The Spark That Lit the Flame
Our Edmund Rice Immersion experience, the spark that lit the flame, was born out of ERBB Ireland in 2023. This initiative brought together leaders from across the Edmund Rice network, including STMC’s Steve Garland and Dom Zimmermann, Joe Martinez (President) and Kristy Kane (Principal) from St. Laurence in Burbank, IL, Mark Donahue (President) and Bob Alberts (Principal) from Brother Rice in Chicago, IL, and Cormac McCart from the Westcourt Centre in Belfast, Ireland.
Monday, March 9 – Belfast
We began our journey in Belfast with a visit to CBS Edmund Rice College, where we were warmly hosted by Jennifer Kennedy, Advocacy Coordinator, and Paul Berne, Principal. We learned about their advocacy initiatives, experienced Highland dancing and traditional Irish music, and enjoyed a meal of Irish stew together.
We then celebrated Mass at St. Mary’s, the oldest Catholic church in Belfast, where intentions were held in our honour. Later, we took part in a walking tour through Short Strand and Shankill Road, where we saw and signed the Peace Wall. We ended the day at Rosemount House, a centre supporting men recovering from addiction, where we shared pizza and participated in a trivia night.
Wednesday, March 11 – Callan & Kilkenny
In Callan, we visited Westcourt, the birthplace of Blessed Edmund Rice. There, we saw the icon, the chapel, a first-class relic, and the Rice family cottage. This was a deeply meaningful experience as we reflected on the origins of Edmund Rice’s life and mission.
We then travelled to Kilkenny and visited CBS Kilkenny, where we were hosted by Principal Tom Clarke. Once again, we learned about their advocacy initiatives, listened to traditional Irish music, and shared a meal together.
Thursday, March 12 – Waterford & Tramore
In Waterford, we visited CBS Mount Sion, the site of the first school founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. We toured the monastery, joined a walking tour in the footsteps of Edmund Rice, visited the chapel, and saw his remains.
Later, in Tramore, we visited CBS Ardscoil Na Mara, where we were hosted by Principal Padraig Cawley and Vice Principal Aoife Denton. We once again learned about their advocacy initiatives, experienced Highland dancing and traditional Irish music, and shared lunch together.
This has been a truly transformative experience. May we never forget the legacy that began when Blessed Edmund Rice looked out his window in Waterford, saw children living in poverty and without access to education, and chose to respond with courage and compassion.
One of the Brothers at Mount Sion shared that he finds the Blessed Edmund Rice prayer both “challenging” and difficult to live out, yet a challenge worth accepting: “Edmund opened his heart to Christ present in those oppressed by poverty and injustice. May we follow his example of faith and generosity. Grant us the courage and compassion of Blessed Edmund as we seek to live lives of love and service.”
We are deeply grateful to Jen, Paul, Aoife, and Padraig for welcoming us so warmly and making us feel like family. Thank you as well to Bridget, Anne, and Matt for your inspiration and for being our family away from home.
A special thank you to Cormac for being the inspiration and facilitator behind this immersion, and for being the spark that lit the flame.
From all of us at STMC, “Go raibh maith agaibh.”
God bless our Irish brothers and sisters.
Live, Jesus, In Our Hearts, Forever.
Joe Adams
Principal, St. Thomas More Collegiate
