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| Bob and Sue, Holy Family Lay Associates, tell their story: | |
| My name is Bob. I was born in South Shields in 1945, and educated in Catholic schools until the age of fourteen. I married my wife, Sue, a non-Catholic, in 1970. She became a Catholic in 1980. She was invited to consider becoming a Lay Associate in 1983; she attended monthly meetings at the local Convent and always came home full of enthusiasm. After a period of Formation she made her commitment. |  |
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I, myself, was quite happy to saunter along, going to Mass on a Sunday and saying a few prayers occasionally. In 1987, a Sister invited me to join a new group which she was forming. I was very apprehensive, but agreed. I, along with four others, went along once a month, learning all we could about the Association, under the guidance of one of the Sisters. At the end of a period of Formation, we made our commitment. Since becoming an Associate, I have realised, through the teachings of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles, going to Mass is only a small part of being a Christian in today's world. Sue and I have deepened our faith by trying to follow the way of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles; one of the practical ways we have done this is by becoming involved in various ministries in our local Church. Now, more than ten years later, we still have much to learn, and our monthly meetings give us the opportunity to share openly our concerns, views, etc. with other members of the group and with each other. We feel extremely grateful to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux for the opportunity given us to belong to an Association which helps us understand and deepen our love of God in a way suitable and relevant for the twenty-first century. |
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