News Specials 2010

News Specials 2010:

Sr. Antonine joins Sudan Initiative

A very happy piece of news is that our Sr. Antonine Meleady headed for Southern Sudan on St Brigid’s Day, 1 February 2010 to help with a collaborative programme of in-service teacher training in English and Religious Education.. This is a short-term voluntary commitment and Antonine will return to Ireland after Easter.

The men and women who are benefitting from this training have only primary school education themselves. Antonine, a veteran of our Peruvian mission, an experienced teacher and a most creative person, has plenty of assets for this new challenge.

The background to SSS

Solidarity with Southern Sudan is a collaborative venture sponsored by the International Union of Superior Generals (UISG/USG) which has led to more than 80 religious congregations uniting their efforts, charisms, financial and personnel resources in response to the invitation of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference to come to Southern Sudan and help to rebuild society and the Church after more than five decades of civil war. Sr. Pat Murray, a Loreto Sister from Ireland is the present Executive Director. Some orders have personnel in Sudan on a three-year commitment. Shorter term projects, such as this one for teacher in-service, are also being implemented in the educational and health areas.

Southern Sudan ranks at the bottom of the UN “life quality indices” for the world’s countries. With the illiteracy rate in Southern Sudan at 85%, one in four babies dying before the age of five, 85% of the population displaced and 92% of citizens living below the poverty level, the educational and health sectors desperately need trained professionals to help rebuild a severely damaged nation.


In-service teachers and Sr. Antonine 3rd from left in blue		Sudan: In-service teachers and staff. Centre: Sr. Antonine and Peter
[Click photos for larger images]
Currently, there is a need for 2,000 primary and secondary school teachers. The illiteracy rate in Southern Sudan is almost 85% - only 22% of children go to school and 2% at present complete primary school.
Solidarity with Southern Sudan welcomes Sisters, Brothers, and Priests to train teachers and health care workers. Working together in inter-congregational communities, they will train Sudanese in the professional skills necessary for a literate and healthy society. Please God Holy Faith will have the opportunity again to help in such circumstances of crying need.

On Friday, 14th May 2010, twenty-three classmates of the Leaving Cert.1960 class in Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf, met for a Golden Jubilee Reunion with the celebrations taking place in the Portmarnock Hotel.

Planning for the Reunion began at a birthday celebration of a group of friends from this class when the conversation turned to "wouldn't it be great to organise something to mark 50 years since leaving school". A serviette was produced, a brain-storming ensued and the class list was completed in record time!
A small committee was then set up and it was decided that the reunion would consist of a celebration dinner, the option of an overnight stay and an early start with afternoon tea to give everyone the opportunity of plenty of time for conversation and meeting each one of our former school friends.
	Friends for 50+ years: [Back] Mary, Clare [Front] Dorothea (Jane chf), Rosemary, Deirdre.

Memory Lane Revisited!

Afternoon tea turned into a three-hour marathon and was the ideal opportunity for mixing and mingling and having a word with each one. Some of us had met at a 21st reunion, but it was very emotive to meet others for the first time since the final Leaving Cert. exam in 1960. Many had brought old school photos which sparked great memories and stories of the 'old days'. Two came from the UK and one travelled from Germany. There were many enquiries about our former teachers and lots of tributes and good wishes were given to be passed on to Sr. Mary Raymond, who was remembered with affection.

A beautiful meal followed in the evening and the midnight oil was burned afterwards as the sharing continued. The following morning we all met for a leisurely breakfast together and before parting there were promises of another get-together within the next few years.

The L.C. Class of 1960 Holy Faith Clontarf
and
the 50th jubilee photo 2010

Reunion Recommendation

Sometimes when reunions are suggested they don't happen as everyone is waiting for someone else to take the initiative in setting the organisation in motion. Don't miss out on a wonderful experience if you have a milestone anniversary approaching! We found our mixture of afternoon tea, evening dinner and overnight hotel stay just perfect. We did find, however, that a May date meant that some could not attend due to Confirmations/Holy Communions of grandchildren and therefore an April or other date might be more advisable.

LAUNCH OF
SR. ETHNA'S BOOK

Book Launch in Mater Dei Institute

On Monday, 24th May 2010, family, friends, Holy Faith sisters and academic colleagues assembled in Mater Dei Institute for the launch of Sr. Ethna Regan's landmark book: "Theology and the Boundary Discourse of Human Rights". Published just last month by the Georgetown University Press, it is already gaining world-wide recognition. "This impressive book should shift its readers into renewed determination to achieve fundamental conditions of human flourishing for all, however situated." - Ann Loades, CBE, professorial fellow, St. Chad's College, and professor emerita of divinity, University of Durham UK

In his opening words, Dr. Dermot Lane, President of Mater Dei Institute, spoke of the unique aspects of Ethna's work. It was greatly influenced by Ethna's direct experience of the needs of children on the streets of Trinidad, her work in the Credo Foundation of Justice and her experience of the plight of convicted criminals when the death penalty was reintroduced in Trinidad in 1994.
It is also unique as it brings about a critical dialogue between theology and human rights and is the fruit of much study and research during Ethna's Ph.D studies in Cambridge. He spoke of Ethna's "disturbing passion" for justice and how timely its publication is in view of recent happenings in our country and the proposed Constitutional Referendum on Children.
Dr. Maureen Junker-Kelly, Associate Professor of Theology in Trinity College launched the book and gave a very insightful summary of its contents. The book examines where the themes and concerns of key modern theologians converge with the themes and concerns of those committed to the advancement of human rights.		Professor Maureen Junker-Kenny, Sr. Ethna Regan, Dr. Dermot Lane
Congratulations, Ethna, and may this book play its part in advancing human rights worldwide!

On Friday, 21st May 2010, staff, parents, pupils and guests attended the official opening and blessing of the new school building for St. Brigid's N.S. The Coombe. A wonderful atmosphere was set for those arriving for the event with the singing of the assembled pupils and the music provided by the Army Band.

A third school building for St. Brigid's

Following the welcome by Mrs. Deirdre Early, Principal, Sr. Evelyn Greene, Regional Leader of the Holy Faith Sisters, reminded all that the dream of an ideal school building for the needs of the school community was not just the dream of the present staff, parents and pupils but stretched right back to 145 years ago when Margaret Aylward in 1865 was asked to take charge of a very poor school in a "very tumbledown school building" in West Park Street, which became the first St. Brigid's.

Conditions were difficult in these buildings and there was great excitement and joy for the sisters and students when the second St. Brigid's opened in 1887. By 1915 there were 1,110 pupils and 18 sisters in the school - some 60 pupils per class! This building served thousands of students for 121 years but now the dream of an excellent building for the needs of students, staff and parents is finally fulfilled with the opening of this third home for St. Brigid's School.

Family links

Mrs. Amanda Hall was chosen to speak on behalf of the parents as her children are present students, she is a past-pupil herself and both her mother and grandmother attended St. Brigid's - a family tradition stretching back to 1916!

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin surprised all by saying that he too had links with St. Brigid's as his grandmother and her three sisters had been enrolled in the school in 1910.

Archbishop Martin and parent Amanda Hall

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and
parent Amanda Hall

Student choir and Parents'
gospel choir sing "Biddy Mulligan
the pride of the Coombe"

Sr. Evelyn Greene and
Mrs. Deirdre Early, Principal

The Official Opening and Blessing

Following some readings, hymns and prayers, Archbishop Martin cut the ribbon to officially open the new building and having blessed the hall, the holy water was passed to a staff member, parent and pupil who sprinkled the water of blessing in each room through the entire building.

St. Brigid's choirs, under the direction of Mrs. Elizabeth O'Brien, have had wonderful success at feiseanna and competitions and the present choir sang a selection of songs before being joined by the Parents' Gospel Choir leading all in "Biddy Mulligan, the pride of the Coombe".

A fourth Green Flag Award for St. Brigid's
St. Brigid's have been very environmentally sensitive for years and have already received three green flag awards for litter/waste management and the conservation of energy and water.
A fourth flag was proudly hoisted in the school grounds after the blessing, presented for promoting sustainable transport modes (walking, cycling, car pooling or public transport) which improve pupils' safety, health and fitness. WOW (Walk on Wednesdays) has been one of the school's special projects in this area. The day concluded with a buffet reception for the adults and a welcome party for all the students.

5. Regional Changes

Welcome and Best Wishes!

On 22nd August 2010 a new regional team took over the leadership of the Irish region for the next four years. Srs. Rosaleen Cunniffe (Regional Leader), Patricia Lahiff, Eileen Houlihan and Enda Mullen are the new team members.

At a regional gathering in Holy Faith Convent Glasnevin on 3rd September they were formally welcomed to their new role by Sr. Margo Delaney, Congregational Leader, and received the prayers of the region as they gathered around the Margaret Aylward lamp in the chapel sanctuary:

"May the Lord bless you all the days of your lives,
Bless you lovingly all the days of your lives."

	Our thanks and wishes for blessings!
	The outgoing team were thanked by Sr. Margo on behalf of all the sisters for their generosity and dedication during their ffour years of service in leadership. The initiation by the team of the Focus & Direction process received special mention:
	“In relation to mission, you invested much time and energy seeking to explore transformation in mission in the Focus and Direction process with its emphasis on respect, integrity and involvement.”
Back: Srs. Evelyn Greene (Regional Leader) Rosemary Duffy and Brenda Quinn. Front: Srs. Veronica Kirwan and Catherine Brennan.	Best wishes from all of us, Evelyn, Catherine, Rosemary, Brenda and Veronica as you move on to new stages in your faith journey. We wish you many blessings!
	"I thank my God each time I think of you, and when I pray for you, I pray with joy."
The Ritual of Gratitude and Blessing ended with all the sisters present making a Renewal of Commitment to Holy Faith Life. This was followed by quality time for all as we enjoyed refreshments together.

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