Thornhill Ministries

Responding to the Hunger for God in Our Time

Tel: 028 7135 1233

www.thornhillministries.co.uk                       email:secretary@thornhillministries.co.uk

According to the Word

As Pope Francis invites

new appreciation

I pray that the Word may

light the path

for those who, like me,

fumble in brailled realities,

feeling our way to next steps;

when consequences are unknown

where fear can cause paralysis

and yet,

through listening to that voice,

trust beckons with His calling. 

May the Word-made-Flesh

be my guide

and may the Spirit fall afresh

on open ear

where Word is a lamp

lighting the way of love.  Amen

(Sr Perpetua)

A RETREAT-PILGRIMAGE IN THE HOLY LAND   Thornhill Ministries' retreat-pilgrimage to the Holy Land - 

24 September to 2 October 2020.  This is a most unique trip to the land where Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose and from where He ascended into heaven.  Each year our pilgrims return, knowing that they received a maximum spiritual experience that goes beyond a 'trip to the Holy Land.'  The programme is devised to allow us a deep and reflective experience of walking in the footsteps of Christ - Jerusalem (2 nights); Bethlehem (2 nights) , Tiberius [Galilee] (4 nights).  Deposit: 250 stg.  Contact Erin (secretary) thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org. 

LENTEN PROMISE CARD

Support those who want to 'do something' for Lent  Gift them with a Lenten Calendar where they can scratch off the date to reveal a pray/fast/give activity for each day of Lent. 

Support families in 'doing Lent together'  Help develop faith practice in families through joining in a shared keeping of the Lenten weeks.

Support Thornhill Ministries by being among those who 'do the Promise Card for Lent'  We already have a well-established facebook prayer-community, and undertaking the Promise Card together for Lent helps build up that wealth of community prayer support.  The Calendar/Promise Card costs a single pound - £1 - and literally every donation is a help.  Contact Geraldine/Erin at 71351233 or call at Thornhill House, Culmore Road, or Veritas Shop, Shipquay Street, to pick up your Lenten Promise Card.  

PRAYER GUIDE FORMATION DAY

Sat 14 Mar 10:00 am - 3:30 pm in Thornhill House.  A day of support and connection for the cohort of Guides - people who are hungry for the Word of God and know its beauty and nourishment.  Day includes Eucharist as well as input and reflection.  Reminder please to all guides to confirm your attendance by contacting Geraldine/Erin at 71351233.

OASIS DAY - "Sensing Mortality"  Includes Eucharist, reflection, and pondering on our mortality.  With aging comes acknowledgement of limited energy, limited time and limited choices - and with that acknowledgement comes freedom to 'love the life we are given.'  A hope-filled day, led by Fr Paschal, where participants find an oasis of peace and serenity in acceptance of what is.  BOOKING ESSENTIAL as the day includes light lunch.     

Mon 24 Feb  9:30 am - 1:30 pm   Suggested Donation: £20.00 (guideline only)

PRAYING LENT  Invitation to be part of a praying community through the weeks of Lent.  Led Meditation, Exposition, Mid-Day Prayer of the Church , and the welcome lenten soup!  

Thu 5, 12, 19, 26 Mar & 2 Apr  10:30 am - 12:45 pm  Suggested Donation: £10.00 (guideline only)

CHURCH DECOR FOR LENT & HOLY WEEK - This evening is offered to those who enhance the Liturgy through displays and arrangements of nature's gifts.  There will be an opportunity to consider creative ideas, explore guidelines in relation to the season of Lent and to share possible visual support to the particular Liturgies from Palm Sunday to the Easter Vigil.  Places limited.  Suggested Donation: £10  Monday 2 March  7:30 - 9:00

To Book: 71351233 or email Erin at thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org

LET'S TALK CHURCH MUSIC  A gathering of those involved in serving our faith communities through music.  This is an opportunity for organists, cantors and those who lead music in their parish to come together and explore the challenges, the questions, the joys and the good practice in their experience of this ministry.

Thursday 19 March  8:00 - 9:15  Thornhill House 

TO SING THE PSALMS  Anyone wishing to access settings of the psalms of Lent, please get in touch.

Whether you are a folk or conventional Church choir, a soloist or small group,  Sr Perpetua can help you locate appropriate settings of the Sunday Responsorial Psalms - with settings that minimise your work load.  Simply contact her through Thornhill Ministries by phone/email.

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TRAINING FOR MINISTRY   We do not list here the parishes we are assisting in Ministry Training out of a sense of boundaries.  This term, we have a significant number of parishes engaging our services for Church Readers and Ministers of Holy Communion.  If your parish wishes to avail of this support or our Liturgy Foundations Programme, please get in touch with us directly. 

CHARITY CLOBBER  We could say we are very keen to help you clear out your wardrobes and presses - but in truth, we are in need of clobber to help clothe children and adults in the developing worldand as a fundraising activity for our Ministries.  Material, bedding and towelling, as well as clothing, are welcome.  We are linked to a particular charity in Kenya and those who work in that charity are very grateful for the mutual support generated through the donation of clobber.  Please leave clobber bags with us any time between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the  year.