24th September is Catherine MaCauley Day in honour of the founder of the Mercy teaching order. As the music department were missing some personnel on the day I went along to assist director Michael Hennessy at the liturgical service to mark the day and the start of the academic year.
The eclectic collection of songs hymns and psalms lifted the service and it was quite a joyful occasion.
The whole school choir opened with the Carpenters hit On Top of the World. A modern psalm setting 'Where the Treasure is 'by Marty Haugen was bolstered by memebrs of the school orchestra. No escaping Liam Lawton at these occasions and The Voyage was a jaunty dance movement. A vocal setting of Dvorak's Largo from the New World Symphony served as a communion hymn and the ensemble offered a simple arrangement of Abba hit 'I Have a Dream' as a post communion reflection which served very well. If only we had known school chaplain Gerry Carey was going to give us a Puccini anecdote we would have brought along the Humming chorus .
Principal Jean Pound spoke to her young audience on the importance of tradition and the inspirational example of Catherine McCauley. These rare occasions when a whole school gathers to consider the year ahead are very precious and I felt all present did the occasion proud. The group disbanded to the gospel vibe of Keep on Walkin on that Heavenly Road.
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