Former nuns help promote online mission about Bible

4 November 2020

FORMER Adoration Sisters Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly will help lead a new online parish mission in Downpatrick on understanding the Bible, the world’s number one best-seller.

Ms Purdy, an author and one-time BBC correspondent, and Ms Kelly, a practising barrister for 23 years, will share how knowledge of the Bible has helped them throughout their lives.

The pair gave up their careers in 2014 to become Adoration Sisters but had to leave last year when their congregation grew too fragile to conclude their nine-year formation.

The Isaiah course will be led by Downpatrick parish priest Fr John Murray. He has assembled a lay team to help present the six-week course on Thursday evenings, starting tomorrow.

The team also includes Anne Jamison who will operate the online camera, the Facebook stream and facilitate the interactive questions.

Downpatrick singer Matthew Campbell will lead the hymns of praise and worship.

“All are welcome to take part in this course,” said Fr Murray. “We hope by the end of this initiative, people will have a different approach to the bible

“Many Catholics are a little ‘afraid’ of the Bible. They hear it on a Sunday, but never think of opening it each day to hear what Jesus is saying to them. Believe me, He has something to say to you every day — as any good friend would.”

The course examines the nature and history of the Bible, how it is, in fact, an ancient collection of books rather than a single volume and how it has evolved.

Fr Murray added: “There will be discussion on how to read the bible, how it is alive and active, every day. The speakers will reveal their own experiences and how Jesus Christ is the key to understanding the mysteries hidden in the Bible, as well as the literal and spiritual meaning contained in the ure.”

Ms Purdy said she and Ms Kelly were looking forward to sharing their own experience on the power of God’s word to enlighten, transform and comfort in trials.

“If you are a seeker of truth, or just curious, please come and see online,” said Ms Purdy. “The Bible, whether we know it or not, is powerful and it has had an amazing impact on our culture and our people. There’s an atheist who follows me on Twitter and who, to my amusement, unwittingly quotes scripture to discourage my faith.

“One of the most common verses in the Bible is: Be not afraid. In these uncertain times so many people live in fear of losing their job, or their home or their health. The Bible tells us why we shouldn’t be afraid.”

Ms Kelly said she hoped many people would come to the free banquet.

“What a great opportunity to feast on something that is life-giving and nutritious for our hearts and souls. We all need to be re-energised”, she remarked.

“This fresh bible initiative will satisfy us all, and fulfil our deepest longings. It’s not to be missed.”

The course can be accessed online at Church Media TV (St Patrick’s Downpatrick) or the parish Facebook every Thursday at 7.30pm for an hour from tomorrow through to December 10.

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