PASTORAL LIFE

RUDIMENTS RETREAT

Rudiments really enjoyed their retreat at the beautiful Ovoca Manor, Co. Wicklow, packed full of team building challenges! Their workshop theme was ‘Life in all its fullness’ and included discussions around:

What does a ‘full life’ look like?

Dealing with obstacles in life. Living life with Christian values. Thank you to the team at Scripture Union Ireland for such a fulfilling retreat experience!

DARKNESS TO LIGHT

An early sunrise start on the morning of Saturday May 7th for the 100 or so students and staff who braved the elements to join the Darkness into Light Walk for Pieta House, Preventing Suicide and Self Harm. They were rewarded by a welcome treat of pancakes and hot drinks in the Ref. on their return. Our TY students also took part in the Darkness to Light Walk while on their Ignatian Camino Pilgrimage in Spain showing their support for this great cause that promotes positive mental health.

TENEBRAE

Once again this year, the Clongowes community came together for the annual Lenten Liturgy of Tenebrae. We were delighted to have the internationally acclaimed Irish soprano, Claudia Boyle, who was the principal featured soloist in our liturgy, along with cellist Jane Hughes joining the Clongowes Schola. The event was a semi-dramatised re-telling of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus through extensive use of film, music and contemporary reflections which bring the Passion narrative afresh to students and guests in a vivid and multi-sensory presentation.

JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE

We were honoured to have Mr Eugene Quinn, National Director of Jesuit Refugee Service Ireland, lead our morning Prayer in March. Eugene spoke passionately to the boys about the response of Jesuit Refugee Service, Ireland to the Ukrainian refugee crisis as well as their ongoing support of Syrian and Afghan refugees in Ireland. We look forward to continuing to support the JRS in their valuable work.

PEACE CANDLE

Superior General, Fr. Sosa SJ, has called on us to join our voices for peace as we pray for justice and truth to shine in our world. A candle for peace remained lit in the Concourse to remind us of the importance of praying and acting for peace.

WELLNESS WEEK

The spotlight was put on FUN and FRIENDSHIP during the Wellness Week. Students took part in a number of different activities and challenges throughout the week including random acts of kindness, creativity challenges and ‘rise and shine yoga’. Each House was awarded points for taking part in the challenges with Kenney House members taking first place, followed by Hopkins and Arrupe.

JOHN PAUL II PAPAL CROSS AWARDS

Congratulations to Toby O’Donnell, Fiachra Lambe, Charles Kedde and Eoin Brady who recently received their John Paul II Papal Cross Awards from Bishop Denis Nulty

CONFIRMATIONS

After a hiatus of several years due to Covid restrictions, we were delighted to welcome Bishop Denis Nulty back to Clongowes to confirm 30 students during a beautiful Mass and in the company of their families.

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

On January 6th, the school came together to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrating the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God. Mass was celebrated by Fr Barney McGukian SJ in the Sports Hall.

SYNTAX RETREAT

TY students exploring some of Dublin’s beautiful churches as part of their Year Group Retreat.

ELEMENTS ON RETREAT IN GLENDALOUGH

Credit: Ms O’Loughlin