Blizzards on hand as Loreto marks 400th anniversary

Loreto College in Mullingar is to be the centre of celebrations for Loreto schools from across Ireland marking the 400th anniversary of the foundation by Mary Ward, of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary.On Saturday next, January 24, students, teachers, members of the boards of managements and parents" councils from thirty Loreto schools will come to the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar for a Mass marking the foundation of the order.The chief celebrant will be Cardinal Sean Brady, and music has been specially commissioned from Fr. Liam Lawton.Each school will be represented in the processions, choirs and music.Other events to mark the anniversary have been planned for the year ahead. In the spring, a conference on mental well-being, focusing especially on young people, will be held in Dublin. Her Excellency, President Mary McAleese will be a guest at the event.Later, in early June, each second level school has the opportunity to send two senior students to visit Nairobi, to witness Loreto"s missionary outreach in Kenya.In Loreto Mullingar, 'Mary Ward Week' will be celebrated from Janaury 19 to 25, through art, prayer and lectures. The week will culminate in the final of a talent show, 'Loreto"s Got Talent'.At present, auditions are being held within the school for the final, and the talent emerging is of a very high standard.It"s anticipated that there will be no students missing from school that day, as the celebrity judges for the occasion are to be the members of the band The Blizzards.Funds raised through 'Loreto"s Got Talent' will be sent to a newly-founded Loreto school in Rumbel, Sudan.