Cathedral school community, alongside families and parishioners, gathered for a special Mass in the school hall on Friday 31st January, the Feast of St John Bosco, to formally mark the opening of the 150th anniversary year of our school and parish.
The Mass, celebrated by Bishop Toal and Fr Lamb, was a joyous occasion filled with music beautifully performed by Cathedral school choir under the direction of Mr. Greechin. A stunning floral display, generously donated by a parent, adorned the altar as a ‘thank you’ from Cathedral pupils to their teachers and helpers.
Provost Kenneth Duffy and Convener of Education, Councillor Michael McBride, attended the Mass and presented commemorative 150th anniversary medals to pupils and staff. The medals, featuring the school badge on one side and an image of Our Lady on the reverse, are a tribute to Cathedral’s rich and proud history. A particularly special moment came when three generations of the McGuire family received their medals: Mary (87), who attended the school in the 1895 building; her son Martin, educated in the 1950s/60s building; and Martin’s daughter, Sophie, a current Primary 7 pupil.
The Mass marked the first of many exciting events planned for Cathedral’s special year. A major highlight of the year will be Mass in the Cathedral on Tuesday 20th May when a Mass setting, composed by Mr Young and dedicated to Cathedral pupils and staff, will be sung during the liturgy. Following the Mass, stones from the 1895 building will be dedicated in their new location within the Cathedral grounds, and an exhibition on the school’s history, curated by Primary 7 pupils, will open in St Bride’s Hall.
The full programme of events for both our 150th Anniversary and the Jubilee Year can be accessed via the link below:
