The largest ever International Gathering of Christian Missionaries is to be held in Donegal in the coming days.
The Columba Community of Prayer and Reconciliation is proud to host ‘Welcome Home to Missionaries’ from Friday 7th – 9th June 2013, as part of ‘The Gathering’ festivities happening throughout Ireland.
The weekend, held at the IOSAS Centre and Celtic Prayer Garden in Lenamore, Muff, Co. Donegal, will be a celebration of Christian missionaries throughout the world, with over sixty returning home to Ireland especially for this event.
Archbishop Eamon Martin will open these events on Friday 7th June at 6pm.
Guest speakers from Kenya and the Philippines, including three times nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize Fr. Shay Cullen, will speak of their work. This seminar will be followed by small group discussion on the question “Is Ireland in Need of Mission?”
Falling on the feast of St. Columba, the weekend also boasts short dramas highlighting the work and sacrifice of Columba, Ireland’s first Christian Missionary. Missionaries representing the five continents will give presentations regarding and their own work throughout the world.
On the Saturday an interactive street pageant ‘The Return of Colmcille’, penned by award-winning writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce, will parade through Derry, City of Culture for 2013, in an entertaining story awash with colour and music.
The setting for this festival is in itself a joy to behold. The Island of Saints and Scholars (IOSAS) Centre and Celtic Prayer Garden lies in the idyllic and serene Donegal countryside.
The unique venue, dedicated to the saints and scholars of Ireland’s Golden Age between the 5th and 12th centuries, is set amongst six acres of natural bog land, with paths laid among the wild heather and scattered moss creating a peaceful and tranquil opportunity for a walk of reflection and prayer.
This year also marks the 1450th anniversary of Columba’s first mission to the island of Iona where he founded his monastery in 563AD. What better time than now then to celebrate and honour the men and women who have followed in his footsteps, dedicating their lives in service around the world.
Friday 7th June 6pm: Celtic Peace Garden, IOSAS Centre: Archbishop Eamon Martin opens our seminar, and introduces the guest speakers Derek Roulston, and three times nominee for Nobel Peace Prize Fr. Shay Cullen. Group discussion to follow.
Saturday 8th June: Derry City (UK City of Culture 2013) “The Return of Colmcille” Interactive street pageant written by Frank Cottrell-Boyce and produced by Walk the Plank which will take place at various points on both sides of the river.
Sunday 9th June: 12noon: Mass in honour of St Columba in St Columba’s Church, Longtower, Derry. All welcome.
2:30pm Celtic Peace Garden, IOSAS Centre: Welcome Home to Missionaries celebration.