Wednesday
Sep252013

Mountain Auction features Glen Iris getaway, Orlando Magic tickets, gift baskets galore

This year’s Mountain Auction to benefit Mt. Irenaeus will feature travel packages, sports memorabilia and gourmet dinners, among other offerings of local products and services.

Reservations for the annual auction are now being accepted by contacting Michelle Marcellin at 716-375-2096.

The 2013 Mountain Auction will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, in Doyle Hall on the St. Bonaventure University campus and supports the work of Mt. Irenaeus and the Franciscan friars who welcome people from all faith traditions.

The event begins with a 5 p.m. Mass in the University Chapel, Doyle Hall, followed by the auction at 6 p.m.

The auction features an evening with more than 200 gifts, most offered by silent auction and a select few in the exciting, fast-moving verbal auction. Dan Carter will be the auctioneer for the verbal portion of the auction.

Among the travel packages are a stay at the historic Glen Iris Inn (Letchworth State Park) and tickets and accommodations for an Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game.

Silent auction gifts range from small appliances, holiday décor and passes to regional zoos and parks, to Cutco products, electronics, golf passes and gift baskets. 

 

For those driven to bid by their stomach, edible gifts include a gourmet dinner prepared by local chief Sheila Darrow at the Mountain and a pie-of-the-month offering from Sr. Regina Aman, O.S.F., of St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean.

Back by popular demand will be a Mt. Irenaeus hike with Br. Joe Kotula, ofm.

Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and will be accepted until the auction is sold out. The cost is $50 per person and includes cocktails, buffet, passed hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Auction proceeds aid the Mountain’s endowment and support the general operating fund. 

Wednesday
Sep182013

Students Return to the Mountain

As the student body returned to St. Bonaventure for the fall semester a few weeks ago, the grand opening of the Swan Business Center added a feeling of newness around campus. This spirit parallels the message of the Mountain Community Leaders – to join with Jesus Christ in “making all things new!” (Revelation 21:5). Our campus group is dedicated to coordinating activities at the Mountain for students of all walks of life.

So far this semester, student participation and excitement in what the Mountain has to offer has been exceptional. Whether it be 40 hungry rugby players indulging in a cookout while taking a respite from training or a group of curious freshmen taking the trip to West Clarksville to see for themselves what the Mountain is about, many have visited, made friends with the men in brown and experienced God’s peace in a way only Mt. Irenaeus can provide. 

In one 48-hour period, 87 students visited the Mountain friars. An overnight with medical students followed by a student contingent hungry for a barbeque and a thirst for exploring nature made for a busy September weekend. 

Within the next 12 weeks, the Mountain Community Leaders are planning events at Mt. Irenaeus for students of all walks of life. Men’s and women’s overnights, an “indoor camping” trip, team bonding retreats for sports teams and an overnight for the Knights of Columbus student chapter among other events, will invite students to  explore this holy place many of us see as a refuge and a place for renewal.

As friends and supporters of the Mountain, we ask you for your prayers as the Mountain Community Leaders continue to spread the good news of the Mountain to the rest of the St. Bonaventure community and as we “go into all the world and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the whole creation.” (Mk. 16:15). 

 

Michael Specht ‘16
Mountain Community Leader Coordinator

Thursday
Aug152013

Reflection on a Weekend of Spiritual Renewal

We recently had a wonderful Weekend of Spiritual Renewal. We have another time scheduled for Sept. 27-29. One person who joined the recent weekend, Maura Parda, shares this reflection:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thin places…..This ancient Celtic phrase refers to a place where the “membrane between physical reality and the reality of God’s presence thins out to where it can be seen, touched, tasted, or sensed in some unmistakable way.” 

When asked to provide a reflection of my recent weekend of spiritual renewal at Mt. Irenaeus, I realized I had indeed experienced a grace-filled thin place. The richness of the weekend deepened my connection to God after having witnessed the majesty of the Mountain, the community of those gathered, and the whispers of God felt in the gentle breeze and heard in the voices of my companions.

Saint Irenaeus teaches us that “God is glorified when His people are fully alive.” Not only was I fully alive during the weekend, I could literally feel myself being drawn closer to God through the opening of my heart and the delighting of my five senses.  From seeing the beauty of the lush green mountainside, to hearing the word of God proclaimed in scripture and in the powerful insights shared by my fellow retreatants. I felt as if I could reach up and touch the face of God in the summer night sky lit by the brilliance of seemingly millions of stars. The smell from the kitchen prior to group dinners invited all to share stories and laughter during intimate meals, and the taste of vegetables and blueberries picked from the mountainside that day nourished both body and soul by reminding me of God’s abundance and generosity to us all.

As my time drew to a close, I left the Mountain feeling pure gratitude, fully nourished and enriched for my journey ahead…..and inspired to more fully live out a verse from one of the closing songs – to “take your candle, and go light your world.”  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maura's experience of the five senses ties very closely to an early writing of the Mountain. Fr. Joe Doino, ofm, wrote "Guidelines for an Experience of Mt. Irenaeus." Whether you can join us Sept. 27-29 or another time, we invite you to read his words from the early years of Mountain life.

Thursday
Jun272013

Weekends of Spiritual Renewal

“We are Mountain people readying for the marketplace. We are marketplace people looking for the Mountain.”

“Food for the Good Journey: Weekends of Spiritual Renewal” 

  • Aug. 2-4
  • Sept. 27-29

As followers of Jesus and friends of Francis and Clare we are called to live as instruments of peace and healing in a world that is aching to hear the good news!

Come back to the Mountain for a weekend of rest, renewal and enrichment with friends old and new. Experience, again, God’s gentle Presence in the stillness and beauty of the woods and the Chapel! Come and be nourished around the table of the altar and the main house! Come and receive food for your "good journey!"

We are expecting those to attend to be persons who are now, or would like to be, in leadership with us in various regions where we are carrying to homes and other places the life and spirit of the Mountain.

Register and reserve your space on the Mountain at mmarc@sbu.edu.

Opening Eucharist begins at 4:45 p.m. Aug. 2 and Sept. 27, though participants may come when they are able.

For more information contact:

(If you can’t complete the whole weekend, join us for an overnight or a day!)

Thursday
Jun272013

Summer Evenings of Re-Creation

We will be holding our annual “Summer Evenings of Re-Creation” on July 10, 17, 24, and 31. This year’s theme will be “Unfolding the Good News for Today’s World.” 

Each evening will start at 5:15 p.m. with prayer, followed by quiet time on the land. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a dish to pass supper followed by Eucharist at 7:45 p.m.

All are welcome to come, regardless of where you are on your spiritual path. No pre-registration is required, just a dish to pass for supper.