The Sisters of Mercy have always been involved in education.  In the past, this involvement was clearly seen in the numbers of Sisters who worked in various levels of schooling.  In more recent times, the Sisters have diversified into other ministries, many of which come under the umbrella of “education.”  As part of the work of Thornhill Centre, the team support schools (both staff and pupils) in Days of Reflection and Retreats.  In some instances, groups of teachers and/or pupils come and avail of the facilities of the Centre and on other occasions, team members visit the schools, either in their own situation or at an alternative venue.  Much of this work is done in conjunction with the Diocesan Catechetical Office.

For Staff

The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre engages the services of Thornhill Centre and/or personnel to provide in-service training for school staff and student teachers.

In conjunction with the Catechetical Centre, Retreat days for staff are offered, affording teachers and support staff an opportunity to reflect on their work, to grow in appreciation of their work as a valued ministry and to deepen their understanding of the identity of the Catholic school. Such days are shaped according to requests and the needs of individual schools.

For Primary Level and National Level Schools

Days for students in Primary/National School are often timed to coincide with the reception of the Sacraments or with their imminent departure to Second Level study. It is usual for class groups to be accompanied by their teacher on these days and the teachers are sometimes engaged with parts of the agenda.

Components of such days include:

Fun and games

Reflection and meditation

Liturgy

Workbook activities (personal and group)

Table quiz

Movement and singing

Story telling

For Second-Level Schools

The Retreat Days for Second Level students are very different, depending on the year group that is participating on the day. Schools often prefer a half-day for pupils of Key Stage III/up to Junior Cert. These days are planned in conjunction with the teacher responsible for the pastoral care/spiritual development of the pupils. Where possible, the Chaplain/s to the school are included.

For more senior groups, a full day is preferable and is usually timed to come, either at the beginning or the end, of a significant year for the students. Where possible, such days conclude with a celebration of the Eucharist. The dynamic of Retreat Days with more senior students (where the pupils really know each other well) is quite different from days with younger students. These Retreats afford the young people an opportunity of a deeper level of sharing and reflection. Often the image work and poster work generated by the students in their groups evidences the depth of spirituality and strong sense of social justice that an emerging generation of young Catholic girls and boys possess.

Components of such Retreat Days include ice-breaking activities, journaling exercises, reflection and personal questionnaire work, role-play, focussed group work, imaging/working with clay, prayer and meditation, world view perspectives and liturgy.