WEST CLARKSVILLE, N.Y. — An Advent reflection featuring Joseph Kotula, OFM, is available on the Web site of Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Mountain Retreat, along with many new features. In a reflection posted Dec. 10 on the Mountain’s blog, Joe gives his thoughts on the season with Holly Schubert, a member of the Mountain’s Franciscan Sojourners group. Readers are welcome to add their comments on this reflection.
This is the fourth seasonal reflection that the Franciscan Sojourners have offered. Previous themes were:
► The Feast of St. Francis, with thoughts from Daniel Riley, OFM
► All Saints Day, with thoughts from Daniel and Michael Fenn, chair of the Franciscan Sojourners (FS)
► Thanksgiving, with thoughts from Louis McCormick, OFM, and Paul Kline, a member of the FS group
For most reflections, a friar and a sojourner comment on a reading.
“This is a great example of the Mountain model of prayer, where sharing in dialogue in order to enrich one another is at the core of what makes the Mountain experience unique.” said Fenn, who coordinates the content, schedule and publicity of each. “Reading and participating in the blog is a way for all of us who value Mt. Irenaeus to stay connected. It’s obviously difficult for us to make it to the Mountain on a regular basis, so this allows us to share in its spirit where we live.”
The blog is managed by volunteer Greg Licamele, a graduate of St. Bonaventure University, who also supervises the content and technology of the Mt. Irenaeus Web site. Upcoming reflections will focus on Christmas and Epiphany, said Fenn, who suggests visiting the Mountain’s site next week.
Members of the Sojourner group are planning a weekend at the Mountain Feb. 15, 2008 during which they will share in prayer and plan activities for next year. In 2007, the Sojourners held gatherings, patterned after the Mountain on the Road program, in several towns in New York and Connecticut.
Also on the Mountain’s Web site are:
► A video of a homily given by Dan at a recent Mountain on the Road gathering in Washington, D.C.
► A photo gallery
► Sign up for Mountain E-mail
► Calendar of Events
► Ways of Prayer
► A guest map
Information about Mt. Irenaeus is available by phone at 585-973-2470 and 716-375-2096.
Shown in photo with three Mt. Irenaeus guests are Louis, left, Dan, center, and Robert Struzynski, OFM, right.
— Jocelyn Thomas is Director of Communications for Holy Name Province.