School Chaplain: Ms. Bríd Dunne
In the day to day the Chaplain is a pastoral support to students to aid their development and formation so as to “have life and have it to the full”(John 10:10). The role of the chaplain is both Educational and Ecclesiastical. This means the Chaplain has a special concern for the wellbeing of the student as a whole person, body, mind and soul. The Chaplain’s room has a welcoming space; where there is time to listen, to engage with students where they are at. It is also the roll of the chaplain to assist students to find a language to help them express themselves. The spirituality of young people is a central focus of the Chaplain who does this through Religious Education, Liturgies, prayer gatherings within the school, meeting parents and forging school/parish links where possible. Empowering students, encouraging self-esteem and in particular being positive in a non-judgmental manner with students is a daily part of the Chaplain’s presence. The School Chaplain respects the uniqueness of each person and their story is treated with sensitivity and confidentiality. In the chaplaincy role helps celebrate the giftedness of each individual student and supports students to find avenues to develop to their full potential.
Since the inception of Portumna CS, its ethos has been to support to holistic development of school community. This school, committed to the “social, moral spiritual development…” arisen from the spiritual traditions of the schools founders. Chaplaincy has featured as pivotal role in this “full development” of each student. The role of chaplain takes its origins from the traditional role of Christian pastoral care-giving; is offered inclusively to the whole community; and aims to promote human flourishing so that all may attain their potential. The schools ethos, is an amalgam of a school’s implicit values, priorities, relationships and way of being- as a central, formative factor in the development of young people and their spirituality.
A note from our chaplain:
I am honoured to hold the position as Chaplain and to have been so warmly welcomed into Portumna CS. I consider it a privilege to work with young people and to walk with them through their adolescence. Young people need someone to believe in them, to encourage them, to give them time, hope and care. For me the role is rooted in Gospel values, but above all, in the wellbeing and pastoral care of the school community.
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A note from our chaplain
MArch 16th 2020
Hi All,
During Lent we remember the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, withdrawn from social contact and family. We are experiencing something of a desert at the moment, living a new type of lent. For the good of all in the community we are asked to retreat into a social distance. That is in order to pull together we must stay apart. While this is a new experience for us, we can try to connect in new ways, in deeper ways.
Try to maintain a routine every day, eat well, walk, Facetime your friends, drop groceries to a neighbour’s front door, take this time to ‘clear out’ your wardrobe, your mind and your heart of anything that does not serve your greatest good. Try to do something creative, draw, bake, play music, sing, hand write letters or make gratitude notes that express all that is positive. But most importantly reach out, over the phone, to those in your class or year who might be on the fringes, someone you might not always get a chance to chat to, and be kind. Have faith, this too shall pass.
“Faith isn’t a feeling. It’s a choice to trust God even when the road ahead is uncertain.” Below is a link to a 6 min reflection to help to ground and calm you, use it whenever you need it. www.animoto.com
Feel free to drop a line to sst@ portumnacs.ie if you need some support.
Take care of yourselves and others,
Your Chaplain
Bríd Dunne
During Lent we remember the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, withdrawn from social contact and family. We are experiencing something of a desert at the moment, living a new type of lent. For the good of all in the community we are asked to retreat into a social distance. That is in order to pull together we must stay apart. While this is a new experience for us, we can try to connect in new ways, in deeper ways.
Try to maintain a routine every day, eat well, walk, Facetime your friends, drop groceries to a neighbour’s front door, take this time to ‘clear out’ your wardrobe, your mind and your heart of anything that does not serve your greatest good. Try to do something creative, draw, bake, play music, sing, hand write letters or make gratitude notes that express all that is positive. But most importantly reach out, over the phone, to those in your class or year who might be on the fringes, someone you might not always get a chance to chat to, and be kind. Have faith, this too shall pass.
“Faith isn’t a feeling. It’s a choice to trust God even when the road ahead is uncertain.” Below is a link to a 6 min reflection to help to ground and calm you, use it whenever you need it. www.animoto.com
Feel free to drop a line to sst@ portumnacs.ie if you need some support.
Take care of yourselves and others,
Your Chaplain
Bríd Dunne