This article is from page 34 of the 2007-04-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 34 JPG
GENEROUS support from surround- ing parishes as well as the home par- ish, and from parents, staff, students and businesses has culminated in the blessing and formal opening of St John Bosco Community College oratory in Kildysart.
The formalities were conducted by Bishop of Killaloe Willie Walsh who congratulated all concerned with the undertaking which he said will ben- efit generations to come. Its use for class Masses and other liturgical and spiritual exercises was warmly wel- comed. The facility is to be perma- nently open to students and staff.
Fergus Costello, the liturgical art- ist, designed a plan for the room at an estimated cost of €12,000. A fund- raising campaign, explains college chaplain and teacher Deirdre Con-
vey, was launched right away and “got wonderful support”.
A tabernacle carved from bog oak, a Madonna and Child, the crucifix and a water feature form the main focus points of the sacred space.
While the college’s building plans included the oratory at the start of construction a few years ago, there was no cash from the Department of Education and Science for furnish- ing or other equipment.
Students took a prominent part in the special liturgy devised for the blessing ceremony, which was devised by Deirdre Convey and at- tended by teachers, students, parents, board of management members, priests from the catchment parishes, Salesian sisters and people from the local community and surrounding parishes.
John Kelly spoke words of wel-
come, while Bernie McNelis was soloist. Caitriona Coffey played the harp and Laoise Sutton the concer- tina. Emer Greene delivered a piece titled “The Dream’, Caitriona Mc- Mahon read intercessions and Emer McCarthy a series of blessings.
Six students representing the catch- ment parishes led a candlelight pro- cession that preceded Bishop Walsh to the oratory for its blessing. They were Marion McMahon, Kildysart; Conor Mullins, Lissycasey-Ballyna- cally; Laoise Sutton, Cranny-Cool- meen; Brid O’Connell, Labasheeda- Kilmurry McMahon; Aoife Smith, Ennis, and Laura Daly, Clarecastle- Ballyea.
Bishop Walsh said that setting aside a special space in a school or college was a “very strong statement about the ethos and values system to which the academy subscribes”.
Marion Coughlan Flynn, college principal, said that the finalisation of the room that was now the oratory proper “was due principally to Deir- dre Convey who travelled Munster to see other oratories and eventually choose Fergus Costello, the liturgi- cal artist, having been so impressed with his work that she had seen at first hand. He has now done a mar- vellous job in the college”.
She especially thanked all who had contributed to various fund-raising events to get the oratory furnished and completed. They now had a very special place to withdraw and reflect.