PRAY 2010, a major gathering to be held in the Brisbane archdiocese in July next year, is being powered by the belief that Catholics must pray daily if they are to succeed in their mission to be Christ to others.
Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane has highlighted the importance of the initiative by asking all archdiocesan priests to encourage their parishioners to attend and to pray for the gathering which “has the capacity to be a powerhouse for our life and mission”.
The archbishop also said in his recent Pray 2010 briefing that “too often Catholics do not make the time to pray or indeed do not know how to pray”.
Launching Pray 2010 at the blessing of the main chapel site at Ormiston’s Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre last month, the archbishop said it was his hope that “the event will prove to be a wellspring that will renew the prayer life of Catholics throughout this archdiocese and beyond”.
Archbishop Bathersby said among the goals of the gathering being held from July 7 to 10 next year were “to encourage Catholics to deepen their relationship with Jesus through prayer” and “the providing of practical teaching and experiences of different prayer forms”.
Proposed workshops at the gathering being held at Clairvaux MacKillop College at Mt Gravatt include praying the liturgy; meditative prayer; contemplative prayer; praying with Mary and the saints; sensory prayer which includes music, art and movement; and prayer and ritual in the family, parish and school context.
Archdiocesan Faith and Life mission development officer Mike Humphrys said Pray 2010 was being promoted early to encourage people to take on “the attitude of prayer” as soon as possible to ensure the campaign’s success.
Mr Humphrys, one of Pray 2010’s organisers, said the campaign continued the spirit of those in previous years.
“All campaigns have reflected the archbishop’s belief that if we’re to be an evangelising archdiocese we have first to be a praying archdiocese,” he said.
For further information contact (07) 3336 9340; email pray2010@bne.catholic.net.au or visit www.pray2010.org.au
