ColumbaHouse

Columba House is still going strong and has come to a turning point in its history. We have just completed the building of a 60 bed residential Centre( Whi6te Oaks) for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Alcoholics and managing and running it is a major operation. The Centre was opened on The Feast of Michael the Archangel September 23rd 2001 by Bishop Seamus Hegarty and is proving to be one of the biggest outreaches this community ever undertook.

We have also built a visitors Centre which is serving The Celtic Garden which is now operating for visitors and is proving a great attraction for young people..

We are looking at renovating Columba House (Spring '07) and the costings comes to about £450,000. This is a tidy sum so if you are up for a challenge let me know and I will keep you informed about progress.

This is the Oratory as it looked on June 9th 2003. The Blessed Sacrament is behind glass on the wall behind the altar. The colour of the stained glass windows is reflected in the glass. The Altar was designed by Fr.Neal Carlin and constructed by Colm McGuinness. The monstrance and cross were also made by Colm McGuinness out of ash wood. The leaves are oak and were 'borrowed' for the occasion from Lumen Christi, the former St.Columbs College in Bishop Street. The words in front of the Altar are from Psalm 84

" Those who trust in the Lord will want for no manner of good thing "

and are the last words of St. Columba.

We are inclined to use them a lot!

Click on Triangle and Pray Fervently for Sound ( if you are not on broadband allow this to play right through even though it will be stuttering and stopping and then when you play it after that at any time you will hear the hymn correctly, and let me know if you did it successfully) by email

thosmccay@btinternet.com

The Song of Hosea

How Can I Forget and Leave My Loved One?

How can I forget and leave my loved one?

How can I depart my love, wounded is my heart.

How can I forget that I'm compassion,

How can I depart from her

nearer to her heart.

O Israel, why have you pierced my heart?

Why have you gone?

See your love is melting like the dewdrop,

dry and fallow lies your ground,

wounded is your heart.

How can I forget that I have made you.

Given you my life and love,

promised you my heart.

How can I forget that you do need me,

Even though you leave me

I shall woo your heart.

O Israel why have you gone

so far in search of love?

Can’t you feel the coolness of my shadow?

Water when you're thirsting, rain when you are dry.

O Israel how can I keep you back and make you mine?

I will heal the wounds inflicted on you.

Comfort I will bring you, tender is my heart.

I shall call until my heart will find you.

Lead you to my wilderness, speaking to your heart.

I shall give you back your fruit and vineyard.

I shall give you hope and love

as when you were young?

Will you be free? Will you return to me,

and be my bride?

I will make you mine my love forever.

Give me back your faithful love

give me back your heart.

O Israel will you return to me

and be my bride ?