Diocese celebrates Catholic Schools Week 2019 – Due to inclement weather, the annual diocesan Catholic Schools Week Mass for post-primary schools in January had to be postponed and was celebrated at the beginning of March.
Each year, Catholic Schools Week provides Catholic school communities with an important opportunity to celebrate ‘who they are’ and ‘what they do’. Catholic Schools Week 2019 aimed to achieve this in a more meaningful way by placing each local Catholic school at the centre of celebrations. This year’s theme was “Catholic Schools: Celebrating the Work of our Own Catholic School”.
St. Clare’s College in Ballyjamesduff organised this year’s Mass which took place in St. Joseph’s Church nearby. Staff and students put together a beautiful liturgy reminding all present of the wonderful work being done by Catholic schools. During the celebration, the congregation reflected on the Gospel values on which all Catholic schools are built and considered how everyone contributes to the characteristic spirit of our schools.
Our Diocesan Administrator, Monsignor Liam Kelly, was the principal celebrant of the Mass assisted by Fr. Kevin Donohoe, PP Ballyjamesduff; Fr. John Phair PP (Chaplain, St. Mogue’s College, Bawnboy), Fr. Callistus Isara, CC Munterconnaught (Chaplain, St. Clare’s College, Ballyjamesduff), Fr. Ultan McGoohan, Diocesan Director of Pastoral Services; Fr. John Sexton (Chaplain, St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton); Fr. Jason Murphy (Catechist, Breifne College, Cavan), and Fr. Andrew Tully (Chaplain, St. Patrick’s College, Cavan).
Also present at the Mass were Francis Keaney, Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and Seán Coll, Director of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.
A feature of the Mass was the ‘active homily’ during which students brought pieces of a specially-designed jigsaw puzzle and a commentary was provided on how each word on the puzzle is applicable to school life.
Our thanks are due to the College Principal, Teresa Donnellan, her teaching staff and colleagues who assisted in any way in making the day such a faith-filled and enjoyable experience for all who attended. Thanks are also extended to Mrs. Patricia Sheridan, Diocesan Post-Primary Schools Catechetical Advisor, for her help and guidance, and to Fr. Kevin Donohoe, PP Ballyjamesduff.
The group from St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton
The group from St. Patrick’s College, Cavan with Monsignor Liam Kelly, Diocesan Administrator
A group of students from St. Aidan’s High School in Derrylin with Monsignor Liam Kelly, Diocesan Administrator, and Mr. Pat McTeggart, School Principal
Staff and Students from Virginia College
Students from St. Aidan’s Comprehensive School in Cootehill with Monsignor Liam Kelly, Diocesan Administrator and Mr. Gabriel McQuillan, School Chaplain
Students from Bailieborough Community School with Monsignor Liam Kelly, Diocesan Administrator, Martha Lievenns, School Principal and Amanda Holton, School Chaplain
Students from Ballinamore Community School with Monsignor Liam Kelly, Diocesan Administrator, and Mr. Micheal Kane, School Chaplain
The specially-designed jigsaw produced for Catholic Schools Week 2019 by staff and students of St. Clare’s College in Ballyjamesduff in front of the altar in St. Joseph’s Church
Students from St. Clare’s College in Ballyjamesduff with the specially-designed jigsaw they produced for Catholic Schools Week 2019
