PROGRAMME: Opportunity for Holy Mass in the Shrine at 12 noon, followed by snack and refreshments – Bring a ‘Packed Lunch.
Talk and Discussion from 1pm until 3pm. Opportunity for confession or personal conversation for the Year of Mercy from 4pm-6pm. Everyone welcome!
Saturday, 27th February 2016
“Open the Floodgates of Mercy”
The first talk will look at the reality of God as a Merciful Father. He reveals Himself as a God who cares, who loves and who is interested in every detail of our lives. This loving Father does everything because of love, in love and for love. We “open the floodgates of mercy” in our own lives, when we come before God just as we are, with all our misery and sinfulness. He can do nothing else but to love us even more.
Saturday, 16th April 2016
“I will never forget you”
The second Talk will take us firstly to the Old Testament. Three powerful and inspiring examples will show us how much God loves his people and what He is prepared to do to embrace them and always be faithful to them: Firstly, the Good News of mercy from the Prophet Hosea, then from the Prophet Isaiah and then the beautiful witness of Psalm 103. Moving on to the witness of the New Testament, we will see how Mary’s Magnificat, the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, and finally the wonderful parable of the prodigal son, all reveal the “name of God” – mercy!
Saturday, 14th May 2016
“Swim in the Ocean of God’s Mercy”
The third Talk includes practical hints how to understand and accept our sins and weaknesses, but also to use and acknowledge them so that the Merciful Father can pour out his boundless mercy in our lives. The God-intended understanding of our sins and misery is essential for the spiritual life.
Saturday, 17th September 2016
“Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful”
The fourth Talk takes the theme of receiving God’s mercy in order to be merciful towards the people around us. Mercy is the “name of God” and the Works of Mercy are the “trademark” of Catholics. What does it mean to be merciful?
Saturday, 15th October 2016
“Turn your eyes of mercy towards us”
The fifth and last Talk takes the special theme of our Blessed Mother Mary. We should not only love her, but also imitate her trust and faith, and then we too become “ambassadors of mercy” in a wounded world. Mary shows us the true image of God, who is boundless mercy and shows us that being merciful ourselves is part and parcel of the Covenant of Love with her.
