All Invited to Mt. Irenaeus’s 30th Anniversary Celebrations

Maria Hayes Around the Province

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WEST CLARKSVILLE, N.Y. — In 1971, Daniel Riley, OFM, Gervase White, OFM, and St. Bonaventure University’s student government gathered for an off-campus retreat. They became enthused about the idea of having a retreat place for St. Bonaventure students, and Dan began spearheading conversations to make this vision a reality.

Thirteen years later, on Nov. 14, the Mt. Irenaeus Board of Trustees purchased 207 acres of land for a Franciscan mountain retreat in West Clarksville, N.Y. Dan and the late Daniel Hurley, OFM, along with two “summer interns,” took up temporary residence there in 1985, and Mt. Irenaeus was born.

On Sept. 19, friends of the Mountain will gather there to commemorate Mt. Irenaeus’s 30th anniversary. The celebration begins at 2 p.m. with a prayer at the Mountain’s Labyrinth Garden of Gratitude and Remembrance. A festive Eucharist will follow at 3:30 p.m. Guests are invited to bring a dish to pass for supper at 5:15 p.m., and the evening will conclude with a concert with Kim and Reggie Harris, and other friends and musicians.

The Harrises, who joined Mt. Irenaeus in September 1995 to dedicate the House of Peace, were given the HNP Francis Medal in 2009. They will lead an evening of music and conversation at St. Bonaventure University’s Café La Verna on Sept. 17. Their talk will focus on “American Culture, Race and Racism Today.”

More information, including local hotel accommodations, is available on the Mountain’s website.

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As Mt. Irenaeus continues to grow and expand its offerings, the retreat is searching for an executive director to act as chief operating officer, and to provide vision and strategic planning. The executive director will supervise the Mountain’s day-to-day operations, and will work closely with the president/animator, resident friar community, the board of trustees, and staff and students from St. Bonaventure University.

Successful candidates should have administrative and collaborative leadership experience, as well as excellent communication skills. A master’s degree in theology or pastoral ministry as well as fundraising experience are preferred. More information about the position is available on Mt. Irenaeus’s website.

— Maria Hayes is communications coordinator for Holy Name Province.

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