Deanery reflection day
Events
The Southern Deanery, which consists of nine parishes from Glenelg to Victor Harbor, hosted a prayer day at St Joseph’s Church, Brighton, last month.
At one of their regular monthly meetings, Deanery members decided they wanted a more prayerful gathering to enhance their pastoral ministries and share their gifts.
The prayer day was attended by 24 Deanery pastoral associates, deacons and priests who were guided by Emeritus Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ in their reflection.
Due to COVID, clergy have not been able to gather regularly for prayer and reflection days which were an opportunity to spend some extended reflective time with God and to meet each other.
“Unfortunately, COVID-19 stopped these gatherings as it stopped so many opportunities for public worship and prayer, not just for the clergy but for all of our Archdiocesan community,” Mgr Ian Dempsey said.
“This deanery gathering was an attempt to fill the void, at least for our members.
“Bishop O’Kelly brought many years of experience in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises to our time together.
“Both the clerical and lay pastoral associates had the opportunity to listen to two reflections from Bishop Greg, followed by some quiet time for us to spend reflecting on particular scriptural passages taken from the life of Christ.
“He reminded us of the first principle and foundation of the spiritual exercises, which states, among other things, that we should never forget that: The goal of our life is to live with God forever.”
Mgr Dempsey said the group was privileged to be able to use the church and grounds of Brighton parish. He thanked Fr Michael Kyumu, parish priest at Brighton, Bishop O’Kelly and all the members of the organising committee for making the day so enriching.
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