A collage of photos from the Mountain
Photo courtesy of Natalie Pronio
BY: DAVID SCIBILIA, FEATURES EDITOR
“Everybody should choose to do something unusual for them,” said Brother Kevin Kriso, the guardian of the friar community at Mt. Irenaeus. “If they try something new, they might realize, there’s a whole different way of looking at the world.”
Since the 1980s, Mt. Irenaeus has served as a place for Bonaventure students to get away from the stresses of college life. Whether full student groups at a time or individuals attending overnight events, the mountain has served as a calming spot for those who want a retreat. With several places, such as a pond, hiking trails and a chapel, the mountain has something for everyone, said Kriso.
The Mountain offers events such as men’s, women’s and co-ed overnights — where students can either drive or be bussed there — and topic-specific days such as days of service and a day about combating racism. In addition to this, they host a Thanksgiving dinner open to the Bonaventure community.
“There are times for men to be with only men, and there are times for women to be with women only,” said Kriso. “And there’s time for men and women to be together. It’s not divisive, it’s just different times, different needs.”
Kate Bennett, a senior triple certification inclusive childhood and early childhood education arrived at the Mountain for the first time this December.
“[For the overnight Christmas celebration] we decorated the house and the tree for Christmas,” said Bennett. “After a rough week, it was just what I needed to get me in the holiday spirit and put me at ease to finish out the rest of the semester.”
At traditional overnights, students can expect to prepare a meal together, reflect with one another, attend a non-denominational service and clean at the end of the night.
“When you [cook] together, you have a sense of ownership of what you’re doing,” said Kriso. “There’s always a chance for reflection — maybe in the chapel and maybe in the house — but just giving people a chance to be quiet. To hook into the bigger questions of the universe, the bigger questions of who they are and what they’re supposed to do.”
Natalie Pronio, the first-year ministry coordinator, plays a major role in the advertising and planning of student events at the Mountain.
“[The Mountain] is an incredibly open community for people who are looking for a place to know that they belong just as they are,” said Pronio. “They don’t have to change themselves. They don’t have to become something different or act a certain way. Everyone belongs and everyone’s welcome.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mountain had to halt many of its overnight events. This semester, Pronio has been focused on advertising events through fliers and the Notice Board.
“We’ve been trying different tactics to see what people respond to more,” said Pronio. “But I think there’s more of an openness to being able to kind of do different things and get out more [after] COVID really kind of put the lid on socializing.”
Bennett also commented on the community aspect of the Mountain.
“I enjoyed talking to the [Friars] and getting to know the other Bonas students who came on the trip,” said Bennett. “We still say hi when we see each other on campus.”
Kriso encourages everyone to come to the Mountain at least once.
“Check it out — don’t wait till your senior,” said Kriso. “The weekends get away from you real quick and it’s always good to do something even if it makes you a little bit uncomfortable because it helps your worldview to get bigger.”
scibild22@bonaventure.edu
