In the current climate surrounding the contested area of school patronage, it might seem a strange topic but a few thoughts occur.
I want to thank everyone who attended Mass in St. Gabriel’s, St. John’s & St. Anthony’s on Sunday week last for the Family Masses. I happened to be in St. Gabriel’s for the enrolment Mass (not to count heads!) and was very impressed by the level of preparedness of the boys but also by the very considerable input by the Parents- the planting of the bulbs was a particularly evocative symbol.
Not all of us get to Mass every Sunday. I do think that in terms of the First Holy Communion ceremony itself, it will have much more meaning for families if everyone- communicants and other family members- have a grasp of the order of the ceremony including the responses as well as how to carry themselves. For that reason, as well as to build on the community which we have in School, can I encourage each parent of a boy who will be making his First Holy Communion to bring their child to the family Mass in your Parish.
It was a great honour for us here as a School community to have Archbishop Diarmuid Martin as well as the Lord Mayor and other guests at the blessing of the refurbished school buildings on Thursday week last. His interaction with the boys was warm and he engaged easily in conversation with them. Thanks to the teachers and staff from both Schools who prepared songs, poems and art with the classes. A special thanks to the Parents’ Association who did such a wonderful job on the catering front. A great flavour of how the day went is to be found on the website.
