Mary delivers weekly Lent talks

A programme of weekly Lent talks are starting on Thursday this week (February 27) in Perth.

The talks will be held at Riverside Church on Bute Drive, delivered by Mary O’Duffin from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunkeld.

Mary is the diocese’s religious education adviser. She studied divinity at the University of Edinburgh, worked in social care and education and is a lay dominican, as well as a wife and mother of three grown-up sons.

She is passionate about spreading the Gospel message particularly using modern media.

The talks follow the example of St Ignatius of Loyola’s‘spiritual exercises’.

These are a compilation of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices developed by St Ignatius Loyola between 1522–1524, to help people deepen their relationship with God.

Mary said:“We welcome parishioners of all the local churches to take part in this strongly scripture-based programme.

“For those who have lost their faith and are interested rediscovering it or in learning more, this would be a good place to start.

“In recent years, there has been a renewed emphasis on the spiritual exercises as a programme for lay people.

“Nowadays, it is usually experienced as a‘retreat in daily life’.

“This will involve a month-long program of daily prayer, sharing once a week with a spiritual director.”

The sessions at Riverside Church are on Thursdays at 7pm, starting on February 27, with more on March 5, 12, 19 and 26, and April 9.

After a break for Holy Week, the final session on Lent from Mary is on April 16.