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The legend of Brigid | Program for Adult Searchers
Program for Adult Searchers
The association between water and spiritual power can be traced
back to the Bronze Age, and water (the well) is very prominent
in most Celtic Mythology. Large bodies of water, such as lakes & rivers,
were important sites for ritual activity. Many archeological
discoveries today witness to the ways in which people in those
very early times threw jewelry, weapons, body amor, all sorts
of high quality metal work into the lakes to appease their gods
and goddesses.
There are countless wells scattered across Ireland named after
Brigid, and associated with these wells is healing, nourishment,
hospitality and blessing for people in need. One can easily imagine
the water from those wells, water that is sacred, coursing through
mother earth and reaching the Antipodes and flowing through our
Australian waterways.
The story in the Scripture of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman
at the well and the transformation that occurred in both through
their interaction has become the symbol for our Brigid's
Well Program at Kildara Centre.
It is no accident that today Kildara Centre, is situated on
a very ancient aboriginal site consisting of a huge underground
spring. Imagine it as a watering hole for our indigenous sisters
and brothers in ancient times. Today it is covered with layers
and layers of concrete, buildings, roads etc., yet evidence
of
its existence and movements is still clear, its dampness quite
pervasive, and its power ever present.
Brigid's Well is the name given to our Program for Adult
Searchers. In various ways, this Program offers :
- life-giving interaction
- creative prayer experiences
- opportunities for personal growth
- discussion of current issues
- to break open the Word
- involvement in issues of justice
- deeper understanding of God
- to explore the Celtic tradition
- to re-interpret Brigid
- to develop various concepts of spirituality
- a place to share views in safety and freedom
- an alternative to institutionalised religion
- some religious experience
- assistance to find meaning
- counselling
- spiritual direction
We have established a Brigid's Well Community
which engages in attempting to break open the Word raising
issues of injustice in the wider community, and in breaking open
the
lives of Brigid and Delany discovering what their stories have
to offer us today.
This community also hosts some of the sessions of the Program
and plans for the following year.
The legend of Brigid
Download the 2010 Programme booklet
2009 PROGRAMME ARCHIVE
2008 PROGRAMME ARCHIVE
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