Bishop John Magee:

Most Rev. John Magee Bishop of Cloyne - Patron to Muintir Mhuire

This project in Ballybutler.. Is truly innovative, imaginative, visionary and God inspired and I can only encourage you to spread the good news and tell so many friend……….. ...they are having real miracles, absolute miracles of Grace in this community Muintir Mhuire……….. …If I had a million dollars or a million euros I would give it immediately to Fr. Donal……

When I was approached by Father Donal O’Callaghan, about five years ago, in regard to a project he had in mind there came to mind the words of the Servant of God, the late Pope John Paul II, “Launch out into the deep for a catch”. Father Donal presented me with his ideas and plans for the setting up of a Community which would be an oasis of spiritual and human formation for young people who needed guidance for their lives. It was to be under the protection of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. I asked him how he was going to get this project off the ground. He replied “By Divine Providence”. That was always his reply. I must say, initially, I had my doubts. My attitude was that if God is with this project, then who could be against it. Indeed, if God was with this project, it would thrive. If it wasn’t in God’s plan, it will come to nothing. Father Donal asked me to release him from the normal priestly ministry in the Diocese so that he could devote his whole time to this project. He specifically asked that I would not finance him from the Diocese. He wished to depend totally on Divine Providence. I consulted with the Personnel Board of the Diocese and then granted Father Donal the necessary approval. Thus was born “Muintir Mhuire”.

Five years later much has been achieved. For some time the Community was based in the house in Monacraigh but the Lord has clearly indicated that it was not there He wished the Community to grow and thrive. He literally pulled the carpet from under them there. Again Divine Providence was to provide. Like the wonderful and saintly Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Father Donal has put all his trust in Divine Providence. Muintir Mhuire has been given a gift of a house in Medjugorje and, while the plans for the Centre at Ballybutler have been going on apace, great work is being done at the house in Medjugorje where, from March to October each year, young people work, pray and are engaged in a programme of formation which is truly spiritual and human. However, it is the intention of Father Donal and his excellent and dedicated team of collaborators, the Board of Directors, to see to it that the project for a Centre in Ballybutler would soon be up and running and become that oasis of prayer, peace, reconciliation and spiritual formation which was his original idea and plan presented to me.

I wish to congratulate the young man who has drawn up the plans for this Centre. They are absolutely magnificent! If I had a million Euro I would give it immediately to Muintir Mhuire so that many young people, who come in contact with this People of Mary, may find or re-find the beauty of living, the beauty of true love. So many are working to make this project become a reality! What we need today is people, like this, who have a vision and who are working, giving all of their time and energy to caring for others and giving meaning to their lives. This is love in action, God’s love in action and I now see it happening before my very eyes. It is truly innovative, imaginative, visionary and God inspired. Praise the Lord!

If sufficient people come to know of this initiative, this project, through reading this Booklet or visiting the excellent web site www.muintirmhuire.ie then I believe that in the space of two years this project would be up and running and producing great fruit in the vineyard of the Lord. Spread the good news among your friends and harness the good will of people so that, in the midst of so many tragic stories making the headlines today, this may be the good story which will uplift our hearts, our Nation.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is very much present to this project. She is with Her People as they endeavour to create for Her a home where She can care for them through the hands and hearts of those blessed by Her Son, Jesus. My blessing goes to all the young people, to the Board of Directors and, in particular, to Father Donal who are promoting this great project for the glory of God and the honour of Mary.

+John Magee
Bishop of Cloyne.