03.11.2014
Autumn Winter Spirituality Programme at Christ Church Cathedral
A number of spirituality events have been organised by Christ Church Cathedral for the Autumn and Winter months.
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
Contemplative prayer, its Scriptural basis and its practice will be the theme of a retreat coming up on November 8 for Holy Trinity, Killiney, and surrounding parishes.
Held in the parish hall of Christ Church, Dun Laoghaire, the afternoon will be led by the Revd Garth Bunting, Residential Priest Vicar of Christ Church Cathedral, based on Matthew 6: 6–14.
Contemplative prayer practice is something that is new to most of us today, although it is centuries old. The afternoon will provide an opportunity to reflect on how contemplative prayer may deepen our relationship with God and help us in seeing God at work in the world around us. The afternoon together will begin at 12.30 pm with lunch and finish by 5.00 pm. More information is available from Garth Bunting at the cathedral or from the Revd Niall Sloane.
ADVENT QUIET EVENINGS
There will be two quiet evenings in Christ Church Cathedral for Advent this year. The first is on Tuesday November 25 and will be led by the Archbishop of Dublin. Set before the season begins, the Archbishop will prepare us for the beginning of our Advent journey.
The second quiet evening is on Tuesday December 9. Bishop Michael Burrows will be the speaker at this evening and has been asked to inspire us as we continue on the journey.Both evenings will begin at 6.00 pm with a light meal in the cathedral crypt and will finish by 9.30 pm. There will be a small charge of €10 and booking will be essential. Bookings can be made by ringing Garth on (01) 6778099 or by emailing garth@christchurch.ie.
RETREAT IN THE CITY
Retreat in the City is back for 2015. This year it will be led by Brother John SSF. Brother John was born and raised in London. After gaining a degree in French he spent a couple of years on a church–planting team near Liege, Belgium, before training for the Baptist ministry and serving in two pastorates in England. He has been a Franciscan brother in the Anglican Society of St Francis for 13 years, and is a fan of Van Morrison. The retreat will take place from February 20 to 22 2015 in Christ Church Cathedral and is non–residential. There are a number of reasonably priced hotels near the cathedral if you wish to travel to the city for the retreat weekend.
The fee for the retreat is €80 (including retreat fee and lunch on Saturday and Sunday) and bookings can be made by ringing the cathedral office on (01) 6778099. A €40 deposit will be required.
CENTRING PRAYER
As well as these particular events, every Wednesday night at 7.30 pm, a centring prayer group meets in the cathedral.
Centring Prayer is a contemplative prayer practice taught by Fr Thomas Keating. Practitioners, during the sessions, consent to be open to the presence and action of God within.
More information on centring prayer can be found at
www.contemplativeoutreachireland.com or by coming along to the group when it meets on a Wednesday.