Rainbows Programme

The Rainbows Programme is a weekly support group for students who have bereaved by death or separation within the family. These meetings are run by sensitive, caring and well trained adults who meet with the students in groups of three to five.

According to Sr. Marie O Reilly, "The aim of the programme is to help the students to put their feelings into words, work through their grief, build a stronger sense of self esteem and begin to cope with what has happened in the family".

The programme has been running in the school for a number of years and has been a success, helping many students to overcome difficult periods in their lives. It is totally voluntary, open to any student who wishes to partake.

After a series of meetings the participating students celebrate their completion of the programme by going for an enjoyable day out. At the end of last years programme the students and their facilitators visited the ice rink.

The Castleknock Community College Rainbows Programme is a branch of Rainbows Ireland, which in turn is a branch of Rainbows international. It was founded in Chicago in 1983 and since then has helped over one million children worldwide.

This year Rainbows will hopefully be as effective and successful as it has always been in the college. It is the perfect example of the sense of care, community and trust which has always existed within C.C.C. and which continues to thrive. Everyone involved in the Rainbows programme should be proud to be part of such a prestigious and worthwhile organisation. In the words of Helen Keller, "Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it".

Chaplain's Message
Sr. Marie O'Reilly

A recent request to commit to paper my recollections of the first decade of this fine college left me a little overwhelmed. How does one give adequate regard to the totality of such a positive experience? From small beginnings in Hartstown annexe, to the launch of the Rainbows peer support group, to this year's Presidential visit, it has been a journey that I have been privileged to have taken.
In that time the college has developed a multicultural character, diversity that has brought a great richness and a great challenge. The college has wholeheartedly responded to this college. We have been proud to cherish the culture and each faith tradition. It is both our policy and privilege to support all faiths.
Our recent First year multi-faith celebration is a fine example of a spiritual highlight as it has been every year since we began. I recall with fondness the Leaving Cert. Graduation Inter-faith Services and other Ecumenical occasions such as the Christmas Family Service and Church Unity Week.
The provision of the meditation room has been the greatest resource for the chaplaincy to date. I am grateful the parent's committee for their support in decorating this sacred space. It is indeed an oasis at the heart of the college. The room is well used by the students for liturgy and meditation. Its initiation was a special highlight for me.
Some of by best memories are of teaching meditation to classes of leaving Cert, watching them grow in stillness and acquire skills that will travel with them through life.
Retreat days and times of pilgrimage have always been a source of enjoyment from the pilgrimages to Knock in the early days to World Youth Week in Rome. The latter will always be etched in my memory as will the sight of two million young people taking over Rome for one week and enduring the searing heat and rough accommodation both joyfully and enthusiastically. I have enjoyed attending the various activities of social and cultural life among my very best memories I have had to meet with students on a casual or personal level in good times and in bad.

Sr Marie O'Reilly