Graduation Mass, Sunday 21st May

At Sunday’s Graduation Mass, Chief Celebrant Fr. Cormac O’Brolchain reminded the boys that “being a loving person trumps all”.

In the Gospel procession the Banners proclaimed the gifts of courage, reverence, understanding, wisdom, wonder, knowledge and sound judgement – all that we wish for our boys, for each other.

Added to that the virtues of love, self-control, patience, peace, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, generosity were highlighted. The Prayers Of The Faithful were offered in 8 different languages, representing the cosmopolitan nature of the class.

It was a deeply moving Liturgy, deeply appreciated by the boys and their parents. The Cantors and Choristers and Readers were outstanding. For this and much more I thank most sincerely: Mr Tom Ryan, Mr Goan, Ms McMahon, Ms O’Connor, Mr Grumley-Traynor, Mr Hurl, Mr O’Reilly, Mr Swan, Mr Sullivan, Mr Menezes, Mr Herlihy and members of the R.E. and Pastoral Teams; Fintan O’Connor, Marco Himpers, Tommy Moore, Kathryn Cummins and the Maintenance and Household Staff.

The presence of Union President, Brian O’Neill (Class of 1981) and his wife Eibhlin, the Chairman of the Board Of Management, Mr John Murphy, members of the College Spiritan Community, Provincial Fr Marc Whelan, Mr Ronan Barry from the S.E.T, as well as our teaching colleagues added hugely to the occasion.

I thank the 6th Year Parents Committee for the decoration of the Jubilee Hall. It was at its finest. I also thank the 5th Year Parents’ Committee for hosting a reception in the Refectory and, of course, Mary, Albert and our Catering Staff.

The Graduation Lunch, held at the Pavilion, Leopardstown, was organised by the 6th Year Parents’ Committee where over 570 continued the celebrations. The highlight of which was Joe McIntyre’s outstanding speech.

A Brilliant Day!