Our Lady's School Of Evangelisation
In response to the call of the Church for a New Evangelisation, Our Lady’s School of Evangelisation has been specifically set up to train and empower young people as Evangelisers
OUR VISION
Our Lady’s School of Evangelisation is a lay organisation with the vision of forming
young adults in solid Catholic teaching and values, empowering them to adopt
Christianity as a lifestyle and evangelise society and cultures through their witness and
proclamation.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our Lady’s School of Evangelisation exists to provide intellectual and spiritual formation
in the Catholic Faith, and human studies; training in evangelisation; and character
formation through community living.The full-time programme is open to young adults
ranging in ages from 18 to 30 (but not exclusively) and includes outreach to peers in
schools, parishes and universities.
‘Our Lady’s School of Evangelisation
is an authentic initiative which will be beneficial
to the Faith Development of young people.’
– Archbishop of Tuam,Dr Michael Neary
OUR HISTORY
1990-2003: The founder, John McCarthy works as part of the Diocesan Retreat Team in the Tuam
Archdiocese, giving school retreats to students in secondary schools. During this time the team identifies a need for a deeper preparation and formation of young people in the Catholic faith. It is from these experiences that the vision arises.
2004: Eleanor Healy becomes a co-founder by sharing the vision with John McCarthy and they
jointly promote the cause and plan a future course of action with other committed individuals.
2005: In September, the premises for holding the first School, planned for September 2006, is
identified in Knock, Co. Mayo, and conditions agreed upon for lease with a view to eventual purchase. Major fundraising activities and events are undertaken so that the necessary finance is
raised. Our Lady’s School of Evangelisation Ltd. is registered as a Limited Liability Company and is given Charity Status, Reg.No. 16870. The Archbishop of Tuam, Dr.Michael Neary, approves the initiative of Our Lady’s School of Evangelisation and presides at the official launching in Knock on October 7th. By the end of the year, the Director of the School,Albert Galea from Malta, and Associate Director, Patricia Fitzgerald from the U.S.A. are appointed by the board. Together with the founder and co-founder, the leadership team is established. Fr. Jim Bermingham is appointed the Spiritual Director.
2006: In April, the property is taken on lease for one year and preparations are made for the academic year to start in September as planned. Applications are accepted from young adults to join the school as its first students.
15th September 2006: The School commences its first year programme with 17 full-time students, eight male and nine female, from 11 different counties in Ireland.
28th February 2007: Archbishop, Rev.Dr.Michael Neary commissions the students of the first academic year at Our Lady’s School of Evangelisation in Knock and confirms them with the official mandate to outreach as Catholic Evangelisers.
Archbishop of Tuam,
Rev. Dr.Michael Neary
with students and staff
on the occasion of the Commissioning Mandate
given 28th Feb. 2007
