Patricia Aldred
Spiritual Care and Guidance and Community Involvement Animator
Email: paldred@lbpsb.qc.ca
Part of the mandate of the Spiritual Animation Service was to
establish The Center. The intention was not to create something
overtly religious (though there are pictures and religious
artifacts) but, rather, to offer something spiritual, inspiring,
peaceful and thought-provoking. Students spend most of their time in
the school proper and this space is by its very definition secular;
the Center is a space that is set apart from the everyday and is
treated respectfully. To provide students with a sense of ownership,
pieces of student-created artwork were solicited to adorn the walls.
We are especially proud of the mural based on Michelangelo's The
Creation of Adam by PCHS alumnus, Amanda Connel. The intention
is that everyone, regardless of faith, be given the opportunity to
enjoy the space as a haven from demanding lives.
What do students say about the Center?
The Center was warm and welcoming. We were all in a circle where
it was harder to feel left out of a conversation.
The Center offers an intimate setting that brings students and their
teacher closer together. In some intangible fashion, The Center
seems to dissolve apprehension. Students don’t seem as concerned
with saving face in front of their peers.
The Center is a more intimate and open setting…and I think that
helped people think about what was really important to them so that
they would be able to ask what was troubling them and hopefully have
their questions answered.
It almost seems rude to laugh or cause disruption of any kind in The
Center.
Being taught in such a quiet and calm atmosphere is a very relaxing
break from our hectic schedules and courses. I leave The Center
feeling the most relaxed I have ever felt in school.
I find it is much easier to concentrate when I am there because I
feel I become very spiritual and very open to any words that are
spoken.
