Blog Archives

INTERFAITH WEEK

23/11/2016

During Interfaith week Nicole Keenan and Sr. Noreen Cullen went to a special Interfaith prayer service at the local Nishkam Sikh Centre. The Theme of the Service was forgiveness and the Speakers were Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Jainist with Sr. Noreen speaking on behalf of the Christians. Sr. Noreen quoted Ghandi who said: "Forgive others not because they deserve forgiveness but because you deserve peace" and Pope Francis who said: "I think we too….at times like to find a stick to beat others with, to condemn others. However Jesus has this message for us and I believe it is his most powerful message: 'Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more'". She also reminded the group that forgiveness sometimes is like a journey, if we don't at least set out, we can't hope to arrive. We will only forgive if we at least have the desire to be able to forgive.

Noreen Cullen rsm

CONSCIOUS CAFE FOR WOMEN

11/11/2016

CONSCIOUS CAFE FOR WOMEN

The idea of the Conscious Women's Cafe came from a focus group in St. Mary's Convent Handsworth. The dream/vision was to establish an 'Art and Craft' group that would bring together women of different cultures and ethnicity in order to break down the barriers in the community through a shared experience of being creative together. Like all groups, it had to have a sense of purpose and find a way to support itself financially. Over the months a 'change evolved within Conscious Cafe as it began to move towards establishing Computer Classes mainly for 'Grandmothers' who had time on their hands.
The objective of Conscious Cafe is to empower women of all ethnic, religious and non-religious backgrounds and to raise their mental health profile through acquisition of skills and knowledge within the community framework. Our Conscious cafe computer classes are not traditional ICT classes because our primary focus is on confidence building and mental well-being within a relaxed and user friendly environment.

The map shows the diversity of nationalities using Conscious Cafe Computer Classes.

PARTICIPANT'S COMMENTS

'the course is helping me to get my memory back'
'My brain is working again'.
'... The tutor is calm and this helps me to concentrate, helps my self-esteem and confidence.’
‘I feel a new person'.
‘I like the computer class because the tutor is very patient and everyone is eager to help and make sure we are doing what we are taught'.
'I would like to come more than once a week so as to make more progress'.
'very stimulating'.
'I like the calm atmosphere, helps me to relax and not be afraid'.

Marie McGrogan rsm