Mags GarganA large number of young people recently gathered on Lough Derg to spend a weekend in retreat on Ireland's island of pilgrimage. The retreat was organised by Youth 2000 Ireland, who were welcomed to the island by the sanctuary's prior, Fr Owen McEneaney.
More than 120 youngsters travelled from all parts of the country to spend the weekend in prayer on St Patrick's Purgatory and participated in catechesis sessions lead by Pat Reynolds. Holy Mass was celebrated each day and a number of priests were available for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
After the success of their Summer Festival at Roscrea Abbey, the Lough Derg retreat was the first of a number of events which Youth 2000 Ireland will be organising during the winter and spring.
This year, Youth 2000 celebrates 25 years since its establishment. This was in response to the call of St John Paul II, who encouraged young people to "bear the Gospel message into the third millennium". Today Youth 2000 is active in over 40 countries. In Ireland, Youth 2000's National Leader is Belfast-based architect Lana Wilson.