GRADUATION MASS
SUNDAY 22ND MAY 2011
“Ships are not made for Harbours”

THE GRADUATION MASS PROVIDED A MOVING, MEANINGFUL SEND-OFF FOR THE CLASS OF 2011.

CHIEF CELEBRANT, COLLEGE PRESIDENT, FR. O'BROLCHAIN REMINDED THE BOYS THAT THEY WOULD ALWAYS BE WELCOME AT BLACKROCK NO MATTER WHAT THEY MAY OR MAY NOT DO WITH THEIR LIVES. HE URGED THEM TO “NEVER GIVE UP, NO MATTER WHAT CHALLENGES THEY MAY HAVE TO DEAL WITH IN THEIR LIVES. PERSEVERANCE IS THE KEY”.

IN THE GOSPEL PROCESSION THE BANNERS PROCLAIMED THE GIFTS OF COURAGE, REVERENCE, UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM, WONDER, KNOWLEDGE AND SOUND JUDGEMENT – ALL THAT WE WISH FOR OUR BOYS, FOR EACH OTHER.

IT WAS A TRULY INSPIRATIONAL LITURGY.

FOR THIS, I THANK MOST SINCERELY:
MR MYLES RYAN, MR FRANK O'BRIEN, MS O'KANE, MS BUCKLEY,
MS O’CONNOR, MR SULLIVAN, MR TOM RYAN, MR HURL, MR O’REILLY,
MS GALLAGHER, MR HERLIHY AND MEMBERS OF THE R.E. AND PASTORAL TEAMS; FINTAN O'CONNOR, TOMMY MOORE, MARJORIE NOLAN, THE MAINTENANCE AND HOUSEHOLD STAFF AND MY MANY COLLEAGUES IN ATTENDANCE.

THE PRESENCE OF UNION PRESIDENT STEPHEN DOYLE (CLASS OF 1979), HIS WIFE, CLIANA, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT, JOHN MURPHY AND HIS FELLOW MEMBERS – CATHY KELLEHER, VINCENT COSTELLO, ARTHUR LYONS AND JIM MURPHY - ORLA WALSH FAITH DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FOR THE D.E.A., THE CONCELEBRATING COMMUNITY AND MANY COLLEAGUES WAS WELCOMED AND APPRECIATED.

I THANK THE 5TH YEAR PARENTS’ COMMITTEE FOR HOSTING THE RECEPTION IN THE REFECTORY.

THE GRADUATION LUNCH, HELD IN THE PAVILION, LEOPARDSTOWN, ORGANISED BY THE 6TH YEAR PARENTS’ COMMITTEE WHERE IN EXCESS OF 500 CONTINUED THE CELEBRATIONS, COMPLETED A MEMORABLE DAY.