Up, up and away
Eighty-seven balloons flying up from the grounds of the parish church signified the 'release' of a similar number of students from the Cross & Passion College after the school's Graduation Mass last evening.
Earlier, at the introduction to the ceremonies, student Aidan Conway set the theme for the evening. "We may be entering the next phase of our lives, but we go together," he said.
In his homily, school chaplain Fr Andrew O'Sullivan said that in their future lives it was important that the school leavers knew who they really were.
"Life is more about who we are than what we want to be," he said. "You need to know the kind of person you are ... but along with self knowledge there must also be self acceptance." He added that they wouldn't be 'going it alone' when they left CPC, but that God will travel with them.
Opening the graduation ceremony proper, CPC Principal Paul Tyrell thanked the parents for giving him and his colleagues the 'privilege' of teaching their children for six years.
"You gave them to us as children and they leave us as young men and women," he said. "We challenged them at as many levels as possible ... and they are going with new horizons and expectations."
Suggesting that a school can be judged in its success by how its pupils contribute to the community they go back into, he noted that as teachers they themselves were a 'community' of educators. "We hope that we have passed on what a community is all about," he said.
Sixth Year Head Anne Stewart likened the leaving pupils to nature at this time of year, when different elements develop at different speeds.
"But no matter what, they all get there," she said. "I know the class is very special; they've got a great heart, and they care a lot. I've enjoyed working with you as a group even if sometimes it was tough."
She hoped that they would remember the people who had a hand getting them to 'wherever you are going to', their parents and teachers.
Presentations were made by the students to several of the teachers, and each pupil then presented a flower their parents. On behalf of the students, Mr Tyrell made a presentation to Fr Andrew, who will be leaving the parish next month.
"Everyone's memories of the past six years together will differ and vary from person to person," she said. "But it is my hope that the greatest part of those memories are happy ones. "We have shared each other's company and lived in the comfort of our friendships and our respect for each other.
"We leave behind the days when our hopes were the brightest, the laughter the loudest and our tears the sweetest. I wish you all your hearts desires, your hopes and dreams, as you set out on this new journey."
More pictures here.
Brian Byrne.
