Knock
- Date: 14 September 2017
- Organisation: SVP
- Guest Speakers:Fr. Peter Mc Verry SJ, Joanne O’ Riordan, John Lonergan and Dr. Cara Augestenborg
On the day we arrived at knock and were brought to a hall where we were mixed into groups with other schools from Connacht. Up to 300 participants attended. There was a mentor at every groups table and they asked us all our names and where we were from, and questions about our area. After everything was discussed, the first speaker( Dr Cara Augustenborg) came on stage and talked to us about the environment, and the ways its being destroyed, and what we can do to prevent further damage to the earth for future generations to come. After her speech we had to discuss in our group, how we can see changes in the environment from climate change, such as more flooding and hotter summers.
The second speaker was John Lonergan who spoke about young people becoming addicted to drugs and ending up in prison. He explained how it affects families of the people as well as themselves. He also talked about men going to prison having never taken drugs, but once they arrived in the prison became addicted to them.
My favourite speaker was Joanne O' Riordan who I thought was very inspiring.She was born with a rare condition known as Total Amelia and has no limbs. She is only one of seven people in the world living with this disability, but she never looks at herself as being different.
Fr Peter McVerry, who is well known to many for his work with the homeless. He gave us the practical suggestions about how to help the homeless including stopping to talk to someone begging on the street.