Latest news from Castletown Community
Storms
Storm Isha paid us a flying visit on Sunday 21st January, 2024. The red carpet was not laid out for her but she sure made her presence felt with trees knocked down and some 35,000 customers left in the dark for many hours.
Fortunately we have a generator in the campus and were able to escape her fury beyond a few small branches littering the High Field. In no time the scenic walk was restored to its pristine beauty.
Storm Jocelyn arrived for a fleeting visit on Tuesday 23rd. February and fled off to Great Britain where she was not welcome, so soon on the heels of storm ISHA.
ANOIS
This group of Secondary School leaders from a number of colleges in the Limerick Diocese arrived on Sunday evening 21st February. They were accompanied by Seamus, one of the teachers from Colaiste Rís in Limerick City. Some 57 students formed this group and it was a pleasure for everyone to have them grace our Retreat Centre.
Their appreciation for the facilities and welcome they received knew no bounds. We were all so sorry when they finally departed after their memorable stay of three weeks. Even Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick arrived one evening and joined them for tea. They will be back to us again next January for another three weeks.
Retreats and visitors
Most weeks we have on average three Primary and Secondary Schools arriving for a day Retreat Led by Derek, Michael and Marie. The Primary School children are mainly from 6th class who are preparing for Confirmation. On the other hand the Secondary School students are mostly from Transition Year which is 4th Year. Bookings for the year are pretty good. The efficient manner in which Derek and his team conduct the Retreat for each group is something to behold. Nobody would know that some 30 or more students were on the premises, such quietness and decorum at all times.
On Friday 26th January, Honor Rowley and three companions spent 3 days for quiet reflection and social get together.
On 5th February seven Salesian Priests from their Province had a long meeting followed by lunch. They will be back later in the year.
Salesian Sisters: this core group of 6 Sisters regularly use our facilities for meetings leading up to their Chapter gatherings and other District business. They arrive for evening meal, and overnight stay with morning session and lunch before departing at 4:30 pm.
Worldwise Global Schools
Lizzie and Debbie were the chief organisers of this group of 95 participants who spent just one day with us on 1st February. As mentioned previously in the December Newsletter, the WWGS is Ireland's national Global Citizenship Education (GCE) programme for post primary Schools. It is funded by Irish Aid under the Department of Foreign Affairs (WWGS) and was set up in 2013 to provide a comprehensive range of supports to ensure the integration of quality engagement with Global Justice issues at post primary level.
At this one-day gathering, the teachers shared stories of their journeys from charity to solidarity. There were workshops on solidarity and just before lunch a short address was given to the delegates by Mr. Seán Fleming, T.D. at the Department of Foreign Affairs. After lunch the teachers shared ideas for fostering solidarity in their schools. The group leaders were lavish in their praise for the facilities and lunch provided.
District Prayer Service
On Thursday, 2nd February everyone was tuned in to this special zoom meeting at 5:30pm. It was both uplifting and prayerful for all the participants.
Silent Retreats
From 2nd to 5th February we had two overlapping groups present: These were both Silent Retreats and comprised 18 in each group.
a) Religious Family of the Incarnate Word with 2 Priests in attendance.
b) Regnum Christi - The Legionaries of Christ -2 priests in attendance along with Sister Presentation.
During the Retreats, silence was paramount with conferences, meditation, Holy Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions and Holy Rosary with Adoration. Even during meals a taped conference from one of the Priests on the Ignatian Spirituality was broadcast in the dining room. It reminded all of us of our Novitiate Days.
Teacher Induction
Twelve teachers from a number of our schools attended this follow up induction programme with Br. Tommy Walsh and Paddy Walsh. They arrived for evening meal on 8th February and after an opening session were up next morning after a good night's sleep. The session concluded with lunch on Friday 9th February.
ENDEAVOUR
This group of 12 psychotherapists which is newly formed first paid us a visit in December 2023. This time they were under the care of Alan and Barbara. They stayed from Friday evening 17th February and departed after lunch on the Sunday. The course is very intense and challenging but all the participants were loud in their praise of Castletown Retreat facilities. In fact all their sessions were held in our Community Residence.
Castletown Community Renovations
The two floors over the kitchen area will be the new quarters for our community and work is progressing nicely at present. It is hard to finalise a date for completion as the scale of the work is quite vast. Let's say, we should be finished the work before year's end. As time progresses, we will keep you updated.
Br. Albert O'Driscoll