Holy Cross Ardoyne

This year we reduced the Mother of Sorrows/Hope Novena to a Triduum. Lay speakers took part in the preaching and Fr Sean Moore, cssr, led us beautifully through a communal penance service.

Rev Ruth Patterson agreed to come one evening to speak on aspects of reconciliation but for her safety we had to cancel this arrangement, because Orange Order protestors blocked the roads leading to Ardoyne. Their protest was against a decision by the Parades Commission to divert an Orange March away from a Nationalist area. It was maddening to see young ones, not more than children, imprisoning people in their own districts.

Destructive and obstructive behaviour is not all on one side. On a Sunday in November two of our local boys set fire to Holy Cross Nursery School. Thankfully the fire was detected but not before a great deal of damage was done to the building. The Principal and her staff are bravely carrying on with their good work. The School is a much loved one in the parish.

We continue to work at the demanding task of raising funds for our restoration project. Aidan with others organised a Golf Classic at Portmarnock, this was very successful and it brought in thousands of pounds. Gary and his committee of helpers ran a Dinner Dance in the Europa Hotel. We, all four of us, attended the event and enjoyed it very much. This, too, was a great success and financially most rewarding.

For the greater part of the year we have been preparing for what we call a Super Draw in the same Hotel. It will take place on 15th December.

Gary and his team have put a huge amount of work into organising it. The prizes are six cars of various types and some large sums of money. If the Super Draw is a success and the hoped for targets are met, we can see the organisers having a 'Super Celebratory Christmas' this year.

The Brethren will wish to know how we are progressing here with the implementation of the province plan. We had numerous meetings with individuals and groups regarding a future use of the Monastery Building and a new house for ourselves. A suitable use of the Monastery is a big problem, it is a listed building. We are working on this but so many permissions have to be got from various state bodies that progress is inevitably slow.

Bro. Angelo had surgery once again in the Belfast City Hospital. He made a good recovery and is now back in Nazareth House Care Village. Fr. Brendan is keeping well in the Graan Abbey Nursing Home. We wish all our readers 'A Happy Christmas'. Salvian CP