On Wednesday 8th October 2025, Growing Old Grace-fully welcomed people to Cathedral Hall, formerly Wheeler Hall, a beautiful, accessible space behind Leeds Cathedral, for a morning of reflection as part of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope.
After registration and welcome refreshments, Carol Burns, Growing Old Grace-fully’s Chair of Trustees, introduced the event, led by Paula Shanks and Mgr. Donal Lucey.
Paula introduced the theme of the morning by briefly reviewing the themes of the ‘Doorways of Hope’ series of reflections that have taken place on Zoom throughout this year of Pilgrimage: First of all, seeing Glimpses of Hope, then Living in the Flow of Hope and then Holding Hope throughout life. She explained that the invitation for people was for a deeper sense of themselves as pilgrims of hope in their daily lives at this stage of life.
The morning of reflection then began with a stilling – a time of guided prayer. A candle was lit within a centrepiece, which had been placed in the centre of the circle.
Paula gently guided the group in a time of prayer to settle their bodies and minds and become still and centred. She based this on a quote by Fr Richard Rohr, ‘God’s love is the still point and centre of this turning world.’
The group were asked to notice their hopes and desires for the morning and to spend some time speaking with God about this. The stilling ended with the group listening to, ‘Be still for the presence of the Lord’ and a time of silence.
The first session was led by Mgr Donal who spoke about our history of being pilgrims. He explored the theme of the journey of our lives and acknowledged the importance of each different stage.
He quoted from the poem Somewhere by RS Thomas, “The point of travelling is not to arrive, but to return homeladen with pollen you shall work up into the honey the mind feeds on“.
Paula then explored aspects of the themes ‘Glimpses of Hope’ and ‘Living in the Flow of Hope’. She used images, music, poetry and time for silent reflection to help the group to go deeper and open their awareness more fully the presence of Hope in their lives. To notice the glimpses of Hope offer within each day and the places where there is a sense of ‘flow’ within their lives and within themselves. To see these all as places of invitation to a deeper sense of God’s presence and love that is already with them. A time of prayer then followed using Lectio Davina on Psalm 23 and the group were given some questions for personal reflection.
Mgr Donal then spoke to the group on the final theme, ‘Holding Hope in a Fragile World.’ He explored the fragility of the world and how the wisdom, faith and strength of older people are all gifts that the world needs.
He also stressed the gifts of encouragement and time that we have to offer, particularly to the younger people in our lives.
The morning concluded with a closing liturgy based on the theme of being pilgrims. Isaiah 40: 28-31, bidding prayers and a blessing were read by different members of the GOG team.
Paula has prepared a summary sheet from the event, which can be downloaded here.
At the end of the event, everyone was invited to leave a thought from the day, a comment or a reflection, and stick it on a feedback board.
The comments people left were as follows:
“Wonderful, powerful presentation with deeply meaningful slides. A lot of preparation and prayer must have gone into it before.”
“A thought provoking morning. I feel uplifted. The interaction was beneficial.”
“Very affirming and encouraging. A good balance of input and meditation. God bless and thank you.”
“Thank you a million times!”
“Really good thank you. Nice to meet other “old” “graceful” peers!”
“Very thoughtful and inspiring window into the fruitfulness of old age. Thank you!”
“Our role – to ENCOURAGE. Breakthrough from action.”
“That was a beautiful morning, thank you all who contributed. Will come again. Love, thanks and prayers.”
“What a spiritual morning! Thank you.”
“A hopeful, restful morning. Holding our heads up. Thank you.”
“Brilliant. Thank you Paula and Fr. Donal all who planned it. Look forward to the next one!”
“Thank you for all you do. Last to come and last to leave, after meeting old friends.”
“Thank you for organising the face-to-face event. Excellent.”
A shared lunch followed which was enjoyed by all.
We thank Paula and Fr Donal for leading this very special event and to all who attended.
