Animators Gathering reflects on efforts to nurture our mission

The Animators Gathering was held in Castletown on Thursday and Friday February 5th and 6th with 14 educators from nine schools and centres in attendance.

The event was led by Director of Formation, Jo Millea, who welcomed all on Thursday evening and began with an opening prayer before Br Thomas Walsh helped everyone to get to know each other with a fun ice-breaker.

This was followed by retreat time on the theme of All is Connected. Jo Millea spoke on the importance of affirmation and participants were invited to take part in an art activity and share their thoughts on affirmation.

Friday morning’s session saw Liam O’Reilly from De La Salle Retreat Centre in Castletown lead the opening prayer before giving an outline of the work carried out at the centre.

Jo Millea then outlined the ‘12 Virtues of a Lasallian Teacher’ before a group discussion reflected on what the participants felt were the most important virtues.

All in attendance were presented with a St Brigid’s Cross and a copy of Reflections on a Lasallian Journey before participants presented on best practice in their schools.

Colm O’Neill and Claire O’Doherty spoke about the work in Beneavin De La Salle College, while Julia Butler Kelly outlined some of the many initiatives in De La Salle College Waterford. Caoimhe McGuinness highlighted the charitable efforts in St Benildus College, with Mairead Magill, James Mulholland and Lucy Meg King giving an overview of how the core principles are promoted in the school.

Siobhan McManus and Emma McVeigh (De La Salle College Belfast) while Mary Walsh and Breda Broderick (Ardscoil La Salle Raheny) outlined some of the great work being carried out in their schools, before James O’Donovan presented on the initiatives in De La Salle College Macroom.