Scottish Catholic Observer

Cardinal Keith O’Brien expressed his ‘great privilege’ as he joined the community of St Bernadette’s Primary School in Larbert to celebrate the official opening of its new school building.

Last Thursday’s opening ceremony brought together many representatives of the local community, including Provost Pat Reid of Falkirk Council, who joined Cathy Quinn, St Bernadette’s headteacher, staff, pupils and friends of the Larbert school (right) as well as further representatives of religious and civil society.

Fascinating history

Prior to unveiling a plaque and officially opening the new school, Cardinal O’Brien spoke of the ‘fascinating’ history of Catholic education in the Larbert area.

Following the establishment of the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette’s in Larbert in 1933—the result of the growing Catholic population in the villages north of Falkirk—the cardinal noted that, 17 years later, the decision was made to establish two denominational primary schools centred in Falkirk: St Andrew’s and St Francis Xavier’s.

“Numbers attending St Francis Xavier’s and St Andrew’s Primary Schools rose significantly towards the end of the 20th century due to the growing population and to the quality of education being offered,” the cardinal said. “Re-zoning proposals were made in the year 2000 concerning almost all the denominational schools in Falkirk Council area.  However, these proposals would have fractured the very important link of home-parish-school and were opposed by a vast majority of parents and general parishioners.”

The cardinal added that, following a period of consultation, a decision was taken to establish a new denominational school in the Larbert and Stenhousemuir area.

“This new denominational school here in this area is our new St Bernadette’s Primary School—one at which we all rejoice,” he said. “The long-awaited opening of St Bernadette’s has been welcomed with great joy, not only by the local Roman Catholic community, but also by many other local families who have decided to send their children to this school.”

Tribute

The cardinal paid tribute to all those that had contributed to the opening of the new school, in particular, the local church community.

“Of course, the local parish communities and especially the priests and parishioners of this area, especially the parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette’s parish in Larbert itself, had a very important and vocal part to play,” the cardinal said.  “There were hundreds who wrote letters and attended meetings to ensure that this school would indeed become a reality.”

—     [email protected]

PIC: PAUL McSHERRY