The arrival of five Franciscan Friars taking up residence in Moyross, has been welcomed by the religious community.

On August 18, five friars from the United States, France and Germany officially took up residence at their new home at 64 Delmege Park.

The move has been welcomed by Moyross PP, Frank O’ Dea and by the Bishop of Limerick, Donal Murray.

"The physical rebuilding that is taking place in Moyross and in other parts of the diocese would have little meaning without a deeper spiritual renewal among all of us," Bishop Murray said.

He added that he was particularly delighted that the Franciscan presence, long established in Limerick, would continue.

The Friars have been in negotiations with the Limerick diocese for almost two years. The opening of St Patrick’s Friary will be the first to be established in Ireland by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

The Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal was begun in 1987 by eight Capuchin Franciscan friars under the leadership and initiative of Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR.

The Friars became an Association of the Faithful in the Archdiocese of New York in 1990 and were established as a diocesan religious congregation by John Cardinal O’Connor in 1999.

From the original eight members and their first friary of St. Crispin's in the South Bronx, the Friars of the Renewal have grown to approximately 100 men in number from more than 10 countries.

Their houses have expanded to include six in the metropolitan New York area, a residence in New Mexico and missions in England and Honduras.

Friars meet the locals

Their mission is to serve the materially poor and the evangelisation in the Church through preaching and teaching the holy gospel, and by sharing the Catholic faith.

Br Shawn O’ Connor from New York, is the local superior of the community.

"We are happy to be in Limerick and Moyross and we are looking forward to getting to know the people and helping them not just materially but especially to know the love that God has for them,"he said.

Another of the friars, Father Sylvester has worked in the Bronx, Harlem, Yonkers and in Bradford, England.

He said,"I am aware that the Fitzgerald Plan involves the physical regeneration of Moyross, but every physical body needs a soul in order to be alive and our work is to bring the Spirit of God to the area in order to bring His new life".

The official opening of St Patrick's Friary was celebrated with a Mass at Corpus Christi Church, Moyross, on Saturday, August 18.