By Sarah Mac Donald - 25 January, 2014
Dublin GAA football star, Ger Brennan, has spoken out in praise of the holistic nature of Catholic education as part of Catholic Schools Week 2014.
His comments were made at the launch of this year’s event, the theme of which is ‘Catholic Schools: Places of Faith and Learning.’
On Sunday morning, RTÉ radio and television will broadcast Mass live at 11am from St Peter’s parish in Drogheda’s West Street as part of 2014’s celebration.
Sunday’s celebrant will be Archbishop Eamon Martin, Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh. The Mass will formally open CSW2014, which continues until 2 February.
Local schools from Drogheda will contribute to the liturgy in St Peter’s, where the relics of St Oliver Plunkett, patron of the archdiocese of Armagh are preserved.
Speaking to the Drogheda Independent, Monsignor James Carroll, parish priest of St Peter’s, explained that, “Our Lourdes Youth Choir, along with St Peter’s Male Voice Choir and Greenhills Choir, will contribute to the liturgy of the Mass.”
He added, “There will also be various events in each school, many of which will focus on our community, and the role played by students as well as parents, grandparents and teachers.”
From Monday 27 January to Friday 31 January, RTÉ Radio 1’s daily A Living Word slot will reflect on Catholic Schools Week, while iWitness on RTÉ1 Television will also reflect CSW2014.
Speaking at the launch of the week long series of events, Ger Brennan told over 200 students gathered in St Dominic’s in Cabra that CSW provides students in Catholic schools with an important time for young people to learn more about their faith.
The GAA footballer, who works as a teacher, added that it also provided teachers with an opportunity to stop and reflect on their beliefs and “to inspire young people to go forward and continue to share their gifts and talents in the light of Christ”.
Though school “teaches you about science, teaches you about maths and everything else, history and languages, I think to enable young students to have the skills to pray, to reflect, to look at what’s really important in life I think that’s one of the key components or key characteristics which makes Catholic school very different to non-denominational schools,” he said.
To learn more about CSW2014, the following resources are available to download from a special web feature which includes a video interview with Bishop Brendan Kelly, Bishop of Achonry.
These CSW resources can be downloaded from www.catholicbishops.ie/catholicschoolsweek
CSW2014 Resources for Primary Schools in English and Irish
CSW2014 Resources for Post-Primary Schools in English and Irish
CSW poster
Celebrating CSW in Parish 2014
Reflection for Members of Staff and Board of Management or Governors
Opening Prayer Service
Prayer Service to celebrate the Ministry of Teachers
Grandparents Day
Closing Celebration
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