‘Keep St. Columb’s close to your hearts’ - Derry Principal tells Year 14 leavers
Valedictory Mass was held in St. Patrick’s Church, Pennyburn on Thursday evening for Year 14 leaving students
Year 14 leaving students from St Columb’s College congregated on St. Patrick’s Church, Pennyburn on Thursday evening with their parents to mark their Valedictory Mass and heard Principal, Mrs. Caroline McLaughlin asked them to ‘keep the College close to their hearts.’
The students were greeted at the door of the church by Principal, Mrs. Caroline McLaughlin and Year 14 Head Mr. Michael McLaughlin before Mass was celebrated with a packed congregation by School Chaplain, Fr. Sean O’Donnell.
In her opening address, Mrs. McLaughlin asked both pupils and parents to keep St Columb’s close to their hearts and reminded the leaving students how proud she and everyone involved with the College, were of them as they prepare to take their leave and continue on life’s journey beyond St. Columb’s.
The Principal added that she firmly believed in the Columban tradition ‘Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow.’ She said: ‘I remember you joining us in 2018 as little Year 8s, as ‘little acorns’ and through the many opportunities and experiences over the past seven years, in the ups and downs, you have become ‘great oaks.’ You have the world at your feet.’
Mrs McLaughlin reminded the boys that ‘each one of you is unique, you all have a talent, a skill, a value, to be developed and nurtured. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for the Class of 2025!’ She told the boys that they were a: ‘A fine set of gentlemen. Each individual man in this Class of 2025, has contributed in his own unique way to this year group and to your school. You have all made your mark on our school community. But I believe that our school has all left its mark on you too.’
She thanked them all for their contribution to the school and wished them all well in their examinations and prayed for their happy, safe, healthy, and fulfilling futures.
In a touching homily, Fr Sean O’Donnell reflected on how St Columba, the founder of spiritual heritage in Derry, lived his life of faith, courage and service that echoes through the ethos of St. Columb’s College - calling the students to live out the Catholic values received in their Baptism and Confirmation.
He continued: ‘Today, we give thanks for your gifts, we bless your future, and we entrust you to God’s loving plan, as the readings remind us of hope, purpose, and the eternal life promised in Christ.
May you always trust in God’s plan, as Ecclesiastes teaches; may you live with the joy and peace of Philippians; and may you draw strength from Christ, the Bread of Life.
‘Go forth as men of St Columb’s, rooted in the faith of your Baptism and Confirmation, inspired by St Columba, and committed to serving God in all you do and may God bless you, guide you, and keep you always.’
Mr Johnston, Vice Principal read out the name of each student, while, Principal, Mrs. McLaughlin and Mr. McLaughlin, Year Head extended the hand of friendship to each of the Year 14 students, each called to the altar to receive a candle symbolising a beacon of hope for the journey that lies ahead of them.
Also addressing the students, Year Head Mr. McLaughlin added: “Also addressing the students, Year Head Mr. McLaughlin added “Your energy, your humour, your loyalty, and your heart have left a mark on this College, and on me. The world is ready for you. In fact—the world needs you. It needs young men of your substance, your values and your character”.
The school choir performed admirably under the guidance of Miss McGowan, and Mr Kerrigan and were accompanied instrumentally by Gavin Cavanagh (Year 12), with solos from Oran McParland (Year 12), Oisin O’Donnell (Year 12) and Oisin O’Donnell (Year 9).
Head of Year 14, Mr Michael McLaughlin, and Senior Teacher Mr Tony McGonigle, read the liturgy of the word, whilst Communion Gifts were brought to the altar by the school’s Librarian, Mrs Val Khodakova.
The Prayers of the Faithful were read by students Luke Coyle, Fergal Cutliffe, Christian Porteous, Jack McGinn, Canice Malone, Conan Harkin and Kyle Walker.
Just before the final prayer, Somhairle McFadden, Head Boy, made a short but touching address, paying tribute to both his fellow students and the entire staff at the school for all the help and support they had received through their time there.
Afterwards, all were invited back to St. Columb’s canteen where a hot buffet was served and a video of the students’ time at the college shown on a large screen.
The students now begin their A-level examinations with results known around mid-August, before embarking on university life.