75th Celebrations
In our Newsletter of June 2008 we noted that the school was 75 years in existence and over the summer break it was decided that this significant milestone should be marked. After some consideration on a suitable celebration we decided to mark the occasion with a Mass followed by refreshments and the opening of the school for viewing by past pupils and the local community.
Our publication in the Northern Standard prior to the event evoked a tremendous response and soon the memorabelia and written and anecdotal memories of school days in St. Michael’s came pouring in. It was then we realised just what this celebration meant to the past pupils of the school. The workload in the weeks leading up to the celebration was immense as we endeavoured to put names on old and not so old photographs, create displays and ensure that everything was in order. Parents helped out with the preparation of the hall and provided the refreshments and catering on the day.
Sunday 2nd November 2008, a beautiful crisp sunny morning saw the church of St. Michael’s full to capacity for our celebratory Mass. The church was beautifully decorated for the event and former teacher Mrs Bríd Donnelly was on hand at the organ leading the pupils, choir and congregation in song. Fr. Owen J. McEneaney had evidently put great thought and preparation into the liturgy. Children, staff and past pupils participated in a special way at various times in the Mass.
To mark the occasion Fr. McEneaney presented the school with a beautiful, hand painted and carved Italian icon based on the famous Rublev Holy Trinity and this will take pride of place in St. Michael’s, Rackwallace for many a year to come.
In the Community Centre everyone was treated to refreshments with an endless supply of home baking and niceties following which people mingled and viewed the vast array of photographs and memorabelia. Such was the interest in the display that the hall was left open for the remainder of the day and many locals viewed the photographs throughout the afternoon.
It was heartening to see so many past pupils visit the school and reminisce on years gone by. The renovations, extension, décor and comfort of the present building were warmly commented on by all who passed through.
Our publication in the Northern Standard prior to the event evoked a tremendous response and soon the memorabelia and written and anecdotal memories of school days in St. Michael’s came pouring in. It was then we realised just what this celebration meant to the past pupils of the school. The workload in the weeks leading up to the celebration was immense as we endeavoured to put names on old and not so old photographs, create displays and ensure that everything was in order. Parents helped out with the preparation of the hall and provided the refreshments and catering on the day.
Sunday 2nd November 2008, a beautiful crisp sunny morning saw the church of St. Michael’s full to capacity for our celebratory Mass. The church was beautifully decorated for the event and former teacher Mrs Bríd Donnelly was on hand at the organ leading the pupils, choir and congregation in song. Fr. Owen J. McEneaney had evidently put great thought and preparation into the liturgy. Children, staff and past pupils participated in a special way at various times in the Mass.
To mark the occasion Fr. McEneaney presented the school with a beautiful, hand painted and carved Italian icon based on the famous Rublev Holy Trinity and this will take pride of place in St. Michael’s, Rackwallace for many a year to come.
In the Community Centre everyone was treated to refreshments with an endless supply of home baking and niceties following which people mingled and viewed the vast array of photographs and memorabelia. Such was the interest in the display that the hall was left open for the remainder of the day and many locals viewed the photographs throughout the afternoon.
It was heartening to see so many past pupils visit the school and reminisce on years gone by. The renovations, extension, décor and comfort of the present building were warmly commented on by all who passed through.