Catholic Schools Week 2021
Hello everybody!
This is Catholic Schools Week! It began on Sunday last, 24 January, and will conclude next Sunday, 31 January. Given the fact that it’s not possible for us to meet each other in school right now, this is an opportunity for us to stand back for a minute and recognise what is truly distinctive about being part of the community that is a Catholic school. The theme chosen for this year is really helpful: Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith and Resilience. And remember, the school community includes all the pupils, the teachers and staff members, the parents and families, the members of the Board of Management, and the Patron.
Since last March, we have seen all these people work together to keep education going despite the challenges posed by a global pandemic, the likes of which none of us has ever experienced before. And these people worked together with one purpose in mind, namely, the good of the students. This, in the language of the Gospels, is an expression of love – “you shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31). For me, one of the greatest proofs of this, despite the huge challenges, is the pride and joy so many feel because they are actually managing to do this successfully even if it’s a big struggle at times.
This pandemic will pass, and for as long as we live we will talk about it as we look back and remember and marvel at how we coped with no school, then the first attempts at on-line teaching and learning, then back to school with masks, hand and desk sanitising, social distancing, longer classes, and prayer services over the intercom instead of in the Cathedral or the Oratory, and then another lockdown and back to on-line teaching and learning.
An important point to bear in mind, though, is that God has not abandoned us in this pandemic. In fact, because of the kindness and generosity of so many people in so many different situations, we have probably experienced God’s closeness like never before. God’s love for us is more powerful than any virus!
While teachers and students are busy working online at the moment, I would encourage you to take a few minutes each day to reflect on the daily themes:
Our school is a community of faith, (Monday), a community of learning, (Tuesday), a community of love (Wednesday), a community of resilience (Thursday), a community of hope (Friday). Here are the links:
You may wish to watch the Mass celebrated to mark the beginning of this year’s Catholic Schools Week: https://www.rte.ie/player/series/mass-on-sunday/SI0000003570?epguid=IH000402007
I look forward to meeting you all again in person along the corridors of SJC. In the meantime, be assured of my prayer for you and your families.
Beannacht Dé libh, agus faoi choimirce na Maighdine Muire sibh uile.
Fr. Francis