• Jesus always made time for reflection and prayer before action.

• St. Patrick’s time on Slemish helped him to find God and prepared him for the mission ahead.

• St. Malachy spent many years in study, reflection and prayer which led to five years of effective action in the Archdiocese.

• The decisions we need to make in the years ahead are too important to be rushed.

• Essential to take time to reflect on what has been achieved over the past 5 years, on where we are as a church today and on how we plan to continue the mission into the future.

• An opportunity to involve everyone in the Archdiocese – even those who are housebound.

• Nothing worthwhile or lasting will be established without prayer. Only the Holy Spirit will provide the guidance we need.

“I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”. The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”.”

Pope Francis (Evangeli Gaudium)