St. Columba's College, Stranorlar
St. Columba’s College is a Catholic School under the trusteeship of CEIST, Catholic Education Irish Schools Trust. We strive as a school community to live our Catholic faith with conviction and hand it on to the next generation. As a school community grounded in our faith, we strive to embody the words of the Prophet Micah, ‘to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God’, Mic 6:8.
Students at St. Columba’s College have two classes of Religious Education each week, and cover a wide variety of themes in accordance with the Religious Education Syllabus proposed by the NCCA.
As part of the Junior Cycle programme, students complete 4 assessment tasks over the course of the 3 years, which are accredited by CEIST, the governing body of our School. Students study the life of Catherine McAuley and look at the values that she espoused in her life. They look at various people of commitment in their own communities and beyond. Students examine the concept of Pilgrimage as an expression of faith and look at various world religions as part of their course. Emphasis is placed upon the skills of research and presentation in these assessment tasks which help students in their personal educational development. Throughout the year, students engage with the various Liturgical Seasons of the Liturgical calendar, looking at various Saints days and learning about their lives.
At Senior Cycle, students explore the themes of conscience and morality and how these faculties are applied to various situation in life. The scriptures are explored with regard to these themes. Through the year, various speakers are invited to the College to share their message with the students and to encourage them in their faith. Throughout the year, time is given to exploring the Liturgical calendar, focusing on the major celebrations of our Catholic faith and how we live them.
The life of faith revolves around various activities in our school Oratory which is a place of peace and tranquillity in the midst of a busy educational environment. Here students and staff gather for different Liturgical ceremonies during the academic term. The Oratory is always open for private prayer and reflection.
Every Monday during lunch, students and staff gather for the Rosary. It is a time of peaceful prayerfulness. The intentions of our students and staff are remembered particularly during this time.
Every Wednesday morning, Morning Prayer from the Divine Office is prayed. It is a time of peaceful meditation on the Psalms from the Sacred Scriptures. Again the intentions of our students and staff are remembered in these prayers by all those who gather to pray Morning Prayer.
One Thursday per month, we gather for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which is led by our School Chaplain. The Sacrament of Confession is also made available to our students during the Liturgical Seasons of Lent and Advent.
Throughout the school year, students are invited to participate in various School Masses and Liturgical celebrations, such as our beginning of the School Year Mass, and the Carol Service at Christmas. Through these celebrations, students gain an understanding of the centrality of these ceremonies to our Catholic faith.
Throughout their years in St. Columba’s College, students have many opportunities to go on retreat, to take a little time away from their busy academic schedule, to reflect on the meaning and purpose of life. Students in various years have the opportunity to go to Ards Friary outside Creeslough, and the Franciscan Friary at Rossnowlagh, to pray, to reflect and to be nourished. These opportunities are complemented by in house retreats facilitated by various retreat teams, who guide our students in prayer and reflection.
Students also have the opportunity to go on Pilgrimage during their time at St. Columba’s, and in the past, groups have travelled to the Marian Shrine of Lourdes in France and the Marian Shrine of Medjugorje in Bosnia Herzegovina.
In St Columba’s College, we endeavour to help students to recognise that they live in a world that is often deeply divided. In light of that, our students participate in various charitable activities throughout their years in the College. St. Vincent De Paul, Marys Meals and Cúnamh are among some the organisations that we collaborate with, to help those who are in difficulty or any kind. This outreach engenders in our students a Christian heart of kindness and generosity, and encourages us to live the Lord’s commandment, to ‘Love one another’ as He has loved us.
Sr. Catherine McAuley, in founding the Mercy Order, chose the word Misericordia (Mercy) for the crest of the Order, (and our school crest) and as members of the community of St. Columba’s we strive to live out our call to show mercy to anyone in need. This disposition of mercy and kindness, forms the basis of the preparation our students receive here at St. Columba’s.
St. Columba’s College enjoys a close relationship with the Parish of St. Marys, Stranorlar, and we are blessed with the presence of the Priests of the Parish in our school on a regular basis.
Our School Chaplain, Fr. Vincent Finnegan, makes himself available to us for various Masses, and times of prayer and reflection. Fr. Vincent is available to meet with students and staff individually each week to assist them in any situation they may find themselves in, to console and to comfort, to encourage and to strengthen.
Our School Liturgies, the Opening of Year Mass and our Carol Service are held in St. Mary’s Church in Stranorlar, and are available to stream on the Stranorlar Page of Church Services. We welcome parents, grandparents and extended families to join us for these celebrations of faith. Keep an eye on the School Facebook page for dates and then join us on the following link.