Banner in Galilee by artist Mary Queally
On Pentecost Sunday, May 27th, Galilee Community was joined by a large gathering to give thanks and celebrate ten years in ministry. The occasion was blessed with glorious sunshine and all who came had the rare experience of having to take shelter from the sun’s rays. It proved to be a time of sharing faith, food, fun, and sun, the perfect mix for a most enjoyable day.
The Community at Galilee is deeply grateful to all who helped with preparations prior to the celebration, to those who provided and served refreshments and to the men who kept traffic flowing on the day.
Boyle Marching Band
The celebration began with live music provided by members of the Boyle Marching Band who came out of retirement for the occasion. Many were heard expressing the hope that the band might regroup like so many of the teen bands!!
This was followed by the blessing of an oak tree. During the afternoon young and old were introduced to the art of drumming. This was followed by the cutting of a celebration cake which delighted the children who helped to blow out the ten candles.
The celebration came to a conclusion with an ecumenical prayer service with Bishop Christopher Jones and Rev. Ronnie Burke officiating. Cilla Horan, Chaplain in Sligo IT, provided music and led the singing during the prayer service.
Srs. Mairead Murray, Margaret Farrell
Margaret Ruddy & Mary Teresa Killelea enjoying the day
The story of the beginnings and the growth of the Galilee Community were interwoven throughout the activities of the day. Thirteen years ago on the vigil of Pentecost seven people gathered to pray and plan a community based on Gospel values, the spirit of Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy and in response to suggestions made by a group of young adults, aged eighteen to thirty-five. These young adult groups were brought together nationally and on a diocesan level and asked to discern the spiritual needs of their age group and what they would suggest as an appropriate response to meet these needs in a time when Church was failing to attract the young. The desire was expressed over and over to create spaces/communities where people could connect for community and prayer and spiritual nourishment when the need arose. The importance of nature as a source of prayer in the life of young adults was also highlighted by the young people.
Sculpture in the Garden at Galilee
It was with the intention of responding to this need and after much searching that the Sisters of Mercy purchased what was known locally as Harrington’s House and began to establish what has become known now as Galilee Community.
No day is complete without a cake!
On this the tenth anniversary, the Sisters would like to invite Young Adults and not so young to look up the website, www.galilee.ie to see what is happening in Galilee and to check if there is anything that would be of interest to them.
Galilee offers Taizé Prayer, a form of prayer that attracts thousands of youth to France every year, on the last Friday of each month from 9 pm – 10 pm. Meditation is offered each Monday evening from 7 pm – 7:45 pm and is highly recommended as a form of prayer that nourishes the Spirit and helps many find peace. The Sisters in Galilee Community are interested in finding out what people see as their spiritual needs today and how they might create programmes, prayer experiences, or retreats in response to the need expressed. If you have any questions please contact us galileecommunity@gmail.com or browse our website www.galilee.ie
Text: Galilee Community
Image & Video: Breege Donohoe rsm
Western Province
