The “REACH” Team:
Mayoma Onwochei, Olwen Whiteside, Wayne du Preez & Terence Cottington
AIM: To encourage an environment which helps everyone listen and respond to God’s calling
By
- Asking all the Parish to pray for Vocations at Mass, in Parish groups and at home
- Asking the Parish groups to participate in a ‘Parish Groups’ Fayre’ which informs parishioners of what is happening in their Parish
- Facilitating Parish events which raise awareness of the work and support which is available (accessible) in the Parish
- Asking all parishioners to get involved in some aspect of Parish
Next meeting is on the 21st of June at 19:40.
May 2011 Shedding Light on Single Life
The REACH team at Holy Innocents’ has been active for over a year with the aim of fostering a culture of vocations. Having organised many activities that focused on vocation to the priestly, religious and married lives, we would like to initiate a discussion on vocation to the single life. The main purpose of exploring this is to help improve our understanding of single living especially looking at it as a response to God’s call. It is hoped that this engagement will enable us value the many unique gifts that single people bring to our community. We also hope that as a community we will be more aware of the challenges single people face and this will enable us support them as they live out their vocation.
We encourage everyone to follow the discussion..
See link...Shedding Light on Single Life
We hope to hear from all especially single individuals. It does not matter whether you have always been single or whether you were once married, age too does not count so long as you consider yourself an adult (over 18).
You can join in the discussion in one of three ways:
1) leaving a written note for Fr. Victor;
2) sending an email to the parish;
3) joining our group on facebook (the group name is: Shedding Light on Single Life).
We hope that you find this initiative interesting and pray that God will bless our efforts.
The Reach Team have produced a form which all parish groups could use to invite parishioners to respond to various requests.
Please see link below.
Can You respond form
Prayers
General
We pray for increased openness and responsiveness to God’s call.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift our lives; You alone love us for who we truly are and what we are able to become. Help us to accept our successes and failures. Be the centre of all our hopes and dreams; continue to reveal your plans for our lives and give us the courage to pursue them. Amen
For priests
We pray for our priests, religious and all who serve God in the consecrated lives that they may have God’s presence in their hearts, His holiness in their souls and His joy in their spirits. May they be strengthened as they generously share God’s love with us. Amen
For families
Gracious and loving God you have blessed us with the privilege of becoming parents. Help us to be good witnesses to our children. Help us to guide our children to understand that there is a reason for our existence that they may be encouraged to use their gifts and talents for others. Amen
For those considering what path to follow in life
Lord, we know you love us and have great plans for us. But sometimes we are overwhelmed by the thought of our future. Show us how to walk forward one day at a time. Inspire in us wisdom and understanding to see your vision for our lives and respond with openness to whatever you call us to be, secure in the knowledge that your presence always be there to guide us. Show us your way Lord!
The Reach Team, phone Parish office on 01689 817537 or email: Reach Team
WHAT IS YOUR VOCATION?
Is it I Lord? What do You want of me?
Could it be you?
Are you being called to be a Priest or to take up Religious life?
Seek more information from the Southwark Diocese..
Link to... Vocations
The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28)
Southwark have developed “Discovering Priesthood Days” as a chance for those under 18 to learn more about the life and work of a priest and to meet others who have faced the question of a vocation to the Priesthood. The days are held in different parts of the diocese and Southwark is always very grateful to the hosts.
Southwark invites young men between 14 & 18 years of age to join them at a
‘Discovering Priesthood Day’.
These days offer young people a chance to meet priests and bishops from around the diocese and to learn more about the life and ministry of a diocesan priest.
To book a place or for more information email the Vocations Office:
Vocations enquiry
For Whom Do You Call?
Jesus Lord... through Peter, established was Your Church.
For truly You are the Saviour, for whom the world did search.
But Lord we are in need, for who can minister to all?
For Priests and Religious in Orders, slowly their numbers fall.
Lord please send vocations, calling many to Your side.
For this Your Faithful is praying, that this be heard world-wide.
May those Lord You are choosing, accept from You comes this plea..
... “Wake up... ‘tis I the Lord,.. so rise up... and follow Me!
Amen