Graduation Mass

GRADUATION MASS

SUNDAY 22 MAY 2016

A FITTING TRIBUTE TO THE CLASS OF 2016

At Sunday’s Graduation Mass, Chief Celebrant Fr. Cormac O’Brolchain urged the boys to be “true to their inner values, to take times of reflection, for prayer”.

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.

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 Sean Goan, Ms McMahon, Br. Joe, Ms O’Kane, 

Ms O’Connor, Mr Grumley Traynor, Mr Hurl, Mr O’Reilly, Mr Swan, Mr Sullivan, Ms McGee, Mr Herlihy and members of the R.E. and Pastoral Teams; Fintan O’Connor, Marco Himpers, Tommy Moore, Alan Sheridan and the Maintenance and Household Staff.

The presence of Union President, David Coen (Class of 1986) and his wife Lucinda, Chairman of the Board Of Management, Mr John Murphy, members of the College Spiritan Community, and many teaching colleagues added hugely to the occasion.

I thank the 6^th Year Parents Committee for the decoration of the Jubilee Hall.  It was at its finest.  I also thank the 5^th 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 6^th Year Parents’ Committee where over 580 continued the celebrations.  Valedictorian James Cronin (Class of 2016) delivered an excellent speech, replete with witty reminiscences of their days at Blackrock.  A great day!