Welcome …

The Chaplaincy, located at the heart of the school, strives to promote a sense of welcome and belonging within our school family. We are committed to the spiritual development of all students, while at the same time, recognising the changing reality of the world we and our students live in, and differing approaches to the spiritual life. Terenure College is rooted in its Catholic identity and in the tradition of the Carmelite Order.

“Conscious of the mission of Jesus: ‘I have come that you they may have life and have it to the full’ (John 10:10), we aim to have a school community which is concerned with people as sons and daughters of God. In an atmosphere of welcome and warmth each individual is valued for himself or herself irrespective of ability and achievement. Each and everyone learns to grow at different levels – intellectually, spiritually, psychologically, emotionally and physically – through involvement in a balance of academic, religious, cultural and sporting activities.”

(From the Mission Statement of Terenure College)

The Chaplaincy Team assists in this mission by coordinating the celebration of the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and other liturgies and opportunities for prayer experiences at class, Year Group and Whole School throughout the academic year. These include; Services for the dedication of the School Year, Commissioning of Prefects, Services to mark Advent, Lent and Christmas; The remembrance of the Dead; the marking of Holy Days, significant anniversaries and special events, Graduation and Farewell Liturgies.  They are assisted in the Sacramental side of the ministry by other members of the Carmelite Community based in Terenure College. Chaplaincy also provides specific faith formation programmes, student retreats, counselling and ongoing support of the student and their family. The pastoral role of the Chaplaincy extends to the home of the student. Such home (and hospital) visitation serves to forge another bond between home and school. The Chaplains are available to parents, members of staff and maintain contact with immediate past pupils. The Chaplains are members of the Pastoral Care Team and Critical Incident Team.They work closely with the Principal and Deputy Principal as well as Form Masters, Guidance Counsellors, Prefects and Student Council. They colaborate with the RE Department and other faculties in the promotion of the students welfare and development.

The Chaplaincy Team is currently comprised of Ms. Mary Carroll, Mr. Tom Farrell and Fr. James Eivers O.Carm.

"Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine."

(Ephesians 3:20)

COLLEGE SPIRITUAL EVENTS

• Service to dedicate the School Year
• First Year Welcoming Mass
• Sixth Year Farewell Mass
• Mass for beginning of the school year (Junior School)
• End of Year Mass (Junior School)
• November Service (Whole School) – A remembrance service for dead relations, friends. Parents & past-pupils are invited to come to an evening service.
• Services to mark the Feast of the Immaculate Comception
• Advent & Carol Service to prepare for Christmas (Senior School)
• Junior School Nativity and Carol Service
• Ash Wednesday Services (Whole School)
• St. Blaise Blessing (Whole School)
• Shared Service (Association Independent Junior Schools)
• Penitential Services (Whole School – Lent)
• Penitential Services (Junior School, some Senior School – Advent)
• Lenten Daily Mass 8.20a.m. (Whole School)
• Co-ordination of Collection for certain Charities
• Whole School Mass marking the end of the academic year (May)

Further Events Include:

• An annual retreat is organised for every year group, usually outside of Terenure College.
• Transition Year Commissioning Service: ‘Care Week’
• Confirmation Preparation. A number of pre-confirmation services are arranged.
• Pupils Pilgrimage to Lourdes (September and May). In September 12 Transition Year pupils accompany a sick youth to Lourdes on the Carmelite Pilgrimage. Again in May a number of 5th Year students accompany the smaller Carmelite Pilgrimage as ‘Brancardier’ adult helpers.

TERENURE COLLEGE CHAPEL

As you make your way up the main avenue of the College, the Chapel comes very much into view. For fifty years the present Chapel – attached to the Carmelite Priory on the College grounds – has provided a setting and backdrop for the spiritual life of our school Community as well as members of the local community and our extended Carmelite family and friends. The College Chapel remains a constant reminder to us of the unique dimension of our school, the living out and celebration of our faith. For many it is the venue for family celebrations, Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, graduations etc. For others it is the church where they encounter God’s love in the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist, in the quiet of personal prayer and in those moments of deep loss at the death of a loved one.

Whether celebrating a significant event in the school year, daily or Sunday Mass or the great feasts of Christmas and Easter, we pray that everyone may continue to find here a place of welcome and refreshment.

SERVICES IN COLLEGE CHAPEL

Sunday Eucharist: 9:30 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. 

Weekdays
9:30 a.m. (Monday – Saturday, including Bank Holidays)

Holy Days of Obligation
9:30 a.m. and as announced

Times of other Services as published.

FAITH FRIENDS

The purpose of the Confirmation Faith Friend programme is to add a wider community dimension to the preparations being made for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. This programme is sponsored jointly by the Chaplaincy and Transition Year Teams in Terenure College. It gives both the pupils of Sixth Class (Junior School) and Transition Year students an opportunity to share, within a small group setting, some experiences of their faith journey and their everyday life, reflecting on how faith affects the daily life of each person. The student leaders drawn from Transition Year are trained and monitored in keeping with best practice and the faith tradition of the School. As well as meeting their small group weekly Faith Friends are also involved in the organising of several key moments during the preparation period. These include the Service of Commitment, Ceremony of Light, Reflection Day and the day of Confirmation itself.

KAIROS RETREAT

On the Kairos Retreat, we take three days to experience God’s time, God’s love and Christian community. It is a sacred time for all of us to reflect upon our relationship with God, with others, and with self. Kairos is led by a team of the College staff and students and will be held in Newry.