As you may know, this week has been designated Catholic Schools week. It is a chance for us in Mary, Mother of Hope Senior National School to reflect on our school and to celebrate its uniqueness and its strengths. In the past two decades, Ireland has changed hugely, with many children from many different cultures coming to the country. Here in Littlepace, we have experienced rapid growth and change in a very short period of time. Today we can reflect on this period of change: how our school has grown to become a large and vibrant school with a diversity of cultures.
Our school was established by the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin in 2001. Some sixteen years later, we can ask the question:
what difference it actually makes that we are a Catholic school?
What does it mean to us in our community to have a Catholic school at the heart of it?
How different would it be if we did not have the support of Fr. George, Clinton and the entire parish team to support us in our work in the school?
Catholic schools have a long tradition of supporting and developing the communities in which they operate. This happens from generation to generation, with traditions being established and passed on. Since we were established, this school has tried to place itself at the heart of our community. As a Catholic school, we are very proud of our Catholic ethos and seek to develop this in all aspects of the life of the school.
This Thursday (2nd February), we will be celebrating Catholic school’s week with a special Mass for the children in the church. This Mass will also be offered up for our late colleague Dermot Gannon whose anniversary occurs around this time.