All Hallows Jubilee Reunion event
Ordained and unordained men, lay graduates and staff returned to the All Hallows college in July for the annual All Hallows Jubilee celebration.
Greg Harkin, a former seminarian and long-serving archivist for All Hallows College delivered a short presentation on his work, “The Annuals of All Hallows College. A Companion Guide”, which was launched at last year’s event.
Greg spoke about Fr Kevin Condon CM and his history of All Hallows College entitled “The Missionary College of All Hallows 1842-1891” published in 1986. Sadly, Kevin died suddenly in 1989, while researching and planning for his next volume. The history of All Hallows from 1891 onwards has yet to be written. Greg has used the thirty-four Annuals published by All Hallows between 1896 and 2004, to provide readers with items of interest. “Items of interest”, “References to Places” and “Bits and Pieces”.
The digital archives of The All Hallows Annuals are now accessible online via the All Hallows Trust Annuals portal.
Student Alex Shevlin spoke about the importance of religion in the lives of young people today. Alex has recently completed his BA Degree in Religious Education and History at DCU, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows Campus.
Alex pointed out that few young people describe themselves as “religious” these days. However, he sees a new awakening of interest in religion and believes that this is largely due to the way religious education is taught in school. Rather than being told what they should believe, students are encouraged to explore and question traditional beliefs. Their natural intrigue leads them to a greater understanding of their world and their relationship with God. Alex feels that young people view religion as a tool, a guide to living a good life rather than a rigid set of rules, with a promise of punishment for those who disobey. Religious education classes provide a forum to learn about the major world religions. Students take viewpoints and practices from different faiths to help them lead better lives.
Fr. John Joe Spring welcomed the congregation to the jubilee mass, including those who were watching online. The celebrant was Bishop Martin Ashe, who ministers in Melbourne, Australia and the homily was delivered by Fr Michael Woods, whose ministry is in Tennessee, USA. This year, Michael celebrates his 60th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination. The Mass was recorded and is available online here. After Mass, the group adjourned to the college dining room for dinner where the after-dinner speakers included Hubert O’Reilly, Chairperson of the AHA and Gary O’Sullivan, Chairperson of the All Hallows Trust.
Looking to the future, the All Hallows Association of past ordained and unordained men has joined forces with the All Hallows Alumni Network, a group of former students, staff and graduates of All Hallows College. The combined group will retain the name All Hallows Association and look forward to working with the DCU Alumni Office to build and strengthen the Reunion events.
The DCU Alumni Office thanks Jackie Whelan for her help providing this event update.