St Joseph’s staff joined staff from St Mary’s War Memorial school in West Wyalong and St Francis Xavier’s Primary School in Lake Cargelligo on Monday of this week for our Spirituality Day themed Pilgrims of Hope.

We began with prayer following the Lectio Divina process. Lectio Divina, Latin for "divine reading," is a traditional Christian practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God. It is a way of listening to Scripture with the ear of the heart. The practice involves four key stages and can be practised alone or in community with others:

• reading (lectio)-Begin by slowly and meditatively reading your Scripture passage out loud. Listen for a particular word or phrase that speaks to you at this moment and sit with it for a time.
• meditation (meditatio)-Read the same passage a second time. As you re-engage with the text, let the word or phrase that stood out become your invitation to dialogue with God. Allow the word or phrase to wash over you and permeate your thoughts and feelings
• prayer (oratio)-Read the text a third time. What is God saying to you in these words? What do you want to say to God? What feelings do these words raise up in you? Share your answers with God.
• contemplation (contemplatio)-Read the text a final time. As you do, release the word or phrase you have been praying. Be still and rest in God’s embrace. What gift has God given you to take away from this prayer? To what action might God be inviting you? Thank God for this gift and invitation as you conclude your prayer.

The Scripture that Mr Martens shared was from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Pope Francis spoke of Lectio Divina as a way of ‘listening to what the Lord wishes to tell us in his Word and of us letting ourselves be transformed by the Spirit’ (Evangelii Gaudium #152).

If anyone desires to incorporate more Scripture into prayer life and pay closer attention to the movements of God, Lectio Divina might be a place to start.

Warm regards,

Loyola Best

​Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

Parish News:    First Holy Communion will be celebrated at Mass on Sunday morning 3^rd August. All are welcome to celebrate this special occasion with our parish.

Next Week’s Readings: 3rd Sunday of Easter: Gen 18: 20-32; Col 2: 12-14; Luke 11: 1-13.