Deanery Events for the Jubilee Year

Let the Land Lie Fallow - The Healing Presence of God

One of the tasks for this year of the Great Jubilee focuses on ‘taking time out’ to care for ourselves in body, mind and spirit. The Geelong Deanery has sought to facilitate this task by offering a prayerful session entitled ‘The Healing Presence of God’ during Lent.

To cater for as many people as possible, this session was offered in seven ‘areas’ around Geelong, with most areas being offered a choice between a day or an evening session.

Each session incorporated quiet, reflective music, scripture, personal time with God and a sharing time. The participants were encouraged to open up any hurts they may be carrying and allow God’s healing presence to touch them.

There was an average of ten participants in each session and most appear to have enjoyed the opportunity to ‘just be’ with their God and to leave behind the rush and tear of busy lives for an hour or so.

The final two sessions, held on 6 April in Grovedale and Belmont, were facilitated by Sr Madeleine Barlow and Fr Frank Anderson. Unfortunately, Madeleine and Frank were unavailable for any other sessions during Lent, but are hoping to come back to Geelong later in the year to run some other sessions related to Jubilee.

The Deanery Leadership Team, and the session participants, are grateful to the Deanery Resource Co-ordinator, Denise James, for facilitating the other ‘Healing Presence of God’ sessions.

Forthcoming Programs

Following are details of forthcoming events within the Geelong Deanery as part of the celebration of this Year of the Great Jubilee, until June. Other events will be announced in parish bulletins in due course.

Parish Ministry Course for Visiting the Bereaved
Dates: Mondays, 1, 8 and 15 May
Time: 7.00–10.00 pm
Presenter: Mrs Joy Earle-Quick, Counsellor/Family Therapist at the Life Enrichment Centre
Location: The Residence, 55 McKillop St, Geelong (parking at rear)
Cost: $10 for 3 nights
Bookings: Deanery Office (numbers are limited)

Liturgy Preparation and Audio-visual Evening
For: Liturgy-team members, musicians, teachers, interested parishioners
Date: Wednesday, 24 May
Time: 7.30–9.00 pm
Presenter: Fr Denis Minogue
Location: St Frances Xavier Church, Bacchus Marsh Rd, Corio

Ministry Training by the Office of Worship
For: Eucharist ministers, lectors, communion to sick ministers
Date: Tuesday, 30 May
Time: 7.00–9.30 pm
Location: Holy Family Church, Separation St, Bell Park
Cost: $12 (discounts available for parishes with more than 5 participants)
Bookings: Deanery Office or Office of Worship, no later than Friday, 26 May.

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