"Making All Things New"September 2014
In This Issue
Mountain Auction
Fr. Dan's Column
Mountain Companion Reflection
Back to Bona's
Pictures from Our Past
Executive Director Position

We continue our period of discernment for selecting a new Executive Director for Mt. Irenaeus. 

As Fr. Dan moves toward a primary focus on ministry, we have need of someone who can take the lead role in the day-to-day operations of the Mountain. 

Please visit our Web page to learn more about this position and other recent changes as the Mountain continues to grow its ministry.

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You can now support the Mountain each time you purchase from Amazon!


We would greatly appreciate your participation.

Fr. Dan's Podcasts

Mass Schedule

Mass at the Mountain is regularly celebrated Sundays at 11 a.m. with brunch to follow. 


Visit our website for directions to the Mountain. 


Connect with us!
"A New Life" for the Annual Mountain Auction

The Mountain's primary fundraising event features silent and live auctions at a new venue, plus an online auction.


This year's Mountain Auction offers some exciting changes, along with renewed energy from our dedicated auction committee members who have made this event successful year after year. 

The 14th Annual Mountain Auction will be held Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. at Premier Banquet Center in Olean. Traditionally held in Doyle Hall at St. Bonaventure University, the new location will provide additional room for more guests, greater handicapped accessibility and abundant parking. With this larger facility we'll also be able to offer more room for the silent auction display and for guests to socialize.

We will also offer our online auction, to be held in the weeks following the live auction. More information will be coming soon.

The auction, Mt. Irenaeus' largest fundraising effort, raises more than $30,000 annually. The proceeds cover a significant portion of the Mountain's operating budget and help fund myriad improvements and expenses. Most recently, auction proceeds helped fund the resurfacing of the chapel's structure and window replacement.

Donated items will be gratefully accepted until mid-October, but will only be listed in the printed booklet and online if received before Oct. 1. Items that do very well at the auction include gift cards to local or national stores and restaurants, tickets to sporting events, gift baskets of local or "themed" merchandise and handmade crafts.

Tickets are available now for $50 per person and include cocktails, food stations and desserts. Tickets usually sell out quickly. Please contact Michelle Marcellin (mmarc@sbu.edu) for tickets and more information.

We appreciate all of the gifts provided. Your contributions to this fun event help sustain our Mountain life and allow us to continue our ministry at home and on the road.
Animating Our Vision
Fr. Dan Riley, ofm, describes his continuing role as "animator" for Mt. Irenaeus. 

Holy Peace Chapel, 2014.
Take a moment and consider this. We each have our own dream of life and sometimes we share these as visions with others. It is true, isn't it? They mature in us and we share them, for they truly are charisms, or gifts, whether they seem large or small, that will make a difference for the world. 

A deep vision shared by many of us was a charism - a gift given to me as a dream, which has been shared by many for several years as Mt. Irenaeus. In fact, our vision statement lets us know it is a dream of the earth appearing in the hearts of many people, to find peace, to make peace and to be peace for others.

Dreams come down to earth in vision statements when they need others to roll up their sleeves and bring them to fruition ... Read more.
Ending the Summer with a Smile
Mike Madonna reflects on his time as a Mountain companion. 
Mike Madonna, pictured right, spent this past summer as a Mountain companion.   
What can I say about my summer at the Mountain? It was so many things for me. It was fun, exciting and sometimes a little scary. It was frustrating at times, and peaceful at others. It's hard to try and talk about nine weeks' worth of memories, so instead I think I'll talk about what made the summer so amazing for me and why I'll never forget it.

I love the Mountain and have for a long time now. I actually wanted to apply for this position for summer 2013, but family obligations prevented me from doing so. I honestly think God may have had a little to do with that because I wouldn't trade my summer at the Mountain for anything. If I had gone any year but this one I wouldn't have had the wonderful pleasure of meeting so many of the people who visited during my time there. It is because of my interactions with people that my time at the Mountain this summer was such a rich and wonderful experience ... Read more.
Bona's Goes Back to School

Students began making their way back to St. Bonaventure's campus last month and many groups have already visited the Mountain, with many more gatherings to come. 

Mountain Community Leaders gathered Aug. 30 for their first Mountain event of the semester.
The men's rugby team bonded while staying overnight at the Mountain Aug. 29.  

Students in the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) helped Fr. Dan out in the garden during their overnight stay July 26. 
St. Bonaventure's resident assistants spent the day at the Mountain and enjoyed a swim Aug. 16.  




Pictures from Our Past 
As the Mountain celebrates 30 years, we look back on its rich history. If you have old photos from the Mountain or a Mountain event you would like to share, please e-mail them to sholfoth@gmail.com.


Students gather at the Mountain in the summer of 1991.

Contact Us

 

Mt. Irenaeus
P.O. Box 100
West Clarksville, NY 14786
585-973-2470