Catholic Schools Week

“A Light for Every Generation”

Earlier this year, our school celebrated Catholic Schools Week from the 31st January to the 6th of February. This gave us the opportunity to acknowledge and reflect on what it means to be part of a Catholic school and how we can contribute to our local community.  This year’s theme was “Catholic Schools-A Light for Every Generation.” Our school is committed to the education and formation of each student in every aspect of their lives. Cluny is a light for pupils, staff, parents and the community in every generation. This theme reminds us of our duty to let that light shine through to everyone around us.  We had a beautiful display in the Sacred Space of our school representing this theme. All of us were asked to bring in photos of ourselves, friends and family members. These were presented in the Sacred Space to show the different generations. Mr. Larkin, our religion teacher, also prepared a display of four pictures representing different generations in the shape of a candle. This showed the light we can bring into people’s lives, no matter what their age, colour or religion.  St. Brigid’s day fell on the second day of Catholic Schools Week. To mark the occasion, Mrs. Higgins presented a beautiful slideshow at the school assembly. I have included a copy of St. Brigid’s prayer. For us, it signified the beginning of a new opportunity to be more involved in our faith in school life. February 3rd is the feast of St. Blaise, the patron saint for sore throats. For Catholic Schools Week, this day was designated as Grandparents Day. This was to strengthen the links between the two generations, young and old. Not everyone is lucky enough to have grandparents in their lives, but this day allowed us to cherish the memories we do have and to keep our grannies and grandads in our prayers. Throughout the week, different events took place around the school to mark the importance of Catholic Schools. A speaker, Dr. Mark Dooley came in to talk to 5th years about his experiences and faith journey. The 5th years appreciated his input. My own year was unlucky in the fact that our Mocks took place in the same week so we did not get to fully experience all the events that took place. Despite that, I really appreciate the importance of recognising this week in Catholic Schools. It really makes a difference in our awareness of our faith and it helps us to express our own experiences of faith such as in the photography display. It was a really  great opportunity for the whole community to get involved in school life and I am already looking forward to Catholic Schools Week 2011. 
                                                                                                                                                           Niamh Casey, 3X  

Below is the prayer that was used for Mrs. Higgins’ presentation on St. Brigid’s Day. Brigid, a Blessing 

Brigid, Light to the darkness

Hope to the downcast

Woman of faith And of Ireland.

As water Falling from full-sky

Brought Benediction to the crop and creature.

As water from cupped hand

Brought Benediction to the new born Christian

We sprinkle water here and now

In this a place made blessed by our children

May the dark of the heart never hold them

May the light of the faith always lead them

May it shine like the pillar of fire before them

And scatter the dark of their days

As it mastered the shadows of yours,  Brigid

May the dark of the heart never hold them

Light to the darkness

Hope to the downcast

Woman of faith

And of Ireland