Conference - November 2008

Tuesday 18th November at the Montenotte Hotel, Cork city.

Conference Opens

Over ninety students from six secondary schools have participated in the Faith, Peace and Justice Conference in Cork.  The Conference was opened by Peter Barrett.  Peter spoke about his time as Chairman of the S.H.A.R.E. Executive and his subsequent visit to Ghana to the Presentation Brothers Mission.  Peter, a medical student at University College Cork and past pupil of Presentation Brothers College, Cork, encouraged students to get involved in working for justice at the local level. 

 

Left: Mr Peter Barrett opens our Conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panel Discussion

A panel of five students then spoke of their involvement in justice issues during the past year.  Raymond Hinds, from Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, spoke with enthusiasm about the energy and fun he experienced among the elderly who take part in the various activities in the Br. Jerome Kelly Day Care Centre, S.H.A.R.E. ‘You want the best for them just like you would want it for your own grandparents.’ 

Above: Five students from different schools speak about their involvement in justice issues.

Conor Moran, a student from Coláiste Chríost Rí, witnessed to the firm handshake and warm welcome which dispelled his fears as he began his work with the Cope Foundation.  Ruth O’ Leary, Coláiste Muire, shared the joy she felt as she visited the elderly in the Park Road Centre in Cobh.

Above: Students from Presentation Brothers College, Mardyke.

Orla O’ Connor and Andrea McGregor, students from Mount Mercy, told the Conference of the confidence and skills they acquired as Leaders on the Edmund Rice Action Camp.  This equipped them well as they spent time last summer at an orphanage in Belarus.  Despite the special needs of the children and the difficult conditions they lived in both students spoke of the joy and happiness they found in the orphanage. 

Br. Martin Kenneally

Br. Martin Kenneally, Congregation Leader, encouraged students to be people of hope, not cynicism.  He urged them to ask themselves, ‘who am I and who do I want to become?’  This is a vocational issue, something much deeper than a career option.  ‘Why might I choose one path rather than another?’  Sharing something of his own story, Br. Martin, spoke of the importance of prayer in his life and how it has supported him in his decisions.  ‘Don’t be afraid to take risks’, he said.  Christian freedom is about being free to be your best self. 

The Conference concluded with students outlining the work they would undertake in the year ahead to make life better for others.

 

Left: Ms Anne Cleary, Colaiste an Spioraid Naoimh, and Br Martin Kenneally, Congregation Leader of the Presentation Brothers

 

 

 

Participating Schools

Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Cork

Coláiste Muire, Cobh, Co. Cork

Presentation Brothers College, Cork

Presentation College, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Presentation Secondary School, Miltown, Co. Kerry

 

Ms O'Sullivan with students from Presentation Secondary School, Miltown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Rooney with students from Presentation College Bray

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students from Coláiste Muire, Cobh, participate in the Conference.

Students from Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh at work. aid Naoimh at work. Spioraid Naoimh at work.

 

Students from Coláiste Chríost Rí