A few words from Fr Joe……………..

The first time you see a young person in their school uniform walking by you really know that summer is over and a new academic year is kicking off. The end of August is always a time to focus on our students, Leaving Cert points and CAO offers received send last year’s graduates from our secondary schools off to colleges and courses to begin the journey into their working lives. It is certainly a stressful time for many, but with care and support, most will find a way to use their gifts and talents to build a good life for themselves and contribute to the communities in which they live, we can only wish them all the very best for the future. In our secondary schools, new students mingle with the wider school community and find their way into all the challenges and opportunities that will be open to them. We pray that they will settle in quickly, find their feet, and thrive in the company of teachers and all who contribute to their education. In our parish primary schools very little children will have their first day away from the family in the ‘big’ school. It is exciting for them, sometimes daunting for the parents, but full of promise and joy. Looking at these junior infants we can recall our own beginnings in education and feel the gratitude to everyone who taught us with such great skill  in the past. All in education will benefit from the support, prayers and encouragement of their wider families and the community. We assure them of this care and support and wish them every success in the year ahead.