Mountain Circles

Fr. John shares a final reflection written before his departure from the Mountain. He began his new assignment at a campus ministry program in Georgia in late July.

There is something about the shape of a circle that naturally attracts people. This is, at least, my theory.

Spheres are circular and we happen to live on one called Earth. When we look at the sun and moon, our eyes take in circular forms. We know the moon circles the earth and the earth circles the sun.

When people stand or sit in a circle there is no one in a superior or inferior position. It all feels very equal, inclusive, and unified. If love had a visible shape I think it would be circular. It’s no wonder rings are used as a symbol for marriage.

As I reflect on my three years of sharing in the life and ministry of Mt. Irenaeus, I find myself remembering the many circles that have had a formative impact on me.

One of the most eye-catching objects a person encounters upon entering the Mountain’s House of Peace is the wagon wheel above the fireplace. Its variety of colors with equal-size spokes connects a larger outer circle to a smaller inner circle.  As the spokes get closer to the inner circle they also get closer to each other. It can evoke many thoughts and feelings in a viewer. For me, looking at it through the eyes of faith, it is a reminder that we are never outside of God; and as we move closer to Christ at the center we come closer to each other. It is a symbol for me of belonging, hope and community.

Who has spent time at the Mountain and not experienced standing in a circle with others? At Mass we stand in a circle holding hands during the Our Father with Christ’s presence at the center on the altar. The experience of unity and intimacy at such a sacred moment is more profound than my mere words can express. And who hasn’t gathered in a similar circle around the table at the House of Peace as we collectively give thanks to God for a meal we are about to share? Frequently, after sharing food and conversation at dinner, a group will gather in yet another circle before doing a contemplative walk up to the chapel. It’s a circle that sends its members forward into prayerful solitude before re-gathering again in the intimacy of shared worship.

There are other circles too: a peaceful walk around the pond or in the labyrinth can help us to reflect, meditate and perhaps recognize that we are pilgrims on a journey toward a Divine Center. And of course there are the many unseen circles that form at the Mountain and ripple outward beyond physical boundaries, touching the lives of countless others; seeking always to draw more into the Great Dance.

A Summer of Faith and Learning

Gabriella Levine reflects on her time as a Mountain Companion

My summer at Mt. Irenaeus has been life changing. During my time away from home, I heard constant questions from friends and family asking what I was actually doing while at the Mountain. I found this question nearly impossible to answer and usually just stated that Mike Madonna, a fellow companion, and I did everything and anything that was needed of us! 

Living in a semi-self-sustained community has taught me the true meaning of hard work.  Despite plenty of sweat and major learning curves, I learned about myself every step of the way because God’s presence was so imminent. 

Coming from a suburban area without much land of my own, I learned plenty about landscaping, gardening and camping, activities that were relatively foreign to me.

Aside from the practical lessons, the most important teaching I am taking away from my time at Mt. Irenaeus is my newfound relationship with Jesus Christ. Not only am I now comfortable leading prayer and sharing my faith with others, but I see God in a completely different way. 

Having the pleasure of meeting many people, I am sure many of whom are reading this newsletter, I am proud to say that I now see God in face of others. I have met Franciscan sisters, lawyers, chemists, musicians, chiropractors and people of countless other professions who have shared their stories with me and allowed me to truly see Jesus in their midst. Their willingness to share their deepest emotions and their vulnerability reflects so much of Jesus and His strength on the cross.

I am so grateful to have spent my summer at Mt. Irenaeus and I will remember my experiences from this summer for the rest of my time as a student, throughout my career and hopefully one day as a mother.

Celebrating the Mountain's Past

The Mountain friars host extended family of man buried at the Mountain during the Civil War

On July 19, the Mountain friars climbed our property to the historic grave site of Civil War veteran John S. Peterson with 40 members of his family. 

The Peterson family once owned the land, dating back before the Civil War and up until about the 1950s. The family also owned the wells of the first African-American oil company and Civil War-era family members knew Frederick Douglass, who came through Western New York. 

The gathering came about when one of the local family members and her nephew, a librarian in New York City, became interested in inviting other family members to come see the property. The friars invited them for a meal and time for reflection in the chapel.

Multiple generations of the Peterson family came out - some from local towns like Olean and Friendship, and others from as far as North Carolina and Louisiana. 

At the grave, chapel and dinner table, we celebrated this heroic family, conjoining our mission with their survival and peaceful life. 

"It was really for us just a very powerful experience. Some older folks told stories from when they were growing up here. That part of our land you could tell was a farm now growing into forest. To imagine what the land looked like years ago to me was very powerful and it was nice to make new friends," Br. Kevin, ofm, reflected. 

Fr. Dan tweeted, "To remember is to live the spirit of those before us here - who loved this land, forged new lives and worked to free us!"

Embarking on Sabbatical

A Sabbatical is a time for rest and renewal. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to go on a sabbatical from July 25 to November 15.

In preparation for it, I have been reflecting on what a great gift it is. I feel called to be open to God’s Holy Spirit so I might become more aware of how God delights in surprising us. I feel compelled to carry in my heart a prayer of St. Francis: “Who are you oh, God? And who am I?”  It’s a very simple but profound prayer. 

This journey will take me to southern Colorado on an 11-day vision quest, a psycho-spiritual adventure. Afterward, I will drive to Chicago and fly to Italy where I will participate on two pilgrimages, one titled, “A Soul’s Journey into God” and the other, “Franciscan Solitude.” My heart jumps as I think of being back in the homeland of St. Francis and St. Clare – our home! Praise God! 

The last part of this journey will bring me to New Mexico for a six-week sabbatical program. 

My hope and desire is to be open and ready to experience the surprise that God has for me. I hope to be renewed and return with a new heart and a fresh start. I will be carrying you all in my heart as I wander with God. Please keep me in your prayers.

Peace, Br. Joe Kotula

Evenings of Re-creation in July

Celebrating the Mountain’s 30 years of responding to the call of Jesus to “Go into all the

world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)

Wednesday Evenings: July 9, 16, 23, 30

• 5:15 p.m. Evening prayer, followed by quiet time on the land
• 6:30 p.m. Dish to pass supper
• 7:30 p.m. Eucharist with discussion of theme

Theme: Movements in the Spiritual Life

• July 9: The Spiritual Movement of Wonder
• July 16: The Spiritual Movement of Giving Thanks
• July 23: The Spiritual Movement of Praise
• July 30: The Spiritual Movement of Inspired Action

Feel free to come to all or part of any evening and to come early to spend time on the land.