American monks plan monastery on city estate

AN ORDER of American monks who work in the ghettos of US cities plan to build a monastery in a troubled Limerick estate.

Two monks belonging to the Franciscan Friars of Renewal visited Moyross in recent days.

Five monks from the order will live in the Moyross monastery which they plan to open next year.

One of the monks who visited Moyross, Brother Shaun Comer said: “Our primary purpose is to take care of the spiritual and material needs of the people, to give them a real sense of hope and a sense of knowledge that God cares for them and loves them.”

Monks belonging to the order also minister to underprivileged communities in London and Honduras.

The local Parish Priest in Moyross, Fr Frank O’Dea has already extended a hand of welcome to the monks.

Fr O’Dea said: “The fact that they will live here is a sign that they are interested in the people. Other agencies leave at five o’clock when work finishes but the priests and brothers will live in the community so that is a sign to the people that they are interested in them.”

A priest in the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Fr Glenn Sudana who is currently based in New Jersey said they try not to judge an area by its appearance.

Fr Sudana said: “Some places look very beautiful and they may not be very beautiful on the inside. Other places may not appear very beautiful but are. In reality, wherever there are people there is beauty. People hurt people and people heal people and that’s why our work here is to befriend, to love and serve them and to build a sense of family.”

The Bishop of Limerick Dr Donal Murray has given the Order permission to minister in Moyross and Limerick County Council is helping to find a building for their monastery.