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This creative partnership offers an experience of 'Anam Cara' or 'soul friendship', through days of reflection for school and parish communities,
sabbaticals, school visits and a range of professional development experiences.
The real essence of 'Anam Cara' is to walk alongside colleagues in a spirit of positive and enthusiastic companionship, rooted in Christ.
Opportunities for Creative Support include:-
w Days of reflection, celebration and spiritual formation
w Visiting Church schools with practical feedback to staff and governors,
affirmation and celebration
w Supporting and developing the prayer life of the school
w Exploring our Celtic Christian heritage through days of reflection and
pilgrimage
w Creating school quiet gardens
w Nurturing parish, deanery, home and school links
w Assisting the Church school's contribution to the common good and social
cohesion
w Experiencing gentle days of pilgrimage, retreat and prayerful reflection for
all staff
w Supporting schools to develop appropriate responses to bereavement and
loss among children and young people
The Anam Cara
In the Celtic tradition there is a beautiful understanding of love and friendship. One of the fascinating ideas here is the concept of soul love; the old Gaelic term for this is anam cara. Anam is the Gaelic word for soul and cara is the word for friend. So anam cara within the Celtic world was soul friend. With the anam cara, you could share your innermost self, mind and your heart.
(John O'Donohue, Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World)
New Development
From Advent 2008, 'Anam Cara' is delighted to be linked to 'Begin with the Heart', a project created by Fr Daniel O'Leary to offer personal and professional nourishment to all involved in religious education and catechesis. It calls for a dynamic theology and a vital spirituality in all aspects of our educational endeavours.
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