A Personal Invitation

7pm – 8pm

St. Peter’s Church, Paisley

1^st  8^th  &  21^st December, 2015

 Led by​: Catherine Nolan & Carol Ann McLaren

This was an invitation to focus on the themes of Advent     and grasp the opportunity to be led through different     approaches to prayer.

                                       
What were you hoping for when you decided to come to be part of our Advent journey?
 
“I am only here as a visitor, just to pray, but ended up listening to you.”
“I was hoping for quiet, prayerful reflection during Advent. Time to stop and be still during the hustle and bustle of the world outside.”
“I enjoyed it to the full.”
“Some spiritual uplifting, knowledge and quiet contemplation.”
“Peaceful prayer and reflection for Advent.”
“A different type of prayer.”
“Quiet reflection in a very close group.”
“Prayer and quiet time. Music to listen to.”
“To make a good Advent journey.”
“Prayer and feeling of peace.”
For a journey towards Christmas.”
“A time of peace away from the inevitable busy pre-Christmas rush. A time to be able to thank God for his goodness to me and to resolve to show him that I am grateful for his gift of faith to me.”
“Having experienced the evening we had during lent I was hoping for a similar experience, a time of sharing faith in a peaceful setting.”
“To be part of a more spiritual service which I found very helpful. I hope I will be able to put in to practise the reflections each evening.”
“Peacefulness, quiet time to reflect and think.”
“Hoping for a guided journey through Advent.”
“Only came to one which was tonight. Reflect on very reason for Christmas-Spiritual version.”

Did we meet your expectations? Please share the way(s) in which you feel you have benefitted from these evening(s).
 
“I noticed that God’s Spirit was definitely with us. Very quiet atmosphere.”
“I am glad to have come along to each of the three weeks. Each one different but appropriate.”
“Big time yes. Everything was just as I liked and hoped for. Music perfect.”
“Just keep it going. Keep the good work going.”
“I would say yes, it has provided me with a perfect opportunity to relax and think more about God’s unending love and care.”
“Yes. A chance to take time out from our busy times.”
“Yes. By reading more slowly, I was able to take several different things from the readings, things that I would have missed from reading it quickly.”
“Well presented and well organised. Very different from normal mass.”
“I have benefitted from each evening through reflection on prayer.”
“Yes. I have benefitted on this journey and would like to do it again. It would be good to have it during lent.”
“Yes. Take time to reflect.”
“For me I really enjoyed the peacefulness of the evening after the biz of the day.”
“This is my first attendance. I felt uplifted by the beautiful music, the quiet encouragement to the leaders and for the time I had to contemplate how I can live my own life better.”
“Yes. I have benefited from these evening. It has given me the opportunity each week during Advent to set time aside to prepare for Christmas. It has given me the opportunity to reflect and relax! Atmosphere created each week was very prayerful and tranquil.”
“You more than met my expectations. All the evenings were emotional as you guided us through the readings and listened to the music. I was very grateful for the experience of these evenings.”
“Very enjoyable. Sorry I missed the first two nights.”
“I could listen to you all night. You both have a great way of speaking about Jesus.”
“Yes. Time to reflect. Loved the music.”
 
 
Is there anything you did not like, or, any suggestions you may have for future Reflection Evenings?
 
“When people were generous enough to share their thoughts it was difficult to hear.”
“No-I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and maybe do something similar at Easter.”
“No dislikes”
“Same again!”
“More readings. I felt the time for sharing with my neighbour distracted slightly from the flow of the evening.”
“I think as more opportunities are given those who attend will become more relaxed and feel more at ease to contribute.”
“Would be good to try and encourage younger people to attend.”
“Opportunity to say the Rosary as a group.”
 
 
Any other comment(s)
“Thank you for your time and careful preparation. It showed.”
“Many thanks for your efforts and Merry Christmas and a happy new year.”
“To have similar evenings during Lent.”
“I would like to thank you both for your time and effort you have put into this.”
“I would like to thank you both for all your effort.”
“Thank you both for sharing your gifts with us. These evenings have been a wonderful opportunity for the parish to come together. Thank you also for the way in which the materials were presented.”
“Liked the idea of a personal gift-enlightening.”