BIRMINGHAM - 8 January 2007 - 500 words
Rugby: Archbishop advises pupils to think about 'a geography of faith'
Archbishop Vincent Nichols was the principal celebrant and preacher at a Mass of Thanksgiving for 40 years of Princethorpe College, 1966 to 2006, an Independent Catholic School, situated near Rugby in Warwickshire, on Friday, writes Peter Jennings.
The Mass, held in the sports hall, was attended by members of staff, and more than 700 pupils, aged 11 to 18, who listened attentively to the Archbishop's homily during which he spoke about: "a Geography of Faith".
"At school I loved geography but disliked maths and physics. In geography you learn about the rivers, mountains, towns and cities that make up our world. We learn about the safeguarding of our environment and the construction of our shared life.
"In our celebration of Mass we learn a Geography of Faith, for here we are linked with people in every part of the world, of so many different races and cultures," said Archbishop Nichols.
"In geography and physics we study the characteristics of creation. We can see that creation was not an accident, it didn't happen by chance. It happened by design, and the beauty of that design tells us about the goodness of the Creator. He is the one who became flesh in Jesus Christ."
The Archbishop of Birmingham added: "Make use of the opportunities that God has given at this school, as it celebrates its 40th anniversary."
Among the nine concelebrates was Fr Patrick Courtney, MSC, Provincial, Irish Province, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, a former Bursar; and Chairman of Governors, who celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on 21 December 2006. Dublin based Fr Courtney cut a special Princethorpe College 40th anniversary cake during a buffet reception held in the school library after Mass.
Archbishop Nichols was shown the framed picture of former old boy, Ian Bell MBE, the England & Warwickshire batsman. Ironically, it was the day that England became the first team for 86 years to suffer a 5-0 whitewash in an Ashes series against Australia!
Chairman of Governors, Eddie Tolcher, a former pupil, 1972-78, said: "Princethorpe is extremely positive about the future of Catholic education. We are investing £2.4 million in a new state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre, due for completion by the end of 2007, on top of £1.8 million on an extension to the sports hall and new classrooms, opened in 2005."
John Shinkwin, Headmaster since 1998, added: "The Eucharist was a beautiful, prayerful occasion and a very uplifting experience. It was a great privilege to have Archbishop Nichols who spoke very meaningfully and related well to our students."
The origins of Princethorpe College go
back to the 1950's when the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart founded
St Bede's College, a boys, school in nearby Leamington Spa. By
1966 the school had outgrown its premises and moved to its present
site at Princethorpe, a former Benedictine Priory and then convent
school. Princethorpe became co-educational during 1995 and today
has an even number of boy and girl pupils.
© Independent Catholic
News 2007
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