St. Gabriel's Retreat, The Graan, Enniskillen

The saddest news from The Graan since our last Newsletter was the death of our beloved Jerome Maguire. He had been in remarkably good health until early this year when he was deemed fit enough to undergo a hip replacement operation. The operation itself was a complete success and indeed he had made a remarkably recovery from it. However due to bad circulation, a normal recurrence during recuperation, a sore opened on his heel. Despite the best medical attention, they were unable to close the wound. It became a source of numerous infections. Sadly Renal Failure set in and Jerome went to his reward on the 16th June 2002. It was the day after the 67th Anniversary of his Ordination.

There was widespread and genuine sadness throughout the local community. Jerome was the first Community member to be waked in the new Graan Monastery and his family kept vigil throughout the days of the wake. People came from all over the country to pray for Jerome and to offer their sympathy to the Community.

The church was full for his funeral Mass and the number of local secular priests who were there was an indication of his esteem in the Diocese as a confessor to many of the priests.

His passing has left a huge gap in our Community. In many senses he was a father figure to us all but in many other senses was a most modern minded man. The Community would like to thank all the Passionists who wrote, phoned and called with us in our time of sadness.

On a happier note we also celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Ordination of Fr Marius. As is fitting, there were numerous celebrations. Marius invited his family and friends to a Mass in the Prayer Room at The Graan. Close on 80 people attended, including Monsignor Sean Cahill. Fr Brian preached at the Mass and the Graan Community hosted a Reception for all the guests in the new restaurant in Bellanaleck, which is run by John Donnelly a nephew of Fr Marius. Next day Marius preached at the main Masses in the church and therefore helped the local community to celebrate his Jubilee too.

When Marius came back from a well-earned rest the Community had a quiet day for themselves and the staff to celebrate the Jubilee. It was a grace filled time for all of us and we know that Marius himself enjoyed it thoroughly. Ad Multos Annos.

On spiritual matters we have had a number of special events. After Easter Fr Victor ran a hugely successful Life in the Spirit Seminar. Well over 80 people attended it each night during the course of the Seminar. It brought great blessing to everyone and the Prayer Group continues to attract large numbers each Thursday night. In fact there are Prayer Groups which meets in The Graan on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of each week.

Victor also had special Services to mark the Canonisation of St Pio of Pietrelcina. They too were extremely well attended.

The Young Adults Group which has been running for well over a year now has had a number of them meeting for Youth 2000 Prayer Groups every Friday night. The remainder of the Young Adult Group meets once a month on a Saturday afternoon. They discuss relevant matters for young people between the ages of 20 and 35 to help them to be committed Catholics in a changing world.

One of the graces for the Young Adult Group was the fact that Imelda Meehan, a young teacher who was a founder member of the group, this September decided to join The Poor Clare Convent of Perpetual Adoration in Drumshanbo. To many this was an extraordinary challenge. Many of her friends simply can't understand why she would give up a good life - in the spiritual and the secular sense - to enter a convent. We wish Imelda every success.

There have been more necessary repairs carried out to the Church & Monastery. The serious outbreak of infestation in the Church roof has been successfully treated as has the cause of the intake of water on the front Church Gable. Work is about to begin on the new Lift for the Community and for the people using our Prayer Room. The entire cost has been covered by The Graan Lottery Syndicate.

Fr Brian's latest book. 'Reflections From The Heart' has just been published for the Christmas market. The long awaited Award Winning Video of 'Give Up Yer Aul Sins' will also be launched to the Christmas market.

At the moment we are planning to have our Annual Christmas Draw at our Dinner Dance in the Killyhelvin Hotel on November the 29th. The first prize is a Nissan Micra Super Car and if anyone would like to help us with tickets we would be more than willing to supply them to you. If any brethren would like to be present at the Dinner Dance, please let us know as soon as possible and you will be most welcome to be our guests.