Meeting Christ in and through St. Matthew’s Gospel (Part 2)
Lenten Scripture Initiative 2026
– an in-person opportunity
Invitation
Beginning c. Monday 16th February, small groups of adults, supported by Group Facilitators, Clergy and Catechists, will gather weekly in certain parishes of the Elphin and Achonry dioceses for an hour or so. During their time together they will read, ponder, discuss and pray with passages from the last twelve chapters of St Matthew’s Gospel.
Each group invites interested adults to join them, and if you are uncertain as to whether you should participate, you are most welcome on a come-and-see / taster-experience basis.
Established groups also look forward to extending a warm and friendly welcome to newcomers.
Introduction
There is a long tradition in the Elphin diocese of women and men taking time periodically to gather with friends, old and new, to chat and to pray with passages of sacred scripture. Many women and men in the Achonry diocese have also come together periodically to ponder and pray with scripture.
In more recent years, following requests, the Elphin diocese has sought to support group leaders by providing study bibles and other resources which support such meetings. With the encouragement of Bishop Kevin Doran and others, clergy, religious and laity, this provision is now extending into the Achonry diocese.
Over the past five years groups have engaged with certain letters of St Paul, with St Mark’s and St. Luke’s Gospels and with the first sixteen chapters of Matthew’s Gospel.
For this school year our focus is falling on St Matthew’s Gospel. Before Christmas groups met on six occasions and drew on the riches of the first sixteen chapters, and we propose to continue with the remaining chapters during Lent.
The key question underpinning all sessions of this initiative is, ‘How is God speaking to us through this text today, amd more particularly, to our hearts?’
Please note this is not an adult religious education course. While participants are likely to learn a lot through their engagement, our primary goal is to help one another know and respond in love to Jesus Christ, and to hear His word to us, both individually and collectively.
We hope the following details will prove helpful to everyone who would like to know more / reserve a place.
Objectives
- To support participants read and ponder Matthew’s Gospel as a means of drawing close to God
- To help participants toward a more wholesome understanding of Matthew’s Gospel as an aid to encounter with God
- To stimulate learning and faith-enquiry in a gentle, light-hearted and non-threatening way
- To support short periods of scripture-based prayer (led and directed by facilitators)
- To foster the bonds of friendship between Catholics and other people of goodwill who participate.
Elements
6 sessions, each between one hour and one-and-a-quarter hours, pending the size of the group, and as agreed by the group at the end of the group’s first meeting.
Resources
Each participant will receive a Study Bible or copy of St. Matthew’s Gospel with supporting notes on loan for the duration of the initiative. Other resources, e.g. a one page handout, will also be made available during sessions.
Expectation
Experience has taught us that this and similar initiatives work best when participants are open to giving an hour between sessions to reading, pondering and reflecting on the part of the gospel that will be discussed.
We also request that all participants respect the uniqueness of one anothers’ faith journeys, life experiences and experiences of Church and Church community.
Outline of Sessions
Session 1
- Word of welcome and introductions
- Review of objectives
- Introduction to this initiative and to the latter half of Matthew’s Gospel
- Shared Reading and reflection on a select passage from St Matthew’s Gospel
- Exploration as to how this passage is ‘a word from God for us today’ (supported by facilitators)
- Brief time of prayer
Session 2 – 6
- Word of welcome
- Conversation around the group’s engagement with a chapter / designated passage of Matthew’s Gospel during the week
- Shared reading and discussion of another designated passage
- Exploration as to how the passage is ‘a word for today’
- Prayer time
Cost
A donation of €20 to €30 would be appreciated from those who can afford to contribute. This will assist the dioceses recoup the cost of bibles and other resources and meet light and heat costs. Group Facilitators etc. very kindly give their time free-of-charge.
Host Parishes, Dates, Times and Venues
ROSCOMMON PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Mondays 16th & 23rd Feb., 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd March
7.30 – 8.30 pm
St. Coman’s Club
Abbey St.
Roscommon
F42 YT51
Facilitator: Justin Harkin
To reserve a place please contact Justin on 087 6171526
BOYLE PARISH (MORNINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 17th & 24th Feb., 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th March
After 10 am Mass
The Meeting Room
St. Joseph’s Parish Church
Carrick Road,
Boyle
F52 TY46
Facilitators: Eithne Deane & Hanora Lavin
To reserve a place please contact Eithne on 086 2385649
ROSCOMMON PARISH (MORNINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 17th & 24th Feb., 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th March
After 11 am Mass
The Legion of Mary Room
First Floor,
St. Coman’s Club,
Abbey St,
Roscommon.
F42 YT51
Facilitators: Tom Beirne and Fr Eugene McLoughlin PE
To reserve a place please ring / text Tom on 086 3861954.
DRUMCLIFFE & MAUGHEROW PARISHES (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 17th & 24th Feb., 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th March
7.30 – 8.30 pm
The Meeting Room
Old School
Rathcormac
Co. Sligo
F91 XT57
Facilitators: Celia Dunleavy, Clare Devaney, Geraldine Clarke & Irene Fleming
To reserve a place please contact Drumcliffe Parish Office on 071 914 2779
SLIGO – ST ANNE’S PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 17th & 24th Feb., 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th March
7.30 – 8.30 pm
Meeting Room,
St Anne’s Church
Cranmore Rd.
Sligo
F91 R250
Facilitators: Patricia McCaffrey & Fr Steve Walsh
To reserve a place please contact Sabrina in Parish Office (office hours) on 071 9145028.
ELPHIN & AUGHRIM PARISHES (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 17th & 24th Feb., 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th March
8 – 9 pm
Elphin Day Care Centre,
Chapel St.
Elphin.
Co. Roscommon
F45 VE27
Facilitators: Fr Stephen Ezenwegbu PP & Mary Lee
To reserve a place please contact Fr Stephen on 0719630486
SLIGO – ST JOSEPH’S & CALRY PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Wednesdays 25th Feb., 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th March7 – 8 pm
St Joseph’s Parish Centre,
St. Joseph’s Church
Ballytivnan Rd
Ballytivnan
Sligo
F91VH73
Facilitaors: Bernie Flynn & Fr Noel Rooney PP
To reserve a place please contact Bernie on 087 973 0209
KILTOOM & CAM PARISH – Confirmed
Wednesdays 18th & 25th Feb., 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th March
8 – 9 pm
Meeting Room,
Kiltoom Parish Hall
Kiltoom
Facilitators: Deacon William Gacquin & Una Feely
To reserve a place please contact Kiltoom Parish Office dring office hours on 0906489105.
SLIGO – CATHEDRAL PARISH (MORNINGS) – Confirmed
Thursdays 19th & 26th Feb., 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th March
After 10.30 am Mass
The Library,
St Mary’s Presbytery,
Temple St.
Sligo
F91 KTX2
Facilitators: Maura Garvey & Marian Roycroft
To reserve a place please contact St. Mary’s Parish Office (office hours) on 0719162769
SWINFORD PARISH (Evenings) – Confirmed
Thurdays 19th & 26th Feb., 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th March
8 – 9 pm
The Parochial House,
Castlebar Rd.
Swinford,
Co. Mayo.
F12 NH98
Facilitator: Stephen Giblin
To reserve a place please contact Stephen on 0894653543.
BALLINAMEEN-BREEDOGUE PARISH (EVENINGS) – Provisional
Thurdays 19th & 26th Feb., 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th March
8 – 9 pm
The Presbytery,
Knockglass
Ballinameen,
Co. Roscommon
F52 C899
Facilitators: To be confirmed
To reserve a place please contact Fr. Larry on 07196 68104/ larryebuk87@yahoo.com
BALLYGAR-NEWBRIDGE-TOHERGAR PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Thurdays 19th & 26th Feb., 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th March
8.30 – 9.30 pm
Ballygar Tidy Towns / Men’s Shed
Ballygar
Co. Galway
F42 TD30
Facilitators: Justin Harkin & Fr Doughlas Zaggi PP
To reserve a place please contact Justin on 087 6171526.
AHASCRAGH-CALTRA PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Thurdays 19th & 26th Feb., 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th March
8 – 9 pm
St. Cuan’s Oratory
St. Cuan’s Church
Chapel St.
Ahascragh.
H53 EH76
Facilitators: John Weldon & Fr. John Mahony PP
To reserve a place please contact John on 087 9068032.
KNOCKCROGHERY-LECARROW-RAHARA (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Fridays 20th & 27th Feb., 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th March
8 – 9 pm
Culleen Hall
Lecarrow
Co. Roscommon
F42 CK11
Facilitators: James Mullooly, Richard O’Brien
To reserve a place please contact James on 087 9450314
ROSSES POINT – Confirmed
Please contact Fr. Michael Drumm PP
Email: rossespointparish@gmail.com
Te: 071 9177133
Further Enquiries
Please ring, text or email Justin on 087 6171526 / justin@elphindiocese.ie
Thank you.
Updated: 28th January 2026.