Diocesan News13 Oct 08

Saint Luke's Home to build an Education Centre at Mahon, Cork

The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross, The Right Rev. Paul Colton today (13th October, 2008) announced details of the commencement of plans to construct a multi-disciplinary Education Centre, located on the ground of St. Luke’s Home for the elderly in Mahon, Cork, and announced also the appointment of The Rev. Bruce Pierce as Director of Education at the new facility.  The new Centre will provide professional development and training for those involved in pastoral work and in the caring professions.

Bishop Colton said:  ‘This is a new initiative for St. Luke's.  St. Luke’s Home has a proud tradition of caring for the elderly, and we have invested heavily in the creation of a first class facility here in Mahon, working with our excellent staff, mentors, volunteers, and the community at large. Now we are taking the opportunity to provide a new Education Centre.  It will support the work at St. Luke’s Home in terms of providing in-house continuing professional development training for its staff and volunteers.  Most importantly, it will enable us to bring the caring spirit of St. Luke’s to even more people.  We plan to do this by supporting the training needs of local caring organisations and institutions, churches, charities, and voluntary groups, reaching out to the wider community in an effort to improve the lives of Cork’s elderly into the future.   We are hugely fortunate to have recruited Rev. Bruce Pierce to head this up as our Director of Education.’

The newly appointed Director of Education, Rev. Bruce Pierce, holds several professional qualifications in the pastoral and healthcare arena, and was, until recently, based at Kerry General Hospital where he pursued further studies in Supervision and Pastoral Education. 

Rev. Pierce said:  ‘ We envisage that our training facility will meet the needs of Cork’s community in terms of what is necessary to enrich the lives of people faced with old age, infirmity, and sickness.  Our training methods will bring fresh thinking and practical training methods to the caring profession, with courses that are highly accessible and relevant.  We look forward to partnering with the HSE, with local churches, local hospitals, care centres and community groups in helping them to fulfil their training and development needs.'

The purpose-built Centre is expected to be completed in early 2010 following a planning application process, and is expected to cost in the region of €2 million.

For further information on The Education Centre to be located on the grounds of St. Luke’s Home, Cork, or to arrange an interview with Bishop Paul Colton or Rev. Bruce Pierce please call:
Mary Hopkins
Hopkins Communications
Tel: 021 4272200
Mob: 087 2540804
Email: [email protected]

St Luke's Home Website: www.stlukeshome.ie