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The "Life in the Spirit" Prayer Group at St Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Farnham celebrated its 45th anniversary on Saturday 13 September. The group marked the important milestone with an uplifting Mass in the church, celebrated by Fr Paul Leonard from Basingstoke, followed by praise & worship in the Parish Centre, a talk about the history of the group from current leader Alastair Emblem, and a presentation from guest speakers Charles and Sue Whitehead, who founded the Celebrate Family Conferences.

The "Life in the Spirit" Prayer Group has convened weekly (with almost no breaks) since 1980, when it was founded by former Parish Priest, Fr Michael Albon (d. 1981). Speaking in a recorded message to the group, Bishop Richard said:

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“Congratulations on [your] 45th anniversary… I remember Fr Albon very well since he taught me at the seminary, I know that he would have been a great inspiration... The prayers of the group over so many years will have brought many blessings to members, and the wider community alike, and I assure you of my prayers for the future.”

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As well as gathering every Wednesday evening for prayer, praise, teaching and discussion, the group has run a range of “faith deepening” courses for the wider parish and beyond over the decades, including Life in the Spirit seminars; Alpha and Café courses; Healing Ministry Training; and two Parish Missions in 1996 and 2013. They have also offered Taizé evenings, Holy Hours and Healing services for the parish.

Originally known as the “Parish Prayer Group” - as they were the only such group for many years - they later changed their name to the "Life in the Spirit" to distinguish themselves from other prayer groups which later started up including: Mothers’ Prayers, Fathers’ Prayers, the Meditation Group, the Rosary Group, and the Bible Study Group.

The high point of Saturday’s celebrations was Charles and Sue Whitehead’s inspiring presentation. Charles worked in leadership in charismatic renewal for many years, including eleven years as chair of CHARIS, the International Catholic Renewal Organisation in Rome, under Pope John Paul II.

Speaking to attendees, Charles and Sue recounted how their faith had come alive through the Holy Spirit, their involvement running a Prayer Group, and working in charismatic renewal – a movement described by Pope Francis as "a current of grace of the Spirit for all the Church."

The celebrations concluded with a shared buffet lunch and lively fellowship – renewing old friendships and making new ones. One participant remarked: “[It] was such an uplifting day! It answered so many questions I had.” Reflecting after the anniversary, Alastair, who has led the group since 1992, said:

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“Our founder, Fr Michael, was apparently a very joyful character and we have always tried to emphasise the Joy of the Gospel in our prayer and praise. Numbers attending have fluctuated over the years, ranging from a handful to over 20… One of our former members became a professor of theology and another is a trainer of catechists. As well as St Joan's parishioners, we welcome attendees from other local parishes and denominations.”

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To find out more about the group, please contact the parish.

Thank you to Alastair Emblem for sharing this story and photo with us.