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| Ulster Project - St. Louis |
| The Ulster Project is a program that was founded in 1974 by Pastor Kerry Waterstone from Tullamore, Ireland. He believed that Northern Irish teens would be able to learn tolerance for other Christian faith religions and traditions through visiting the US. In his vision the tolerance learned through the program would make an impact in Northern Ireland and help to bring an end to the long lasting wars plaguing the region. And an impact this project has made and is continuing to make. This project takes place in many cities across the United States, perhaps even your home city. I personally invite you to browse around through our web page and visit our links as well. Please enlighten yourself with the knowledge of this wonderful project, and, hopefully, you will feel compelled enough to help the cause in some form or another. The Ulster Project Mission Statement The Ulster Project is dedicated to promoting a peaceful parity of esteem between Roman Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland, by building tolerance, trust, and on-going positive relationships among potential leaders from these Christian traditions. The Problem Ireland has been a country at war with itself for over eight hundred years. In this century the island has been separated into two political units. The Republic of Ireland The Republic of Ireland is an independent nation, predominately native Irish and Roman Catholic. Though they have been hampered by economic problems, they are predominately peaceful Northern Ireland Northern Ireland consists of six counties that make up the province of Ulster. Ulster is located at the Northeast corner and is still a part of the United Kingdom. It is here that the polarization of the Catholics and Protestants comes sharply into focus. The dissension takes form in politically directed violence and isolation by religious communities. Catholic vs. Protestant The terms Catholic and Protestant, used in the context of Northern Ireland, designate sides of a political conflict rather than doctrinal controversy within the Christian faith. Catholic A Catholic is often defined as one who is of the indigenous Irish population and is a member of a large minority once discriminated against in housing, employment, and opportunity. Many Catholics in Ulster are politically left, wishing to reunite Ireland outside the British Commonwealth. Protestant Protestants have lived in Ireland for centuries but are often labeled foreigners. They are loyal to their British roots and tend to be politically right, seeking to preserve their ethos by keeping Northern Ireland a part of the United Kingdom. The Protestant-Catholic Line The Protestant-Catholic line has been drawn so sharply that peaceful communication across it is almost nonexistent. Meanwhile, children are born into a battle zone situation where armed patrols on the street seem normal. In some areas, teenagers do not make friends with those of the opposite traditions for fear of reprisal from one or both sides. The anger and hatred for one another runs deeply through this country and affects everything in its path. While we are encouraged by the recent peace talks, there have been sudden conflicts and outbreaks resulting in many deaths. Leaders in Northern Ireland are imploring us to continue our work, Sam McVeigh from Limavady, said recently: "Please do not underestimate the work done by the Ulster Project. Their input is needed now, more than ever, as we work hard within a framework of peace to heal our divisions and restore trust in our communities." Ulster Project History The Ulster project began back in 1974 when Pastor Kerry Waterstone from St. Catherine's Church in Tullamore, Ireland was visiting for an exchange of pulpits with an American Anglican priest. Following his return to Ireland, he received a request from two large churches in Manchester, Connecticut (St. Mary's Episcopal and St. James Roman Catholic) asking him to form a plan by which they, working together, might help ease the tensions in Northern Ireland. Father Waterstone decided that if Irish young people could see the way Americans have learned to live together in their "salad bowl society," their attitudes about their fellow Irishmen might begin to change. First obtaining official permission from Church and State, Father Waterstone traveled into Northern Ireland, where he secured cooperation. He decided to target the program at 14 and 15-year-old adolescents. While Father Waterstone was in St. Louis he was asked why this particular age group was selected and he replied: "Great and dramatic change in history has always begun with the young. This is where we must begin if we are ever to see change." The Ulster Project Goal The Ulster Project, like other peace projects, has long-range goals, which cannot be placed on a time schedule. It is hoped that opening channels of communication at the individual level may be a way to reconciliation, peace, mutual problem solving, and a safe community life for all. The Ulster Project Plan In the project, teens from Northern Ireland, half Catholic and half Protestant come to America for one month in the summer to live in private homes with families that also have a teen of the same sex, age, and denomination. Two adult representatives also come along to help guide the project. One chaperone is Protestant, and one is Catholic. Activities During the Project, the entire group of Irish and American teenagers meet several times a week for encounter sessions and social activities at various churches involved in the project. The teens develop a mutual trust and friendship, which enables them to witness, firsthand, the peaceful mixture of different religious denominations. They are shown the similarities of people rather than the small differences. After the Irish teens return to Ireland the participating clergy plan reunions and meetings, which allow the friendships, formed during the Project to continue to develop. The Organization The Ulster Project of St. Louis consists of a Board of Directors, a Board of Pastors, an Executive Committee, and Chairpersons for various committees. The churches involved in the project are listed by the year in which they participated. Since the program is just planting its foundation in St. Louis, there are minor changes each year. To carry out this project locally, a non-profit and tax exempt corporation has been chartered as a not for profit corporation. The Treasurer and the Board of Directors supervise all funds. You Can Be a Part of This !!! You can be a part of this by contributing funds, services, and other resources to help receive and care for these youth in our area next summer. For additional information, please contact: Ulster Project-St. Louis P.O. Box 1320 Ballwin, MO 63022-1320 (314) 394-2233 |
| The Ulster Project-St. Louis began in 1998 and the first Northern Irish teens arrived in 1999. |
| Ulster Project - St. Louis |
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| Ulster Project 2007 St. Louis Convention Information |
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