Catholic Schools Week 2012
Catholic Schools week begins on Sunday 29th January. Over the past three years, parishes throughout the country have responded with great generosity and creativity to the invitation to take time during this week to celebrate the contribution made by Catholic Schools and their communities. This can be done in a variety of ways; during the Sunday Liturgy, by joining in the activities in the parish schools and by creating opportunities for the parish community to connect with the school community.
There are many different ways in which parishes might choose to celebrate Catholic Schools week. Some suggestions are outlined below.
- Celebration of the Eucharist for the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Encourage your parish liturgy team to have Catholic schools week a major feature every year in the planning calender for the Parish. It will always be the last Sunday in January.
- Parish Newsletter. Put a note in your parish newsletter, to allow the wider community be aware that it is Catholic Schools Week.
- Display area. Consider working with the school to create a display showing the ways in which the parish schools are ‘Christ’s living body active in our world’.
- Boards of Management. Congratulate those who have served on the previous board and acknowledge the new members. Put Catholic Schools Weeks on the agenda for the next meeting.
- The Pastoral Council. Ask the Pastoral Council how best Catholic Schools week could be celebrated in the Parish this year.
Catholic Schools Week 2012 January 29 – February 4, 2012 Theme: ‘Catholic Schools: Christ’s living body active in our world.’
The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012 is ‘Catholic Schools: Christ’s living body active in our world.’ The theme is taken from the anthem of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, Though We Are Many – (Bernard Sexton), and reflects the overall theme of the Eucharistic Congress – ‘The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another.’
Though we are many – Verse 3:
And through this shared Eucharist
we are the living Church.
We witness to Christ’s love
His living body active in our world.Resources for Catholic Schools Week 2012:
The Catholic Schools Week Steering Group has prepared resources for use in both primary and post primary during Catholic Schools Week. These resources can be used with the following groups: students in the classroom; staff members; parents; members of the board of management/ governors; the wider parish community.
This year Catholic Schools Week reflects on the school as a community having as its goal the full development of the pupil. Catholic schools consist of pupils, staff members, parents, school management and patrons. They form a vital part of the local community. The proverb says ‘it takes a whole village to rear a child’ and in its own way each school mirrors the local community in its nurturing concern for its pupils.
When the Catholic school community celebrates Mass they partake of the body of the Lord by participating in the elements of the liturgy. Truly the school is taken up into communion with Christ and all members of the school community with one another. ‘Because the bread is one, we though many, are one body, all of us who partake of the one bread’ (1 Cor 10:17). In this way all of us are made members of His Body, (1 Cor 12:27) ‘but severally members one of another’ (Rom 12:5).
No school pupil is immune to liturgy well done. Particularly in times of celebration and difficulty the entire community recognises and senses the presence of Christ in the Eucharist enhancing lives and offering support at critical moments. The Mass matters because Christ is present in a tangible way through the community gathered, the word spoken, the bread broken, the Body of Christ shared and the urgent invitation to live the love of God in the day to day circumstance of life and in the relationships of one with another.
Time and time again attention is drawn to the identity of the Church as the living body of Christ. The school community is made up of people who form part of each other as the limbs of a body. The Catholic school community, at a crucial time in the lives of young people, is for them the local Church making Christ present in new and unexpected ways but especially by being caring. So the mission of all is to be witnesses and ambassadors of the love of Christ in the world. ‘Catholic Schools: Christ’s living body active in our world.’
Resources for Home, School and Parish
To help schools celebrate Catholic Schools Week 2012 resources have been prepared and will be circulated to schools and parishes. The resources will enable pupils, staff members, boards of management, families, the entire school community, and parishes mark Catholic Schools Week 2012. It is recommended that Principals and Chairs of Boards of Management seek to ensure that CSW 2012 is celebrated by all associated with the school.
Day for Grandparents
It is envisaged that Grandparents will be invited to celebrate CSW 2012 with their grandchildren in the school as in previous years. A significant part of Catholic education is its commitment to build on the tradition of Catholic education in the area and in the particular school. The rich inheritance of the school is its stepping stone into the future. Grandparents are a vital link in helping children to give thanks for the work of the school and to look forward with joyful hope to the future. Pope Benedict XVI reminded us in his Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland: ‘As you take up the challenges of this hour, I ask you to remember “the rock from which you were hewn” (Isa 51:1).’
Christ present in the Eucharist
Ireland will play host to the fiftieth International Eucharistic Congress from June 10th to 17th2012. Describing the International Eucharistic Congress, Archbishop Martin said:
‘It is an important event for the Church in Ireland. It is an important event for the Church around the world. If you look at the Acts of the Apostles when they describe the early Christian community they always begin by saying they gathered and out of that sense of gathering came a particular lifestyle which is a lifestyle of communion and sharing.’
During CSW 2012 Catholic Schools are encouraged to enable students gather, celebrate and reflect on the Eucharist and thereby recognise Christ present in the school – bringing about a lifestyle of communion and sharing.
Music for Catholic Schools Week 2012
Karen O’Donovan, a teacher in Jesus and Mary College in Goatstown in Dublin arranged for some of her 5th year students to perform some well known music for use during Catholic Schools Week 2012. The pieces can be downloaded from here as MP3 files. IMRO has granted a licence for the use of these pieces on the website:
Amen – Liam Lawton, The Glendalough Mass
Christ Among Us (St Teresa of Avila) – David Haas csw12
Dominican Magnificat – Feargal King csw12
Gathered As One – Deanne Light & Paul Tate csw12
Glory to God in the Highest – Liam Lawton, The Glendalough Mass csw12
In The Shadow of Your Wings Lord – Ephrem Feeley csw12
Only In God – John Foley SJ csw12
Open My Eyes Lord – Jesse Manibusan csw12
Raise Your Voice – Anna Keegan & Padraig Meredith, Commissioned for the Year of Evangelisation csw12
Sanctus – Liam Lawton, The Glendalough Mass csw12
St Patrick’s Breastplate – John O’Keeffe csw12
Take This Bread of Life – Tricia Nolan csw12
Though We Are Many – Bernard Sexton, Eucharistic Congress Hymn csw12
We Proclaim Your Death O Lord – Liam Lawton, The Glendalough Mass_12
You Are Mine – David Haas csw12
Roof Project at Holy Cross Church, Tramore
Last Wednesday, Fr Michael Toomey, Curate Tramore & Carbally, ascended the current scaffolding around Holy Cross Church Tramore – which has amazed many for these past number of months- and re-dedicated the Cross and blessed and prayed for those who originally built this fine church and spire. Accompanied by a member of the building contractor for safety, and wearing the appropriate safety clothing, Fr Michael said: “Today I re-dedicated this Cross – which is a symbol and emblem of mans salvation to the people of Tramore and Carbally. May those who look upon this cross now, and in future generations, be guided by the Light of Christ in all things.” Fr Michael then gave the blessing, and then turned and blessed those who are currently working on the renovations of the roof, spire, windows and stonework, and blessed Tramore from 190 foot above the ground. Fr Michael also blessed those buried in our cemeteries and then blessed the new roof from the spire.
The building works began last August and the builders are making great progress. It is hoped that most of the works will be completed by Easter. Fr Michael thanks the people and parishioners of Tramore & Carbally for their financial support – particularly in the ‘Donate a Slate’ campaign which has raised almost €35,000 euro. “There is still a lot more to do to reach the €1.5 million needed but so far so good” said Fr Michael. “The ‘Donate a slate’ campaign is on-going, and we are so grateful to so many who have already given personal donations at this time”.
HISTORY OF THE SPIRE:
While Holy Cross Church in Tramore was completed in 1860, it wasn’t until 10 years later that work began on the Spire. The work began in September 1870 and completed a year later. On Saturday 30 September 1871, Mr James Ryan, the contractor ascended the scaffolding which was a firmly built network from the ground to the apex, and with his own hands assisted the planting of the Cross into the Spire.
From the Waterford News October 6th 1871:
“On Saturday last, we had the very sincere gratification with many others, of witnessing the crowning glory of this noble edifice- THE CROSS – the emblem of man’s salvation, being placed on the pinnacle of the handsome and lofty sire just completed. …On the summit [of the spire] is placed the highly ornamented iron Cross, standing 9 feet over the stone work, and let down 35 feet into the spire, where it is secured by a framework of iron, built in the solid into sides. The arms and devices on the Cross are all of gilt copper.”
PHOTOGRAPHS:
Fr Michael also took the opportunity to take a number of photographs from the Spire which will be on display in the Church in the coming days and on a new Facebook page under ‘Tramore Parish’. “It was an amazing view – to see all around Tramore – even the Airport and the outskirts of Waterford City could be seen”. Asked if he was nervous up there, Fr Michael confessed that when he got to the top, he said: “Is now a bad time to tell you I’m scared of heights?”
Donations for the ‘Donate a Slate” or personal donations can be made to Holy Cross Church, Tramore.
Advent – A light for the path
Light upon us, with us and through us – an Advent reflection through the medium of ritual, song, music and imagery was faciliated by Sr. Antoinette Dilworth rsj on Saturday 19th November. A big crowd attended. Below are some of the sacred spaces that were created by Antoinette, taking us through the four Sunday’s in Advent. The Advent Wreath is also included.
Share the Good News
Dr. Gareth Byrne introduced the new national directory for Catechesis in Ireland. In his presentation, Gareth discussed the vision and the objective of the new directory, and its implementation at parish level by parish teams.
The evening was well attended by Parish Pastoral Councils and Liturgy teams, where they learned more about this new directory.
The directory is available from Veritas at €16.99.
Year of Mark
Fr. Michael Mullins DD, will present an overview of St. Mark’s Gospel and introduce the central themes. This talk will be of particular interest to preachers, Ministers fo the Word, catechists and prayer group leaders.
All are welcome. Donation €5.00
World Youth Day 2011
The experience of World Youth Day is one which is ‘unimaginable and indescribable’. This was the general consensus from our 12 young pilgrims and 4 leaders from the diocese of Waterford and Lismore who made the journey to Madrid for World Youth Day 2011. World Youth Day is a great worldwide encounter with the Pope which is celebrated every two to three years in a different country.
We began our journey Monday 15th August. Mixed emotions consumed the young pilgrims. They were filled with expectations and excitement about what this journey might entail, while at the same time a little anxious and nervous. We departed Cork Airport having celebrated the first ever Mass in the airport, and arrived at our accommodation in Toledo.
We celebrated the Opening Mass of the Pilgrimage with Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid, in Cibiles Square in the city. Our young pilgrims were greeted by a mass of young people from all over the world who were openly displaying their faith, allowing our young people the freedom to express their own faith openly. This desire to participate continued throughout the rest of the week leaving some of our young pilgrims somewhat surprised at discovering the depth of their own faith.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we spent several hours in the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Atocha where we had faith sharing sessions with young pilgrims from various English-speaking countries, Holy Mass and catechesis sessions with Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Canbarra and Goulburn (Australia), Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York (USA) and Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, Archbishop of Edinburgh (Scotland). The thought of spending three hours in a Church was daunting for our group but after all the singing, dancing, faith sharing and words of wisdom from the Archbishops, they were elated. One member of our group remarked, ‘I can’t wait to tell my friends at home that Mass can actually be fun’. On these days we also visited El Escorial Monastery, the Cathedral of Madrid and participated in the welcoming ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI and in the Stations of the Cross through the streets of Spain’s capital city.
Saturday took us on our pilgrimage walk to Cuatros Vientos aerodrome for the Vigil with the Holy Father. It is estimated by some that almost two million pilgrims turned up for the Saturday Vigil and the Papal Mass on Sunday. We slept under the stars on Saturday night and even the storm at the beginning of the Vigil couldn’t take form the electric atmosphere. All around us young people from every nationality were waving flags and exchanging memorabilia. Our Irish flag attracted a lot of attention from people who wanted to befriend us and take pictures with us. There was a festival feel to the night as one of our young pilgrims compared it to ‘Oxygen’. When our group finally settled in to get some rest, our young pilgrims obviously moved by all they had experienced in the last week and feeling more awakened in their faith, requested that we say the rosary before we slept.
It is an experience that they could not have anticipated. As one of the leaders and an RE teacher it was an eye opener to bear witness to the visible difference that World Youth Day has made in the lives of our young pilgrims. Heartfelt thanks are owed to Bishop Lee, Fr. Paul Murphy and all the sponsors for facilitating this meaningful youth pilgrimage.
Roseanne Sinnott
Post Primary Diocesan Adviser
Diocese of Waterford and Lismore
Diocesan Celebration – National Eucharistic Congress
A wonderful celebration took place in Knock on Saturday last, June 25th, as part of the National Eucharistic Congress. This celebration was attended by more than 13,000 pilgrims. Our own diocese of Waterford and Lismore was well represented. Next day, Sunday, June 26th, the Feast of Corpus Christi, a diocesan celebration took place in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford City. The Diocesan Eucharistic Candle which Bishop Lee had received in Knock on the previous day was lit in the Cathedral, where it will remain until next year’s International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, June 10 – 17, 2012.
Each of the 45 parishes in the diocese was invited by Bishop Lee to send a representative family to Sunday’s celebration in the Cathedral. The invited family had a son or daughter who received First Holy Communion this May. Bishop Lee presented a Eucharist Congress Candle to each of the children for their parish. The family will present the Candle to their parish in the coming weeks.
This candle will be lit as a reminder of our Pilgrim journey to the 50th International Eucharistic in Dublin June 10th –17th 2012. The lighting of the candle will be a reminder of the goal of our journey – to deepen our understanding of Communion with Christ and one another.
We sincerely thank all who travelled to Knock on Saturday from our Diocese and each family that took part in Sunday’s celebration in our Cathedral.
Dungarvan Celebrates Marriage Anniversaries
Each year, Dungarvan Parish honour those who celebrate Golden, Silver and Ruby anniversaries of marriage. This year almost 150 families came to celebrate with 30 couples who celebrated these momentous milestones. They celebrated with music and dance and each couple received a Jubilee of Marriage Certificate from Canon Ryan to mark the occasion.
Please see other pictures below.
Accord hosts ‘Working Together’ Seminar
ACCORD WATERFORD issued an invitation to helping agencies in Waterford city to come together in order to explore possibilities for greater co-operation and to improve communication between agencies. The seminar was held in St. John’s Pastoral centre on May 25th last.
Representatives from fourteen agencies attended the seminar and many others indicated a willingness to participate but were unable to respond on the night. Among the agencies represented were: ACCEPT, ALANON, CURA, CITIZEN’S ADVICE, FAMILY MINISTRY, FAMILY MEDIATION, GROW, MOOD, MEND, OASIS HOUSE, RAPE CRISIS CENTRE, SOLAS, SAMARITANS and ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.
The seminar was opened by the Mayor of Waterford, Mary Roche who said that the contribution of the many voluntary organizations has greatly benefited the people of Waterford by helping to deliver a more caring and humane society. Bishop Lee, in his address to the gathering, expressed his admiration and appreciation for the work of the various organizations in the city. He offered encouragement and support to each voluntary organization and wished them well in their work of healing and caring.
A representative from each organisation was then invited to make a short presentation on the nature of the service provided. This generated great interest as most of those present would not have been well informed about the work of other agencies. People were genuinely impressed and inspired by the level of commitment, zeal, compassion and altruism which motivated the members of each agency.
The possibility for greater-agency co-operation and support and the potential of this inter-action to enhance the services of each group was immediately recognised. For example building cross-organisation awareness and improving communication between agencies would greatly facilitate and enable referrals from one agency to another. There was agreement that services could be improved by indentifying projects which could be sponsored jointly. For example it was recommended that a directory of helping agencies be published and that an annual conference could be organised jointly. There were calls for regular gatherings of the agencies, and to build a common web data base for relevant organisations.
It is intended that a small co-ordinating committee be appointed to review feedback and to explore further possibilities.
It was apparent that there were greater demands than ever before for the help and support provided by the voluntary caring agencies. It was apparent also that the volunteers in each organisation were highly trained and well qualified to respond to those who were suffering because of economic hardship, life-threatening illness, abuse in all its manifestations, depression, or breakdown in relationships. The social stresses generated by the recession in the economy have led to increased fears of general breakdown in our society. These fears lead to great insecurity and loss of confidence which is manifested in depression or substance abuse of domestic violence. Without the support offered by the various helping agencies the pain could be unbearable for many.
Accord, for example, offers a safe, professional and confidential process, facilitating couples and individuals to explore, reflect upon and resolve difficulties in their marriage and relationship. Accord Counsellors are trained to the highest professional standards. Counselling is arranged by contacting Accord at St. John’s Pastoral Centre.
Accord also provides Marriage Preparation Courses. A Marriage Preparation Course is an opportunity for couples to take time out from the hectic planning of the Wedding Day to focus on how things are between them, to affirm what is going well and to name the areas of their relationship that might need some attention. All of this takes place in the company of other couples preparing for Marriage and with the assistance of trained facilitators, themselves experienced in Marriage. Accord highlights the core elements of relationship and the course concentrates on exploring each of these.
Accord wishes to thank all agencies represented at the seminar. The response was very encouraging and all in Accord are committed to ensuring that the goal of exploring possibilities of greater co-operation between helping agencies will bear fruit.
