"Making All Things New"March 2015
In This Issue
Survey
Fr. Dan's Column
Holy Week Schedule
Picture From Our Past
Closing Prayer

Nature's Corner
  

The groundhog sees his shadow and signals more
winter. 

However, when our snowman sees his shadow it means the sun is out and spring is on its way. 

Shadows are so beautiful. Perhaps it's nature's way of calling us to be aware of our shadow side.

Peace,
Br. Joe Kotula, ofm 

SAVE THE DATE
 
Mt. Irenaeus will hold a 30th Anniversary celebration at the Mountain on Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20.

 

Many exciting events and activities are planned. Be on the lookout for more details as the time gets closer.

Fr. Dan on Instagram

Fr. Dan is now on Instagram! If you are, too, check out his photos and reflections.

30th Anniversary Gatherings

Please join Fr. Dan Riley, ofm, and members of the Mt. Irenaeus community as we celebrate together at our upcoming 30th Anniversary gatherings:
 
Southern California 
San Diego area
Wednesday, March 25
 
Syracuse
Tuesday, April 21
 
Albany
Wednesday, April 22

For more information, please contact the Mountain office at 716-375-2096 or mount.irenaeus@gmail.com

Fr. Dan's Podcasts
 

  

Connect with us!
Annual E-newsletter Survey

We are asking e-newsletter subscribers to take a very brief, seven-question survey so we can gauge your thoughts on the content of our monthly e-newsletter. 

 

Based on your responses to last year's survey, we have made an effort to include more ministerial content and more personal reflections this year. We'll continue to implement your suggestions and improve our content based on your preferences.

 

We are grateful to all those who have already participated in our survey. If you haven't yet responded, please click here to access the survey. 

 

Answers are anonymous. We thank you in advance for helping us learn how we can improve our e-communication efforts!

The Mountain Where We Are 
Fr. Dan Riley, ofm, writes his column from California and reflects on the joy of seeing the heart of the Gospel celebrated across the country.
 
While leaving the Mountain a little more than two weeks ago traveling over our snow-covered roads to reach Fairport, N.Y. to offer a parish retreat, a golden fox with its tail flying leapt out of the woods and ran down the snowy road ahead of me.

 

I found myself thinking of a quote I've referenced before, from the fox in the story "The Little Prince" who says, "It is only with our heart that we see rightly!" What a wise fox!  

 

Our Franciscan tradition is a heart-and-wisdom tradition and sees with a heart of the gospel. This is the heart we were seeking and that embraced us more than 30 years ago as we began our Mountain ministry.

 

I know our hearts were extending themselves, as we longed to serve many, but I'm not sure we envisioned Mountain life ever extending from coast to coast!

 

Last week in Northern Virginia, Wendy Mann and her husband Brian, Maura Parda and Greg Licamele gathered in a Mountain circle with friends from Maryland and the District of Columbia.The same day, in Alamo, Calif., people joined us from San Francisco and Napa to celebrate the Mountain's 30 years of life for a west-coast Mountain in Your Home program for almost 15 people, while Fr. Lou McCormick, ofm, with his usual great love for the Gospel, celebrated Mass with those who gathered at Holy Peace Chapel on our still snow-covered hill in Allegany County, N.Y. ... Read more.

 

 

 

 

Fr. Lou McCormick, ofm, proclaims the Gospel at the Mountain's chapel (above) the same day friends of the Mountain gather in Northern Virginia (top left) and Fr. Dan Riley, ofm, celebrates the Mountain's 30th Anniversary with friends in Northern California (bottom left).


Holy Week Schedule
Holy Week services to be held at Mt. Irenaeus' Holy Peace Chapel
 
Holy Thursday  
Liturgy at 8 p.m.
 
Good Friday
Passion Service at 3 p.m.
  
Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil at 9 p.m.

Easter Sunday
Mass at 11 a.m.    
Picture From Our Past
 
 

Students and friars gather at Mt. Irenaeus in summer 1991.   

Closing Devotion 

Do not hesitate to receive joy from Me, for I bestow it on you abundantly. The more you rest in My Presence, the more freely My blessings flow into you. In the Light of My Love, you are gradually transformed from glory to glory. It is through spending time with Me that you realize how wide and long and high and deep is My Love for you.

 

Sometimes the relationship I offer you seems too good to be true. I pour My very Life into you, and all you have to do is receive Me. In a world characterized by working and taking, the admonition to rest and receive seems too easy. There is a close connection between receiving and believing: As you trust Me more and more, you are able to receive Me and My blessings abundantly. Be still, and know that I am God.

 

2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 3:17-19; Psalm 46:10

 

From "Jesus Calling," by Sarah Young

Contact Us

 

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