Latest news with #GoodCounselCollege
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Wexford secondary school raises spirits with flag day celebrating identity and inclusion
New Ross Standard Today at 22:00 Flag Week 2025 at Good Counsel College was a vibrant celebration of national identity, student voice, and inclusion. Now in its fifth year, the initiative has grown from a modest 2020 Flag Day into a week of student-led events showcasing creativity, leadership, and a shared commitment to a more inclusive school community. This year's programme opened on May 12, with a welcome from fifth year student Colt Belleno and concluded on May 20, with a moving flag-raising led by sixth year Nicholas Venn Wall. At its core, Flag Week continues to honour the values of Thomas Francis Meagher – peace, unity, and respect – while encouraging reflection on identity and belonging in modern Ireland. A standout moment was the visit from Schools of Sanctuary, where ambassadors from Botswana, Somalia, and Ukraine shared moving stories of migration and resilience, reminding us that the Tricolour belongs to everyone who calls Ireland home. Throughout the week, students shared the countries and cultures they identify with through presentations, posters, and digital content on the Flag Week 2025 Hub which was created by fifth year student, Patrick Conway, with support from Bobby Lanigan. Tuesday's ceremony included a stirring performance by past pupil and Pipe Major, Jack Ronan, with a formal address on Meagher's legacy, MC'd by fifth year, Cormac Fleming. Speeches from Jason Little, Alejandro Espadas Rivero (Mexico), Bobby Lanigan, and third year student, Maurizio Toselli (Italy) reflected on identity and unity. The first years were introduced to Thomas Francis Meagher through a presentation by Johawn Shawn in fifth year and Eimantas Cejauskas in third year, followed by an engaging and entertaining quiz led by Michael Power and his team. Other highlights included a student visit to the Multicultural Fair at St. Mary's; art and photo displays led by Killian Walsh and Bobby Lanigan; a school flag redesign, now proudly flown; and a competition to create a new Good Counsel College anthem. Flag Week 2025 wasn't just a commemoration, it was a bold, student-driven vision for Ireland's future.
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Wexford priest who met Pope Leo XIV believes he will make a great pontiff – ‘He hits the nail on the head in one go
In late April, 2007, Fr. Robert Prevost travelled to Wexford to meet with the then principal of Good Counsel College, the late Fr. John Hennebry OSA, who passed away in April 2025, as he visited the Augustinian houses in Ireland, which he would've been obliged to do in his position as Prior General, making him their worldwide superior. 'That role in itself is a huge task,' said Rev. Michael Collender, College Chaplain at Good Counsel College, who met with Fr. Bob on various occasions, one of which being that time in 2007. During his visit, Fr. Collender recalls an account of his senior's activities having 'met with the Friars, he met students in the school. He celebrated Mass. He spoke to the students and he's a very good preacher'. "He speaks with great conviction and with great clarity. He hits the nail on the head in one go,' Fr. Collender added. Another activity on Fr. Bob's itinerary was an introduction to hurling, which those who were there said that 'he enjoyed it'. 'Hurling is an element that we would have done for the visitation of the last Prior General, as we introduce them to something that's unique and cultural, so he really enjoyed the hurling,' Fr. Collender said. By Fr. Bob choosing to his name as Pope Leo XIV, Fr. Collender described it as very fitting for the continuation of the work carried out by Pope Leo XIII, who in the 1800s spoke up for the poor and oppressed under the industrial revolution at that time. 'Rerum Novarum, his famous Encyclical, inspired so many, especially in the aftermath of the Second World War, to try and build a common vision for Europe,' said Fr. Collender. 'What Pope Leo XIII proposed even for that time was extraordinary as he empowered people to make decisions at local level and I think the fact that he continued on with that name, it speaks volumes, given the times that we live in today and everything else going on,' he added. In commenting on Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, Fr. Collender said 'it's amazing'. 'Little did any of us think – and little did he think – that when he stood in for those photographs that the day would come. 'Nobody would have thought it, at least I never would have thought that I would ever be standing in the presence of the next Pope, but I felt from every time I met him, that I was in the presence of a good leader,' said Fr. Collender, who described him as 'a man of great conviction, great faith and he's also humble and gentle in how he would say things.' 'Every time I was in his presence, it's like as though there was nobody else because he has that gift to focus in on the here and now,' he said. 'I wish him well in his pontificate and I really believe he's the right man for these times. We are living in a rapidly changing culture and society. We're not the only ones in flux and what St Augustine stood for in terms of his search for God, which didn't come easy, It doesn't change. There's nothing new under the sun. And I believe that the Restless Heart of Saint Augustine, which inspired Pope Leo XIV through all his Augustinian life, will continue to inspire him. 'I would hope that, there is a door opening to people, to learn something about the great wisdom of Saint Augustine, and hopefully to be inspired by it in whatever way they wish to serve,' Fr. Collender concluded.
