Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ in the city of Limerick, Ireland, celebrates ninety years of teaching. FCJ Sisters attended the festivities and Sr Eileen fcJ writes about the event.
It’s not every day that the opportunity to celebrate 90 years of the living heritage of a school comes our way. This happened on Saturday November 8 when a large number of alumnae, staff, students, FCJ Sisters, a Le Chéile Trust representative, the Bishop of Limerick, the City Mayor gathered together to mark the ‘Granite’ or in classical terms the Nonagintennial Jubilee of Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ.
Attending this event was poignant as I vividly remember, when still a member of staff there in 1985, celebrating the Golden Anniversary An Ceiliúradh Órga and later in 2010 returning from a different pasture to mark the 75th Anniversary.
A Jubilee Mass in Irish to mark the history and companionship of the school community over the past 90 years was celebrated in the ‘Convent’ chapel, now the school chapel, by Brendan Leahy, Bishop of Limerick. A choir of current students lifted our hearts with their youthful and melodious voices to the accompaniment of violins, harps and piano. This was followed by a tasty buffet in the d’Houet Hall. Many emotions were expressed, ranging from sheer excitement and joy at meeting former teachers and fellow students to tears of nostalgia, reacquainting, reminiscing, exchanging life’s experiences with staff members – and former students introducing their now young adult daughters! There were awkward moments of not recognising faces – or of recognising faces but slipping up on names. Memories of younger days were reawakened while there was also a jocund reminder of a temporary suspension for a breach of honour when away on a class event!
Gaudeamus igitur junvenes dum sumus was in the air. While we were not enjoying an entertainment of ‘The Student Prince’ the sentiments of the song were filtering through our hearts. The school Principal, Úna Ní Ghríofa, warmly welcomed all:
From its foundation in 1935 Laurel Hill Coláiste has held a prestigious place of recognition throughout the province of Munster and beyond, on many occasions topping the National League Tables. Sr Benigna (An tSr Béinín) founder of the Coláiste established the ethos that is still alive and strong. There is a marked tradition of excellence here where school staff, students and parents work together with hope, dignity and gentleness, the pursuit of justice and more importantly they work together as companions. Spiritual nurturing is obvious and it is particularly delightful that our students leave us with the FCJ values in their hearts as well as respect and love of our Irish language and our Irish heritage.
I say ‘Thank You’ to the FCJ sisters for the wonderful example they have given to us. Together, today let us celebrate this great school. Let us enjoy this moment in each other’s company. Let us enjoy travelling down memory lane reflecting on school days. Especially let us remember the legacy that the FCJ sisters bequeathed to us here in Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, Limerick. (Translated from Irish)
There were words of appreciation and admiration for An tSr Béinín whose vision was the solid rock on which the school was founded and whose commitment enabled its growth and flourishing. She was the one entrusted by the then new Irish Free State to establish a school to promote the Irish language and culture. She was to be the beacon of promise in this second level school in Limerick city where education would be through the medium of the Irish language. That was in 1935. She was 28.
Sr. Breda O’Farrell fcJ, a former student of An tSr Beinín (and our former General Superior) wrote ‘Nothing short of excellence satisfied An tSr Béinín and we strove for it on the whole because we saw she did too.’
Another former student and recently elected General Superior, Patricia Binchy fcJ was among the many invited guests. Being the last of the four FCJ principals in the school, she congratulated the three lay Principals and Assistant Principals who succeeded her, and who have kept and continue to keep the bright flame of the FCJ tradition alive and vibrant. She expressed full confidence in the good will and dedication of all in keeping faithful companionship alive among them with courage, confidence and gentleness.
Final year students still keep two significant traditions alive – traditions which have passed down through the decades i.e. the heralding of our Celtic Springtime by marking the feast of St Brigid (Naomh Bríd) on February 1 and the Crowning of Our Lady in May. Even in these days of scepticism concerning religious traditions and of not being ‘the coolest’ thing to do, these students mark such occasions with appreciation, gratitude and pride.
The evocative images of memorable school events displayed on screen throughout the buffet were a fitting background to the inspiring speakers and the stimulating table conversations that awakened a cheerful spirit in Halla d’Houet.
The Laurel Branch, (An Chraobh Labhrais) which features in the name Laurel Hill (Cnoc na Labhras) evokes the concept ‘evergreen’ – forever faithful. Faithful for 90 years – growing, unfolding, blooming. May we live to see the 100th!
