Bishop Alan Williams travelled to Gidea Park parish on Saturday 12th October to inaugurate the Year of the God who Speaks, in the presence of about one hundred people. The Year, promoted by the bishops of England and Wales, is intended to encourage greater love of and familiarity with the Bible. Bishop Alan spoke of how we receive the Word of God and its potential to transform our lives. He also very appropriately prayed a prayer of St John Henry Newman.
Fr Adrian Graffy, parish priest of Gidea Park, then introduced Mr Jon Harris, who was responsible for the revamping of the evangelisation website www.whatgoodnews.org. The website contains a rich archive of study days and talks given both at Brentwood Cathedral and in Gidea Park over the last ten years. The website is due to carry all the study days and talks which take place during the Year of the God who Speaks. Jon Harris is the director of Wild Goose Ventures, which includes many projects to help Catholics in the development of websites.
Fr Adrian subsequently gave two sessions entitled ‘Beginning with Genesis’. He spoke about the nature of the early chapters of Genesis, and explored in detail chapters 2 and 3, with their stories of the creation and of the expulsion from Eden. He noted the present relevance of Genesis to the care of creation in a time of crisis, and to the issues of human responsibility and defence of the truth. Questions followed, and the participants were able to purchase copies of the newly released Revised New Jerusalem Bible. A fantastic team of volunteers helped make the day run smoothly, and Mr Paul Samuels of Saints Peter and Paul, Ilford, generously gave up his time to film the event.
Please go to www.whatgoodnews.org for the full programme of events in the Year, and also to listen and see again all the events as they happen.
The next event will be a study day to be given by Fr Nicholas King SJ on Saturday 23rd November on ‘The Scriptures in Advent’. Bookings to gpstudydays@gmail.com or to the parish of Christ the Eternal High Priest, Gidea Park, on 01708 449914.