Offaly school marks end of year with beautiful Graduation Mass
Banagher College Colaiste na Sionna celebrates their 93 sixth year students
Banagher College Colaiste na Sionna held their Leaving Cert 2025 Graduation Mass to celebrate the our 93 sixth year students in the School PE hall last week. It was a beautiful occasion and the sunshine streaming in enhanced the atmosphere.
Hope was the theme chosen for the Mass. The full Leaving Cert class processed in from outside through the congregation to a warm welcome from all gathered inside. Head Boy, Paul Cahalan welcomed everyone and introduced the theme, setting the tone for the night.
Head Girl, Ciara Staunton read the Offertory Narration, explaining the significance of the gifts offered by her classmates. This class were in first year when the global pandemic hit and the mask and sanitiser brought by Liam Donoghue and Adam O’Rourke were a reminder of that time; the lockdown, the return to school and the measures taken to protect each other.
David Devery carried the globe, a reminder of the 28 nations represented by our students in Banagher College and the richness that adds to our school. Eilís McGarry and Emma Dolan offered a laptop and textbook representing the educational side of their school journey, Calum Moore, a microphone showing how students found their voice on stage, making podcasts and in other ways along the way.
Alex Coonan offered a lighted candle to represent the staff members and students who were part of their journey, Daniel O’Neill gave his tractor to represent the many fundraisers for good causes which the class were involved in, including tractor runs.
Larkin and Shain Cleary brought up a hurley and a cup as reminders of the games played and lessons learned in between the white lines. Eoin Cannon and Fionn O’Meara brought up Lourdes water and a T-Shirt worn by the students who were part of the Oblate Pilgrimage to Lourdes, a lifechanging experience offered to four of their students each year.
Brooklyn McDermott brought a flower to be planted in the newly created Garden of Hope and Remembrance, a beautiful reminder of past pupils and staff members who have gone to their eternal rest. Finally, Nicholas Perry offered a hope plaque, the theme of the night wishing the class of 2025 every success and happiness in their bright future ahead.
Fr Pat Kiernan reiterated Paul’s welcome and the choir under the direction of Miss Selve, sang the first hymn “What a beautiful Name it is”. School Chaplain Kathleen Gleeson lit the candle of faith, on behalf of the parents and guardians Adrian Staunton lit the candle of love and Jerry Drennan, the Sixth Year Year Head lit the candle of hope in the Ceremony of Light.
The First Reading was read by Head Boy, Evan Mannion while Head Girl, Sarah Clancy read the Second Reading, both readings based on the theme of hope and their happiness.
Following the Gospel, Fr Pat linked the readings to the film “The Shawshank Redemption” and in particular to the character of Andy Dufreyne who said to Red in a letter towards the end of the movie “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies”. It encapsulates his unwavering belief in the power of hope and his ability to persevere even in the face of adversity, a strong and important message for sixth years, many of whom are studying this film as part of their Leaving Cert English course.
He then spoke about Rory McIlroy’s message to his daughter Poppy, following his much celebrated Masters win to “never give up on your dreams.” Fr Pat was very encouraging and so in touch with the congregation gathered before him.
The Prayers of the Faithful were offered by Mary Curley, John Foley, Alex Kenny, Senan Grainger, Aoife Byrne, Rob Duffy and Enya Lodge.
The gifts of bread and wine were brought to the altar by Lauren Kenny and Lara Dias, while Nadine Clancy and Miss Weir, a sixth Year class tutor, brought up the grapes and the grain. Clíona Claffey played “Boolavogue” on the tin whistle in accompaniment during the Offertory Procession.
During Holy Communion the choir sang “ The Climb” and Fianait Dooley played a beautiful piece on the piano. After Holy Communion, Miss Hassett, the LCA tutor, read “Hope” a reflection by Nikki Banas advising them to carry hope with them through life, as it will be the very thing that carries them through.
The choir sang “Slipping Through my Fingers” as the recessional song, an emotional one for the parents and guardians.
Following the ceremony Miss Kinahan spoke very warmly about the Class of 2025 and thanked everyone involved in the Mass which really is a whole school effort. The Year Head and tutors called the names of the students to come forward to collect their Graduation Certificates and a class photo was taken before refreshments were served in the Canteen which had been transformed by Miss Hassett, Miss Flynn a sixth year tutor, Miss Kenny and their team of helpers from LCA and TY.
The floral arrangements, balloon arch and backdrop for photo opportunities created by Miss Hassett were a huge hit. The Head Boys and Girls, Paul, Sarah, Evan and Ciara performed their last official function and cut the fabulous Graduation Cake with their class photo depicted on top.
It was a lovely way to celebrate the Class of 2025 with so many of them involved in the special liturgy. Many thanks to all involved; to Miss Hassett whose floral arrangements on the altar, beneath the ambo and used in the ceremony of light were beautiful as ever, to Miss Kelleher and her junior cycle art class for the amazing and thought provoking art work behind the altar, a Hope banner, candles created using the names of the graduates, and the banner in the canteen. It was a wonderful backdrop to the sacred space.
A special word of thanks to Miss Selve, for working so hard with the beautiful choir who were the highlight of the ceremony and to Ethan who accompanied on guitar, Fianait Dooley, Ella Flynn, Eilidh Bacon, Rachel Cleary, Jennifer Glynn, Clara Doherty, Lilly Sherlock, Mary Curley, Alanna Hogan and Jack Byrne. You are truly gifted.
To Miss MacMahon for her work on the Mass Booklet and to Moya, Ella, Faye, Rebecca and Emma for folding and stapling each one. Thanks to Mr Burke and Mr Darcy in the Woodwork Department for making the Hope sign, individual letters which were painted by Katie, Áine and Grace and illuminated with strip lighting which adorned the steps beside the altar during the Mass and used as a backdrop in photos afterwards.
Thanks to Mr Shanahan and the Sodexo staff who put up the stage and arranged the seating in the PE hall ably assisted by Jake and Eoin. Thanks to Miss Kinahan for organising and setting up the sound system on the night and for ensuring that everything ran smoothly before, during and after the Mass.
Thanks to Joan and Majella in the canteen who provided the feast of food after the Mass, to Miss Weir for liasing with them and the wonderful staff who served the teas and refreshments and tidied up afterwards. Thanks to Mr Drennan for keeping a watchful eye over everything and for all his help along the way.
Finally thanks to the Class of 2025 for volunteering to take part, for practicing their pieces, their respectful participation on the night and as you take your leave, they hope that your exams go well for you in June and they wish you all good health and happiness and every success in the future.