On Tuesday 13th June, many headteachers, teachers, school governors and other members of staff from schools in the diocese, gathered at Westminster Cathedral for Mass with Cardinal Vincent. All were retiring or leaving the profession after many years of service to the education of young people and this was an opportunity to celebrate their dedication.
Filling the front block of the cathedral, they were addressed by the Cardinal in his homily, linking their service to the day’s feast of St Anthony of Padua. He spoke of St Anthony’s life, living in Lisbon and initially joining the Augustinians as Fernando, until, inspired by the execution of 4 Franciscans for their faith, he joined their order and set off for Morocco. His writings and activities earned him the recognition as the ‘thinker/theologian’ of the Franciscan Order.
This image of someone learning while keeping Christ as their focus, Cardinal Vincent explained, makes St Anthony well suited as a patron for Catholic education. It also provides an example of what makes the people present so important: their efforts had been aimed towards promoting learning with Christ at the centre, by action as well as word.
After the Mass, all were invited to the St Vincent de Paul centre, where there were presentations for the over 60 recipients of a certificate and an award recognising their service. Many present had been in service for over 20 years, with the longest over 40 years.
The collective number of years represented reached over 800 years, which Peter Sweeney, Director of Education, paid tribute to, saying, ‘this evening is a time to give thanks to God for each of you, and to thank him for your unique and fruitful gifts that you have shared.
‘It is a time to recognise, acknowledge and praise your energy and faith, and to thank you for inspiring our school communities, especially our pupils.’
