After three long years, finally it's back! Grandparents Day - one of the most celebrated occasions in the St Colman's calendar!
At 11am, all students, staff, grandparents, parents and friends gathered in St Paul's Church. The church was filled to bursting and the excitement was palpable. Fr Phil extended a warm welcome to everyone before he invited the junior infant students to the altar, where they sang the sweetest rendition of 'Who do we love Granny, Grandad'. Fr Phil then spoke to everyone about the hugely important role that grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren. The theme for Grandparents Day this year is 'Your World' and of course for all the children today, their grandparents mean the world to them.
During the procession of symbols, pupils accompanied by one of their grandparents brought symbols of our faith, our time in school and the love we have for each other, to the altar. Bernadette Gibney and her grandson Hugo read the word of God.
We heard from many of the children about how much they love their grandparents. One child told us how his grandmother drives him to school everyday and how she also goes to Mass every day except on Tuesday when she has her computer class! Another child told us that she get sweets from her granny but what she likes best is the beautiful dinners that her granny makes. Others enjoy making arts and crafts with their grandparents or playing with toys. One calls his grandmother Mamo and another loves to visit his grandparents in Wexford. We were also reminded of the grandparents who are no longer with us but who are remembered with love. Our school choir sang beautifully throughout the service which enhanced the occasion.
Before the final song Fr Phil called Mr Beehan 'the Boss!' to the altar. Mr Beehan thoroughly enjoyed his first 'Grandparents Day' as Principal. He thanked everyone who travelled from near and far to be with us today. He listed off all the wonderful attributes that our grandparents have - great cooks and bakers, best givers of hugs, story tellers, sweet givers, homework helpers and walking companions to name but a few. Sadly there were some grandparents who couldn't travel today but who may be watching the service on the webcam. He asked all the children to turn around and look high up at the back of the church where the camera is situated and give a big wave to everone watching online.
As the service was drawing to a close, our senior infants gathered on the altar for the final song. They each held up flags of many different countries. The whole congregation joined with the choir to sing 'What a Wonderful World'. Afterwards everyone was invited back to the school for refreshments and a chat.
Thanks to everyone who helped out in any way, for once again organising this wonderful family event that was enjoyed by the young and not so young in the St Colman's Community.
