Catholic Schools Week – ‘……..if winter comes, can Spring be far behind?’
To be or not to be involved in Catholic Schools Week? On one hand why single out one denomination in this age of inclusion and interconnectedness ?
On the other hand, the stronger we are in our own tradition, the more inclusive, interconnected, ecumenical we can be.
And on the third hand, for the many who need a third hand, doesn’t ‘catholic’ really mean universal and inclusive and interconnected?
You could say it was with winter dullness that I looked forward to Catholic Schools Week in our parish of Laytown – what difference would it make in the chilly climate of today?
An invitation to take part in various activities changed all that. On Monday the invitation was to join the school community in blessing a Sacred Space in the school. A lighted Mercy Candle stood side by side with bible and crucifix. Later Brigid’s crosses woven by children were added. Principal Ronan McFadden in welcoming visitors drew attention to the fact that it was the Mercy Sisters of Drogheda who first brought primary education to Laytown over fifty years ago. He articulated the local community’s sense of gratitude and appreciation for the rich legacy they inherited by the presence of Mercy in their midst.
The Sacred Space
On Wednesday we were back for grandparents’ day. ‘Whose granny are you?’ I was asked by one smart little boy! The event began with the regular daily Mass in the Sacred Heart Parish Church celebrated by Parish Priest Fr. Denis McNelis, where schoolchildren and grandparents got pride of place. Afterwards grandparents were invited to the school gym where they and their grandchildren got light refreshments. No prize for guessing which age-group indulged the more! Then children brought their grandparents to their class and showed them work done or work in progress. Some classes played instruments, sang or danced. In other rooms a grandparent was given a chair and questions were fired from all directions of the room. Again the Principal in his address acknowledged the rich contribution which Mercy had made.
The Sacred Space with some of the children
On Tuesday Sr. Gertrude Murphy was invited over to speak to three 6th classes (11 – 12 year olds) on the Sisters of Mercy and our involvement in education. Over 80 chattering boys and girls assembled. On Thursday she did the same for 5th classes. On Friday Sr. Rosemary O’Sullivan spoke to the fourth classes on the history of the school which again brought in Mercy involvement. Sr. Assumpta Wallace then introduced the Circle of Mercy, the way lay people today commit to keeping the Mercy charism alive now and into the future.
All three were totally enthused and uplifted by the children’s interest and attention. Hands shot up at lightening speed, they said, to ask questions and make comments. Teachers present were also loud in their praise. They had learned more about Catherine and Mercy in that week than in their previous twenty years in the school, some of them said.
For myself, re-entering that world of youthful idealism, life and energy was a breath of fresh air. Over the week real education was taking place, spanning the generations. Watching a staff grasp an idea like Catholic Schools Week and run creatively with it gave me a glimpse of what visionary seeing is in practice. There was something about the quality of aliveness that relativised my opening questions and reminded me for the umpteenth time not to judge without first stepping into the shoes of the other person or the other side. So, to paraphrase Catherine: hurray for Catholic Schools Week
Joan McManus rsm Text
Assumpta Wallace rsm Photographs
Northern Province
