Thomas Murray – Online Presence

We often don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone, or so the saying goes! Well, I will certainly never again take for granted the opportunity to be in our schools and working with the wonderful students from across the Edmund Rice Network.
I think many of us had got used to doing things by Zoom, but there really is no substitute for face to face contact, especially when it comes to young people. This was brought home to me in the summer as Runnymede hosted an adapted version of an Edmund Rice Camp.Having missed out completely in 2020, the children on Camp, and the leaders who planned and delivered it, had an even more amazing time than usual as they celebrated being together again in community with one another.

We often hear people questioning the motivation of young people, but anyone visiting Runnymede in August would have been left in no doubt as to their commitment.

For me, this new school year has been about change in more ways than one! I have been privileged to join the team at St Ambrose College for three days every week as their Lay Chaplain. It has been a wonderful, enriching experience from day one and only reinforces my passion for building relationships with young people as they journey through their school career.

My new role has also afforded me a new view on the incredible people who staff our schools, whether teachers or support staff. As I’m sure you already know, their dedication and sacrifice is a true Christian calling, and we are so very lucky to have them as part of our Edmund Rice family. Moreover, their students are incredibly fortunate to be back in the classroom with these inspirational spiritual leaders in front of them, rather than on a laptop screen. Let’s pray that that remains ever the case.