A Conversational Approach

"Mark Davis is a trustworthy guide to many who want to ‘walk on the shore’ – listening to the sound of waves and smelling the ocean that speaks of God, yet not sure they are ready to come inside the Church."

Rt. Rev Lord Sheppard, former Bishop of Liverpool

"A facilitator is the man or woman who performs this liberating task (helping persons to make manifest the potential treasure that lies hidden in almost every small group) and, if he or she does the job well, the members of the group will indeed feel deeply, think deeply and, in some instances, be inspired to discover new ways of being and relating. Mark Davis is such a skilled facilitator…"

Brian Thorne, Emeritus Professor of Counselling, University of East Anglia,
Chairman, Bishop’s Council, Anglican Diocese of Norwich

"Society today shows many signs of people, both within the churches and far beyond, looking for a renewed significance to life that goes beyond the prevailing materialism. Yet, paradoxically, opportunities for investigating such issues are few and far between. The encouragement and guidance given by Mark Davis in his book ‘Walking On The Shore’ will be a most helpful and practical resource for those who wish to meet and mutually enrich the spiritual dimension of their lives."

Brian Noble, Roman Catholic Bishop of Shrewsbury

Preparing Parishes for the Future:

"The Shoreline Consultancy has identified a real need in the local parish – a place where people can safely meet and share their searching and questioning. But more than this, through the experience and sensitive expertise of its consultants, it can help parishioners from all backgrounds come together and positively move forward in a way that gives them a sense of achievement and a confidence in their vocation as lay people in the church and in the world. I wholeheartedly commend them to you"

Fr. Philip Inch, Chair of the Liverpool Archdiocesan Council of Priests

Spiritual Development in Church Schools

"The Christian Brothers Schools in England and Ireland have benefited from the expertise of both Mark Davis and John Mannix in a number of ways over the last few years. They have provided strategic consultation, curriculum guidance, advice and training, particularly in the area of spirituality and school ethos. What has been offered (in the provision of INSET, retreat experiences and consultation) has been well researched, planned and professionally delivered. I am happy to recommend ‘The Shoreline Consultancy’ as a valuable resource for Church schools."

Philip Sweeney, Christian Brothers Schools Education Officer

"Mark Davis has made an enormous contribution to the spiritual development of Christian Brothers Schools in England. As a former Head of Religious Education he understood the situation of staff struggling to develop the faith dimension of their students in the midst of the demanding world of the school. The many INSET and reflective training days he designed and facilitated were highly effective and well received."

Rev. Br. Francis Hall CFC

"Our Annual Primary Conference was again a great success. John Mannix helped draw out the challenges and constraints of our work as teachers which often cause us to feel we cannot cope. For this he used his now famous juggling routine as a reminder that no-one can deal with absolutely everything thrown at them"

Report from the CATSC Annual Primary Conference on Inclusion 2002

"I am absolutely certain that words cannot express sufficiently the gratitude we feel to yourself for the time, preparation and the delivery of a most spiritual and informative weekend."

To John Mannix from Mark Philpot, President of CATSC

"John, with thanks for your inestimable help, we are still in process and making good progress. With every meeting I feel more indebted to you."

Castleknock College Trustees, Dublin, to John Mannix for consultancy support

Assisting Religious Congregations

"I am very happy to recommend the Shoreline Consultancy to religious congregations. Mark Davis facilitated our Provincial Chapter in 2002 and since then has been helping us to develop new approaches to collaboration with our lay associates. This has involved doing comprehensive research and providing appropriate training. We have found Mark to be insightful, thorough and efficient. He has both a good understanding and a deep appreciation of the value of religious life and relates well with our members"

Fr. Philip Mc Parland OCD, Vicar Provincial, Discalced Carmelites, Anglo-Irish Province

"Mark has gained an extraordinary insight and awareness of the transformative power of the charism of Religious Congregations – something that became clear to me as I worked with him at a time when the Christian Brothers in England were transferring the leadership of their schools to lay staff and governors. His appreciation of the particular spirit of these schools led him to joint authorship of an innovative working document: ‘The Eight Essentials of Christian Brother Education’. This and its partner document, ‘A Way Forward’ remain the touchstone for this family of schools in their on-going task of ensuring that their whole-school development planning which remains consistent with the founding ethos so vital to each school’s growth and development."

Rev. Br. Francis Hall CFC, former Deputy Provincial of the Christian Brothers in England

"We are a two-team partnership (from different religious congregations) running a small spirituality centre. Mark Davis has been a valuable source and resource person in helping us dialogue and communicate with each other as well as sharing his expertise in working with groups, to help us in our ministry. His long years of experience in the fields of education and spirituality, along with his excellent listening and feed back skills, his ease and ability in journeying alongside others makes him a gifted facilitator"

Sr. Clare Grimes OSM
Br. Gerard Sutherland SCJ

Training Christian Facilitators

"The facilitator training has proved immensely useful in other organisations and my working life. People say they have noticed the difference!"

"I thought I could not be myself in groups, but the facilitator training course has given me confidence to ‘let go and let God’; it blessed me with a new way of listening and being in friendship."

"I have loved the course, each session was a blessing and I’ve met some amazing, open and honest people. Thank you for this opportunity."

Comments from Course Participants

"From an initially larger number there emerged a very compatible and supportive group of ten who were ably and professionally led by the course tutors. Every meeting was prompt in starting and finishing, clearly structured, developmental and thought provoking. The pace was comfortable, but satisfying, as we learned without being stretched beyond our capabilities. As well as developing some of the inter-personal skills necessary to facilitate small groups, I feel that I have grown spiritually. I feel very happy to recommend the course to others."

Ann Ellison, Head teacher of a Primary School and course participant

The work presented before me is of a commendably high standard; it is evidence of a high degree of competence and experience in the delivery of the course. It is all the more worthy because of the difficulty of maintaining the confidence of the student while at the same time looking for personal growth."

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Wilson, In his External Examiner’s report 2002