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News from Ireland
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OUR LADY'S SCHOOL OF EVANGELISATION A group of committed Catholic lay people are trying to raise 750,000 euros to set up a school of evangelisation at Knock to form young Irish people so they can go out and evangelise their peers.The inspiration for the idea comes from Johnny McCarthy, who worked with Fr Benny McHale for 11 years in the Tuam diocese running school missions and retreats. He and Fr Benny became aware that there were always some young people who wanted to know more about their faith, but apart from academic study at university, had nowhere to go and be formed. The dream has matured over the years, and has the full backing of Dr Michael Neary, the Archbishop of Tuam, who commented, "Our Lady's School of Evangelisation is an authentic initiative which will be beneficial to the faith development of young people." A steering committee of 8 lay people and 1 priest has been set up, which includes both those with business and teaching backgrounds, who have a concern for faith formation. One of the key motivators in this is Eleanor Healy, a mother of two girls. After some years away from the practice of her faith, she was brought back through a conversion experience 5 years ago. She is full of enthusiasm for the project. "I know from my own experience what happens when you lose your faith, and I want young people to know the beauty and truth of Catholic teaching, so they can make informed decisions in their lives. I myself can see the difference in the lives of those young people who have faith and those who don't." She herself is currently doing the long distance Maryvale catechetics course, which has become very popular with some people in Ireland. The group have already found what they believe to be a suitable building for the school. This is a large house on its own grounds in Knock. Eleanor comments, "The owner is a person with a strong faith, and would dearly love the house to be used for spiritual purposes." Also on the steering committee is Kevin Lynch, who with Canon William Fraser was one of the founders of the Living Waters School of Evangelisation in Scotland. They have also recruited a woman from the United States, Patti Fitzgerald, who has been a director of a Catholic School of Evangelisation for the last 5 years, to help run the school here in Ireland. The Irish team plan to base their curriculum and formation on the John Paul II Bible School in Alberta, Canada. After 9 months of formation, the team of young people will then go out on a 4-6 week outreach evangelising in schools and parishes. Eventually it is hoped that the school will have
about 30 students who will live residentially for a year. During this
time they will receive spiritual formation and lectures on Church teaching
that will equip them to live the Roman Catholic faith in the 21st century.
The team plan to start this autumn (2006), when they've managed to raise
all the funds. They would be very pleased if any person would like to
help out with fundraising efforts and sell a few tickets for the five
monthly car draw or organize any fundraising event. Eleanor commented,
"Many people are concerned about what's happening to young people
in Ireland. Just the fact that we are trying to do something is making
them excited and they want to support us." As well as looking for
funds they are also interested in young people 18+ who might be interested
in joining the school for a year. For further details write to Gospa
House, 16 Millwood, Turlough, Castlebar, Co Mayo.
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