Message from the Most Reverend Dr. Brendan Kelly
Bishop of Achonry

When the Sisters of Charity set up St Joseph's School in 1961, they were inspired by their own motto which is also the motto of the school: Caritas Christi urget nos - the love (charity) of Christ inspires us. The school is therefore above all else a work of Christian love. The school mission statement incorporates this understanding very clearly when it states that 'St Joseph's school is a Christian community', and then goes on to spell out the atmosphere that being a Christian community entails.

We cannot speak of Christian love or community without reference to Jesus Christ himself: he who is 'the way, the truth and the life'. Jesus did not just speak about love, but showed us what it is, most especially in giving his life for us. It is out of this self-sacrificial love that the Christian community is born. To want to be a Christian community therefore is a costly business, for a Christian community is always marked by the deep personal commitment and principled example of those who are its members and in particular those who are its leaders.

The work of a school is education: the education of young people. In the Pastoral letter 'Vision 08 - A vision for Catholic Education in Ireland' issued by the Bishops of Ireland for Pentecost 2008, Catholic education is described clearly as follows:

'Catholic education is inspired by Jesus Christ. It is person centred, seeking to develop the full potential of each person.

Catholic education proposes a sacramental view of reality helping pupils to see God 'in the bits and pieces of everyday life'.

Catholic education takes place in open, happy, stimulating and mutually respectful communities.

Catholic education values intellectual and practical reason, promoting dialogue and understanding between faith, tradition, culture, and heritage.

Catholic education values tolerance and inclusiveness. Catholic schools welcome pupils of other traditions, faiths and none, seeing such diversity as offering opportunities for deeper understanding among people holding diverse convictions.

Catholic education seeks to enable pupils to act with integrity and justice, in pursuit of the common good in an imperfect world, and to act as stewards of creation.

In Catholic Schools:

'Religious Education, Prayer and Worship form an essential part of the schools' curriculum, functioning at its core. Such learning is rooted in faith and inspired by wonder at the transcendent mystery of God revealed in the complex beauty of the universe.

Pastoral Care seeks to provide sensitively and effectively for the needs of all students.

Educational Excellence is pursued for all young people so that they may realise their full uniqueness and potential.

Concern for others' needs leads to practical outreach and partnerships, locally and globally'.

In all of this, it is worth noting, there is no mention of 'examinations' or 'results'. Practically speaking, these are very much a part of what any secondary school worthy of the name will provide and seek, but there is much much more to education of young people, and much much more to what St Joseph's aims to provide for its students. The excellence this school aims at achieving for its students is holistic; therefore it is a human excellence in the fullest and best sense of the word, and goes way beyond the mere academic.

The school rejoices in being under the patronage of St. Joseph: father, worker, spouse and careful listener to the call of God. May this great teacher and educator of Jesus Christ himself watch over each and every member of this school community, and may he be the chief inspiration of all that is the work and life of the school.