International Conference
It was a great privilege that the International World Conference for Spred Project Peer Support, which is held every three years, took place in the Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne, Northern Ireland from Monday 15th June to Friday 19th June 2009. Fr Jim Mc Carthy, Sr Mary Therese Harrington and Sr Sue Gallagher, who developed Spred in Chicago, conducted the conference. We had people from Australia, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, England (London and Shrewsbury), Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Galloway, Motherwell and Paisley), Northern Ireland (Down & Connor, Armagh and Derry), Ireland (Dublin and Limerick) and Canada. The USA states of Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Califonia and Rhode Island were represented. In all, fifty one people gathered to reflect on Symbol, Intentionality and Interiorization.
On the Monday evening there was a great sense of joy as we renewed old friendships and quickly made new ones. After a beautiful meal we had an introductory talk. Then each day, we met for Morning Prayer and for Liturgy. We also had time for personal reflection and sharing in small groups. After reflecting on a story we attempted to formulate the intentionality, the interiorization, scripture, message and hymn. It was a very worthwhile experience in appreciating how a session is developed. During the liturgy, mime was used very powerfully for the reading, psalm, gospel and homily (See Picture Gallery).
On the last evening we had a real Irish Ceili in St. Comgall's GAA centre which was just down the road from Drumalis. A number of the Spred catechists arrived ladened with sandwiches, savouries and tray bakes.It was a very enjoyable night. Everybody got into the mood and danced the night away. We all had a great laugh as we tried to 'get the hang' of the jigs and the reels (See Picture Gallery).
Bishop Noel Treanor, Fr Pat Delargy, head of Faith Development and Fr Michale Mc Ginnity, head of Family Ministry all dropped in at different times and met many of the delegates. Bishop Donal Mc Keown came to the ceili.
The setting for our conference in Drumalis (www.drumalis.co.uk), was magnificent. We received wonderful hospitality, the staff were always so helpful and the food was excellent All the rooms in the new section have been refurbished. There are beautiful walks around the garden, including the new rose garden and of course we were able to have walks along the shore. Sr. Anna, one of the sisters who run the centre, gave us a talk and tour of the original house. After our final meal, Sr Anna played a track from a CD. The words are by Phil Coulter, narrated by Roma Downey. It is called 'An Irish Blessing' and it can be found on her CD, 'Healing Angel'. It was an very moving way to finish our conference.
May the blessing of light be upon you,
light on the outside,
light on the inside.
With God's sunlight shining on you,
may your heart glow with warmth,
like a turf fire that welcomes friends and strangers alike.
May the light of the Lord shine from your eyes,
like a candle in the window,
welcoming the weary traveller.
May the blessing of God's soft rain be on you,
falling gently on your head,
refreshing your soul
with the sweetness of little flowers newly blooming.
May the strength of the winds of heaven bless you,
carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean
sparkling after in the sunlight.
May the blessing of God's earth be on you,
and as you walk the roads,
may you always have a kind word for those you meet.
May you understand the strength and power of
God in a thunderstorm in winter,
and the quiet beauty of creation,
in the calm of a summer sunset.
And may you come to realize that, insignificant
as you may seem in this great universe,
you are an important part of God's plan.
May he watch over you and keep you safe from harm.