Volume 2 Issue 8 - Apr 2013 Important Dates

Week ending Friday – Year 12 and 14 Study May 10th Leave

Sunday May 12th – Valedictory celebrations 12.00pm

Wednesday 22nd to – KS3 In-House Examinations Friday 24th May

Wednesday 29th, – Year 8 Enrolment Thursday 30th May

In doing so, the St Columb’s representatives Welcome to the were joining with a very distinguished Saint Columb’s College congregation to witness a most historic event, the consecration of the successor of St Patrick. Monthly Newsletter The main actors in the ceremony – apart from — -elect Martin, were the three ordaining bishops. The main consecrator was the current Archbishop of , Cardinal Should you have any queries or contributions, Sean Brady. The Co-consecrators were please email: Archbishop Charles Brown, the Papal Nuncio to

[email protected] Ireland and Bishop Gerard Clifford, the retired Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh. Also prominent in — the unfolding ritual was our very own Assistant Chaplain, Rev Micheál McGavigan, wearing vestments first used at the 1932 Eucharistic Ordination of Eamon Congress (held in Ireland). Martin as Coadjutor

On 21st April 2013, a sizeable contingent of St Columb’s College students, staff, former staff, governors, former governors and College Union representatives travelled to St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh for the ordination of past pupil and former College President, Monsignor Eamon Martin, as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh.

The entire ceremony – many parts of which can trace their origins back centuries - was rich in both symbolism and mystery. Wonderful music, beautifully sung, enhanced many aspects of the ordination rite, however its most solemn moment, the laying on of hands by the main consecrators, took place in absolute silence. In that profound quiet, one could sense the mystery of the Apostolic Succession that was taking place at that place and time. As Archbishop Martin will make his first visit as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh to St Columb’s College on Sunday 12th May when he will celebrate Mass for governors, staff, students and representatives of the College Union. We are already looking forward to welcoming him back to his alma mater on what promises to be a wonderful occasion.

Mr Finbar Madden __

Pope John Paul II Awards 2013

Archbishop Martin received the mitre, ring and On March 19th 2013 more than 500 young crozier, symbols of his office, he appeared not people from the Diocese and beyond, dissimilar to some of the images of medieval received their John Paul II Awards from prelates that one sees in the history books. Monsignor Eamon Martin, Coadjutor Archbishop After the ceremony, Archbishop Martin stood at elect of Armagh. The Award is a recognition of the great west door of the Cathedral – with its pupils’ commitment to parish and community wonderful views across the City of Armagh - involvement where they can live out and bear and greeted every member of the congregation. witness to their faith. In what proved to be a He was particularly glad to see the many very enjoyable and uplifting ceremony, guest members of the St Columb’s College speaker, Friar Alessandro – ‘the voice of Assisi,’ community who had travelled to the Orchard provided a powerful rendition of ‘Open the Door County to be with them. He thanked each and to Christ.’ St Columb’s College played an every one of them for travelling to be with him integral part in the ceremony . The School and asked the entire school community to Choir , accompanied by St Mary’s College, sang remember him in its prayers. several opening hymns; year 14 pupil, Nathan After that, all that remained to do was to cross Adams- in a live interview, spoke openly and the Cathedral grounds to enter St Patrick’s passionately about the personal and spiritual Grammar school where a wonderful celebratory benefits of completing the award , and the feast was served – with amazing speed and ceremony concluded with the College’s dexterity – to a gathering of close to 1,000 traditional folk group, led adeptly by Mr B people. As the meal ended, Archbishop Martin McGinn, rewarding the audience with a lively arrived to greet and be greeted by the guests. series of reels and jigs. He was now wearing the beautifully wrought Guest speaker, Monsignor Martin, reflected on pectoral cross that had been gifted to him by the life of St Columba, leaving Derry to spread the St Columb’s College community. Christ’s Gospel. He congratulated the award winners and encouraged them to do likewise, to be a witness to Christ and remain active in faith. In total , 33 pupils completed the Award;- 32 the Gold Award and 1 Silver. Pictured above are the College’s award winners and current award leader, Mr P McGarry, Friar Alessandro and Monsignor Martin. Mr Paul McGarry would like to thank Mr T Costigan and Mr M McConnellogue for their dedication and commitment in preparing the pupils for their graduation.

Mr Paul McGarry

__ Suitably fed and watered, the St Columb’s

College contingent finally took its leave of the new Archbishop and set out on the long journey home. Tired, of course, but wonderfully enthused by its participation in a historic event that will live ling in the memory. City of Culture Brass Band Concert

Rev Ciarán Devlin, who died suddenly in August 2012. Shortly before his untimely death, Fr Devlin had completed an absorbing account of Mr Brendan McGinn (Head of Music), Mr Darren Barr, the emergence and organisation of the Church Mr Noel Barr, Mr Finbar Madden in the Diocese of Derry in medieval times.

Following an opening reflection by College On the night of Wednesday April 10th 2013 Chaplain, Rev Micheál McGavigan, St Columb’s Saint Columb’s College hosted a very Principal, Mr Finbar Madden, formally welcomed successful concert of music and songs from the those present to the event. In his brief remarks movies. The concert was organised by the Mr Madden made particular reference to the college Past Pupils’ Union as part of our welcome presence of Bishop Joseph Duffy contribution to the City of Culture celebrations. (Guest Speaker), Bishop , Bishop Saint Joseph’s Brass Band from Strabane, Seamus Hegarty, Bishop Francis Lagan and (featuring Mr Darren Barr on Cornet from our Bishop Noel Trainor (Bishop of Down and Mathematics Department), as well as top Connor). Mr Madden also welcomed Monsignor musical talent from among our own pupils, put Eamon Martin, former St Columb’s President on a truly memorable performance of classic and Coadjutor Archbishop-Elect of Armagh. Also Hollywood tunes, and the soloists Ciaran warmly welcomed by Mr Madden were Simpson, Anne-Marie Simpson and Conor members of the Devlin family including Fr McLain put in outstanding performances. All in Ciarán’s brother, Monsignor Brendan Devlin, all, the audience were treated to a great College Alumnus Illustrissimus and the driving evening of music and song. force behind the publication of this seminal volume.

Following Mr Madden’s address, Monsignor Devlin introduced Bishop Joseph Duffy (Emeritus Bishop of Clogher) and invited him to offer his thoughts on The Making of Medieval Derry. In an erudite and wide ranging address, Bishop Duffy, himself a renowned scholar of the early Irish Church, praised Fr Ciarán’s humanity, his scholarship as well as his focus on the lives of lesser known Irish saints.

Mr Brendan O’Donnell __

Launch of ‘The Making of Medieval Derry’

On the evening of Monday 15th April 2013 a large crowd gathered in the Assembly Hall of St Columb’s College to pay tribute to the life and work of former College teacher and Chaplain, Monsignor Eamon Martin then addressed those However, it cannot be denied that St Columb’s present. He spoke movingly of Fr Ciarán’s dominated the opening half with the wind to friendship over a four year period when they assist them. Midfielder Barry Doherty was both lived in Collon House. In a tour de force colossal in that period alongside the hard address, Monsignor Martin reminded the working David O’Doherty. There was some audience of the contemporary relevance of Fr nervousness in their early efforts for scores, but Ciarán’s work, especially in the context of the once goals from Michael Lynch and captain current Year of Faith. Following his address, Emmett Mc Bride established a 2-1 to 0-2 lead, Monsignor Martin formally launched ‘The they settled and fully deserved the interval lead Making of Medieval Derry’. of 2-4 to 0-3. Their defensive work was particularly impressive, more often than not The final speaker was Ms Donna Doherty, forcing turnovers through blocking and crowding Commissioning Editor with Veritas. In a brief out their opponents; Conrad McCloskey snuffing address, Ms Doherty reflected on the great out the threat of Knock’s dangerman Lorcan privilege that she and Veritas had experienced McMullan ably assisted by Marty Lynch and in working with Monsignor Brendan Devlin in Darryl Mallett. St.Columb’s defensive pressure the production of this ground-breaking study of forced Knock to hit ten shots off target. Knock the medieval Irish Church. simply could not find the net and St Columb’s killed the tie right at the end when Michael With the more formal elements of the evening Lynch fisted home his sides third goal. dispensed with, the large crowd – royally entertained by the school’s Traditional Music It was great to see captain Emmett McBride Group – spent some time in informal rewarded for his seven years of excellence in conversation, meeting with the members of the gaelic games by being presented with the Devlin family and reflecting on the scholarship O’Doherty Cup by Danske Bank’s John Deery, and humanity of the much-missed author of himself a St.Columb's past pupil. ‘The Making of Medieval Derry’, Rev Ciarán Devlin. Man of the match was disputed between the irrepressible Damien Watson and the vice- Mr Finbar Madden captain Shane O’Connor. O’Connor gets the __ nod as he repeatedly thwarted the threat of Knock’s big full-forward Rooney. O’ Doherty Cup Final Triumph This victory should augur well for next year with players such as Tomás McCrossan, Michael The old adage that goals win games ensured Kelly and Mickey McCallion back to lead the that St.Columb’s College Derry were the victors College towards a MacLarnon Cup. in the Danske Bank O’ Doherty Cup final at the Mid- Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown as they Mr Eamonn Burns beat Our Lady and St.Patrick’s Knock by 3-6 to __ 0-9. St Columb’s scored two goals in the first quarter and another at the death, while Knock And Finally … hit the post and had another Ronan McGrady effort brilliantly saved by the Derry side’s It’s hard to say what my wife does for a living. goalkeeper Dylan Mc Callion when they trailed She sells sea shells on the sea shore. St Columb’s by just three points. I was mugged by a man on crutches, wearing camouflage. ‘Ha ha’, I thought, ‘you can hide but you can’t run!’

If you’re being chased by a police dog, try not to go through a tunnel, then on to a little seesaw, then jump through a hoop of fire. They’re trained for that.