Good Friday Retreat 2016

The Pastmen’s retreat takes place in the College always on Good Friday. It is one of the most stable of all the Union’s activities and draws quite a gathering, the numbers oscillate between 50 and 60 and have never dipped. Fr Fergus Kelly CM led the day this year in a decidedly eccentric manner. He has been giving retreats almost exclusively for over 30 years.

Fr Fergus presented everyone on arrival with a 22 page handout of stories, poetry, newspaper articles and even a few prayers. He included Obama’s speech in South Carolina after the shooting there of the people in the Pentecostal Church, the children’s poem “Mrs Malone” and all manner of poems, stories and press clippings. His advice was to dip into the handout and he himself dipped into it by using it as a template for his talks and to anchor the day’s proceedings.

The tradition of the day has evolved into one of participation, mostly done from the benches. The spirit of the event is best captured in the camaraderie of singing and praying as a community of Old Boys (aged 25 to 97).

It was the first Retreat for our President Elect, Colin Murtagh, '83, and in his words:

As it was my maiden voyage I brought no accoutrements, so no prayer book, rosary beads or appropriate sandals. I still certainly didn't feel out of place. In actual fact to the contrary, everyone was so friendly & I did many laps of the crease with numerous individuals I’d never met before.

Grey hair may have been the order of the day in age category, me included, but never hampered a most interesting, insightful, enjoyable relaxing day. I even got confession off my chest after a number of decades.

It is scheduled for Good Friday again next year, 14th April 2017.