Life

Taking a quick journey through the Psalms

Rev Steve Stockman, pictured left, with Fr Martin Magill, parish priest of Sacred Heart Parish in Belfast. Mr Stockman will be one of the speakers in the parish's series of talks on the Psalms.
Rev Steve Stockman, pictured left, with Fr Martin Magill, parish priest of Sacred Heart Parish in Belfast. Mr Stockman will be one of the speakers in the parish's series of talks on the Psalms. Rev Steve Stockman, pictured left, with Fr Martin Magill, parish priest of Sacred Heart Parish in Belfast. Mr Stockman will be one of the speakers in the parish's series of talks on the Psalms.

A CATHOLIC parish in north Belfast is inviting visitors on a tour through the Psalms this month - and encouraging them to bring a Bible to make the most of the talks.

Sacred Heart Parish is hosting the evenings, which parish priest Fr Martin Magill hopes will "deepen appreciation of the 150 Psalms".

The first talk, 'Living the Psalms in daily life', was given on Monday by Holy Family parishioner Charlie McCormick, who is a minister of the word.

He spoke of the importance of Bible at a personal level, his own discovery of the Psalms and how they can be aids to prayer.

The next session - 'Songs for the coming home' - will be led on Monday June 8 by Fitzroy Presbyterian Church minister the Rev Steve Stockman, who with Fr Magill is a founder of the 4 Corners Festival.

"Psalms 120-134 are known as the 'songs of ascent'," said Fr Magill.

"They were the Psalms the pilgrims sang as they travelled to Jerusalem for religious festivals.

"We will look at them as companions for our own pilgrimages - songs can be transformational, to heal, inspire and fuel our faith."

Other evenings include 'How long, Lord?' (June 15) with spiritual director Breige O'Hare, looking at "Psalms 13, 42 and 130 as words you can use for yourself in the ups and downs of your own life"; a look at how the Psalms are used in Jewish practice (June 22) with Rabbi David Singer; and how different denominations use the Psalms in their worship (June 29) with the Rev Arlene Moore of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Monkstown.

::'A Quick Journey Through the Psalms' takes place each Monday this month at 7pm in Sacred Heart Parish Centre, Glenview Street, Belfast. www.sacredheartbelfast.com