Clonskeagh Parish RCN:20016166

A few words from Fr Joe…………………….

My first primary school had just two rooms, two teachers, open fires and an outside toilet. It was up a lane behind the church, with just the graveyard between us and people coming and going to Mass. The principal was known as ‘The Master’ and seemed very strict to us, especially when we moved into his room where four classes were taught together. This was the Catholic school, of St Mary’s Parish, and a beautiful statue of Our Lady looked down on us as we worked. Small and all as we were the education was pretty good, and many of the pupils went on to achieve well in life. I was moved on from this little country school to the main Catholic school in the town for the last part of my primary education. In those times we had to take an exam called the ‘11 Plus’ and a pass meant you were streamed for a grammar school education, a pathway to a more academic secondary school. During these years I had my First Communion in the local church with the classmates from that school and my Confirmation in the town with the new school. We learnt our prayers, celebrated the feast days, went to Sunday Mass and integrated our faith development as we grew to maturity. There was nothing unusual at all about being a catholic family, practicing our faith, and participating in the life of the parish and wider church. Our priests were familiar visitors to our classroom and we saw and heard them at Mass and around the parish, in the shops, at games and occasionally at home. This vision of the Catholic school has continued and evolved as life has progressed. Now there is a survey from the Department of Education to discern the schools of the future, and the church leaders are really encouraging parents to participate. Whatever the future holds it is important that all the partners in education get to have their preferences heard. Please encourage those who can to take the time to express their sincerely held view.