‘The Derry of the future is being built by St Brigid’s College’ - Bishop Donál McKeown

Derry’s St Brigid’s College - Coláiste Bhríde has celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a Mass of Thanksgiving in its neighbouring St Brigid’s Church, Carnhill, followed by refreshments, entertainment and craic back in the school.

Mass was celebrated by The Most Reverend Bishop Dónal McKeown, with concelebrants Fr Seán O’Donnell, Msgr Joseph Donnelly, and Fr Antonio and Fr Joseph Mary, Francisican Friars of the Renewal from St Joseph's Church, Galliagh and school chaplains. The Altar Servers were Sean Millar, John Doherty and Michael O’Donnell Bozik.

Mass was celebrated by The Most Reverend Bishop Dónal McKeown, with concelebrants Fr Seán O’Donnell, Msgr Joseph Donnelly, and Fr Antonio and Fr Joseph Mary. PHOTO: Peter McKane.

Following a welcome by Principal (acting) Mr Sean McCay, Head Girl Ashleen Carlin and Head Boy TJ Edgar, welcomed the entrance procession to the altar.

Mr Pól Ó Gríofa and Mr John Doherty (caretakers), Mrs Tammy Donegan (ancillary staff), Mrs Geraldine Wilson (support staff), Mrs Josephine Duffy (canteen staff), Mr Kevin Cairns (Learning Support staff), Sophie Toland (current pupil) and Mrs Sharon Jones (Greater Shantallow Area Partnership), brought forward gifts representing different aspects of St Brigid’s College to the altar.

Former St Brigid’s College staff members Mrs Nuala O’Flaherty and Mr George Chambers read the First and Second Readings.

The beautiful music was provided by the St Brigid's Pupil & Teacher Choir & musicians. PHOTO: Peter McKane.

Casting his mind back to September 1975, when St Brigid’s College, then Carnhill High School, opened, Bishop McKeown began his Sermon by reminding the younger people in the congregation “a lot was happening in Derry 50 years ago”.

“The old city authorities had been abolished and there were great plans to offer new housing to the thousands who had been crammed into the Bogside, Brandywell and Creggan - Steelstown, Shantallow, Carnhill and Galliagh were built on greenfield sites,” recalled Bishop McKeown.

“And at the heart of this new development here in Carnhill - beside the Church and the shops - was education, primary and post-primary. Not only did the parishes here want to have schools for the many children of young families in the area. They were prepared to raise part of the building costs that non-state schools had to raise. Tonight we give thanks for the courageous people who ensured St Brigid’s College would start in the heart of this community and for those who have worked to make it the popular College it is, promoting not just exam success but high hopes for all the young people of this area,” said Bishop McKeown.

“Catholic education is not either trying to be an exam factory or to be a dogmatic communicator of Catholic doctrine. A rounded education for young people is much more than that. People are smart in different ways and none of us is as smart as all of us. A community-based education values the different skills and abilities of individuals for a healthy society needs intelligence in all its forms - academic, musical, creative, sporting, technical and social,” he added.

Bishop Dónal McKeown, Frank Dunne (first Principal of St Brigid's College), Mayor Ruaíri McHugh and Eamonn Broderick (CEO, CCMS) celebrating St Brigid's College's 50th Birthday. PHOTO: Peter McKane

“I know you are working on the comprehensive modernising of the canteen and toilet facilities as a commitment to the students’ comfort and wellbeing and you have plans for a new state-of-the-art, all-weather artificial pitch, which will elevate the sports programmes and provide a space for teamwork, resilience, and joy.

“All of this is aimed at telling young people in a dangerous world that, by working together, we can invest to create hope for the future and for that of their children. Faith in God means having faith in people and in what good people can do when they work together.

“And the religious ethos is so much more than RE and the occasional holy things. What do I mean?

“Schools are expected to sort out many of society’s problems. If there is an issue with any number of social issues, schools are told they must help to solve the problems being created in society or by on-line pressures. You are expected to talk about and deal with sensitive matters. But many people say you shouldn’t really talk about the most important question that plagues many young people, namely, ‘What is the purpose and value of my life?’ said Bishop McKeown.

St Brigid's College's first Principal, Frank Dunne, cutting the 50th Birthday cake. PHOTO: Peter McKane.

“A faith-based school purposely makes space to ask these questions and to offer answers,” he added.

“As the liberal consensus seems to be crumbling in the face of what its free-for-all attitude has created - social fragmentation, addiction, mental stress, violence and a toxic on-line world - there is renewed openness to asking big questions and seeking wise answers.

“Just when we are being told we were being left behind and out of touch, educationalists are rediscovering the value of values … an openness to God and to more than things can raise our eyes from the everyday and help us to hope. Too many people are dying for want of a reason for living,” said Bishop McKeown.

Bishop McKeown went on to acknowledge that St Brigid’s College was “working on accessibility upgrades”.

“[This is] emphasising a Catholic school must be a welcoming, navigable, and fully inclusive home for everyone, whatever their abilities or disabilities or combination of both,” he added.

“Tonight, we look back with gratitude and look forward with hope. The Derry of the future is being built by St Brigid’s College and by so many other great schools.

Celebrating: Former Principal Pádraig Ó Mianáin, current Principal (acting) Sean McKay, Bishop Dónal McKeown, first Principal Frank Dunne and Eamonn Broderick, CEO, CCMS. PHOTO: Peter McKane.

“Thank you for your faith, hope and love. Never be embarrassed about being proud of having them,” said Bishop McKeown.

The Prayers of the Faithful were then said by Mr Colm Campbell, Miss Erin Murray, Mrs Gemma Gill and Mrs Aisling Mullan.

Former students celebration St Brigid's 50th Birthday with their Principal Frank Dunne. PHOTO: Peter McKane.

As the Mass of Thanksgiving drew to a close, current St Brigid’s College pupils Clodagh McNaught (Year 13), Thomas McFadden (Year 11) and Robyn Preston (Year 8) delivered the most inspirational Student Reflections, which are also going to be included in a time capsule being put together by the school, to be opened in 2075 - the school’s centenary year.