Diocesan News
Bishop of Connor goes back to school!
It was a case of back to school for the Bishop of Connor on October 15 when the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy returned to Grosvenor Grammar School as guest speaker at the annual prizegiving.
The modest Bishop admitted: “This is the first prizegiving I was ever invited to because I never won any academic prizes when I was a pupil.” Bishop Alan was a pupil at the school, then known as Grosvenor High School, from 1968 until 1975.
In keeping with any good speech the Bishop recalled some humorous times from his Grosvenor days – like losing his front tooth when he was playing wicket keeper during a cricket cup match; being on the Grosvenor 3rd XV which lost 64-0 to Methodist College fifths – “a nightmare, I can still feel the pain of it” – and being sent home to get his shoulder length hair cut - “I got the curling tongs out and the headmaster never noticed a thing!”
The Bishop also thanked staff at the school. “I wanted to mention the staff who really shaped me, so much so that I was considering becoming a teacher. I suppose in a way I still am a teacher. They were amazing,” he said.
To the present day pupils of Grosvenor Grammar School, he said: “You are all unique and special. Northern Ireland needs people like you to go out and make a difference. It is a very exciting and difficult time for this community and we need people like you.”
He added: “Remember the universe won’t fold without you. Don’t take yourself too seriously. One of the greatest gifts is a sense of humour.”
Bishop Alan said his return to his old school was a ‘humbling’ experience. “I really enjoyed Grosvenor and it is both humbling and an honour to be back. The school gave me a lot and it is good to give something back,” he said.
For further information please contact:
Connor Diocesan Communications Officer
Contact Details
Karen Bushby
028 4066 0798
07766103880
[email protected]