Forthcoming Merton Fellowship Day Retreat in Co. Donegal

Views from The Seven Storey Mountain: A Merton Fellowship Day Retreat

Malin Presbyterian Church, Co. Donegal

Saturday 13th June: 10.30am to 4.00pm

Join us for a special day retreat reflecting on Thomas Merton’s famous autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain.

There will be short lectures, meditations, discussions, prayer and time for walking on the nearby beach.

Led by: Rev. Dr. Scott Peddie.

No previous knowledge of Merton is required. As always, our events are open to all and are interdenominational in nature.

Donation: 20EUR includes tea/coffee/biscuits throughout the day and a sandwich lunch.

To book your place, contact Scott on scottpeddie@sky.com.

Exploring Meaning: Perspectives From Thomas Merton & Viktor Frankl

An exciting event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Merton’s birth!

Rev. Dr. Scott Peddie

To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Thomas Merton’s Birth, The Viktor Frankl Institute of Ireland and Thomas Merton Fellowship Invite you to a One-Day Workshop:

‘EXPLORING MEANING WITH THOMAS MERTON AND VIKTOR FRANKL’

Facilitators:
Dr Stephen J. Costello, Director, Viktor Frankl Institute of Ireland
Rev. Dr. Scott Peddie, Thomas Merton Fellowship

Thomas Merton was much influenced by Viktor Frankl’s writings on meaning and often cited the latter’s Man’s Search for Meaning. This day will explore our spiritual search for meaning within a logotherapeutic perspective, relating it practically to our personal quest for purpose and values, through lectures, meditations, and reflective and experiential exercises.

Saturday January 31st: 11am-5pm, Bethlehem Abbey, Ballymena Rd., Portglenone, Co. Antrim (Cost: €55 or £50)

Note: this workshop will have different content to the ‘Meaning with Merton Workshop’ previously held in Dublin.

Bookings/Enquiries to scottpeddie@sky.com

About Thomas Merton (1915-1968): Trappist monk, poet, social activist and author…

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Merton Makes A Quiet Impact in Ireland…

Merton Makes A Quiet Impact in Ireland….

‘Merton On Meditation’ Day Retreat

A reminder that the Merton Fellowship will be meeting at All Souls Church, Elmwood Avenue, Belfast on Saturday 29th November from 11am-4pm.

The retreat, entitled ‘Merton on Meditation’ will consist of periods of meditation, reflection and discussion.

Our events are ecumenical and are open to all.

There is no need to have any prior knowledge of Merton.

Contact Scott (scottpeddie@sky.com) to book your place. There will be a small charge (£10) to cover costs. Please bring along a packed lunch; alternatively there are a number of cafes nearby.

Forthcoming One-Day Workshop in Dublin

The Viktor Frankl Institute of Ireland and Thomas Merton Fellowship for Peace & Contemplative Living will be holding a one-day workshop entitled ‘MEANING WITH MERTON’.

The facilitators are:
Rev. Dr. Scott Peddie, Thomas Merton Fellowship
Dr Stephen J. Costello, Director, Viktor Frankl Institute of Ireland

This day will explore Thomas Merton’s spiritual search for meaning within a logotherapeutic framework, relating Merton’s personal quest practically to our lives today, through lectures and experiential exercises.

Saturday August 23rd: 11am-5pm, Avila Carmelite Centre, Bloomfield Ave., Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 (contribution: €50).

To book your place, contact Scott Peddie (scottpeddie@sky.com)

Reflecting On The Cistercian Life In Ireland

The Cistercian sisters of St Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn, Co. Waterford, in Ireland, gave a film crew unique access to their life over a twelve month period. Although in some ways it is an austere life rooted in community, work, silence and prayer, based on the Rule of St Benedict, there is much joy in community life and periods of time spent in silent contemplation. In many respects monastic life has changed little in over a thousand years, although the sisters embrace modern technology to get their message out to the wider world and to run their farm. You can watch the film here: https://vimeo.com/92156178

May Merton Fellowship Day Retreat

Bethlehem Abbey Portglenone (photo by Scott Peddie)

The next Merton Fellowship meeting will take place on Sat 3rd May at Bethlehem Abbey, home of the Cistercians in Portglenone, Co. Antrim. The retreat will run from 10am – 4pm.

The program for the day will include contemplative prayer, walking meditation, lectio divina, poetry reflection and discussion. The title of the retreat is ‘Learning from the Monastic Experience’; it will be lead by Scott Peddie and Columba O’Neill OCSO.

To book your place, please contact me via e-mail at scottpeddie@sky.com. Thanks!

Next Fellowship Meeting!

The next fellowship meeting will take place on Sat 1st March from 10am to 4pm at Drumalis Retreat Centre in Larne, Co. Antrim (www.drumalis.co.uk). The event will cost £25 per person and will include teas/coffees/scones and a substantial lunch.

 

During the retreat we will have time for meditation, private prayer, Lectio Divina and discussion. The discussion will centre around Merton’s stance on non-violence.  As a primer for discussion, I would suggest that you have a look at John Dear’s article (which I can send you) entitled ‘Thomas Merton & The Wisdom Of Non-Violence.’

Please do e-mail me (at scottpeddie@sky.com) if you require any further information, or wish to book a place on the retreat.

Best wishes,

Scott 

An Introduction To The Abbey Of Gethsemani

This short introduction to the Abbey of Gethsemani – Merton’s monastic home – featuring Fr. Matthew Kelty, is worth watching:

May Merton Fellowship Day Retreat

The next meeting of the Thomas Merton Fellowship will take place in Co. Donegal – at Malin (Lagg) Presbyterian Church Hall on Saturday 25th May from 10.00am until 4.00pm.

Refreshments on arrival and a light lunch of sandwiches, tea, coffee will be provided.

It will take around 2.5hrs to travel from Belfast to Malin. Some people may want to come on Friday night or stay over on Saturday night. There are lots of B&Bs in the area and a small hotel in Malin Town . I can supply you with addresses and phone numbers, via our host – Tom Finnigan, closer to the time.

I’ll put together a programme in the next week or so, but given the success of the last meeting, I’ll likely follow that format by including some time for lectio divina, contemplative prayer/meditation, group discussion and a chance to listen to excerpts of Merton’s sermons/lectures.  If there is anything else you want added to the programme………just let me know!

As always, we welcome new members to our group, so please share this notice with anyone you think might be interested in joining us.

Finally, do let me know as soon as possible if you plan to come; I hope you will!

Best wishes,

Scott (scottpeddie@sky.com)