CPC joins multi-school trust
In a moving ceremony recently the trusteeship of the Cross & Passion College in Kilcullen was handed over to a new grouping of 11 religious orders who have come together to set up an overall trust to look after the schools and other properties in their care.
The trust, Le Chéile, has been under development for the last six years, and was inaugurated in May. In all, some 50 schools are involved.
The move marks the end of an era for the Cross & Passion sisters involvement in Kilcullen, since they arrived in 1878. Nine years later they opened a school with just three pupils.
"They went home on holidays at Christmas, and when they came back they brought three more with them, and the following year there were 12," Sr Anne Harnett said during the ceremony, which was held in the College's Art Garden. Describing the original nuns as 'a small band of adventurers', she recalled how one Thomas Quinn had given them land and his house, and it was in that house the school was started. Sr Anne is Chairperson of the CPC Board of Management.
Describing the move in one way as being a sad time for the sisters, she said that they had nevertheless done what they felt was right for the future of the school. "It's a movement in hope, and the story continues," she concluded.
Eilis Humphries, the CEO of Le Cheile, complimented the school on its values, which she had been struck by when she came down that day. "The first one is your respect for the natural world, as shown in the lovely idea of having an Art Garden. The second thing is the creativity that has gone into this beautiful ceremony, the dancing, the singing and the beautiful work around us. The third thing, which really struck me tonight, was the wonderful sense of community, all the things that come together to make education here so precious."
Paul Tyrrell, Principal of CPC, said the celebration recognised the inheritance which the school had received. "This evening marks a new moment in the journey of fidelity," he said. "The riches that we have received will continue to be supported by the Le Cheile Trust."
