A Day of Celebration: Sharing in the gifts of people of all abilities

11 July 2010

Follow the Law, Follow in Love

“ surrounded and filled with peace and love ...
shining with God’s love ...
God’s warm glow filled all who came ...”

Once again many people gathered at Aylesford Priory to share in each other’s gifts. The sun shone all day and everyone enjoyed another day of symbolic activities that helped explore the scriptures of the day.  In the art room a banner was made by all present, which helped us think with our hearts and, like the Good Samaritan, show love as we follow Jesus.

In the rosary way we prayed the rosary in a symbolic and prayerful way. The ladies from St Mary’s in Roehampton worked so hard with Sean and Fred to prepare and break open the life of Christ and help us pray to Mary.

The first reading was dramatised at the gathering service by the All abilities group
from St Andrew’s Thornton Heath

And the Gospel was dramatised for us by the Medway Faith and Light Group

who powerfully broke open the word for us all.

The liturgy and the Mass were signed for us in Makaton and in BSL. Romek and his mum Christine signed in the bright sunshine so that many people would be able to follow our music and prayer.

The choir from St Andrew’s, Thornton Heath, blessed us with glorious and heart warming music. Everyone joined in ... even with the conducting!

In the prayer room we remembered our loved one both living and dead. We made a yellow prayer chain for the living and a purple one for those who have died.

At the Offertory we accompanied the gifts by joining the prayer chains together, thus joining the prayers for the living and the dead. It was a very prayerful moment.

We were overjoyed to share the day with Bishop Paul who carried a banner that showed us the way to ‘follow the law in love for Christ’ and he shared an inspiring homily with us all.

Our bidding prayers were read by people who had given so much in preparation for the day from St Anthony’s in Anerley.

As the Mass drew to an end we released our balloons and sent our promise to follow Jesus in love.

And so the day was a great success, full of dancing and friendship ...

Here are reflections from three people who attended the day

Mary said:
 
I have been to Aylesford many times but this was my first time being part of ‘The Day of Celebration’ whose theme was ‘law and love’. The day helped me to pay attention to what God tells us about how to live a good life. It was a hot and fun day at the end of which laughter, shouts, prayers, ourselves, claps, wishes, talents, skills, voices, hopes, fears were all pumped into colourful balloons, released and sent towards Our Father in Heaven.

Romek said:

I helped carry the banner, we prayed, Bishop Paul talked to us. At Aylesford no one sad, happy.. all alright. It made me feel fine and know Jesus’ power. I had a dance in church, it was great. Nice signing !! I signed.

John said:

I really enjoyed my day out at Aylesford. The disco, art workshop, dramatized readings, signed services, prayer chapel, story telling and communal music worship were all excellent. They helped people of all abilities to have fun, and engage with themselves, each other, The Word and Jesus.

As we watched in awe and wonder,
 we praised and thanked God for such a wonderful day together.