Mount Argus - News

The year began with the Mount Argus community three fewer than the beginning of the previous year. The loss of Gabriel, Malachy and Celestine was still being felt.

The Provincial conducted visitation from the 12th to the 24th of January. It was very fraternal but at the same time the difficult issues facing us and the whole province were discussed openly and honestly at individual and community level.

On January 17th about 120 parish workers, members of various groups and ministries, were assembled in the Blessed Charles Centre for a social evening, by way of saying thank you for their commitment to Mount Argus. Our chef, Hugh, provided a magnificent buffet and the evening was enjoyed immensely by all, including those of our Passionist community who came.

The Core Group had a facilitated day on the feast of St Bridget to consider the future restructuring and development of Mount Argus parish and later joined the Passionist Community for lunch.

Restructuring and development is also a concern of the Province as we know, and in early February we began the process with Michael O'Hanlon, who then returned a few weeks later for a further meeting. We also met with a team of architects from Hooke and MacDonald who have prepared a feasibility study presenting one possible way in which the plan of Mount Argus could be developed if so desired by us as a result of our own discernment.

The Church of Ireland next to Mount Jerome cemetery has now been taken over by the Russian Orthodox Church and on February 9th the Rector was one of the guests at the Consecration Ceremony. Some weeks later the resident priest and the dean, who commutes from London for two weeks of each month, joined us in Mount Argus for lunch. They would like to take two of our bells, which have been in the yard for many years now since being taken down from the bell tower, and put them in to service again. The community is actively considering their request at present.

Every two months now we host a morning for senior religious with a time of prayer, refreshments and some social chit-chat in the old choir. In February the prayer was led by the Sisters of Charity from Our Lady's Hospice, and as at that stage war with Iraq was looking more and more likely, the prayer was focussed on the desire for peace.

The Family Groups celebrated their 5th anniversary at the beginning of February and, to coincide with the Feast of St Valentine, a group of them came together to celebrate a beautiful Mass during which they renewed their marriage vows.

On February 18th the St Vincent de Paul Society in the parish organised an evening's entertainment for the Passionists Community in the old choir. Drinks were served while a group of musicians, singers, and raconteurs, most of them Gardai, regaled us with story and song.

Towards the end of February we welcomed Fr Columkille Regan CP from American to conduct the Province Retreat. They were days of grace and blessing for all who took part. We really enjoyed the inputs and there was a wonderful spirit of prayer and fraternity throughout the days.

Our Mount Argus laity who are interested in deepening their association with us met for a day in late February, and this was followed up by a further meeting with the laity from Enniskillen and Ardoyne in early April. We commend the fruitfulness of these meetings to the prayers of the whole province.

As always Lent was launched in Mount Argus with the 40 Hours adoration. A full programme of events has become the norm now for Lent in Mount Argus, with elements of Adult Faith Education; Lectio Divina, and Spirituality on offer. There would appear to be a hunger for such events and we try to satisfy this hunger in some way for those who are interested.

As Holy Week approaches we want to wish our brethren throughout the Province a very happy and holy Easter, and we look forward to seeing many of you in Larne for the Assembly.