Churchgoers having a 'spiritual renewal' in Weymouth and Portland

It is an important time for churchgoers from the parish of Our Lady, Star of the Sea who are using the two-week campaign to renew their faith and encourage others to return to the church.

The Parish Mission, which was launched last weekend, runs until May 11 and consists of an exciting programme of music, prayer, talks and social events.

The mission, which has the theme of ‘From Faith Received to Faith Lived’, is being supported by members of the Sion Catholic Community for Evangelism based in Essex.

Parish priest Father Stephen Geddes said: “The mission is a spiritual renewal for people of the parish and for those that have lapsed from the faith to give them the opportunity to return.

“It gives people the chance to get to know the faith and to grow into it.

“The mission team from the Sion Community will be visiting people in their homes, leading services and prayers, all sorts of things.

“We have a two-week programme of events.”

Services will be at Our Lady, Star of the Sea (St Joseph’s) in Stavordale Road.

Sion members have been sharing their faith with parishioners at weekday masses this week and there have been Mission services in the evening. A youth event is being held tomorrow after a 6pm mass aimed at all young people of secondary school age within the parish.

Weekend masses will be held as usual with an additional 2pm service for those in ministry within the parish on Sunday.

In the second week, there will be 7am weekday masses followed by breakfast, 10am mass followed by faith sharing and prayer experience followed by refreshments.

There are other special services throughout the week.

The mission culminates with a social event on Saturday, May 10 at All Saints School.

From 5.30pm to 7.30pm there is an event for children to include a picnic and games and then from 7.30pm there will be a parish celebration.

For more information, and to request transport to events, contact the parish office on 01305 786033.