Simon Stewart

A Barrow Journey
Suddenly I’m driving to Barrow in sunlight – what a difference that makes! Every Wednesday for two whole terms I’ve been driving ‘blind’ on my way to the “Faith for Today” course. It’s been cold too with the car heater failing. A bit like driving through a cold dark tunnel. Various tapes have kept me company but basically the experience has been slightly unreal.

However we resumed on Wednesday April 13th, I drove through bright sunshine, enjoying the gentle beauty of the South Lakes. As I set up in the classroom I find myself using the late evening sun filtered through the blinds. St. Bernard’s school is built on a hill and the views from many of the windows are magnificent. It must be difficult for students on a warm sunny day not to daydream of lying in the fields.

We were talking about prayer – our own personal experience and the many rich traditions the Church offers. The Catechism tells us that prayer is where God’s thirst for us meets our thirst for Him. As someone who is not good at regular prayer, this gave me great hope. God is not the friend with whom you lose contact because you keep neglecting to ring. He rings you – you just need to make sure you’re in.

I drove back in the dark, but that dark held a memory of sunset and a rumour of dawn.

Prayer – ‘a many-splendoured thing’
We came up with this slightly corny title many months ago when we were planning the ‘Faith for Today’ course. We thought it might catch people’s eye and make them think of prayer as joyful and fruitful, rather than wordy obligation as it can be.

Having looked at the theory, I decided I would just give participants the opportunity to try different styles. I set up ‘prayer stations’ and gave out leaflets with simple instructions on ‘Lectio Divina’, contemplation, and imagining the Gospel. There were also stations to pray with Mary, reflect on the Gospel call to justice, ponder God’s life through creation, and write intercessions. I created a ‘Taize-style’ corner and an area where people could read sacred texts from the other great religions.

Participants prayed, pondered, read and gazed for an hour. Afterwards people commented on how rarely they find such a time and space in their lives. They said how they enjoyed the feeling of their own individual prayer, while at the same time being with others. One participant said that at first she had been overwhelmed by the choice but then had proceeded to be ‘called’ in a different way by each station.

It proved to be an oasis of stillness. It was also a tremendous reminder of what rich and varied traditions of prayer the Church has.

But they are daunting too. I believe all good adult education first draws on the experience of the participants. I believe too that people need to feel welcomed, and that their views are respected. This entails forming some kind of ‘real’ relationship which is difficult when you come cold to a group you have probably not met before. Humour then is essential, as well as giving away something about yourself. I usually begin by telling people something about my family, particularly anecdotes about my sons and their wonderful and at times bizarre thoughts about church.

Parents are often a bit wary, sometimes some are a little resentful. At least a few are there wondering why they are receiving input when it is their children who are preparing. I try to help people relax but I have also taken to telling them that their children’s faith journey is really all about what happens at home. No preparation programme, however, good can prepare children to receive Jesus better than prayer and nurture as part of home life and communion with the local parish.

These are great opportunities, particularly to touch those on the edges of our parishes. They can be moments of opening the door a crack. They can let in a bit of light. People might even push the door fully open.