This article is from page 3 of the 2011-07-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
MEMBERS of an interfaith group from Clare were honoured to be included on the President of Ireland’s diary in recent weeks.
President Mary McAleese hosted a garden party for various groups from around the country and the interfaith group from the mid-west was included on her schedule.
Members of the Mid-West Interfaith Network hail from Ennis, Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Broadford and Limerick.
The group was set up a year ago and consists of all religions including Catholic, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Baha’i and Zoroasterian. The members meet regularly and take part in meditation, prayer vigils and organise general meetings.
One of the members, Trish FallonBarry from Shannon, said the interest in the group has been significant and the meetings focus on positivity.
“It was set up by Alan Hillard, a Catholic priest from Ennis and Abed Aldaka, the integration officer with Doras Luimní. They were talking about the desirability of setting up an interfaith group. It would be very close to my heart. I believe all the religions are one,” said Ms FallonBarry, who is a member of the Baha’i group in Shannon.
“We have a core group. We meet up and broaden it out when we can, with meditation evenings, and we will go on a walk soon,” she said.
“It is faith based. It is very positive and peaceful. We share what we have in common and foster an understanding,” she said.
“We have more to celebrate together than we do separately. There is such a positive atmosphere at our gatherings,” she added.
Among those who visited Áras an Uachtaráin were Bart Gruzalski from Sixmilebridge, Alan Hillard from Ennis, Gurmukh from Sixmilebridge and Trish, who lives in Shannon. “We wrote to the President and she included us. She is so positive and supportive of us,” said Trish.