Friday 1 November 2013 will go down in the history of St Joseph’s Primary School in Helensburgh as a monumental day as the Most Reverend Philip Tartaglia, Archbishop of Glasgow, visited the school to celebrate Mass. Archbishop Tartaglia was there not only to celebrate the Feast of All Saints but also to mark theculmination of the school’s Year of Faith activities.
Special guests at the Mass included: Carol Evans, Head of Service in ASrgyll & Bute Council, Mary O’Duffin, RE Advisor, Leonard Franchi, Head of St Andrew’s Foundation at Glasgow University, Councillors Morton, Dance, Trail and Mulvaney from Argyll and Bute Council as well as Mr Rooney, Head Teacher of Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School. In addition, however, the Head Teachers and two pupil representatives from each of the remaining three Catholic schools in Argyll and Bute (St. Mun’s in Dunoon, St Columba’s in Oban and St Andrew’s in Rothesay) were present.
This was especially significant as these schools had for the first time ever collaborated in an inter-authority project to create the Argyll and Bute Year of Faith Prayer. At the end of Mass pupils from each of the schools led the recital of the prayer for the congregation.
The children and staff of St Joseph’s had prepared well for this exciting day and the canteen staff treated the guests to a scrumptious lunch afterwards.
The children were brimming with excitement as the Archbishop entered the school and were delighted to hear him say he had been looking forward to coming to see them for quite some time. Archbishop Tartaglia told them,'”You are out here at the very edge of the diocese and I have come to gather you and take you for my own”.
The special guests were very moved by the emotion of the event and commented several times on the politeness, singing and outstanding reverence of the pupils at Mass. A sensational day was had by all and will remain in the hearts and memories of all those who attended for a very long time to come.
For more details, contact: Michelle Collins, Head Teacher St Joseph’s Primary School
