College Record 1998

Monsignor James Cassin, College President

On the occasion of the last edition of the St. Kieran ‘s College Record in its present format, I wish to pay tribute to all who have contributed to the College Records down through the years. A special debt of gratitude is owed to the various editors, photographers and regular contributors. They have served us well. The current edition is the work of Msgr. Michael Ryan, Denis Bergin and Fr. Richard Scriven. I thank them for the time and energy generously given. The excellence of the work is a fitting endorsement of their labours. It is a truism that we live in times of accelerat­ed change. The fortunes of all institutions are linked to their ability to manage change and cope successfully with its demands. Throughout its long and distinguished histo­ry, St. Kieran’s has assessed and reflected on the needs of its times and responded in appropriate and creative ways. It continues to do so. Over the past number of years new and very significant changes have taken place within the college. Seminary formation was suspended in 1994 due to falling numbers. Since 1989, a Board of Management has administered the secondary school, with a lay principal appointed for the first time in 1994. The boarding school is now smaller and each of the 64 boarding students has his own private room and facilities. In the CREIDIM Institute, where formerly young men prepared for priestly ministry, lay people, together with priests, now receive forma­tion to enable them to play a full and active part in the life of the Church. The opening of the National University of Ireland Maynooth Centre at St. Kieran’s is a new and exciting development which offers access to third-level degrees to the people of the area. A feature of the present time is the call to par­ticipation and partnership in the various enter­prises of life. ‘Collaboration’ is the ‘buzz-word’. As attested by the changes taking place at our college, I believe that St. Kieran’s is at the cutting edge of the educational and formation endeav­ours of our time. Great tribute is due to the foresight of those who preceded us at St. Kieran’s and to the cur­rent staff of the college their courage and tenacity in moving the college into a new era enthused with a vibrant sense of mission for our people. The College Record has performed an ines­timable service to St. Kieran’s in recording the events that make up its history. We are only too well aware of the adage that ‘those who are igno­rant of their history are condemned to repeat it.’ The Record will not allow us to be condemned to repetition. Indeed it challenges us to be faithful to our history by carving out an exciting future for St. Kieran’s as we approach a new millenium of Christianity in our world.