A day to reconnect...

Today we had a staff day. Being a teacher in a Catholic school, the focus of the staff day was on spirituality. We had plenary sessions run by Catholic Earth Care. We also were given opportunities to engage in a couple of workshops of our own choice. I chose the same one, that I have chosen each year - The story of the Presentation Sisters' Order, the foundress, Nano Nagle and the charism as it is in our school today. I like hearing a Presentation Sister, bring to life, the charism of the order and set challenges for us in our daily work. It is like a nourishment. To hear Nano Nagle, how as a young Irish woman, met the calling of the poorest of the poor in Ireland and then systematically being credited to beginning Catholic schooling in Ireland is amazing. To think of how women, young women, over a hundred years ago were able to see a need, then meet the need to create a better society is really, really inspiring. I never, can never tire of hearing her story and hearing of the work the Presentation Sisters do, on a daily basis. They even have a seat as an NGO at the UN!

The other workshop I chose was to read, but I also had a half an hour reflexology session. It was just the most wonderful way to slow the thought processes right down. It made me realise how much I missed the quite, down time.

Taking this and finishing with a liturgy of the word, I went home and decided to go to the local library. I borrowed a number of books, one of which a cook book titled 'Manna from Heaven' by Rachel Grisewood. Tonight, whilst updating this blog and doing some marking and reading, I am waiting for the delicious Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut biscuits to bake! The recipe called for milk chocolate, but as I am not a fan of milk chocolate, I decided to substitute with Dark chocolate. I hope it works out okay! I haven't baked biscuits for a very, very, very long time. I am not sure how they will turn out, but given I was so successful in my Lemon, Chicken, Vegetable and Noodle soup the other day, I figured I should give 'sweet' a go!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the day. It has allowed me to stop and slow down. It has enabled me to clear my head of some of the clutter - the to do lists for one!

I will post a picture of my batch of biscuits once they are done!