Extracts from reports by Cate Irvine, Cynthia Hill and Margaret Sprackling

"A small group from the parish, led by Cate Irvine, set off for Iona on Friday 20th July. It is a long journey and we stopped that night in Glasgow travelling on the next day to Oban, across Mull and then the final ferry before arriving on Iona mid-afternoon on Saturday. Finally on the island, we let the taxi take our luggage as we stepped and stumbled along an unmade track in the rapidly diminishing light. No street lights. We had arrived!

We were staying at the Roman Catholic House of Prayer, where Sister Jean made us all very welcome and fed us extremely well. Although we were not based with the Iona Community at the Abbey or the MacLeod Centre, we were able to join in the worship at the Abbey. The evening services are very special and helped give shape to our time together.

Iona, as an island, "grows" on you gradually. Unlike Mull, which we had crossed on our journey, and which seemed like the Highlands in microcosm, Iona does not immediately announce itself with dramatic scenery, but more subtly, with its homely little main street winding up to the Abbey, its variety of bays and beaches and miles of white sand, the changing light on the sea and the rocks and the sunset chasing over the hills.

Island life and Abbey life also grow on you day by day and build their effect over the week. The loving care of Sister Jean who looked after us at the Catholic House of Prayer, the welcome when we first stepped into the Abbey and the gentle rhythm of its services morning and evening, the friendships forged with other pilgrims on a day-long pilgrimage round the island - and particularly the time and space to slow down, opt out of the 21st century and reflect on life, in such a beautiful place and feel that God was very close."

Tenth Anniversary

In April 2007 the House of Prayer celebrated the 10th Anniversary of its Opening and Dedication.

Mass was celebrated in Iona Abbey by Right Revd Ian Murray, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, on 13th April at 12 noon. Fr Donald MacKay of Oban Cathedral, Fr Angus McLaughlin OP and Fr Chris O'Brien OSM concelebrated. Eighty people were present at the Mass, including the present Trustees, friends and many island people. It was a great pleasure to see Mary Burn-Murdoch who had made the journey specially from Edinburgh with her sister.

     

The Mass was accompanied on the organ by Revd Harold Troup from Iona, who played the opening Easter hymn "At the Lamb's high feast we sing" and his own "Hymn of St Columba", and by Elvyn Blomfield of Mull, who played the Celtic Liturgy setting for the Mass, the Offertory hymn "Christ be near at either hand", the Communion hymn "Be still, for the presence of the Lord" and the concluding "Regina Caeli". The music also included the beautiful Gaelic hymn "O Iosa, bi'n comhnaidh" sung by Morag MacNeil.

In his homily Bishop Murray spoke of the significance to Christians of making pilgrimage. Before the final hymn Kathleen Hughes, the present Chair of Trustees, spoke of the original vision of Mary Burn-Murdoch which led to the founding of the Trust, and of other individuals particularly the Hon. Frances Shand-Kydd who had given so generously of their talents to help make the House of Prayer a reality.

After the Mass everyone present at the Mass enjoyed a sumptuous buffet lunch at the Martyrs' Bay Restaurant, taking the opportunity to renew old acquaintances and to recall all the events of the ten years since The House of Prayer was dedicated.

     

Garden Improvements

The House has always provided disabled access to the Oratory via an outside ramp. A second ramp has now been built leading up to the main entrance door. 

In June work was commenced on these long-awaited improvements to the main entrance and garden area. These have now been completed, with the installation of handrails on the new ramp. This provides a secondary access for wheelchairs and at the same time makes life a lot easier for guests with heavy suitcases. The east side of the garden has also been completely re-surfaced.

Garden Project

Site of new ramp

Ramp with temporary handrail

The new entrance

Garden resurfacing

The new ramp

Handrails installed

The new ramp

Catriona Allan

The former Warden of the House of Prayer, Catriona Allan, entered the Tyburn Community of the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus under the Rule of St Benedict in December 2002. She made her First Profession on 25th June 2005 as Sister Mary Colmcille. She has since moved to Rome and is now with four other Sisters at Monastero Madonna dell'Eucaristia, a new community house near the Vatican.