Holy Cross, Ardoyne, Belfast

A couple of months ago Ephrem and John Craven left us for their new assignments in Paris and Dublin. Ephrem had given service here for seven years and John for about ten months. We had the customary goodbye parties in the house and Parish and many lovely sentiments of thanks and appreciation were voice on these occasions. Both Ephrem and John accepted their transfers very cheerfully (though we didn't hear anything about money sweetening the situation for them) and as they left they were looking forward to meeting the challenges in their new ministries. We wish them lots of happiness and pray especially that they will find fulfilment in whatever their work entails in Paris and Dublin.

The departure of Ephrem and John leaves us with five Passionists here: Aidan, Gary, Myles, Brendan O'Boyle and myself. Brothers Paschal and Angelo are in care in Nazareth House. Some of us can recall a time when more than twenty men lived in the monastery. The building is huge in size for five of us, so obviously this is one of the issues we have to deal with urgently.

The restoration of the church both inside and externally is now almost completed. The project though urgently needed has put a lot of extra work on Aidan and Gary. Meetings of all kinds had to be arranged and attended. Now in the final phase the main entrance and steps have been put in place and this highlights the beauty of the façade and the towers. So for this Christmas we will have a church that is very much like a new one.

We are blessed with an enthusiastic committee. They are planning a big drive to raise funds in 2005. If this is successful and they are confident it will be, then the pressures to meet payments will be greatly reduced. Fortunately, too, we have many willing people to help us with these things.

Myles was given an honorary doctorate by the University of Ulster in recognition of his work for the Flax Trust. We were all chuffed to see him looking so well in his cap and gown (see picture) on this special occasion of honour for him.

The Principal of Holy Cross Boys' School, Terry Laverty, received an Aisling award for Outstanding Education Endeavour. The award was presented to Terry by Rev. Jesse Jackson in the Europa Hotel, Belfast. It is well deserved; Terry has done excellent work to lift standards in the school and locality. The new Principal of St Gabriel's College is Seamus Barnes who has worked there for many years.

A very happy Christmas season to everyone. (Salvian CP)