Reflection on a life-changing year at Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer

Kate Curran

This year Craig Lodge Community celebrates their 25th birthday. Based at Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer in Argyll, Scotland, the Community traces its origins to another village surrounded by hills, Medjugorje. The MacFarlane-Barrow family went on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in the early 80s. This visit impacted on their lives in ways they could never have imagined. Soon after their initial visit, Calum and Mary Anne, chose to turn their guest house into a house of prayer. They then invited a group of young people to come and live with them to form a Community based on living the messages of Medjugorje.

Over the years the Community has grown to also include those who want to make a more permanent commitment to this way of life. It is now very active in both youth and family life ministries. However offering young people the chance to come and experience the spiritual benefits of community life for a year, remains at the heart of all they do. Well over a hundred young people have made this choice since 1990. They have come for all sorts of reasons; to learn more about their faith after a conversion, to test a vocation to the religious life or simply to make space to listen to the Lord in their lives. Through the daily rhythm of prayer, the joys of embracing a simpler lifestyle and true companionship many have found it to be a life-transforming experience. Here, Kate Curran, Youth Officer with Glasgow Archdiocese, shares her story.

I remember clearly the first time I heard of the Craig Lodge community. The Medjugorje Youth Festival 2013 was in full swing and I was sitting in a cafe with a young Irish man I had met on my ramblings. I was an emotional wreck at the time; my journey back into the arms of Christ had not been a painless one. I was searching desperately for stability and even more so, peace. As I sat there I was captivated as Ferghal began to describe the life at Craig Lodge and with each word my heart began to soar. A life of prayer weaved around daily adoration, rosary and Holy Mass. Your days filled with service and perhaps most crucial for me, was the fellowship, I longed to be surrounded by other young people who shared the faith.

I arrived in early December of that year and felt instantly at home in this quaint, rather large cottage in the rural highlands of Scotland. For an outsider coming into this cosy environment it can almost be overwhelming such is the family bond between the community members, but I was quick to discover the source of this love. Jesus, present in their little chapel, along with His Holy Mother Mary is the centre of Craig Lodge and from which all life ebbs and flows.

My time at Craig Lodge was one of transition and transformation. I carried many wounds from past, some I was keenly aware of, others I had not even known were present! God was very gentle with me during my time in community. Through those around me, He showed me my weaknesses and wounds. He brought my attention to the speckled flaws in my character, not to make me feel bad about myself but to raise me up, to make me new. And though there were some difficult and painful times, there were also many incredibly beautiful moments in which I felt His love for me was so tangible. It was in there, in the sleepy village of Dalmally, in that year I gave to Him, that I had some of the most intimate encounters with Jesus and where He spoke to my heart so beautifully to reveal to me just how precious I am to Him, that I am a beloved daughter of God, full of all the dignity and worth that comes with being made in His image.

My background before I returned to my faith was music and teaching. It humbles me to think that in the period of my life, even though I was far from Gods heart in the life I was living, He was never far from mine. Even then He was preparing me for His plan that would in time unfold before me. During my time in community I discerned that I was being called to youth ministry. I now work for the Archdiocese of Glasgow as a Youth Officer, sharing my experiences with young people and helping them to encounter Christ and His immense Love.

To try and describe all that I gained from my time in Craig Lodge is impossible. Taking that time to spend in prayer with Him, reflecting on who I am in Christ and living humbly in service of others was the best thing I have ever done. Now my life is a busy flurry of activity between leading retreats and prayer groups and doing my small bit to build up the kingdom! I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time in community. It has become my home, somewhere I can retreat to whenever I need a rest. And there waiting for me, I find my community, the family God led me to, and He Himself in the heart of it, welcoming me home.

Anyone interested in finding out more about spending a year with Craig Lodge Community should contact: Ruth Black, tel: +44 (0) 1838200216 email@craiglodge.org visit: www.craiglodge.org Craig Lodge is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Kate Curran's latest song is available at: http://katecurranmusic.bandcamp.com/releases