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On Thursday 2 July, the Feast of St Oliver Plunkett, school leaders, and staff and governors leaving our diocesan schools this year gathered with the Education Service at Arundel Cathedral for a Mass of Thanksgiving, celebrated by Monsignor Tony Barry, Chair of the Education Committee.

During the Mass, certificates recognising their service were presented to 38 people, and Education Service medals were awarded to those leaving after more than 10 years’ service.

The Mass was celebrated in the wake of the joyful news that Bishop-elect Stephen Wang has been appointed as the new Bishop of Arundel & Brighton and in his homily, Monsignor Tony noted the similarities between Bishop-elect Stephen and St Oliver Plunkett, “a man known to be an able student, a man who studied and then went on, indeed, to teach theology in Rome; a man renowned for supporting young people, a man who indeed started a college.”

He continued, noting that, “To serve the Church, whether as bishop or leader or educator in our Catholic schools, is about holding a community together in the love of the Lord.

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“Today we gather to give profound thanks that we have witnessed this in the leaders, the teachers, administrators, the premises managers, the governors, the colleagues, and many others in our schools who have reached milestones of service or who are embarking on a well-deserved retirement. Like St Oliver, you were chosen as an example to the hearts and minds of God's children, be those children, pupils, or colleagues, or the wider community of the families. Today the entire diocese wants to say a collective, deeply felt ‘thank you.’”

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Before calling recipients forward to receive their certificates and medals, Education Service Director, Julie Oldroyd, also spoke to offer her own thanks:

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“For us in the Education Service, I cannot begin to tell you what a joy and a privilege it is to have been on the journey with you in your respective roles. And it's wonderful that we gather together today to say thank you and to recognise the service that you have given to Catholic education. This afternoon we have people from across our diocesan family of schools who have served in a variety of roles and who total approximately 400 years of service between them, which is a cause for great celebration.”

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After the presentation of certificates and Education Service medals, there was one final presentation to be made, to Peter O’Brien, who has served as a governor at Salesian School, Chertsey, and has been a Director of the Xavier Catholic Education Trust since its foundation. Peter was awarded the Benemerenti Medal.

James Kibble, CEO of Xavier CET spoke of his gratitude to Peter for his long years of devoted service, particularly as Chair:

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“Not just I, but lots of people that I work with are immensely grateful to Peter for his accompaniment, for his presence, for his wisdom, for holding us to account. […] He has the highest expectations of what we should all achieve for the children. But throughout that time, he has been a constant champion for what we do. He's been a constant champion for the children.

“As we all know, there are difficult times working in education. I've been very grateful for Peter’s support and wisdom and insight throughout that time.

“So for everything that you've blessed us with, over probably the best part of 30 years in Catholic education, for all the children, particularly for all the staff and the leadership, we are very grateful to you.”

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