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“From This Day Forward”��Marriage Preparation Course 2023��WORKSHOP💘GOD💘LIFE💘MARRIAGE💘 � 💘FAMILY💘PRAYER💘TRINITY💘SEMINAR��INTRO OF BY BRIDGET�� FATHER GILLES BAGSHAW . ��SURPRENANT COORDINATOR

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GOD – REAL? or NOT REAL?�� Despite mounds of evidence, .�many people are indifferent… ��Our choices are: ��1. Ignore God��2. Hold God in contempt��3. 💘 Respect God as real and cultivate the relationship.�

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This is a 2-Hour � WORKSHOP / SEMINAR �� with practical .�prayer experiences… . �� Q&A, discussion, couple time, & breaks...��PRAYER 💘 WORKSHOP 💘 SEMINAR��Please join me as we begin with a PRAYER … �

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�� 🡺 “Lord, I can’t pray properly. � I’m weak; I’m human; � I’m fragile. I’m easily distracted, � taken into thoughts of myself and the world. � But you, Lord, lead me past that. � Help me to pray truly as I am. ��Help me to focus on the Father, the Son, and You, Holy Spirit, �so that my soul may be opened, �and I can receive the grace that is there for everyone in prayer. Amen.”��Prayer published by C. Alan Ames inspired by St. Teresa of Avila�“The Warning: Testimonies and Prophecies of the Illumination of Conscience.” By Christine Watkins, Queen of Peace Media, 2020. Sacramento CA

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OUR METHOD IS LIKE� �WINE or BEER TASTING��OUR OUTLINE is in 4 segments �� (1) The human prayer impulse (2) Praying in common �(3) Praying alone (4) Praying as a couple��OUR MODEL IS� �ADULT LEARNING��WITH GOD... WE ARE ALL BEGINNERS... �� WE LEARN BEST TOGETHER....

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(To pray means to) treat God as a neighbour, as someone… (like) a brother or a friend…. ��Once the Curé d’Ars, a French saint of the 18th century, asked an old peasant what he was doing sitting for hours in the church, seemingly not even praying; the peasant replied: ��‘I look at him, he looks at me, and we are happy together.’ ��That man had learned to speak to God without breaking the silence of intimacy by words. If we can do that we can use any form of worship. ��Anthony of Sourozh, Metropolitan. Living Prayer: The Pocket Library of Spiritual Wisdom (pp. 5-6). Darton, Longman & Todd LTD. Kindle Edition. �

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🡺 CONVERSATION STARTERS – for Couples .�� (1) Describe your relationship with God now and in the past. ��(2) How do you nourish your relationship with God?��(3) If your commitment to your faith differs from that of your fiancé, how does this affect your relationship with each other? ��(4) How can you work out your practices of faith in your marriage? ��(5) Are you praying together? Will you pray together? ��So, let’s begin... with time for you as couples... Discuss these questions and have fun. Come back in 5 minutes... GO! �� At the end of 5 minutes… �

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Segment I. Exploring the Universal Human Prayer Impulse�� Ø Exhilarating “mountain top” experiences, breathing deeply…�� Ø Great life challenges, and “looking up to God”�� Ø Great regrets after “messing up” -- “turning to God”�� Ø Great sadness or fear -- “praying to God”�� Ø Great joy or hope -- “feeling God”�

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Segment I. The Experience of Prayer in Church… . � ��How has God touched your life? ��In your couple share your spiritual memories & feelings. ��You have 6 minutes together - 3 minutes each. ��Please come back in 6 minutes.��Back to the large group… any glimpses?�

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Segment I. Exploring the Human Prayer Impulse .��Prayer exercise #1 – Pooling our intentions and hopes for our life of marriage and family. ��What would you like God to do for you, for your future marriage and family? ��OUR RESPONSE TO EACH INTENTION: LORD, HAVE MERCY.�� (4 minutes)�

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��🡺 .� Segment II. Exploring “Praying in common” ��Jesus, his mother Mary, and her husband Joseph were Jews.�They made room for God all day with short, simple prayers: ��Rising – breakfast – beginning work – noon meal – resuming work – evening meal – bed time - - - (poor people had only 1 meal) ��Jesus prayed alone and with others, like when He went to the local synagogue every week or to the Temple in Jerusalem for special religious festivals.��JESUS: “Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6�

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🡺 Segment II. Exploring “Praying in common” . ��4. Prayer exercise #2 – ��The Liturgy of the Hours – Saturday week 2 Midday Prayer - ��Taken from Divine Office https://divineoffice.org ��PURPLE = INSTRUCTIONS ORANGE = LEADER GREEN = ALL��WHITE = MEN YELLOW = WOMEN��

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Segment II. Exploring “Praying in common” ��Liturgy of the Hours – Saturday week 2 Midday Prayer��God, come to my assistance. — ALL: Lord, make haste to help me.�Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — ALL: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.��HYMN��(MEN) : Down the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day�The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street�But the crowd pressed in to see�The Man condemned to die on Calvary.��(WOMEN) : He was bleeding from a beating, there were stripes upon His back, And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head�And He bore with every step�The scorn of those who cried out for His death.�

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�Taken from Divine Office https://divineoffice.org ��(MEN) : Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering�Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King,�But He chose to walk that road out of�His love for you and me�Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.��(WOMEN) : Por la Via Dolorosa, triste dia en Jerusalén�Los soldados le abrian paso a Jesus�Mas la gente se acercaba�Para ver al que llevaba aquella cruz.��"Via Dolorosa" by Melinda Kirigin-Voss • • Title: Via Dolorsa; Text: Billy Sprague and Niles Borop; Artist: Melinda Kirigin-Voss; Copyright Melinda Kirigin-Voss; Used with permission.

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�Taken from Divine Office https://divineoffice.org ��(MEN) : Por la Via Dolorosa, que es la via del dolor�Como oveja vino Cristo, Rey, Señor�Y fue El quién quiso ir por su amor por ti y por mi�Por la Via Dolorosa al Calvario y a morir��(WOMEN) : The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men�Made its way through the heart of Jerusalem.��Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering�Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King�But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me�Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.��"Via Dolorosa" by Melinda Kirigin-Voss • • Title: Via Dolorsa; Text: Billy Sprague and Niles Borop; Artist: Melinda Kirigin-Voss; Copyright Melinda Kirigin-Voss; Used with permission.

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PSALMODY (Salmon color = the leader’s part or titles)��Ant. 1 Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.�Psalm 119:81-88 XI (Caph)��MEN : I yearn for your saving help;�I hope in your word.�My eyes yearn to see your promise.�When will you console me?��WOMEN : Though parched and exhausted with waiting�I have not forgotten your commands.�How long must your servant suffer?�When will you judge my foes?��MEN : For me the proud have dug pitfalls,�against your law.�Your commands are all true; then help me�when lies oppress me.�

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WOMEN : They almost made an end of me on earth�but I kept your precepts.�Because of your love give me life�and I will do your will.��MEN : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:�WOMEN : as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.��Psalm-prayer (read by the leader)��When evil seems to triumph, Lord, and our hope begins to fail, give us courage and perseverance in doing your will.�� ALL: Ant. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.��Ant. 2 Lord, you are my hope, a strong citadel against my enemies.�Psalm 61 Prayer of an exile�The prayer of the just man who places his hope in the things of heaven (Saint Hilary).��MEN : O God, hear my cry!�Listen to my prayer!�From the end of the earth I call:�my heart is faint.

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WOMEN : On the rock too high for me to reach set me on high, �O you who have been my refuge, my tower against the foe.��Let me dwell in your tent for ever�and hide in the shelter of your wings.�For you, O God, hear my prayer,�grant me the heritage of those who fear you.��MEN : May you lengthen the life of the king:�may his years cover many generations.�May he sit ever enthroned before God:�bid love and truth be his protection.�So I will always praise your name�and day after day fulfill my vows.��Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:�WOMEN : as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.��Psalm-prayer (read by the leader)�Lord Jesus, love and truth of the Father, you came to earth to relieve the pain of our exile; you took our weakness as your own. Uphold us when our hearts grow faint until we stand with you before God and praise your name.��ALL: Lord, you are my hope, a strong citadel against my enemies.

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Ant. 3 O Lord, guard my life from the menace of the foe.�Psalm 64 Prayer for help against enemies�This psalm commemorates most particularly our Lord’s passion (Saint Augustine).��MEN : Hear my voice, O God, as I complain,�guard my life from dread of the foe.�Hide me from the band of the wicked,�from the throng of those who do evil.��WOMEN : They sharpen their tongues like swords;�they aim bitter words like arrows�to shoot at the innocent from ambush,�shooting suddenly and recklessly.��MEN : They scheme their evil course;�they conspire to lay secret snares.�They say: “Who will see us?�Who can search out our crimes?”��WOMEN : He will search who searches the mind�and knows the depth of the heart.�

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�WOMEN : God has shot them with his arrow�and dealt them sudden wounds.�Their own tongue has brought them to ruin�and all who see them mock.��MEN : Then will all men fear;�they will tell what God has done.�They will understand God’s deeds.�The just will rejoice in the Lord�and fly to him for refuge.�All the upright hearts will glory.��MEN : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:�WOMEN : as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.��Psalm-prayer (read by the leader)��Father, you gave your Son victory over the men who plotted evil against him; when he cried to you in his agony, you delivered him from fear of his enemies. May those who suffer with him in this life find refuge and success in you.��ALL: O Lord, guard my life from the menace of the foe.

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�READING Deuteronomy 8:5b-6 by a volunteer please….��LEADER : “The Lord, your God, disciplines you even as a man �disciplines his son. Therefore, keep the commandments of the Lord, your God, by walking in his ways and fearing him.”��Sacred Silence – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.��The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever.�ALL: The decrees of the Lord are true, and all of them just.��CONCLUDING PRAYER (read by the leader) ��Lord, fill us with the resplendent light of your eternal love. May we love you above all things, and our brothers for your sake. Grant this through Christ our Lord. — Amen.��ACCLAMATION ��Let us praise the Lord.�ALL:— And give him thanks.�

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�Q & A��Opening ourselves to God opens up many emotions and thoughts, and raises many questions. Your questions?�� (5 minutes) �

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Segment II. Exploring “Praying in common” �� Prayer exercise #3 – “The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary” �� ORIGINS & DEVELOPMENT��The Rosary developed slowly during the first millennium and it was given its current form by Saint Dominic, a 13^th c contemporary of Saint Francis.��In the Rosary we “accompany” Mother Mary and contemplate with her the “light shining on the face of Jesus”… and Jesus enlightens us.�� There are 4 sets of 5 Mysteries each:�� The Joyful Mysteries The Sorrowful Mysteries �� The Luminous Mysteries The Glorious Mysteries �

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🡺 Segment II. Exploring “Praying in common” .�� Prayer exercise #3 – � “The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary” �� Mysteries of Joy�� 1st Joyful Mystery – � The Annunciation of the Angel to Our Lady � (Luke 1,26-38) (Only 3 Hail Mary’s)�� “Jesus, who wanted to take on our human condition”��

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Segment II. Exploring “Praying in common” �� Prayer exercise #3 – � “The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary” �� Mysteries of Joy�� 3rd Joyful Mystery – � The Nativity (birth) of Jesus in Bethlehem � (Luke 2,1-20) (Only 3 Hail Mary’s) ��Jesus, who found no room in the home of men…��

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Segment II. Exploring “Praying in common” �� Prayer exercise #3 – � “The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary” �� Mysteries of Joy�� 4th Joyful Mystery – � The Presentation of the Child Jesus � in the Temple � (Luke 2,22-38 (Only 3 Hail Mary’s) �� Jesus, who enters the Temple to purify it…��

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Segment III. Exploring “Praying alone” � �� Mentored by others��Ø On our parents’ knees, at our bedside, at the family table��

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Segment III. Exploring “Praying alone” �� Mentored by others��Ø With our parents in church, at family gatherings and celebrations��Ø In school, Catholic movements, Christian organizations, other places�

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Segment III. Exploring “Praying alone” �� Praying “on our own”��Ø Prayers we have learned by heart, that is, from memory��Ø Prayers we have learned from church��

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Segment III. Exploring “Praying alone” �� Praying “on our own”��Ø Prayers we have taken from the Bible��Ø Prayers we have prayed spontaneously, �in the moment, from our own heart, mind, �and soul� ( )�

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( ) .�� The “big change or difference” = having a personal, mysterious experience of God as real��Experiencing God as loving me attracts me to love God back… with gratitude, in prayer, and by loving others.�� God is a Trinity of Divine Persons, but One God, One Lord.�� God wants us to experience Him as real. Knowing God personally is how ordinary people become “saints”, that is, “friends of God”.��

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🡺 Segment III. Exploring “Praying alone”��(1) “In the moment” – “Here I am. Speak, Lord, your servant is � listening.” 1 Samuel 3:7-11��(2) In silence – sitting silently and resting interiorly in God��(3) A prayerful, contemplative walk with God��(4) Pondering the Word of God��

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Segment III. Exploring “Praying alone”�� Prayer exercise #4 – “Lectio Divina” �� – reading prayerfully Psalm 139 alone�� (1) Open your Bible and find Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24� (Your preference)� (2) Share my screen with Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24�� You have 5 minutes until ______ ��

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Q & A��Any questions about praying with Scripture?��(5 minutes)��BREAK �� (5 minutes) � �

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Segment III. Exploring “Praying alone” .�� Prayer exercise #5 – silent meditation – Now we will have a brief experience of silence... Also called “resting in God”.��Prayer is always mysterious because God is mysterious. ��Never judge your prayer. It is a “visit with God”.��Don't listen to the thought that you did poorly... that's one of the devil‘s traps to discourage us. Don't be fooled. ��

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Prayer exercise #5 – Preparing for silent meditation – “resting in God”.��Ø Sit comfortably, hands resting on your knees, back & head straight & be still… adjust your body as needed so you can relax…��Ø Close your eyes. To stay in the silence, let the Name of Jesus Christ echo inside… “hearing” “Jesus” as you breathe in and “Christ” as you breathe out….��Ø Let the holy Name “Jesus Christ” bring you to rest in God….�� We'll have 7 minutes of silence. Beginning now….�

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�Q & A��Highlights? Touching moments? �� Intriguing impressions? Thoughts?��Questions? (5 minutes)� �

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🡺 Segment IV. Exploring “Praying as a couple” ��When husband and wife pray together… God is there… they open their hearts, minds, and souls to God and, at the same time, to each other. Couple prayer powerfully unites them.��Our BODY needs to relax…��Our MIND seeks order & peace…��Our PSYCHE – Our HEART – wants to be loved…��Our SOUL is where we welcome God…��God brings “light” to any darkness in our conscience…�and releases our ability to say “No!” to trouble / evil / temptations…. �

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Segment IV. Exploring “Praying as a couple” �� Prayer exercise #6 – The “FIREPLACE” of the Couple’s Love – ��“Face to face” / “heart to heart” “Couple Chats” �of husband & wife are the FIREPLACE of their mutual love. �� In Couple Chats Couples demonstrate caring for one another.� � Couple Chats are a dynamic set up for praying together��As husband and wife open their minds and hearts to each other, their souls also open to each other and to God. This is HOLY TIME.��

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� Preparing for the Couple Chat… �� If time permits… a Couple Chat…�� ⮚ Trust each other�� ⮚ Listen to each other attentively �� ⮚ do not interrupt… wait for the other to finish…. �� ⮚ don't use “you” (feels accusatory), but use “I” (how I feel); �� ⮚ acknowledge your faults with humility and accept the faults � of the other with gentleness and forgiveness ��

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Segment IV. Exploring “Praying as a couple” �� If time permits… a Couple Chat…� �� Any questions? �� You have 6 minutes for your Couple Chat. ��

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Man & Woman both can spend themselves to exhaustion – God has a plan… ��Husband & Wife praying for each other = “Spiritual Tag Team” ��You daily know where each other is, what’s happening, and are praying for those situations = You’re constantly united…� �MATRIMONY = mater + monium = burden of mothering��THE BRIDE – the woman God designed to give & nurture life��THE BRIDEGROOM – the man God designed to “groom” or “care for” the bride in her giving and nurturing life��Constantly praying for one another… �you constantly call on God to save each other’s life…�

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�� Segment IV. Exploring “Praying as a couple” �� Prayer exercise #7 – Praying as a Couple – We now propose to you a time of prayer as a couple. Don’t worry, you will find that it will probably flow more naturally than you might think. God is with you. ��This prayer will arise from who you are – as you recall the words by which during this whole seminar / workshop your fiancé has been sharing with you what they think and how they feel.��

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Segment IV. Exploring “Praying as a couple” ��Ø “Beautiful” & “Handsome”: One of you starts by simply asking God out loud to be with you during your prayer, something like this: “O God, please be with us now, as we pray together. Amen.”��Ø Then, let’s say the man starts with a simple childlike prayer repeating some of the words she used to express what she was thinking or feeling earlier this morning or during the Couple Chat. ��So, he prays, “Father in Heaven, You heard Beautiful say what happened at work when she had an argument with her boss, and now she feels bad and worried. Please give Beautiful peace and help her find a way to resolve this problem, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!”�

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Ø Remember to use the other’s name and their own words. We feel really loved when we hear the other use our own words when they pray out loud for us to God.��Ø Now it’s the woman’s turn to recall the words that he used to express what he was thinking or feeling earlier this morning or during the Couple Chat. ��So, she prays, “Father in Heaven, You heard Handsome say how he had trouble dealing with my parents, and now he doesn’t know what to do. Please give Handsome peace and help him find a way to approach my parents differently, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!” ��

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Segment IV. Exploring “Praying as a couple” ��Ø Once you have both prayed, see how you now feel…. You may see in each other’s eyes that this has been a time of intimacy with each other and with God. ��This may be Kleenex time. You are showing each other love. You may want to get back to this later when you can make more time. �� Any questions? �� You will have 10 minutes for your couple prayer. ��

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🡺 Wrapping it up – Prayer for couples in Marriage �� Debriefing this workshop / seminar on Prayer�� What was this like for you? �� Highlights? Touching moments? �� Intriguing impressions? Thoughts? Suggestions?�� (4 minutes)�

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RESOLUTION��👉 Use the TOOL of RESOLUTION to reach a goal…��Consider what you have experienced today….��What forms of prayer do you want to put into practice?��👉 Identify a good goal that you want… ��👉 Make a RESOLUTION to take steps…��👉 Ladies – keep a DIARY – Gents – keep a JOURNAL…��👉 LOG your progress… weekly… monthly… share together…�

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WORKSHOP💘GOD💘LIFE💘MARRIAGE💘 � 💘FAMILY💘PRAYER💘TRINITY💘SEMINAR��

👉 PRAYER RESOURCES 👉 "BEGINNERS' PAGE”’

"& 👉 CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE

👉 👉HOME - HTTPS://GILLESSURPRENANT.BLOGSPOT.COM/

Contact Father Gilles  fathergilles@gmail.com

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Workshop / Seminar: God, Life, Marriage, Family, Prayer��REMEMBER….�� 1. We have the impression that prayer is a chore requiring our time, commitment, and effort, BUT it is God, the Holy Spirit, who actually “prays in us” and does the “heavy lifting”…. Our part is to “BE THERE” and docile, like a sail opening to catch the wind….��2. Romans 8:26-27 “In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.”��

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ALPHA COURSE ��Explore life, faith and meaning together.��https://alphacanada.org/try-alpha/#find-an-alpha��

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💘 WORKSHOP / SEMINAR ON � PRAYER 💘 �� “The Trinity” �� by �� Andrei Rublev�� Russian icon 56” x 45”� 1411 A.D.

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“From This Day Forward”��Marriage Preparation Course 2021-2023��WORKSHOP💘GOD💘LIFE💘MARRIAGE💘 � 💘FAMILY💘PRAYER💘TRINITY💘SEMINAR��