Diocesan Jubilee Prayer Conference
by Matt O’Connell
On a cold but beautiful early August Saturday morning, 187 people gathered in Temuka for the second annual Diocesan Prayer Conference. Using the theme of the Jubilee Year, ‘pilgrims of hope’, people travelled from around the diocese on pilgrimage to one of the Jubilee Sacred Sites, the St Mary MacKillop Chapel.
From 8am, people started gathering to register and then went to the beautifully restored St Joseph’s Church for Reconciliation and Adoration.
The conference began at 9.15am with Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael. A local parish choir led the music, and the first reading of the Mass of the Day was, providentially, from the book of Leviticus, announcing a Jubilee Year. Following a delicious morning tea, the conference opened with a keynote address from
Fr Chris Eaton MGL, who spoke of the importance of prayer for becoming people of hope.
The middle part of the conference saw participants choosing optional workshops on prayer: the Psalms, the Bible, Mass, the Holy Spirit, and much more.
During lunchtime, people had the opportunity to chat, visit the St Mary MacKillop chapel for Eucharistic adoration, go to confession, and pray the rosary. After a second round of workshops and afternoon tea, Bishop Michael gave the second keynote address on becoming witnesses of hope. This was a very powerful presentation, touching the hearts of many in attendance.
The conference ended with a beautiful time of prayer and adoration in the church. Many commented on how moved they were by having the opportunity to go on pilgrimage together.
On behalf of the team, I would like to thank the parish of Opihi for their welcome and support, and also St Joseph’s School, Temuka, for their support and use of their facilities.
