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Activities in the Religion Department
Autumn 2005
Daisy Days -
bulbs and pens sold at businesses around the town. €1300
made. 5th and 6th year students volunteered.
Cuan Mhuire - Tour, talk, Questions and
Answer session for Second Year. One group 21st Sept. Other group 28th.
Aware - Karl O'Reilly did the Beat The Blues
Programme with the 6th year students on Fri 30 Sept.
Retreat - The 6th year Retreat in Mount St. Anne's
was a most enjoyable day for those involved. Woodie and the Retreat Team in
Killenard made the day very memorable for the 6th years.
Alzheimer Hero Day - 5th and 6th year volunteers
sold fridge magnets and badges raising a total of €55.17 for the Alzheimer
Society of Ireland.
Hallowe'en - At the break up for mid-term, the
Meitheal leaders organised a fun "Hallowe'en Scary Night" in the
school for the 1st years. The variety of activities were both fun and scary and
the Meitheal leaders made it a fantastic night for all.
Christmas Child Appeal - boxes collected on 16th of
November and handed to Samaritan's Purse.
Yearly Activities:
Opening of Year Mass
Alzheimer Hero Day: Students sell fridge magnets
and badges around the town to raise funds for The Alzheimer Society of
Ireland.
Senior Retreats. These retreats are held in
Mount St. Anne’s Retreat Centre for 5th and 6th year
students.
Christmas Child Appeal
: students donate varied toys, sweets etc. are were placed into wrapped
shoe boxes and collected by Nancy Nolan on behalf of The
Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child Appeal. These gifts are to be
distributed to children who otherwise may not have got any gifts for
Christmas.
The Advent Wreath is assembled by 6th year students and
placed in the foyer.
Class by class Penitential Services are held for Advent.
The Meitheal leaders bring first year students for a fun filled
day trip to Dublin, which in the past included visiting the Ice
Rink in Smithfield and Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. One of many
activities held by Meitheal leaders during the year including a raffle, a rag
day, school discos, meditations for first years etc.
The Christmas crib, tree and decorations are put up by the 2nd
year students.
Class by class meditations are held for Christmas.
On St. Brigid’s Day, Mary Sweeney from Trocaire comes
to talk to students about the work her agency does worldwide. Mary focused on
East Timor in particular during her last presentation.
Our School Chaplain Fr. Merrigan comes in to bless the throats of
students and staff on the Febr. 3rd, the Feast of St. Blaise.
Blessed Ashes are distributed by Fr. Merrigan on Ash
Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten Season.
St. Paul’s was one of two Kildare and two Carlow Secondary
Schools who were invited to the Press Release Launch of the 2005 Trocaire
Lenten Appeal in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. The event was held
in the Standhouse Hotel, The Curragh, Co. Kildare. The Diocese of Kildare and
Leighlin and Trocaire are linking up this Lent to promote another element of
the Diocesan ‘Reach Out’ campaign, which involves a special
emphasis on supporting the ongoing development work of Trocaire in Ethiopia
and their Lent 2005 theme: ‘Ethiopia, Help Make Poverty History’.
To Launch the Lenten Appeal the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. Dr. Jim
Moriarty was joined by the Archbishop of Addis Abeba Ethiopia, His Grace Abune
Berhaneyesus Souraphiel (meaning Light of Jesus). Sean Farrell from Trocaire
talked us through a slideshow of photographs, giving us a very real impression
of what life is like in the Ethiopian village of Dansa and Badada, the two
sisters featured in this years campaign. Three fifth year students; Paul
Broughall, Emma Flynn and Sabrina Harrison represented their school at the
launch and they were accompanied by their religion teacher Ellen Sunderland
and Fr. Merrigan. The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly and the
students got to talk openly to the Bishop and Archbishop, as they joined our
table for lunch.
Other events:
Upon our return to school in January 2005, we had class by class
ceremonies in the prayer room to pray for the victims of the Tsunami. Students
felt quite strongly that they wanted to express their sorrow after such a
momentous event.
- The Trocaire 24 Hour Fast in
March.
Children At Risk Ireland ( CARI) personnel meet first and
second year students in March to discuss issues around assertiveness
and safety in relationships.
Meitheal Achievement Night in St Leo’s Sports Hall Carlow in
February. This event is organised by the Diocese to make presentations to the
Meitheal leaders. The Bishop Dr. Moriarty is one of a number
of people who will thank the leaders for all the hard work they do in their
schools.
St. Patrick’s Day preparation.
Stations of the Cross and services in preparation for Easter.
Ongoing class meditations.
Graduation Night for sixth years on the last Thursday evening
of May.
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