30 people have attended each session, so there is room for more. In case you are interested in coming to the next session, but feel rather shy or anxious regarding what goes on, this short summary is designed to encourage you to give it a try.
The sessions are held at roughly monthly intervals in the hall on a Wednesday evening, at eight o’clock. Fr. Malachy gives an introduction to the evening’s topic, with a very brief look at the theology of the sacrament, and suggesting some points which might be of particular interest. He shows a series of pictures of life in a parish community which have a bearing on the place of the sacrament in the life of each individual, to set the scene.
We consider the ‘outward signs’ of the particular sacrament under discussion, and what these signs indicate for us. Fr. Malachy then suggests some questions for us and, if the tea urn has come to the boil in time, we have a cup of tea or coffee before forming smaller groups to discuss these points and share our thoughts. Finally, we come back together to share the results of our discussions and to ask questions before ending the evening, at around 9.30pm, with a prayer together.
The whole emphasis of the evening is on the sacraments as an encounter with God, and the effect of this on our lives.
The evening is very relaxed and informal – no-one is obliged to say anything unless they wish, and all questions are welcomed. There are a number of non-Catholic spouses attending the course, so that any non-Catholic family member will not feel out of place.
Details of the next sessions are below. Do come and join us – you will be most welcome on:-
January 28th, February 25th, March 17th