Dioceses of Achonry & Elphin
2026/2027 Scripture Sharing Group Initiative
Introduction
There is a long-standing tradition in certain parishes of both the Achonry and Elphin dioceses of women and men taking time periodically to gather with friends, old and new, to engage and pray with passages of sacred scripture.
In more recent years, the Elphin diocese’s Pastoral & Faith Development Services (PFDS herein) has provided resources, including study bibles, facilitator manuals and sets of relevant handouts, to parish-based groups open to undertaking a shared prayerful engagement with particular books of the bible, e.g. the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, and The Letters of St. Paul.
Over recent months the PFDS have prepared a six-session resource to support engagement with the first ten chapters of the Gospel according to John. This, along with sets of study bibles, will be available to parish and inter-parish groups in both dioceses from the 1st October. It has also committed to making a second set of resources available in Lent 2027 to support each group complete their engagement with John’s Gospel.
On average fifteen parishes run with this initiative each year. All are blessed in having women and men open to serving as their parish’s scripture initiative facilitator or facilitators (where two or more facilitators work together).
Initiative Objectives
- To support participants draw close to God through a shared reading and pondering of John’s Gospel
- To help participants toward a more wholesome understanding of John’s Gospel as an aid to encounter with God
- To stimulate learning and faith-enquiry in a gentle, light-hearted and non-threatening way
- To support short periods of scripture-based prayer (led and directed by group facilitators)
- To foster the bonds of friendship between Catholics and other people of goodwill who participate.
Time Commitment
Each of the 6 sessions (x2) are expected to last one hour, and possibly for one-and-a-quarter hours should the number of participants exceed fifteen.
Experience has also taught us that this and similar initiatives work best when all participants are open to giving one hour between weekly sessions to reading, pondering and reflecting on the part of the gospel that will be discussed at the beginning of the group’s next session.
Facilitators are asked to give an additional hour in terms of personal preparation for each session and to support their initial engagement we also plan to provide two afternoon or evening sessions of training / mentoring in advance of Session 1 in each parish. These will be free-of-charge for participants.
Outline of Sessions
Session 1
- Word of welcome and introductions
- Introduction to this initiative and to John’s Gospel (notes provided)
- Shared Reading and reflection on a select passage from John’s Gospel (handout provided)
- Conversation as to how this passage is ‘a word from God for us today’ (supported by questions given to facilitators)
- Brief time of prayer
Session 2 – 6
- Word of welcome
- Conversation drawing on group members’ reading of a pre-agreed section of John’s Gospel, e.g. chapters 2 and 3
- Shared reading and discussion of a shorter passage (handout provided)
- Conversation as to how the passage is ‘a word from God for today’ (supported by questions given to facilitators)
- Prayer time
Host Parishes, Dates, Times and Venues
ROSCOMMON PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Mondays 26th Oct. & 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th Nov.
7.30 – 8.30 pm
St. Coman’s Club
Abbey St.
Roscommon
F42 YT51
Facilitator: Wilker Costa & Justin Harkin
To reserve a place please contact Justin on 087 6171526
BOYLE PARISH (MORNINGS) – Confirmed
Mondays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th Nov. and 7th Dec.
After 10 am Mass
The Meeting Room
St. Joseph’s Parish Church
Carrick Road,
Boyle
F52 TY46
Facilitators: Eithne Deane & Patrick Oshie
To reserve a place please contact Eithne on 086 2385649
ROSCOMMON PARISH (MORNINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 10th, 17th, 24th Nov. & 1st, 9th & 15th Dec.
After 11 am Mass
The Legion of Mary Room
First Floor,
St. Coman’s Club,
Abbey St,
Roscommon.
F42 YT51
Facilitators: Tom Beirne and Fr Eugene McLoughlin PE
To reserve a place please ring / text Tom on 086 3861954.
DRUMCLIFFE & MAUGHEROW PARISHES (EVENINGS) –Confirmed
Tuesdays 27th Nov., 3rd, 10th, 17th 24th Nov. & 1st Dec.
7.30 – 8.30 pm
Private Residence
Rathcormac
Co. Sligo
F91 XT57
Facilitators: Celia Dunleavy, Geraldine Clarke & Irene Fleming
To reserve a place please contact Celia on 087 699 5292
SLIGO – ST ANNE’S PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Tuesdays 10th, 17th, 24th Nov. & 1st, 8th & 15th Dec.
7.30 – 8.30 pm
Meeting Room,
St Anne’s Church
Cranmore Rd.
Sligo
F91 R250
Facilitators: Patricia McCaffrey & Fr Steve Walsh
To reserve a place please contact Sabrina in Parish Office (office hours) on 071 9145028.
ELPHIN & AUGHRIM PARISHES (EVENINGS) – To be confirmed
Tuesdays 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th Nov. & 1st & 8th Dec.
8 – 9 pm
Elphin Day Care Centre,
Chapel St.
Elphin.
Co. Roscommon
F45 VE27
Facilitators: Fr Stephen Ezenwegbu PP & Mary Lee
To reserve a place please contact Fr Stephen on 0719630486
SLIGO – ST JOSEPH’S & CALRY PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Wednesdays 18th & 25th Nov. and 2nd, 9th & 16th December,
7 – 8 pm
St Joseph’s Parish Centre,
St. Joseph’s Church
Ballytivnan Rd
Ballytivnan
Sligo
F91VH73
Facilitators: Bernie Flynn & Fr Noel Rooney PP
To reserve a place please contact Bernie on 087 973 0209
KILTOOM & CAM PARISH – Confirmed
Wednesdays 18th & 25th Nov. and 2nd, 9th & 16th Dec.
8 – 9 pm
Meeting Room,
Kiltoom Parish Hall
Kiltoom
Facilitators: Deacon William Gacquin & Fr.Michael McManus PP
To reserve a place please contact Kiltoom Parish Office during office hours on 0906489105.
SLIGO – CATHEDRAL PARISH (MORNINGS) – Confirmed
Wednesdays 28th Oct., 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th Nov. and 2nd Dec.
After 10.30 am Mass
The Library,
St Mary’s Presbytery,
Temple St.
Sligo
F91 KTX2
Facilitators: Justin Harkin & clergy of the parish
To reserve a place please contact St. Mary’s Parish Office (office hours) on 0719162769
BALLYGAR-NEWBRIDGE-TOHERGAR PARISH (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Thursdays 12th, 19th & 26th Nov. and 3rd & 10th Dec.
7.30 – 8.30 pm
Ballygar Tidy Towns / Men’s Shed
Ballygar
Co. Galway
F42 TD30
Facilitators: John Weldon & Fr Doughlas Zaggi PP
To reserve a place please contact Justin on 087 6171526.
AHASCRAGH-CALTRA PARISH / CREIDEAMH NETWORK (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Sundays 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th Nov. and 6th & 13th Dec.
7 – 8 pm
Clonfert Family Centre
Brackernagh
Ballinasloe
H53 NX59
Facilitator: John Weldon
To reserve a place please contact John on 087 9068032.
KNOCKCROGHERY-LECARROW-RAHARA (EVENINGS) – Confirmed
Fridays 30th Oct., 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Nov. and 5th Dec.
8 – 9 pm
Culleen Hall
Knockcroghery
Co. Roscommon
F42 EN12
Facilitators: James Mullooly, Richard O’Brien & Fr. Joseph Ali
To reserve a place please contact James on 087 9450314
ST PETER & PAUL’S ATHLONE – To be confirmed
Thursdays 12th, 19th, 26th Nov. & 3rd, 10th & 17th Dec.
8 – 9 pm
Forthill House
The Batteries
Athlone
Co. Westmeath.
N37 W1W2
Facilitator: Fr. Simon Peter Akpoja MSP
To reserve a place please contact Fr. Simon Peter @ frsimonpeter@athloneparish.ie / 089 9682595.
ROSSES POINT PARISH – Awaiting Information
Facilitator: Fr. Michael Drumm PP
Email: rossespointparish@gmail.com
To reserve a place please contact Fr. Michael on 071 9177133
CASTLEREA PARISH – Awaiting Information
Facilitators: Fr. Mario Zalki CMF & Fr. Kevin Reynolds MHM.
To reserve a place please contact Fr. Mario @ mmzcmf@gmail.com / 089 4571219
Cost
In recent years a donation of €20 to €30 from group members who could afford to contribute have been greatly appreciated. This has assisted the dioceses recoup the cost of bibles and other resources and met light and heat costs.
Facilitators very kindly give their time free-of-charge.
Further Enquiries
Further enquiries welcome. Please ring, text or email Justin on 087 6171526 / justin@elphindiocese.ie
Thank you.
Updated: 23 October 2026