Workshops and School Services in Cashel, Ferns and Ossory
Over the past few weeks, the Bishop hosted workshops and services for 650 senior pupils from the twenty-five diocesan Church of Ireland primary schools. These events were held in his six cathedrals in the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. At each event, senior pupils from the schools participated in three short workshops, which were developed by Dr Jacqui Wilkinson.
The first workshop was planned for in advance in school, where the children created lists of questions about God and faith for a session with the bishop. A total of 578 questions were devised and the bishop enjoyed discussing many of them with the pupils.
The second workshop involved four stations where children reflected on their dreams for the future, created a wall of doves for peace and a friendship flower. A prayer wall provided the opportunity for the children to write their own prayers on topics of their choice. The third workshop had a focus on the cathedral and children completed worksheets, looked at the art in the cathedral and made suggestions for renovations and new items for the future – beanbags, more stained glass windows and food after church were popular answers.
Their suggestions will be shared with the Deans of each Cathedral. In Ferns, the children also went to look at the historic High Crosses in the cathedral grounds. After the workshops a short service was held with hymns, readings and prayers led by the children. Finally, everyone had picnics in the cathedrals. In Waterford Cathedral, Christ Church NS provided an ice-cream van at the door for the schools attending that day. For many, this was their first visit to ‘their’ cathedral and the activities, worship and lunch made these six days happy and memorable occasions. At the end of each event the children received a souvenir pencil to take home, and the teachers were gifted diocesan mugs for their staffrooms. This video gives a flavour of the six cathedral workshops and school services.
You can watch the link by clickng Here