ADVENT - GUIDELINES FOR PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE
Advent is a time of preparation, of prayer and penance and may I make a suggestion for this season. Could you make a commitment to pray for 10-15 minutes a day, using one psalm a day and deciding to read one chapter from Matthew’s gospel each day. If you read a bit of scripture each day you attune your heart and your life to the voice of God addressing you and our world. God can be quite vocal. Just find a place where you can be quiet without distractions and where you can be yourself.
The easiest way to do this, is to start by becoming aware of who you really are. God knows us through and through but often we do not, so preparing for prayer requires us to be still, to be really honest and open to God. This preparation is important, because the more we are completely ourselves before God the more room we allow for God to work in our lives. There is a very close link between getting to know ourselves and getting to know God. When we pray, we come to God as we are, no pretence or games and allow God's Spirit an opportunity to come into our lives.
Now that you have a quiet time and place, are willing to be open to God the next thing is actually allow God an opportunity to speak to you. Read the passage from the bible slowly, allow God an opportunity to address you and draw your attention to something in your life or in the text. Notice words and phrases that catch your attention, Notice how you feel, what comes to mind for you. Don’t rush to find meaning in the scripture, stay with catches your attention and allow God to address you. And from that let your prayer come from your heart and your life. Prayer does not always be in formal religious words, address God from the heart as you would someone who knows, understands and likes you. Don't feel you have to be holy or precious!
Prayer is a conversation that gets deeper after a while. Like all conversation, it takes time and honesty. But God's Spirit has led you, to yearn for more in your inner life with God - that desire is the beginning, and once you get into the habit of conversing… you will get to know God better and you will be changed by that relationship.
- Begin by being still before God and be yourself
- Listen to the Word, God is not silent
- Invite God into your life and you will be met by a depth of love, support, healing, purpose and hope.
FESTIVAL SERVICE
This year the service fell on All Saints Day. The rector preached on the enfolding gloom facing our country but that the readings point a way forward amidst the fear and fragility of the times in which we live. From Wisdom 3.1-9 we learn that governance in the eyes of God will be given to those who have exercised integrity, governance that will accountable. In John 11.32-44, we see both Mary's disappointment and anger at Jesus, who if he had been there could have prevented the death of her brother Lazarus. Rage is understandable in our time but God's power rises up through devastation to restore life. In Revelation 21.1-6 we read "I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" The will of God is the creation of a new order from the debacle and destruction of the old.
The hope of the readings was reinforced by the joy and vibrancy of the music, Carol Barnett's A World Beloved - a setting for the Holy communion in music that merged blue grass and classical. Vocare did a fantastic job, accompanied by an ensemble of great musicians under the inspired direction of Sue Furlong. They sang with resolute joy and conviction. The best comment came from in a text after the service, 'I wanted to sing, dance, build a barn in Kentucky, felt hope for the first time in ages - the main thing is to stay on track". God speaks loudly when the proclaimed word, worship, fellowship and music combine in openness to the Spirit.
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY
A children's Christmas Party organised by parents in Taghmon will be held on Sunday, 3rd January in the Taghmon Community Centre beginning at 2.30 p.m. Fun is guaranteed (this event was a huge success last year). There will be food, chat and music on offer for children, parents and grandparents. There will be no charge, just bring one cake per car. See you all for a great afternoon. For enquiries contact, Joyce Simmons at 086 8770835.
LIGHTEN OUR DARKNESS
Christmas is a time when grief cuts deepest for many. On Friday 11th December at 8 p.m. in St Iberius there will be a service marking the lighting of the Memorial Tree which for so many gives recognition of loss at a time of such often feigned joviality. Throughout the season of Advent and Christmas people place the names of those they wish to remember on the tree, such that it becomes covered with name tags. Money raised from this goes to local charities.
INTO THE BOAT… MIRACLES AT WORK
On Friday 27th November at 8 p.m. in the Rectory, Park , there will be a meeting to progress plans for our Into the Boat - Miracles at Work service to be held on Whitsunday, 30th May 2010.
Initial outlines for the event include it being an outdoor event, having a script that incorporates sound recordings of contributions made via the "golden boxes" and also includes music art and drama.
The objective is an aural and visual mosaic about the whole subject of miracles and their role/presence in our lives. Another aim is to bring us all together at this exciting time of union - getting "into the boat" of a new era in the life of our parishes. There are many ways in which you can contribute to this service and everyone's contribution is important.
At the meeting on 27th November we will discuss
- Overview of stories/comments/contributions from the golden boxes
- Possible locations for the event
- Script framework/sequence
- Production tasks
Areas where help will be needed in the New Year
- Voices for recordings - many needed, all age ranges (no one will be reading their own contribution unless they have put their name to it and choose to)
- Acting
- Designing/collecting/making costumes
- Set design
- Lending a boat
- Budget control
- Props
- Parking
- Refreshments
Schedule Outline: We will have out first planning meeting on 27th November. During the months of December and January, the script will be written. On 27th January 2010 there will be a production meeting with all those interested in being involved to discuss script and assign tasks. In February the script will be finalised - and recordings will begin. Rehearsals will begin by the end of April. All this will lead up to a momentous gathering on Pentecost Sunday, 30th May.
We look forward to seeing you at the meetings and your help in making this a meaningful and memorable event in the history of our Union and in our individual faith lives.
TABLE QUIZ
There will be a table Quiz in the Maldron hotel Wexford, in aid of Wexford Union of Parishes on Thursday 12th November at 7.30 p.m. All welcome.
FAREWELL AND THANKS
Jim Dempsey has overseen the FAS CEP scheme that we operate in the nine parishes, with Ard Aoibhinn, Rehab Ireland and The Alzheimer's Association since its inception. He has been a true friend to Help 1 Ltd and a joy to work with. Sincere thanks for all the wisdom and ethical commitment you put into the job and we wish you well on your retirement.
Paul Hennessy retires as Chair of Wexford Festival Opera at the end of the year, Paul has brought the Festival through seasons in three different venues, through some serious tragedy and crisis, through the demolition of the of Theatre Royal and the building of the new Wexford Opera House. He has done a fantastic job that will ever be remembered with gratitude in the cultural history of this town - and this country.
FACEBOOK
These notes will be put on the rector’s FACEBOOK page in future and well as on the parish website.
Since 2004, €177,950 has been made by the Christmas Fast for local, national and international charities. So no matter how much it fills this rector with trepidation, it is too important an event in the life of the town to discontinue. Again I will be joined by Fr. Jim Fegan and by an important sporting figure and we will strive to focus the attention of people on the real meaning of Christmas - the care for each other that is a requirement of being a follower of Christ. Please support the fast, we really need to support the work of the Vincent de Paul, whose resources are really stretched this year, the Women's Refuge that has been overwhelmed with clients due to the huge increase in domestic violence as people buy vast quantities of cheap alcohol and lash out at partners and children and USPG that gives life skills to AIDS orphans who although children have to feed and rear their siblings.