Walking in the Spirit

People of God invited to surround Council in Prayer

Catholics across the country are being invited to participate in a new prayer pilgrimage as the Church journeys towards the second assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.

The “Walking in the Spirit” pilgrimage has been prepared to encourage individuals, families, parishes, schools and other ministries to keep the Plenary Council in their prayers.

The pilgrimage starts on Easter Sunday, April 17, and leads up to the opening of the second – and final – assembly on Sunday, July 3.

It follows the successful “Fan the Flame” campaign, which ran from Pentecost last year until the Council’s first assembly in October.

Sophy Morley, the co-chair of the Liturgy Working Group for the Plenary Council, said the “Walking in the Spirit” resources can be incorporated easily into existing prayer and liturgical contexts. “Whether it’s for the celebration of the Eucharist, morning liturgy in a school or an addition to one’s nightly prayer routine, these resources will help keep the Plenary Council in our spiritual focus,” she said. “The resources include prayers of the faithful, prayers to the Virgin Mary, a prayer in the spirit of Mary MacKillop, one of the Council’s patrons, and other familiar prayers with a Plenary Council flavour.”

The resources also include links to videos to support prayer and reflection on important Scripture passages and other themes.

Bishop Shane Mackinlay, the vice president of the Plenary Council, said he was hopeful that Catholics across the country would take up the invitation to infuse the Council into their prayer lives. “For more than four years, we have sensed the power of prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the work of the Council,” he said.

“As we move towards the development, consideration and approval of key proposals to renew the Church in Australia, the need for prayer has never been greater. The resources that have been developed allow a comfortable entry into this prayer pilgrimage and a common undertaking across the country for our shared purpose.”

Access resources here:

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In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands in which the Diocese of Ballarat sits. We would like to pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders past, present and future. Their wisdom can help us care for the earth, our common home.

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