Autumn 2012 season Group Reflections on the faith and mission

The Year of Faith Announced by Pope Benedict XVI in October 2011 the YEAR OF FAITH will last from 11 October 2012 to 24 November Let me see your face, O Lord – Psalm 26 Plans for the Year, articles and a list of events can be found online at: issuu.com/exploringfaith/docs/thefollower_yof 1

What do you wish to gain from the Year of Faith as a parish and as individuals? What are your hopes for your small group this autumn season?

A precious treasure On the value we attach to the gifts we receive, faith freely given up to us to decide what to do with it Ephesians 2:4-10 Riches of God’s grace Session one

What is Faith? On our shared heritage, faith… assurance of things hoped for Luke 2:39-52 Jesus in the Temple at 12 years old Session two

Not what but who On the person of Christ as the centre of our faith, the cornerstone, the way, the truth and the life. Mark 8:27-35 Who do you say I am? Session three

Responding in Love On caritas and Christian witness. Our duty to God and to neighbour. John 15:4-17 Jesus as the true vine, we are chosen and appointment Session four

A Place to Grow Together On the Church as home to Christ’s apprentices. Learning from our mistakes, opportunities to witness Romans 15:1-13 Strength in the community Session five

The Sharing of the Gift On the universal search for meaning and the Christian response. Shining, radiating Christ. James 1:17-27 Good works and witness Session six

As well as the six sessions for groups this booklet also contains: Exploring our heritage (timeline) My family of faith Daily prayer (based on the Office) Further reading Additional materials

The current plan for Lent 2013 is a booklet on the themes of reconciliation, sin, penance and mercy. Autumn 2013, it is planned that we visit the theme of prayer – more than likely using the Lord’s Prayer as our framework to tie in with the Year of Faith. Future booklets

For additional reflections visit our blog: dowsmallgroups.wordpress.com For short questions on the Sunday gospel: twitter.com/dowsmallgroups For the latest newsletters and news: facebook.com/dowsmallgroups Read, follow and join

Dear Jesus, help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Yours. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus! Closing Prayer

Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as You shine, so to shine as to be a light to others; the light, O Jesus, will be all from You; none of it will be mine: it will be You shining on others through me. Let me thus praise You in the way You love best: by shining on those around me. Let me preach You without preaching, not by words, but by my example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears to You. Amen. Closing Prayer

Lord, let me see your face, know your heart and experience your love in my life. Strengthen in me the precious gift of faith. I believe Lord; Help my unbelief. Amen. Closing Prayer