By: Ellen Kibbe
Staff Writer
A little rain did not put a damper on the festivities for the 30th anniversary of Mt. Irenaeus last Saturday.
The celebration began on campus last Thursday in Café La Verna. Mountain supporters Kim and Reggie Harris put on a concert and held a coffeehouse conversation on the topic of race relations.
On Saturday, the celebration continued at Mt. Irenaeus with a 2 p.m. celebration at the labyrinth to honor deceased family and friends. Afterwards, Mass was held at 3:30 p.m. outside in a tent with musical accompaniment from the Harrises. At the end of the Mass, a dish-to-pass supper was served buffet style, followed by a concert.
With a crowd of more than 150 spectators from all over Western New York and some from farther away, participation was not lacking, said Brother Joe Kotula, O.F.M.
“[The event was to] celebrate the Mountain community…to remember the people who passed away in the last five years and be thankful for everyone here today,” said Brother Joe, who has lived at the mountain since 1989.
Over the years, Brother Joe said he has seen the mountain grow both physically in size and as a community.
“The Mountain is a mission owned by many people. People take the spirit of the Mountain with them in their hearts,” Brother Joe said.
He said there has been celebrations in the past such as “Music on the Mountain,” a concert that happened annually for many years.
However, he also said that this celebration was more extensive. Planning for the event began a year ago.
Father Dan Riley O.F.M, one of the founders of Mt. Irenaeus, and current president and animator of Mt. Irenaeus, has seen the growth of the Mountain community over the years, especially with respect to the involvement associated with St. Bonaventure, he said.
“[The Mountain] has grown in its more expansive engagement with St. Bonaventure University particularly along with ministries, out to athletics, academics and the National Alumni Association,” said Father Dan.
He said his favorite part of the celebration was the family atmosphere.
“The rich feeling during our Eucharist that so many people felt a part of the celebration though they had traveled great distances and many had never met each other before [was great],” he said. “We truly became, through the mass and then the meal, members of one family as St. Francis would remind us we are.”
The Mountain Community Leaders club helped to organize the event as well. Father Joe said the students stepped up to help make the event successful by organizing parking assistance and dinner preparations.
Mike Specht, a senior history major and co-coordinator of the Mountain Community Leaders, helped to organize the student involvement in the event. He made sure that any students who expressed a desire to attend had transportation either through student car pooling or Mt. Irenaeus transportation. Specht also reflected during the homily.
“A lot of my family was there,” said Specht. “My dad [‘78,] my mom, my older brother Charlie [‘10,] my sister in law Shannon [‘10] and their children, my younger brother Nick, a sophomore, and my cousin Kelly, a sophomore, all attended. It was great to have them there with me.”
He also commented on what made the event special to him.
“A very important part of the celebration was coming together with people at the Mountain who live outside the immediate area. The Mountain is much more than a place. It extends outwards from those who are touched by it.”
Ellen Piper, a junior theology major, and co-coordinator of the Mountain Community Leaders, became involved with the Mountain community during her freshman year as well. She is also part of the Mountain on the Road ministry. For the 30th anniversary Mass, she was selected to contribute to the homily.
“Just the fact that I was asked to have a vital role in the Mass was a humbling experience…The Mountain has been an integral part of my time at Bonaventure, and it has been for students for 30 years now…” Piper said.
kibbeem14@bonaventure.edu
