AT YOUR WORD, LORD

Despite our late start and lack of training, all of us involved in the At Your Word Lord programme in this parish are very pleased with the success of the first season.

As many parishioners will know, there was quite a bit of discussion about AYWL at various Parish Council meetings. Fr Stuart Wilson, Diocesan Director of AYWL, was invited to speak at all Masses one Sunday and came at the end of February. When the replies to the questionnaire issued on that Sunday were counted, it revealed a slight, but not a very decisive, majority in favour of taking part.

Discussions took place at various Parish Council meetings, and finally in May it was decide to go ahead with the programme. Eventually, in July, twelve of us met to form a Core Community when I was elected Parish Co-ordinator

As we were a bit late to make a decision on whether or not to take up the programme, our volunteer faith group leaders had missed the training offered by Westminster. However, our parish was very lucky to have the support and input from the Core Community leader of Hampton Hill parish, Mary Pierre-Harvey. Mary was invaluable in helping getting us started. Her ideas, enthusiasm and faith in us was inspirational, and she kindly offered to give training to our small faith group leaders. We would like to thank Mary and wish her well with season two in her parish.

As we were late in starting, we were unable to do all the preliminaries. We did not have a Prayer Commitment Sunday, neither did we have a mission, but we got on with enrolment and set up groups, as we were required to do. A total of sixty-five signed up, plus the ten members of the Core Community, which was a good response from the Parish.

Those who signed up to take part in the programme were formed into eight groups who met once a week for the six week period.Groups met every day exept Friday and Sunday, with two groups meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays. The general feedback from the faith sharing groups after the first season was very encouraging. All who participated seemed to enjoy the experience, especially the spiritual enlightenment and sharing of faith. Parishioners meeting weekly and sharing their faith can only be good for the parish.

At the end of season one, a social get-together was held at St Bridget's Church on Friday 28th November whereby all participants of AYWL and the parish were invited to attend. A wonderful evening of food, drink, music and dancing was enjoyed by all who attended, and we hope to publish the pictures from the evening at a later date.

On Sunday, 23rd November, as many parishioners will remember, Fr Philip celebrated a wonderful thanksgiving Mass for us. The music was provided by Jin Harrington, to whom we are very grateful.

Overall, the first season was a wonderful success at St Vincent de Paul, enjoyed by all who took part or who were involved in some small way. New acquaintances were made and the faith and prayer of St Vincent de Paul parishioners and attendees was embraced. We look forward to season two and hope to see many more new faces.

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