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| NORTHERN IRLEAND |
| FROM THE HEART |
- We are a group of around twelve who started meeting in our local
Parochial Centre in Lurgan, almost nine years ago, when I was asked by
the leader of my original group to start a new group.
As part of a deliberate policy to be outward looking we decided to invite
our original group and also another group in the next town, Portadown,
to join us in paying a visit to a newly established monastery about forty
miles away. The monastery belongs to the Olivetan branch of the
Benedictine Order (incidentally the same family of Benedictines to which
Fr Laurence belongs). We have been delighted to welcome the five
monks to Northern Ireland from their very ancient Mother house of Bec
in Normandy, France, especially because they have dedicated
themselves to reconciliation within our community - something which is
a great need in Northern Ireland.
(During His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s first visit to Northern Ireland for
the Way of Peace John Main Seminar the Buddhist monks who
accompanied him stayed in this Monastery). So on a lovely June
evening, twenty five meditators and their friends attended Vespers with
the monks and during the monks’ period of silent prayer after Vespers,
we meditated. A welcome cup of tea provided an excellent opportunity
to socialise with other groups and then there was time to visit the
monastery shop or enjoy a walk in the grounds before sharing in Night
Prayers with the monks. This opportunity to share in the prayer of a
contemplative order is something which really inspired the meditators.
It has now become an annual event and a firm favourite with all
participants every June
As a result of that outreach our group became more aware of reaching
out in other ways and we began to think of ways we could share the gift
of meditation with others, especially those less financially fortunate than
ourselves and that was how we became Group Friends. When the
Friends Newsletter came last year it was very exciting for us to read
about all the ways in which our small donations were helping to make a
difference in providing support to emerging groups all over the world,
especially those in most need. We are deeply gratefully to all those who
give their talents to administer Friends and wish them blessings on their
work in the future. It is especially good to know that the Friends
Newsletter is to become a permanent feature and that we can now read
about other Friends on their website.
The latest outreach in which our two groups have been involved is in
helping our N Ireland co-ordinator and her team to bring Christian
Meditation to our schools and this is proving to be a most rewarding
endeavour. We ask your prayers for its continuing success.
Elizabeth McStravick Lurgan
Northern Ireland
March 2007