On Behalf of Bishop Galvin Central School I Want to Extend a Warm Welcome to the Columban

On behalf of Bishop Galvin Central School I want to extend a warm welcome to the Columban fathers who have travelled from Navan Co. Meath to launch the centenary of the Columban missionary society. I also welcome the children and parents from the school who have been learning lots about Newcestown’s famous son Edward Galvin. I wish to thank in a special way all our wonderful parishioners most especially Breda Buckley, who through her enthusiasm and creativity inspired the teachers and children to learn more about the Columbans, Bishop Galvin and China.

As a school community , we are very proud to have our school named after Bishop Galvin, the co-founder of the Columban missionaries. Bishop Galvin and many others from this parish gave their lives in the service of others. They were filled with faith and courage and decided to try to make a change in ordinary people’s lives. The people of Hanyang were so grateful to the Columban fathers, sisters and lay missionaries for helping them through flooding war and famine.

It is good to see that this valuable work continues all over Asia, South America and the Pacific and that the Columbans are spreading the joy of the Gospel in 17 countries throughout the world.

On returning home in 1935 to be with his beloved mother as she was dying, he remarked : It is good to be home, even for a little while. Nothing changes in Newcestown except the children. The youngsters spring up like daisies.

I think this is still the case, to a certain extent in an ever changing Ireland. Let’s hope our children, like Bishop Galvin ,will in the words of the Old Testament: take courage and be strong and remember that they are never alone because the Lord is with them in all things and where ever they go.