Honouring Toddy O'Sullivan

With the Lord Mayor of Cork, Mr Mick O'Connell and Mr Toddy O'Sullivan.

I was home in Cork last Friday night for a reception to honour former Lord Mayor of Cork, Mr Toddy O'Sullivan.

It was a great Cork occasion as family, friends and colleagues of Toddy gathered with the Brothers at Mount St Joseph.

Br Andrew Hickey, my predecessor as Vocations Director, entertains the gathering.

Farewell to a Brother...

There are a number of reasons why we call ourselves Brothers. One reason is that it defines the manner in which we try to relate to other people. However, it also describes how we relate to one another within our religious congregation. So, when Brother Joe Nealon passed away last week, it felt as though a brother had died.

Br. Joe lived in Cork and was a native of Co. Limerick. He taught for many years in Scoil Chriost Ri in Turner's Cross in Cork city. He was laid to rest at the Brothers' cemetery at Mount St Joseph on Saturday.

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him O Lord.

Back to School Time

I started my first round of visits to schools today. Accompanied by our communications director, Andrew O'Connell, I called to Presentation Brothers College, Cork to speak to the Leaving Certificate students about my life as a religious Brother. I was a Leaving Cert. student in Pres 25 years ago and calling in brought back a lot of memories including all the confusion any 17 year old experiences during that stressful year.

The goal of the talk is to remind the students that religious life is still a viable option for the future. We're not looking for any of these young men to join - all we're doing is planting a seed for the future...

Later in the morning we spoke to the first year students. This is an introduction to the Edmund Rice story and is also an opportunity for these new students to meet and talk to a Presentation Brother.

The morning went really well and the students were respectful and attentive.

Thanks lads! Appreciate it.