IS there no end to the talents of the Moyross Monks?
Residing in Moyross since 2007, the monks have worked with the community as peacemakers, gardeners, drama and art enthusiasts, men of prayer and now cooking and sewing experts.
Moyross monk Brother Charles comes from a long line of French bakers.
And when local women made this discovery, they asked him to share his secret Christmas recipes with them in their weekly cookery club.
"I grew up in a French bakery and come from four generations of French bakers," he said.
For the past two months, he has been sharing his Christmas cake and pudding recipes with the Wednesday Cookery Club.
And the result has been a fantastic array of tasty Christmas cakes and puddings that will tempt the taste buds of many Moyross families over the Christmas holidays.
One of the Wednesday cookery club members, Geraldine O’Brien, said: "We love it; it’s a social occasion and a learning opportunity. Everyone needs something like it."
For over a year, Brother Charles and the ladies have met at the monks’ John Paul II Centre.
As well as cooking and sewing, the group takes part in other activities such as fundraising for the centre through walks and bag-packing.
"We all learn from each other," Geraldine said. "Someone will bring something new and we will all try it but cooking is our basic thing."
Coming up to Christmas they are hoping to make shortbread biscuits and the traditional epiphany dessert, The King’s pie.
The club has also developed into a support group with the women helping and advising each other on any difficulties they may have had in the week.
"If anyone needs a helping hand in any way, we are there," Geraldine said.
The group meets every Wednesday between 1.30pm and 4pm.
Brother Charles said: "Day-to-day relationships and building up a person’s wellness is really what it is all about it.
"Our presence is not so much about big things happening; it is more about the day-to-day relationship that we build with people, because that is the thing that will change people’s lives."
Moyross monk Brother Charles comes from a long line of French bakers.
And when local women made this discovery, they asked him to share his secret Christmas recipes with them in their weekly cookery club.
"I grew up in a French bakery and come from four generations of French bakers," he said.
For the past two months, he has been sharing his Christmas cake and pudding recipes with the Wednesday Cookery Club.
And the result has been a fantastic array of tasty Christmas cakes and puddings that will tempt the taste buds of many Moyross families over the Christmas holidays.
One of the Wednesday cookery club members, Geraldine O’Brien, said: "We love it; it’s a social occasion and a learning opportunity. Everyone needs something like it."
For over a year, Brother Charles and the ladies have met at the monks’ John Paul II Centre.
As well as cooking and sewing, the group takes part in other activities such as fundraising for the centre through walks and bag-packing.
"We all learn from each other," Geraldine said. "Someone will bring something new and we will all try it but cooking is our basic thing."
Coming up to Christmas they are hoping to make shortbread biscuits and the traditional epiphany dessert, The King’s pie.
The club has also developed into a support group with the women helping and advising each other on any difficulties they may have had in the week.
"If anyone needs a helping hand in any way, we are there," Geraldine said.
The group meets every Wednesday between 1.30pm and 4pm.
Brother Charles said: "Day-to-day relationships and building up a person’s wellness is really what it is all about it.
"Our presence is not so much about big things happening; it is more about the day-to-day relationship that we build with people, because that is the thing that will change people’s lives."