By Selina Venier
PRAYER, conversation and copious amounts of tea are devoured when a group of Brisbane women meet every Sunday night.
The “Sunday Night Girls” have been praying together for three years and supporting each other’s diverse personalities and journeys.
Their ages vary from 24 to 32, as do their professions – in education, finance, journalism and health – and one is a student.
Most are single and group member Jo Hayes said each of them expressed their Catholic faith in different ways.
“Some of us are connected with Charismatic Catholic communities, others attend the Latin Mass (and) others attend their local parish in the suburbs,” she said.
“(But) we all share a love of Jesus and a love of the Catholic Church.”
After a pot of tea or two – plus an array of homemade sweets – the women spend time “praying, reflecting, listening and learning about important Catholic social teaching”.
They took part in a retreat in October focusing on our Blessed Mother, Mary, and “how she can be a good example to us as Christian women”.
“We have a lot of fun together, enjoy spending time with each other and (we) laugh a lot,” Jo said.
“We have now been through a lot with one another (like) significant birthdays, holidays, graduations, moving overseas and coming home, new jobs, new cars, new homes, becoming godparents and best of all an engagement and wedding.”
Some of the women came together monthly after World Youth Day in 2008, recognising the need for continued sharing as “like-minded, young Catholic women”.
Their number grew and they began meeting more frequently.
The group agreed it was “important to have support in living the Catholic faith in today’s society” because of the “negative pressures and influences” that existed.
In particular they have enjoyed participating in Lenten studies offered by Brisbane archdiocese, a closer look at Theology of the Body and the “Captivating” series by John and Staci Eldredge.
Jo said she was “constantly inspired” by the other women and by their “commitment to the Lord”.
“We were created to live in community and unfortunately there are not many opportunities to connect authentically with other committed Catholics,” she said.
“Our group has provided that for all of us – and we’re all better off because of it.”
Karla Dalton echoed similar sentiments.
“I feel so blessed to be able to journey with seven other wonderful women every week,” Karla said.
“We have really come to know each other and this allows each of us to be comfortable and to be who God created us to be.
“I love the time we spend in prayer as a group and this encourages me to work on my own prayer life during the week.”
Karla recognised the Holy Spirit at work in the group’s formation and ongoing life.
“The Holy Spirit was integral in guiding each of us to be part of the group and has continued to guide us in everything we do,” she said.
“We continue to ask for guidance and direction for our group and are open to where God is leading us.”
Megan Kozak said every meeting was “refreshing and encouraging” and she has “shared, laughed and cried … during amazing highs and devastating lows”.
“They remind me that I am loved,” Megan said.
“They show me Christ’s face every week.”
Camilla Sherriff, who hosts the group, said she “always looks forward to” Sunday nights.
“It’s so refreshing to be able to share my faith with other like-minded women,” she said.
“I’m constantly amazed by the knowledge and insight of this group … (and) our discussions enable me to get a different perspective on many aspects of life.”
Megan Sneddon recalled a “hilarious evening” when another of the women “had to wait ages for all to arrive to freely move her left hand”.
“I’m sure you could hear the joyful screams from blocks away,” she said of the engagement ring presented.
The Sunday Night Girls encourage other women who might like to start their own group to contact them for ideas.
They can be contacted by email at sunday.night.girls.brisbane@gmail.com
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