The season of Lent
During the season of Lent, which begins this year February 22nd Ash Wednesday, Christians often use this time in preparation for Easter by doing something special. It has been customary for many to do a penance fasting, like giving up something such as chocolate, drinking alcohol etc. Or, giving alms.
However, for many a preparation for Easter during the weeks of Lent is to take more time for prayer and often through a time of retreat. There are many types of retreats being offer that will enable people to make and take the time the midst of their busy lives.
The Spirituality commission in Archdiocese of Southwark of which I am a member is offering a retreat based on the scripture readings of each Sunday.
To allow greater flexibility, this retreat can be made as part of a parish group or individually. See further details and how to register.
Sr. Ann Turner, community of London
During the season of Lent, which begins this year February 22nd Ash Wednesday, Christians often use this time in preparation for Easter by doing something special. It has been customary for many to do a penance fasting, like giving up something such as chocolate, drinking alcohol etc. Or, giving alms.
However, for many a preparation for Easter during the weeks of Lent is to take more time for prayer and often through a time of retreat. There are many types of retreats being offer that will enable people to make and take the time the midst of their busy lives.
The Spirituality commission in Archdiocese of Southwark of which I am a member is offering a retreat based on the scripture readings of each Sunday.
To allow greater flexibility, this retreat can be made as part of a parish group or individually. See further details and how to register.
Sr. Ann Turner, community of London
Archdiocese of Southwark – Spirituality Commission
ADVANCE NOTICE OF A DIOCESAN RETREAT FOR LENT SUITABLE FOR USE IN PARISHES
Renewed in Hope
A retreat for Lent 2023, introduced by Archbishop John Wilson,
led by members of the Spirituality Commission
Running the retreat in your parish
The Archdiocese of Southwark is offering a retreat experience for individuals and parishes during Lent 2023. The retreat materials will enable you to deliver a Lent programme with minimal effort on your part.
Drawing on the Mass readings for the Sundays of Lent, “Renewed in Hope” will help us find fresh ways of living and working in hope, in the company of Jesus. We live in a divided world, where many are struggling to survive. Through his life, death and resurrection, the suffering and risen Christ continues to make all things new.
The retreat is designed for individuals and for parish groups, and is based on a weekly video accompanied by suggested exercises for prayer and reflection. The resources will be available in advance for group leaders, so that the videos can be viewed at any convenient time and the video summary and reflection questions can be downloaded and printed as needed. Parish groups may choose to watch the video together within a weekly group.
Each week of Lent we will:
Release a video that your parishioners can view either from their homes (by signing up independently to have it directly emailed to them ) or live in your parish via TV screens or projector.
Release resources for individual prayer and reflection. These can be accessed online by parishioners, or hard copies can be printed and distributed if you are offering a live group retreat.
The retreat is designed for individuals and for parish groups, and is based on a weekly video accompanied by suggested exercises for prayer and reflection. The resources will be available in advance for group leaders, so that the videos can be viewed at any convenient time and the video summary and reflection questions can be downloaded and printed as needed. Parish groups may choose to watch the video together within a weekly group.
Each week of Lent we will:
Release a video that your parishioners can view either from their homes (by signing up independently to have it directly emailed to them ) or live in your parish via TV screens or projector.
Release resources for individual prayer and reflection. These can be accessed online by parishioners, or hard copies can be printed and distributed if you are offering a live group retreat.
Your parishioners can sign up to receive the materials directly, by clicking here: Diocesan Lent Retreat 2023
To register your interest in delivering this retreat to a group in your parish please email: spirituality@rcaos.org.uk and we will ensure you know where and how to access the materials in advance of each week.
Background information about the retreat programme is below:
Renewed in Hope – Lent 2023
Each week’s video will draw on a theme connected with the Sunday Mass readings. The prayer and reflection exercises provided for each week will help you begin to sense and respond to God’s invitation to you at this time.
Lent Week One:
Creation and Fall [Genesis 2.7-9, 3.1-7]
Jesus in the wilderness [Matthew 4.1-11]
Hope faces how things are, not how we might wish them to be. Jesus, our hope, enters into our human struggles and reveals a way to be free.
Lent Week Two:
Abraham sets out for a land he does not know [Genesis 12.1-4a]
The Transfiguration on the mountain [Matthew 17.1-9]
Hope is vision – imagination moved by the Spirit. In a moment we see the possibilities for ourselves, or the renewal of our communities, or are given insight into a different, more creative way of living.
Lent Week Three:
The people complain in the desert; water from a rock [Exodus 17.3-7]
Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well [John 4.5-42]
We do have needs. We are incomplete. Our experience is often challenging. Hope is a welling up of the Holy Spirit within our spirit, giving shape to our longing, drawing us into a larger life.
Lent Week Four:
David is chosen to be king [1 Samuel 16.1,6-7,10-15]
The healing of a man born blind [John 9.1-41]
While humankind is drawn by outward appearances, God sees the heart. Our actions and attitudes begin to change as our vision becomes clearer; hope informs what we see and what we do in response.
Lent Week Five:
The promise of resurrection for a people who have lost hope [Ezekiel 37.12-14]
The raising of Lazarus from the dead [John 11.1-45]
What is our response to the hurt and harm in our world? Will we travel with Jesus to where Lazarus lies? As we open ourselves to God’s Spirit of hope, how will this move us to act? What belongs to you or me to do – despite the fear we might feel?
Palm Sunday:
Philippians 2.6-11 Jesus who empties himself to become as we are
Matthew 26.14 – 27.66 The Passion
The Cross is the symbol of our hope in God’s presence with and for us. We make the sign of the cross not only in a physical action, but in how we live as followers of Christ.
If you want to know more, please click here : Southwark Diocesan Spirituality Commission