By Jillian Hammell
Assistant Features Editor
With spring teasing Bonaventure students earlier this week, the campus is ready to welcome nicer weather with fun activities. Mount Irenaeus, the university’s Franciscan mountain retreat, provides both students and faculty with the pleasure of peace and quiet. The staff at Mt. Irenaeus has planned overnights to allow any visitor the opportunity for reflection and joy.
Brother Kevin Kriso, O.F.M., who lives and works at Mt. Irenaeus, mentioned around this time of year, people are in need of a break from their regular routine. With the last few months of the semester upon us, Brother Kevin recommends attending any of these up-and-coming events.
“There are many overnights people can choose from,” Brother Kevin said. “This weekend, we are hosting the liturgical ministry and faculty overnight. March 22-24 will be our intercollegiate weekend.”
This Saturday, the faculty overnight will be back in session after years of inactivity. The overnight will include about a dozen Bonaventure faculty members congregating at the Mountain, according to Brother Kevin.
“The overnight brings faculty together and looks at their vocation as educators,” Brother Kevin said. “It also creates a bond for the professors outside of their departments.”
Kimberly Young, professor of management, helped bring back the faculty overnight.
“Around Christmastime, I ran into Father Dan Riley,” Young said. “We reminisced about the last overnight for faculty in 2002. Father Dan, Brother Kevin and I met two or three times and shared ideas about the event.”
Young mentioned her rewarding experience from the overnight and its need to be an annual event.
“I was not participating as much prior to the retreat,” Young said. “Through my stay at Mt. Irenaeus, I had time to reflect as well as meet different staff members. I was introduced to people outside of the business department. We made dinner together. Just getting to know the other faculty was a warm experience.”
Young also said the overnight helped her understand more about Bonaventure and Franciscan values. When she teaches, she tries to tie in her Franciscan knowledge with business.
Franciscan values are also implemented in both the liturgical ministry overnight and intercollegiate weekend.
Josh Maxey, a junior political science major and coordinator of “On the Road” Ministry, said the liturgical ministry overnight presents the visitors with a cohesive theme.
“‘How Do We Live Our Liturgy?’ is the focus for the ministry overnight,” Maxey said. “It is open for all liturgical ministers including Eucharist and hospitality. Anyone who participates in Mass is welcome.”
According to Allie Leis, a senior mathematics major and past summer companion at the mountain, the overnight will provide visitors with an opportunity to further channel their spiritual side.
“The ministry overnight focuses on helping students better express their faith through the parts they play in Mass, whether it be singing in the choir, proclaiming the Word, or being a hospitality minister,” she said.
Leis also mentioned the different approaches that will be implemented March 22-24 during intercollegiate weekend this year.
“One thing that’s different about this year’s intercollegiate overnight is bringing the scripture readings to life through acting them out,” Leis said. “Since it falls on Palm Sunday weekend, the readings are rather long, and since not everyone who comes will be Catholic, we aim to make it easier for everyone to focus on what’s going on, rather than having them following along in a book or sheet of paper.”
The activities at each overnight do not require people to follow the Catholic faith, according to Leis.
Leis said she has had many rewarding experiences from the Mountain and enjoys the Mountain’s opportunities for reflection and adventure.
“I’d have to say the most rewarding overnights are any where people are not afraid to open up in the chapel discussion,” Leis said. “It really helps people understand that their story is important too, a lesson it took me a very long time to learn, even with the Mountain. It’s also important for people to just take the time to breathe. The Mountain is the best place for that.”
To sign up for an overnight, visit the bulletin board in the Thomas Merton Center.
When the sun begins to shine at Bonaventure, students will be ready to brave the outdoors. Mt. Irenaeus provides both students and faculty a break from their busy schedules. If you’re looking for a place to reflect and observe the beauty of nature, the Mountain is always an option.
