Archbishop O’Reilly tells pupils to always strive to do their best

The Archbishop of Cashel & Emly, Dr Kieran O’Reilly, has told students to always strive to do their best and never accept second best.

Speaking at a special bicentennial Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles, County Tipperary to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of education by Christian Brothers in the town, Dr O’Reilly told almost 1,000 pupils from the local CBS Primary and Secondary schools: “We can’t all be full back on the hurling team, or be the champion of the cross country, but we can all be the best at what we do in so many different ways. Never accept second best.’’

Dr O’Reilly also encouraged students, in the words of St. Paul heard in the first reading of the Mass,  to “grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth’’ of their time in education.

Dr O’Reilly praised the Christian Brothers Order, and the Cahill family who donated the site for the schools, for having the foresight to build two schools in Thurles. 

He said: “The vision of Blessed Edmund Rice and the vision of the Cahill Brothers is witnessed here today when I look down and see you all here today. It is important that we recognise that here. We are so fortunate here in this town to have two excellent schools, schools with wonderful history. Today we need to stop and acknowledge how lucky we are in Thurles.’’

Archbishop O’Reilly was assisted by local priests, Fr Vincent Stapleton, Fr Gerry Hennessy and Fr Tomás O’Connell. 

The Christian Brothers were represented on the day by the former Principal of the CBS Primary School (Scoil Ailbe) Br Michael Keane, and by Mr Pat Keating of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST). 

The 200^th anniversary celebrations continue over the coming weeks, and include a special bicentenary concert, which will take place later this month.