The journey of life calls us to mature in our care for self, for others, for society and for the earth and also to attend to our hunger for God... Experiences of love, pain, joy, regret etc. help us move into a space where we find meaning.  Thornhill Ministries is committed to providing vehicles where those experiences are supported by reflection and understanding so that, as adults, we can begin to satisfy our ultimate hunger for God.

WE OFFER ADULT FAITH DEVEOPMENT

Some people who make contact with us are at the initial stages of faith exploration.         Others have already begun the journey but wish a deeper exploration into prayer, spirituality, theology.  The same is true for many groups who make a preliminary contact with us. In time, they may return for further deepening of  reflection and learning.  We continually revise and renew the courses and programmes on offer in response to the needs of our time.

WE OFFER PRAYER  GUIDANCE 

At Thornhill Ministries, people are helped to use Scripture - the Word of God - as a source of prayer. Many people have their own favourite prayers, novenas and devotional prayers. These forms of prayer are valuable and valued. In recent years, there has been an increased openness to using Scripture as a source of prayer, a source of communion with God.

  Thornhill is the base for this ministry in the Derry Diocese. There is a cohort of forty-four Guides who have been trained in this ministry for the diocese. Through Thornhill Ministries, these Guides receive on-going training and supervision.  Guides provide opportunities for Group Prayer Guidance in various locations/centres. Individuals who make  connection with us and who are seeking guidance in prayer may be put in touch with a  Guide who, for a short (or longer) period, will accompany them on the journey of life.    Praying with Scripture permeates many other aspects of our ministry too.

WE OFFER LITERATURE WITH SPIRITUALITY  PROGRAMMES

Resources for these imaginative and engaging workshop-styled evenings have included poetry from Patrick Kavanagh, Seamus Heaney, Mary Oliver and others as well as works by the metaphysical poets and extracts from Shakespeare's 'King Lear'.  The core resource, however, for the Literature and Spirituality Programmes of Thornhill Ministries is our facilitator, Mary (Murphy).  Mary's background as a former Head of English, her involvement in drama, her facility for language, her capacity to see with the inner eye and to hear with the inner ear are at the disposal of kindred spirits who search for connection and spiritual homecoming.

WE OFFER REFLECTION DAYS

Many groups request faciliation for days of reflection.  These are specific to the needs and  agenda of the group.   We also provide stand-alone reflection days so individuals can  come away from the routine to take time for self and time for exploration of memory,  consciousness and the subtle gifts that each day holds.  Whether for a group or an  individual, these days are an opportunity to pause along life's way.

WE OFFER SCHOOL RETREATS

Our School Retreat Team  has offered Second-Level Retreats for more than 15 years.  Testimony to the success of these is that schools continue to engage and re-engage our team.  The content of the Retreats varies according to the year group.  Dimensions of imaginative prayer, structured reflection, meditation and fun-with-a-purpose activities ensure the engagement of the students.

WE OFFER   'DREAMS' WORKSHOPS

The world of dreams holds a fascination for us. In the Bible, there are many instances of characters having experiences of enlightenment and revelation communicated to them through the vehicle of dreams. Drawing on the teachings of Carl Jung, the Progoff journalling methods and resources of recorded dreams, Thornhill Ministries from time to time offers people the opportunity to consciously engage with their dream world. During this 6-week workshop, participants process their dream experiences and share in learnings from Jung, Taylor and others who have studied the world of the unconscious.

WOULD YOU LIKE US TO COME TO YOUR LOCALITY/PARISH?

Our courses and programmes are offered in various locations in the North West. If you are interested in Thornhill Ministries providing support for people of faith in your area, please contact us and we will be very glad to make ourselves available.

LITURGY RESOURCES

All our resource materials can be supplied with additional Leaders Sheets or Congregational Leaflets on request. All we ask is that in the printing or publication, materials obtained from us will be attributed to Thornhill Ministries