St. Gabriel's Retreat, The Graan

Since our last Newsletter there have been many deaths in the Province that we realise nothing is permanent. Dermot Patrick's death had a direct effect on The Graan. He was such an important part of The Graan Community for many years and of course his family come from the area. His brother Joe Cleary was a helper in The Graan for many years too. The family asked that we have a Mass immediately after Dermot Patrick's death. We had a full church. People wanted to pay their respects to Dermot Patrick but couldn't go to Dublin. The family also asked us to have the Month's Mind Mass here and it too was well attended. All the family came in for tea on both occasions.

During the summer we kept all our prayer groups going. With the help of Terence and Michael the Tuesday night Prayer Group organised special Mini Vigils on the First Friday. These were well attended ending with Rosary at the Grotto. The good summer was a help and they were very well attended.

Anam Cara also met regularly during the summer. With Fr Brian they went on Pilgrimage to one of the earliest Christian settlements in Europe, situated on an Island in Lough Corrib. During the pilgrimage Mass was offered on the ancient site. Fr Ailbe joined us for the day too.

We also commissioned new Altar Servers during the summer and had our usual day out with the Altar Servers. There are over 20 regular servers here.

A person who had been very helpful to The Graan over many years, auctioneer Jim Keenan, died very suddenly during the summer months. It has been a very sad time for his family and his loss will be felt very much in The Graan. He advised on the letting of the Farm etc and never took a fee.

During the summer work began on a new Public Dump which is situated in the old Dixon's Quarry. It borders our land and we have been involved in intense discussions with the local Council to make sure that our land is protected and that the landfill site will be run for the benefit of the Community in accordance with EU regulations.

On the pastoral front we had two meetings with the clergy in Enniskillen. Our Community joined the priests of Enniskillen for a lunch early in the summer and we returned the favour in August when the Mercy Sisters who reside in the Yellow House at The Graan, joined us too. It was a very fruitful occasion. Fr Owen Gorman from Enniskillen has preached in The Graan during the Eucharistic Vigils and Fr Brian has been asked to do funerals, weddings and baptisms to help out in Enniskillen as well as the whole community covering on occasions for hospital emergency calls.

We are now preparing for Harvest Thanksgiving in the church on the 15th/16th October. This has become a regular event each year which suits the environment in this area. It's always well attended and the produce is given to the St Vincent de Paul for the poor. We are preparing also for the night for bereaved families which is always packed to capacity here. It will take place on the 7th November. This is the time when we prepare for the Christmas Draw / Dinner Dance. It will take place on the last Friday in November. We are busy selling tickets and raising a few pounds to keep our heads above water. If you would like to help us, we won't refuse any money and you could win a car. Tickets are £10 or 15 Euros per book.

During the Provincial Assembly in Larne, we were delighted that Fr Arthur Mc Cann was able to cover duty and do Masses for us. He also helped us with Sunday Masses as well. We appreciate Arthur's help very much indeed.

Fr Brian was asked to introduce a video which has been released commemorating the Papal visit to Ireland in 1979. It's a limited edition, two disc set and contains all the Masses and statements made by Pope John Paul II in Dublin, Drogheda, Knock and Galway 1979. It was broadcast on RTE on October 2nd.

Fr Brian's ninth book will be published this month called, A Little Bit Of Life.

Fr Casimir continues to do a great job with the Charismatic Prayer Group on Thursday nights. He recently returned from a well deserved short break with his family.

Br Mark joined our Congregation 57 years ago. The day was marked on the Anniversary of his entry 29th September. His 74th birthday was on October 4th.
We prayed, during the New Orleans hurricane for some young people who attend our Mass here.

The Maguire cousins both of whom lost their father to cancer in the past twelve months were taking a break with their family when the Katrina came to New Orleans. They were trapped there and were part of the group who had to take refuge in the Sport Stadium. It was a harrowing experience for them and for their families here. Luckily they survived to tell the tale. They were glad to attend their Mass in Thanksgiving here at The Graan.

We had a month's Mind Mass for Ciaran Cassidy, who lost his life when the bomb exploded at Kings Cross in London. Both his parents are local. Their cousins, aunts and uncles are regular attenders at our Services here. They asked us to have a special Mass for all the family who couldn't be at the funeral in England. We celebrated it as his Month's Mind. His father, mother and sister came over from London.

May Regan, Br Oliver's sister died on 4th October. She was a regular visitor here and came to see Br Mark as well as attending the Novena of Hope.

Every good wish from Brian, Casimir, Mark, Terence and Michael.