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Presentation Secondary Art teacher Lily O’Sullivan (left) with Transition Year students, TY co-ordinator Anne O’Mahony and Fr Sean Jones in front of the mural at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
A MURAL painted by Presentation Secondary School students received a special blessing at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Rathass on Wednesday.
A mural with the words ‘Be Not Afraid’ emblazoned across it by Transition Year students is now hanging at the back of the church and art teacher Lilly O’Sullivan explained how the mural came about.
“Fr Seán Jones celebrated mass for Presentation Day in November and one of the things he told them was ‘Be Not Afraid’. He said that phrase comes up 365 times in the Bible. The girls took that in and later, when Fr Jones asked if a mural could be painted for the back of the church, they picked those words.”
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Also included in the mural is the lantern which is a symbol of Presentation school, the image of the cross and the heartbeat and words which the girls came up with themselves. Ten girls volunteered to paint the mural, one of whom was baptised in the church.
Fr Sean Jones expressed his gratitude to the students.
“I think it’s a credit to the TY students, who are obviously gifted. Many people have commented on it. The back of the church here needs some work, which will hopefully take place over the coming months, but this has brought joy and light here. The message of ‘Be Not Afraid’ is also important for young people,” he said.
The students hard work did not go unrewarded either as Fr Sean took them all off to McDonalds across the road for lunch!
