What Is Mine To Do?

Br. Kevin Kriso, ofm, reflects on the working relationships that sustain the Mountain and its ministry.

Recently a group of us reflected on the questions, “Why is Mt. Irenaeus popular, even among people who have never been here?” “What attracts people to the Mountain?”  

We came up with a few answers. The first is our ministry is very basic and uncomplicated; it is really just the cultivation of one-on-one relationships. Community building and hospitality with warmth, love and unconditional acceptance is the main ministry of the Mountain. This approach satisfies a deep need all people have to feel welcomed and accepted. And they respond.

The second answer we came up with is people feel a need to contribute and feel their presence matters. They “count” and belong to something larger than themselves. This may be part of what separates the Mountain from retreat centers and other facilities. At the Mountain we work with people who visit as partners. We don’t do things “for” them (and they do not do things “for” us). We work together as partners. We welcome people in and connect with them, so in a sense everyone who is here hosts everyone else. We call this a Gospel manner of life and ministry. It is the way we do things. It is important everyone connected with the Mountain needs to understand and be formed by this connecting thread.

We are formed into this way of life by reflecting that Christ is the Center with his Great Commandment to Love. In the Great Commandment to Love, all relationships matter. We continually need learn to treat everyone with equality and acceptance and that includes partnering with people in big and small tasks. This reflection and action leads to ongoing transformation; ongoing conversion if you will. We grow together into this way of life: Resident Community, Board of Trustees, Secular Franciscans and part-time and even single-time volunteers.