Diocesan News18 Feb 15

Derry & Raphoe Diocese Launches The ‘Year Of Prayer’

Dean William Morton receiving the ‘Year of Prayer’ book from Archdeacon Robert Miller

Today marks the beginning of Lent for Christians around the world. Often Lent involves taking up some sort of activity designed to mirror the discipline of Jesus in the desert.

The diocese of Derry and Raphoe is no different from many millions of Christians worldwide in observing this date, however this Lent also sees the beginning of a new initiative designed to engage parishes in thinking again about prayer and service in their communities.

Lent 2015 has been designated by Bishop Ken Good as the start of the ‘Year of Prayer’ where parishes will each take one week to pray for their communities. The 48 parishes in the diocese, alongside young people and social media will ensure prayer continues for a whole year.

In launching what the diocese is calling a ‘Prayer River’ at the Ash Wednesday service in St Columb’s Cathedral, Archdeacon Robert Miller symbolically handed Dean Morton a book which will be passed from parish to parish as the weeks progress. This is to record what has been prayed for and will be on public display while the week of prayer is in operation.

Archdeacon Miller explained, “This Year of Prayer aims to engage people in a fresh ways with traditional and contemporary methods of prayer, not only for their benefit, but also for the communities they live in.” In talking about the wider vision for the diocese, Archdeacon Miller said, “The diocese has designated 2016 as a Year of Opportunity for reaching children, engaging in mission, and being more generous. Prayer is not an optional extra, but rather it is something which provides a foundation for all that happens in the future.”

The Year of Prayer will run from 18 February 2015 until the 10 February 2016. More information can be found on www.derryandraphoe.org