RC Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle

Advent Diocesan Day of Reflection

At the start of Advent a Diocesan Day of Reflection took place in two venues - on December 1st at Houghton-le-Spring and on December 3rd at Sacred Heart, Gosforth. The Speaker was Bishop Brian Noble who is Bishop Emeritus of Shrewsbury and Chair of the Bishops' Conference Spirituality Committee.

About fifty people attended on each day, including lay people and priests. Bishop Brian based the day around an exploration of the 'O' Antiphons, which are used in the Church's liturgy in the few days preceding Christmas:

• O Wisdom
• O Sacred Lord of Ancient Israel
• O Flower of Jesse Stem
• O Key of David
• O Radiant Dawn
• O King of all the Nations
• O Emmanuel

In his first talk Bishop Noble looked at the first 'O' Antiphon: O Wisdom and he pointed out that thinking of Christ as Wisdom and Word moves us into the realm of communication and relationships.

We become listeners, and in our listening to scripture and each other need to ask ourselves the question: "Has God got a message for us?" But accepting Christ as Word requires attentive listening to ourselves as well as Scripture, so we keep in touch with our own moods and feelings and realise we are "earthed" people.

There was plenty of time for reflection and prayer, and participants were encouraged to spend time praying about our relationship with Christ, using these quotes:

• "I am the Vine-you are the branches" (John 15:5)
• "In him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28
• "I live, no, not I but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20)
• "Make your home in me, as I make mine in you" (John 15:3)

After prayer there was an opportunity to share in groups, and further discussion.

During the day the Parish Team from Sacred Heart, North Gosforth,and the Parish Team from Houghton-le-Spring, provided lots of delicious coffee and refreshments, and everyone was made to feel very welcome.

In the afternoon Bishop Brian looked at the last 'O' Antiphon which is 'O Emmanuel', ponting out that reflecting on this Antiphon can lead us to see not just a new born child but a Saviour who is the Messiah: God becoming flesh and the peak of God's self communication.

Bishop Noble spoke about WONDER - and how cultivating wonder can lead to seeing God-is-with-us. He quoted Mgr Kevin Nichols, (a priest, poet and author of Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, who died in 2006), "True learning begins in wisdom, goes on in humility and ends in gratitude."

Bishop Noble suggested that today we are more concerned with the "How?" rather than "Why", and if we could only spend time allowing ourselves to wonder and marvel at the world, this will help lead us to an awareness of Emmanuel as God-with-us.

After more reflection, prayer and discussion the day ended with a liturgy and presentation of the 'O' Antiphons.

All those present thoroughly enjoyed the day and came away with much to think about and reflect on. Here are some comments from participants:

"Bishop Brian Noble opened for us the meaning of the Advent 'O' Antiphons and introduced us to some new ones. The day was an opportunity for us to listen to and learn from the experiences of others, to understand the need to stop and focus and to ask the question "Why", and to realise that this can lead to a sense of wonder, humility and gratitude and onward to the "Emmanuel Experience" - the realisation that "God-is-with-us now and always."
Nigel Holmes (St Aidan's, Ashington)

"This was an inspiring and reflective day, inviting us to pray with both traditional and new images of Advent, with opportunities for sharing amongst ourselves."
Sr Barbara Carroll (Sister or Marie Reparatriae)

"Today was a lovely spiritual experience. Bishop Noble guided us gently into deep thought and reflection on the coming of our Saviour Emmanuel into our lives"
Margaret Trotter (St Aloysius, Hebburn)