BY Kate Heaney
A CAPACITY crowd is expected to attend next weekend's parish mission in St Eunan's Cathedral, Letterkenny where a former gangster and former football hooligan will tell their stories.
John Pridmore went from being an East End London gangster to dedicating his life to spreading the gospel message. Neil Slattery who delighted in stirring trouble at Westham football matches will tell the story of his conversion from violence to advocating a life of peace and kindness.
Both men, together with members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal will give a five day mission at the Cathedral beginning on Monday 30, November. The friars, founded in 1987 in the USA have brothers based in Moyross in Limerick and have recently established a house in Derry.
Speaking to the Donegal News this week John Pridmore said he and the other members of St Patrick's Community were very much looking forward to returning to Letterkenny. Three years ago they ran a similar mission which saw capacity crowds attending the evening services as well as early morning Masses.
"We will be speaking at all Masses over the weekend and we will be attending 7am Mass midweek. There will be a service each evening at 7.30 pm. We will be visiting all of the primary and secondary schools in the area as well as homes, care homes and hospices," Mr Pridmore said.
He has recently published his second book 'The Gangsters Guide to God' following on from the huge success of "From Gangland to Promised Land' with plans for a third book well advanced entitled 'Journey to Freedom'.
The St Patrick's Community group are currently giving a mission in Oldcastle, County Meath which is enjoying packed churches every evening.
John Pridmore said that what he finds with people attending missions since the recession hit is that they are finding out what is really important.
"When the Celtic Tiger got shot people had to wake up and understand what really matters. People realised that money did not bring fulfilment as a person. People seem to be more open to God and to listening to a message that can make them happier.
"This year's Mission is very different to that of three years ago. Three years ago we talked about God's love for us. This time we will be going deeper into that love. We have new songs.
"No matter where people are at in their faith - whether they are close to God or far away from God - this mission is there for everyone. God wants us to come to know him in a more intimate way. There will be a lot of personal stories during the week," he added.
Music for the mission will be organised by Breda from St Patrick's Community and Catherine, who together with John and Neil have made five year commitments to the community's work.
Opportunity
" A great opportunity to find meaning in our lives" is the theme for the mission. It begins on Monday evening at 7.30 pm. The first evenings talk from John Pridmore is entitled "The Father's will for us" in which he will speak about God's amazing plan for each person's life.
Tuesday night is "Healing of our wounded heart", a healing service where miracles are expected.
Wednesday evening's talk "Renewed Freedom in Jesus" will offer the chance to meet Jesus personally. "Champions of Christ" will discuss the saints and ask their prayers for people's needs.
The final evening address is entitled "Night of Angels Power" which will have Mass celebrated calling on the power of the Angels.
Masses will be at 7 am and 10 am Monday to Friday inclusive.
Speaking in advance of the mission Fr Eamon Kelly described the five days as a great opportunity to really get to know the love of God in a new way.
"One man in his 70s said he had been going to Mass every Sunday since he was seven, but at the mission he attended his life changed when he personally met Jesus. A 15 years old girls who attended a mission said that for the first time in her life she not only knew God was real, but that he loved her. This is an opportunity to experience or strengthen Christ's love for you whether you are five or 95 - Christ wants to touch your heart," Fr Kelly concluded.
