Many activities for Castletown Community
The Castletown Community has experienced many activities over the past month, including the hosting of Meitheal students and the District Chapter, while there was also a memorable visit to a local Abbey.
1. Meitheal Commissioning: From Friday 31st March till Monday 3rd April some 57 Transition Year students accompanied with their mentors arrived at De La Salle Pastoral Centre. They were a mixed group from four colleges in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin- namely:
a) Tyndall College,Carlow,
b) Patrician College Newbridge,
c) Newbridge College, Co. Kildare
d) St. Mary’s College, Edenderry
These students were starting out to be Good Samaritans in their respective Colleges to the 1st year students who were leaving the snug life of Primary School to face the challenging life in a big Secondary School.
With parents and family members in attendance, a special Mass was said in the Novitiate Chapel in Castletown at 8pm on the Monday evening. Fr. Martin Delaney from Rathdowney, gave a very uplifting homily followed by the presentation of a special badge to each new leader. This was a reminder that they had promised to “Act Justly, Love Tenderly and Walk Humbly with God”. A very inspiring ceremony with teachers and students having an active part throughout along with suitable hymns. The evening ended with tea and refreshments in the Brothers’ Dining Hall.
2. District Chapter
Venue: De La Salle Pastoral Centre, Castletown
Number of Delegates: 23
Opening Hymn: THE GIFT YOU ARE – John Denver.
Facilitator: Sr. Liz Murphy (Mercy Congregation).
Opening Session : Pope Francis book “ LET US DREAM” – some extracts from it.
Next was the Brother Visitor’s Report.
Then the District Bursar’s Report and the MEL Report.
After lunch followed a less stressful session on :Intimacy with God – our spiritual life.
Then followed Reflection and Evaluation .
At 5pm all gathered for Mass of Thanksgiving in Miguel House. During the Mass our very competent Chaplain, Fr. Joe Walsh, OFM. Had a special ceremony of Anointing, after his homily in the Anointing of our three Leaders of the District of Ireland, Great Britain and Malta – namely Br. Ben Hanlon as Visitor for next four years and Br. Michael Curran and Br. Thomas Walsh as Aux. Visitors for same period. With inspiring hymns all joined in a celebratory Dinner with the Miguel House Community. This brought an end to the first day of our Four Day District Chapter.
The next meeting of the District Chapter is scheduled for Malta on May 20th.
3. AGHABOE ABBEY: On Sunday afternoon of 16th April, Brothers Kevin Frank and Albert had the pleasure of accompanying Brothers Mario and Austin from Malta on a visit to Aghaboe Abbey. This very historic ruin lies some 10 minutes by car from Castletown. As Novices in 1957 we walked there in our robes and mantles and callotson our heads. There is a long unending straight stretch of bog road that seemed to have no ending in those far off days. This visit recalled our days in the Novitiate and we marvelled at the beauty of the spot.
This Abbey was founded by St. Canice in 576 A.D. It served as a centre of learning, commerce and agriculture. In those days, there were lots of vocations and the place grew in popularity at home in Ireland and abroad. The Abbey was burnt down in 1116AD and rebuilt in 1189AD. - The chieftain at that time handed it over to the Augustinian Friars.
Come 1382, Finghin Fitzpatrick handed it to the care of the Dominican Friars and they occupied the place for 400 years. This Abbey was the Cathedral Church for the Diocese of Ossory during the stay of the Augustinian Friars. From its foundation in 576AD by St. Canice until the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st, it was plundered, burnt down and rebuilt at least four times.
4. Lawn Mowing: Spring has truly arrived and our vast area of lawns in the De La Salle Campus in Castletown received their first cutting on 27th March. They look so fresh and green. P. J. Cuddy our man for all seasons and emergencies does a wonderful job.