Latest news from Castletown Community

Holy Week Ceremonies

All the Brothers in Castletown came together for the full Holy Week ceremonies in Miguel House Chapel. Fr. Joe Walsh, OFM, our resident chaplain, conducted the liturgy with distinction and had everyone involved as far as possible. His short homilies and explanation of all that went on over the three days was marked with dignity and common sense considering the age of those in attendance. It was a wonderful start to our Easter celebrations.

 

NET Ministries

From Tuesday April 2nd to 4th, Sebastian Gonzales from California joined us for some quiet time and relaxation.  He is a member of NET Ministries Ireland - it is a non-profit Catholic youth ministry that provides opportunities for young people to encounter Jesus and grow in their faith through school retreats and parish-based mission.

This is a calling that all Christians share.  At NET Ministries  Ireland, they bring together young adults from all over the world, teach them how to share their faith with others and commission them to all parts of the world.

This involves:

a) Parish Youth Ministry = specialising in youth groups, religion classes and peer -to-peer discipleship.

b) Sacramental Preparation: Missionaries assist with Confirmation and First Holy Communion programmes in schools and parishes,

c) Youth Retreats: Organising engaging day and week-end Retreats for students of all ages.

d) Young Adult Outreach: Through fellowship, Bible Studies and nights of Adoration.

The priorities are:

i) the Poor, the vulnerable and the Marginalised.

ii) Christ-centered partnership with local-led ministries.

iii) The least resourced, least, least reached people of the World.

Sebastian is very quiet spoken but very focused on his missionary work.  He receives a modest stipend per month and Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore is Patron of this religious group in Ireland.

MALES Ireland gathering

This very mature group of Male adults comprises  wonderful people from many parts of the world.  They used to meet in the Kiltegan Headquarters in Wicklow but of late they assemble here in Castletown which is geographically  more convenient and has excellent accommodation for their gatherings.

The number of participants at any session varies according to circumstances. Some are Priests, Brothers, business people, active and retired, teachers etc. The list goes on and on and they come from all over Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, USA, Canada and even Australia. They have very regular Zoom Meetings and the scholarship of its members has no bounds. Their most recent  get together was on Friday 5th - Sunday 7th April. 

Storm Kathleen

As promised by the weather forecasters she arrived Friday night April 5th and made her presence felt all day Saturday. Luckily she caused us no damage and flew off to Scandianavia without a whimper.

Brigidine Sisters

We now look upon Sr. Carmel and her four Brigidine Sisters as an extended part of our community.  Like the Salesian Sisters they arrive every five weeks or so for regular meetings pertaining to the harmonious running of their pastoral work and business priorities. This time they had a one day stay  on April 11th and conducted all their affairs in our well attired boardroom.

Salesian Sisters

The six Sisters are very regular callers to Castletown for meetings much in line with the Brigidine Sisters. This time they stayed over and got down to business on Friday 12th April. They know Castletown better than the resident Brothers!

ANOIS

This group hails from the Diocese of Limerick and are regular callers to Castletown.  These 26  leaders came for tea on Friday 12th and departed after lunch on Sunday 14th April.  This mixed group are mainly doing third level studies but are willing to train future leaders in Limerick Secondary Schools. In time, suitable Sixth Year students will render help especially to First Year students in College who need support and encouragement to find their feet . The Anois Group is very similar to the Meitheal Group that operates in the Diocese of Kildare and Loughlin.

Rory Connor

Rory hails from near Macroom and had Br. Maurice Kirk as his Director of Novices in 1966. Subsequently, he worked in the Civil Service - Department of Posts and Telegraphs in the GPO in Dublin. Now retired and living in Blanchardstown in Dublin he arrived here in Castletown to remember  the 50th Anniversary of the terrible road crash near Drogheda on April 10th 1974 in which Brothers Maurice Kirk, Brendan O'Donovan and Peter Black lost their lives. Fr Joe Walsh, OFM who is Chaplain in Miguel House offered Holy Mass for the deceased.  Rory was our guest for a couple days and he thoroughly enjoyed his stay with us.

ENDEAVOUR

This group of 12 psychotherapists stayed with us from April 12th to14th. Most of the members hail from Cork and we now greet them by their first name. They are delighted with the setting and ambiance provided for the serious work they undertake during their short stay.  They will return to continue their deliberations later in the year.

Safegarding

The Diocese of Ossary held an important meeting on the evening of April 17th in relation to safeguarding issues. The attendance  was very commendable.  The meeting ended with tea and sandwiches in the Pastoral Centre lounge.

MEL Ireland

MEL Ireland ((Mission Educative Lasallienne – Lasallian Educational Mission) held a function  for retiree Brothers and lay colleagues which was organised by Mr. Tom O'Neill from De La Salle College Waterford and Br. Tommy Walsh. It was the first of its kind to honour the retirees who have contributed greatly over the years to the functioning of our Lasallian schools in Ireland and who have provided an outstanding quality education to thousands of students.

It also provided an opportunity for retirees from all our schools, past and present, to reconnect and share experiences. 

On Friday evening 19th April, twenty members had arrived here in the De La Salle Centre, Castletown for the start of festivities. Celebrations started with dinner at 7pm Afterwards the retirees moved to the Pastoral Centre lounge for further refreshments, chat, a bit of craic, and some sun-downers. Most of the guests stayed the night. 

The main events took place on Saturday 20th April when we had up to seventy people here for lunch  At 11am they gathered in the Divine Child Chapel in the Pastoral Centre where Br. Tommy Walsh and Mr. Tom O'Neill welcomed everyone and shared a short address before handing out a beautiful Certificate to each member, signed by Brother Ben, our Visitor,  which read :

 

I the undersigned Provincial of the District of Ireland, Great Britain and Malta acknowledge with joy and gratitude your outstanding collaboration with our District and your active and long-lasting participation in our work of education. Touching hearts, teaching minds and transforming lives has been central to what you have achieved.

My Council and I wish to demonstrate our gratitude by thanking you for your tireless efforts, your unwavering support and over many years your dedication to our Lasallian mission of human and Christian education. We thank you most sincerely for guiding, encouraging and shaping the many children you came in contact with.  Your hard work and commitment is truly appreciated. May you be proud of the work you have done, the person you are and the difference you have made and may the Lord through the intercession of Saint John Baptist De La Salle shower you with blessings.

Given at Castletown, Co. Laois in the De La Salle Centre,  20th  April  2024                                                                                                                                

At 1pm  a more than tasty lunch was provided for all. Some went for a siesta, others, including Br. Tommy Walsh, Br. Kevin McEvoy and Pat Walsh went for a hike up beautiful Glenbarrow in the Slieve Bloom Mountains with three teachers from Beneavin, Anna Baird, Claire O'Doherty and Nessa Farrell, while others just walked the grounds and visited the cemetery where many old friends are sleeping. 

Tommy, Anna Baird, Pat Walsh, Claire O'Doherty and Nessa Farrell on Capard Ridge near Rosenallis, Co Laois

 At 5pm a special Mass fitting the occasion was held in Miguel House Oratory. It was amazing how some 80 people could fit into such a confined space including some of the residents in wheelchairs. The organist for the evening was the one and only Br. Ben Hanlon himself and he sure did us all proud. Br. Ben welcomed all to our Eucharistic Celebration of Gratitude  with very suitable hymns for the occasion.

The chief celebrant was the Miguel House resident chaplain Fr. Joe Walsh and accompanying him were Fr. Eddie Kavanagh and Fr. Walter Cooke.  Fr. Joe gave a very uplifting sermon on the outstanding work done by the retirees in helping so many students in achieving great heights in later life. 

Countless photos were taken by Br. Frank McCallig during the course of the previous  24 hours, while there was a banquet for the guests in the central dining-hall. Some 60 assembled and no one was in any hurry home. Everyone enjoyed themselves . The banquet ended with the cutting of a special celebratory cake for the occasion. Br. Albert O'Driscoll found himself caught unawares to cut the cake. Tom O'Neill had his homework done and realised that Albert's birthday coincided with this banquet. As he cut the cake all sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY! After all Albert is only a young fella of 84 years! 

By 10pm most of the guests had gone to far flung parts of Ireland, happy but tired after a wonderful celebration of Gratitude. 

Mindfulness Group

A group of 34 participants and nearly all well on in their 60s and 70s had a silent retreat from April 26th to 28th. All the ingredients of such Retreats - Silence, Meditation, Conferences, Rosaries, Holy Mass, Adoration, Spiritual Reading Confessions - yes the list goes on and on top of it all they are all vegetarians. 

Cemetery Day

A reminder to all that Cemetery Day in Castletown is Saturday July 6th at 2pm. Mark it in your diary.

  • Br. Albert O'Driscoll

 

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