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St Mary’s celebrated the 110th anniversary
of its foundation with a Dedication of Studies Mass at St Paul’s
Church on Thursday 28th October.
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down
and Connor and was attended by governors, staff and students.
During his homily Bishop Treanor committed the College to the
vision of Catholic Higher Education worldwide as set out in the
Apostolic Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae. He also re-dedicated
the institution to its Mission to make a distinctive contribution
of service and excellence to Higher Education in Northern Ireland.
Recalling the significant historical and cultural developments
over the past 110 years, Bishop Noel Treanor paid tribute to the
immense work of St Mary’s University College from its seminal
foundations at the beginning of the twentieth century, through
periods of war, social conflict and the 'dark days of depression',
to more recent times as it engages with the reality of globalisation
and new forms of communication. Over this time, the college has
ensured the highest quality of education for children; an education
taking cognisance of and responding to the academic, physical,
psychological and spiritual dimensions of the human person.
Bishop Treanor also made reference to the Dominican foundations
of St Mary’s University College encouraging students to
follow in the Thomistic tradition of “engaging in dialogue
and debate” as they pursue their academic and professional
studies.
“As students in St Mary’s University College,
many of you too are entering the noble teaching profession where
you will be instrumental in helping young people to become good
citizens motivated by faith.”
He went on to outline how those who have studied at St Mary’s
have contributed not only to our local society but indeed beyond
our boundaries and on an international level.
Bishop Treanor concluded by quoting the Most Rev Dr Henry Henry
(Bishop of Down and Connor) who addressed students and staff of
St Mary’s University College on Saturday 22nd September
1900,
“I hope that this college will continue long to send
forth efficient and well-trained Catholic teachers for the instruction
of the youth of this country.”
Two awards were presented to students at the church before Mass.
The NAS/UWT award, presented by Brighin Little, went to Una Burns
from Enniskillen and the First Trust Bursary, presented by Janet
Walsh, went to Antoinette Fox from Kircubbin
The College Principal, Professor Peter Finn, spoke of the staff
and students at St Mary’s. He said:
“You are the people who make our College the successful
learning community that it is – a community of which we
are so rightly very proud. As a small college, and in the prevailing
financial climate, we do face difficult times ahead – but
your commitment and enthusiasm enable us to face the challenges
with conviction and courage, confident in the knowledge that we
make a distinctive faith-based contribution of service and excellence,
to Higher Education.”
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