--- Page 1 ---
Piers and retreats: A day's work in Ards
THE recently appointed Guardian of Ards Friary is reaching out on behalf of the community to a new generation by using social media to let people know what they have to offer.
Brother Richard Hendrick stressed that the closure of the pier below the friary is not an indication the Capuchin Order are leaving, but a necessity because of its dangerous state.
Brother Richard took up his role in July last year having previously worked at the friary as well as in Dublin, Cork, the UK and Kilkenny. The 42 year-old is a native of Dublin and truly appreciates the spectacular location of his most recent posting.
Speaking to the Donegal News this week, Brother Richard explained that every few years the brothers move around and make changes.
"It is a new beginning and the change is about bringing new energy to the role for each new Guardian.
We have used social media before albeit on an intermittent basis. We are now aiming at putting together a coherent strategy and letting people know what we have to offer.
"I suppose one of the difficulties would be the generations that would have used Ards are getting older and it is always important to widen our customer base and explore new methodologies. We are still using our original ways of letting people know we are here," he said.
A recent vocation weekend held at the friary saw four young men from across the county considering joining the noviciate in Kilkenny where Brother Richard said they are "doing quite well" on the numbers joining.
"The Capuchin Order in Ireland has always been a smaller group at around 70 brothers. We are blessed enough to have a steady trickle of new brothers and we are currently five here."
RETREATS
With 17 different retreats on offer between now and June, Brother Richard explained that there are quite a number of groups and individuals coming to the friary. A glance at the www.ardsfriary.com website shows the huge choice of retreats and individual accommodation available.
"It is less well known that we offer individuals time out with personal retreats and space, this maybe had faded out of peoples' consciousness. We have a steady stream of schools and colleges from as far away as Dublin. You could not ask for anywhere more beautiful with the forest, the mountains and the ocean, it is an extraordinary place."
Pointing out that this area of coast has been a place of religious communities right back to Celtic times, there is a long tradition of inviting people who are looking for reflection and looking for God.
After 25 years of ministry Brother Richard does not doubt the need for quiet places like Ards Friary despite those who would claim religion is fading. "As long as we are human beings with a heart and mind the Lord will invite us in. It starts with goodness in people, showing kindness and generosity, that is where God is," he added.
PIER CLOSURE
Part and parcel of the changing Guardianship of Ards is an update of the land and buildings to assess their condition with a view to repair and development.
Brother Richard said a number of people who walked the pier came to them in the early autumn reporting that large cracks were appearing.
"We got an architect and engineer to survey it and both concluded the pier was extremely unsafe, in danger of collapse and on no account should we allow the public on to it," he
stressed.
This is not a public pier, it belongs to Ards and was built as a short term measure to allow the export of gravel extracted from Muckish. Back then the friars gave permission for the pier to be built and the locals to use it. Cranes and machinery used for the gravel removal have long been removed from the pier. Around 20 years ago there was a serious accident at the pier after which a retaining wall was built around the pier's edge.
"The pier was only ever meant to be a short term measure and was built on sand without foundations. We are committed to safety and that is why it is closed. It will collapse as the tides constantly scour out the sand underneath it.
"It's closure is not an indication that Ards Friary is closing down and we look forward to welcoming many more people here in the coming year," Brother Richard concluded.