No. 5 April 2008
2nd July 2004.
Dear Meditator,
The past 12 months have seen significant change within the Irish Christian Meditation Community. Last year saw the sad passing of Yvonne Fitzgerald, whom we remember with love and gratitude for her unique dedication and commitment. Sister Margaret Collier has handed on the distribution of the International Newsletter to Stephen and Maria Gavin, after 12 years of excellent service. We are deeply indebted to her. Prior to that, Claire Smith passed on the Secretary role to Sylvia Thompson, after many years of sterling organisational work. Sylvia has also started the Irish Newsletter, which is a regular up-date of events and relevant information that accompanies the International quarterly newsletter.
The Guiding Board of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) has also asked Fergal McLoughlin to serve as National Co-ordinator for Christian Meditation in Ireland. We are delighted to say he has accepted and we feel sure that he will find a warm and loving welcome from his fellow-meditators whom he will serve in this role. He will assist the Christian Meditation community through the existing Regional Co-ordinators and meditation groups throughout the country. There will be a National Council made up of Regional Co-ordinators and people who will look after specialist areas such as the Web (www.wccmireland.org), books/media, conferences etc.
Fergal will be assisted by a small group from the Council (now called The Irish Council for Christian Meditation). They will manage day-to-day issues and formulate strategy.Fergal has been a meditator for many years. With his wife Judy he ran a Dublin city meditation centre in Fitzwilliam Square. They now run their own meditation group in Blackrock. He is currently treasurer for Christian Meditation in Ireland, and also ran the School for Teachers of Meditation with Sister Margaret Collier. The role of National Co-ordinator is a voluntary role.
Fergal looks forward to continuing the excellent tradition of serving the meditation community, and to assisting you, your group and all the other individuals and groups on their meditation journey in Ireland in the friendship we share with meditators all around the world.With love and peace
Monsignor Tom Fehily, President, Irish Council for Christian Meditation.
Fr. Laurence Freeman, Director, World Community for Christian Meditation.
Killarney, Co. Kerry 13th June
Margaret Rizza will be in Killarney for a music workshop for the Kerry Diocese
on Sat June 12th.
However on Sunday 13th June Margaret will lead a meditation event, probably outdoors. Exact details are still being worked out.
Retreat with Fr. Laurence Freeman OSB from 4-6 June. It was a full house with about 60 participants from around the country. The silence and the 4 daily periods of meditation allowed us to enter into stillness and to be open to the mystery of the Kingdom within us. The daily talks from Fr Laurence provided much needed guidance & challenge for our contemplative journey. Special moments included those communal times of meditation, learning to walk mindfully, writing Haikus as a way of staying in the present moment, opportunities to stroll in the beautiful grounds of Ennismore on a very warm Bank Holiday weekend. and breaking the bread of life & friendship together. On the Sunday morning a small group gathered in the chapel to witness & support Rena Crane & Rowena O Sullivan as they took their first steps on the journey to become Meditation Oblates. All the talks were recorded by Eist & can be ordered directly from them:
30 Ballinteer Gdns., Dublin 16. eist@eircom.net / 087 2789390
The daily practice of meditation
Fr Laurence Freeman
The Christian Meditation Centre Ballinskelligs organised the John Main Seminar in the Hotel Europe, Killarney, April 30th - May 2nd in memory of John Main's sister, Yvonne Fitzgerald who died on 24th July 2003. Her generous spirit was a door for many to the tradition of meditation. William Main was the contact person for this event & for the Summer Meditation in Ballinskelligs (May & June)
Killarney was also the venue for wonderful times of meditation organised by the Kerry Christian Meditation groups in conjunction with the Diocesan Ministry of Music during the June visit of Margaret Rizza. Margaret was invited to Killarney to lead a Music Workshop by the Diocesan Director of Music, Padraig McIntyre. At the close of the workshop Margaret gave an introduction to meditation which enabled workshop participants and others both to learn of this tradition of contemplative prayer and to meditate together.
Next day there was an early morning walk & meditation in Muckross Abbey and an evening meditation in the National Park, overlooking the mountains & lakes.
A Journey of Meditation and Beauty
This 1 day retreat was held at Tigh an Tearmainn, near Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains. The retreat examined
I lift up my eyes to the hills Psalm 121
inter-linking aspects of Celtic mythology, Christian Meditation and Buddhism. It consisted of talks, videos, music, poetry, discussion, walks in nature and meditation.
Details from mclougf@hotmail.com
"Lan dochais is gra
Le ciuinas gan cra"
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