Diocesan News24 Nov 14

Annual Service For The National Schools Of Tuam, Killala And Achonry In St Mary’s Cathedral, Tuam

Ms Lydia Monds, Archdeacon Alistair Grimason, Revd John Godfrey, Bishop Patrick, Mr Steve Brickenden, Ms Michelle Gill

The now annual Service for the National Schools of Tuam, Killala and Achonry took place in St Mary’s Cathedral, Tuam on Friday 21st November.

Children and teachers from all of our diocesan schools thronged to the cathedral and filled it to near capacity.

The liturgy itself was compiled and led by Revd John Godfrey, curate assistant of Galway Parish.

The guest speaker was Ms Lydia Monds of Bishops Appeal who spoke about the Great Commandment. Lydia held the children in her thrall with an action song which had hands waving in the air. This was to illustrate the imperitive of loving God and loving Neighbour. Lydia linked this to the TKA MABWENI project which continues to raise funds for educational facilities for the girls of the Maasi in the diocese Kijiado, Kenya.

At present, TKA parishioners are hard at work raising funds for a classroom. To help focus minds on this aspect of the project, the children were asked to make posters depicting their own notion of ‘The Ideal Classroom’. This they did and the presentation boards in the cathedral were festooned with their efforts, some of which can be seen above.

The end of the service saw the gathering depart from script somewhat. This was so that all could congratulate Lydia and her finance John on their upcoming marriage. Bishop Rooke made a presentation to Lydia on behalf of Bishops Appeal and Dean Grimason did likewise on behalf of the diocese.

Photo 2: Posters – ‘The Ideal Classroom’