My parish church is Sacred Heart, Howden, Yorkshire. The people attending Mass are so friendly. A rural parish is such a change from my last parish where I was First Holy Communion coordinator, and there were between 70 and 90 children making their communion each year. I am privileged to prepare the children at Sacred Heart too. This year there are ten children, and that's a lot.There are only ten pews on each side, and we only have one Mass on a Sunday. It is a joy to go there. I also do church cleaning once a month, read occasionally, help with the children's liturgy, wash the altar linen, and am safeguarding officer. I have designed and maintain the church website too. It sounds as if I do a lot, but I don't really. I think I ought to start a Prayer Group, Social Justice Group or something, as the parish is so focused on social activities.The reason is that our building is Grade 2 listed, and the fabric is in really bad condition, so fundraising looms large.
I was born and bred a Catholic. I had a really happy childhood in my family, parish and schools. At reunions of Notre Dame Southwark girls, most people criticise the nuns. I admit they were old-fashioned and out of touch with the 'modern world' of the late 50s, but they had our best interests at heart I'm sure. And we led some of the teachers a merry dance! (But not Miss Hammond!!!)
My favourite way of praying is meditating. The idea is for us to sit still for twenty to thirty minutes, saying a mantra to root us in the present. Just let go of any thoughts, ideas or feelings. I like to think that nature doesn't like a vacuum, so God fills it, alhtough of course I believe God is there already. Meditating gives us the space to realise it.
It must be over twenty years since I started, and I go through phases of commitment. Anyone wanting to try it out - and I heartily recommend it - should access the website below
I like to thing that Scripture guides my life, but I also think that God speaks to us through our dreams, other people, nature, and much else. I don't go to a Scripture Group at the moment, but do try to alternate reading a novel with some spiritual reading. I go through phases of praying the Divine Office too.
Some of my favourite Scripture quotes are
'Be still and know that I am God'
'Behold I stand at the door and knock'
and
'I have called you by your name. You are mine'
I enjoy the Divine Office too, although I don't say it that often. I love the psalms, and also the Office of Readings, which has some lovely old writings by Fathers of hte Church.