Students and Staff from the Sacred Heart School Tullamore lead the nation in celebrating this year’s televised Mass of the Lord’s Supper from RTÉ Studios

As part of this year’s Easter ceremonies broadcasted live from the RTÉ Studios, the students, staff, and parents from the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore were at the centre of the Holy Thursday Mass.  The ceremony was celebrated by Tullamore-based priest and school chaplain Fr Joe Campbell.  The ceremony was organised by the school’s music and religion departments with readings and music provided by students from the school’s choir.

At the outset of this ceremony the school’s principal Pauline McKenna introduced viewers to the all-girls Offaly school, explaining that it values “the personal, moral, social and spiritual development of each student, encouraging respect for self and others”.  She added that the school “has a strong extra-curricular ethos and has achieved national and international success at music, sport, and performing arts, within the context of an underlying, all-inclusive, non-elitist philosophy”.

During the service, members of the school community participated in the Holy Thursday ritual of the washing of the feet. During the offertory procession, students brought forth gifts for the poor which were blessed and will be donated to the Society of St Vincent De Paul. Readings during the Mass were also provided by staff and students from the school.

For those who missed the live broadcast and wish to watch it back, the Mass is now available for viewing on the RTÉ Player.