Scottish Catholic Observer

A special day was enjoyed by staff, pupils and the wider community of St Athanasius’ Primary School, Carluke on November 5, as they received a visit from Cardinal Keith O’Brien.

The visit provided an opportunity for the school to congratulate the cardinal on his recent silver jubilee as an archbishop.

Cardinal O’Brien spent time with the pupils in their classrooms, sharing his experiences of September’s visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the UK as well as helping them practice the hymns they would sing at the afternoon Mass.

Celebration

Joining the cardinal for the celebration of Mass were Fr James Naughton, parish priest at St Athanasius’ Church, Fr Hugh Kelly, from Wishaw, and Fr Kevin McGoldrick and Fr Stephen Reilly, from Motherwell.

Bishop Joseph Devine of Motherwell had been due to celebrate Mass but was unable to attend because of illness and was represented at the celebrations by Frank Cassidy, the diocesan chancellor.

The congregation filled the school hall, and included members of South Lanarkshire Council as well as pupils and staff from St Aidan’s High School, Wishaw, (St Athanasius’ associated secondary school) and St Aidan’s other cluster primaries.

Sophie Smith, chairwoman of the St Athanasius’ pupil council, opened Mass by welcoming all the guests and thanking them for joining the celebrations.

Then in his homily, the cardinal acknowledged what a ‘wonderful day’ he had had going from class to class to join in the pupils’ day, share memories of the Papal visit and highlight the importance of Pope Benedict’s message to the Catholic young people of the UK.

“I was even asked by one pupil if I was going to be the next Pope!” the cardinal said, before adding how keen the children were to discuss his trip with the Holy Father along Edinburgh’s Princes Street in the Popemobile.

Following the Mass a presentation was made to the cardinal in recognition of his silver jubilee.

Pupil Eirinn McDonald presented him with a painting of his hometown of Ballycastle and a hamper of Scottish fare.

“We hope that you will remember your visit when you look at the painting and we thank you for a wonderful day,” Eirinn said.

A painting and hamper were also presented to Frank Cassidy by pupil Carlo Jannetta, a gift from the St Athanasius’ community that will be given to Bishop Devine in recognition of the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

Delighted

Francis Farrell, St Athanasius’ headteacher, was delighted with the visit of Cardinal O’Brien to the school and spoke of the positive messages he has since received.

“The feedback from the children, staff and parents has been wonderful,” he said.

“The children got so much from the cardinal’s visit.

“It was special not just for the school and the parish but for the town of Carluke itself.”

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—     Pic: Paul McSherry