New retreat initiative offers outdoor fun at Tanagh

In one of the most exciting youth initiatives to be launched in Ireland for some time, the congregation of the Sacred Hearts has now put a retreat programme in place at the Damien Centre, Tanagh on the outskirts of Cootehill. The programme is aimed at giving youth a new perspective and encounter with their faith through a wide range of fun outdoor activities. The project co-ordinator, Shane Halpin, told The Anglo-Celt that young people today are often blamed for many of society's ills, for anti-social behaviour, lack of respect for their communities and for the elderly, for teenage pregnancies and drinking to excess and for drug taking. This new project aims to provide an age-appropriate and enjoyable opportunity for young people to experience and reflect on their personal and spiritual growth - a key element of their maturity into adulthood, which is frequently not recognised. Adventure Retreats Ireland will be a three-way working partnership between Tanagh Outdoor Education Centre, Net Ministries Ireland and the resident congregation of the Sacred Hearts. The activity retreats will have the option of full-board accommodation and all meals for up to 56 young people of mixed gender. A number of schools have already expressed interest in having some groups of their young people attend the retreats. All retreat givers and instructors are fully Garda/police vetted and the centre operates a strict child protection policy. For further details about the centre and to book online, see www.damiencentre or phone Ultan Naughton on 049-5552245 or info@damiencentre.ie Fr. Derek Laverty, Provincial of the Sacred Heart Congregation, speaking at the launch, said he was very excited about this new project and he was of the view that it marks a "very positive step for us as a congregation and for the Church in Ireland. It is also a positive step in reaching out and communicating with young people all over the country". He explained that this new initiative was endeavouring to bring faith and experience together. "I think what has happened, certainly in the Church and in religious life in general, a wedge has grown between faith and experience. Somehow we have reduced faith to either morals - what we should or should not do or maybe to the creed - what we should or should not believe." He added that young people do not want to hear what they should or should not do or believe. "What they do want to hear is that there is a god who is interested in them - who is with them in the fun and difficult times." Mark Bennett, director of Net Ministries Ireland, said the idea is that young people give up a year or two of their lives to go out into the parishes and the schools and to tell other young people about their personal experiences of Jesus. There are five young volunteers on the team at Damien House and they will be speaking the language of the other young people they encounter. Michelle Forester, manager of the Tanagh Outdoor Centre and she revealed that up to 12,000 young people pass through their doors each year. "We were delighted when Adventure Retreats Ireland approached us and asked us if we would consider a partnership and offer adventure outdoor pursuits as part of this programme." She pointed out that people from all denominations participate in the pursuits at the Tanagh Centre and they all learn to respect their natural surroundings and have a fun time. Rachel Sweeney from Ballybofey who is on staff for Net Ministries Ireland told The Anglo-Celt that she had been in Canada last year and travelled from coast to coast putting on retreats for young people there. She hopes that all those who visit Damien House will have a great experience and experience God through having fun and relate to the team of young people. "It will be a case of young people relating to young people." Rachel added that they want young people to see there is more to life alcohol or drugs. "We are young people too and we love sport, music and hanging out with our friends and we are happy to be Catholic too." Gareth McNulty, also from Ballybofey agreed that some young people think they are cool by getting involved in things like drugs and some others may do it as an escape and there is peer pressure involved as well. Robbie Labonte is a young person from Canada and he hopes to bring the message of the gospel to young Irish people and the love Jesus has for them. "That is my purpose for being here," he said. Erin McQuaid from Saskatchewan in Canada said she had been teaching back home and she got the call to do missionary work with young people. "Ireland seemed to be a good place where they required young Missionaries to engage with young people. That is what I want to do and that is what I am here at the Damien Centre to talk about Jesus in my life." She thinks the Monaghan and Cootehill areas are beautiful and is looking forward to meeting the local people and getting to know them on a personal level. Speaking from the audience during the question and answer session, Malachy Magee said this new Adventure Retreats idea at Damien house could even be developed further in the light of the fact the new Scouting Ireland Adventure centre is currently being constructed at Castlesaunderson. There are 40,000 Scouts in Ireland and it will be the new headquarters and he also noted that there are 40 million scouts worldwide. He added that links could be forged with scouting Ireland in terms of the adventure sports.