Bishop Jones honoured by Summerhill College, Sligo

New Learning Centre at Summerhill College, Sligo named after Bishop Christopher Jones and blessed by His Excellency, Archbishop Charles J. Brown

The College of the Immaculate Conception, Summerhill, Sligo has opened a new state of the art extension for students with autism which will be known as the Bishop Christopher Jones Learning Centre.  Bishop Jones attended today’s ceremony along with many family, friends and invited guests. The Centre was blessed by the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, His Excellency, Archbishop Charles J. Brown and opened by Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council.

The new Bishop Christopher Jones Learning Centre includes two specially designated classrooms, a practical living demonstration room, a multi-sensory room, specialised outside gardening facilities, staff offices and resource rooms along with a large central activities space that can accommodate over 150 students. This space links the new building with the main school.

Bishop Kevin Doran said “I am particularly happy to be associated with the name of this new centre in appreciation of Bishop Christopher Jones who, as a past pupil, long serving staff member and patron of the College, represents that stability and continuity of service and faith which is so much a part of the tradition of the College”.

Speaking at the event, Bishop Christopher Jones thanked the Board of Management “for bestowing this honour on me at this time.” He added that he was “delighted to be associated so publicly with such a progressive development in the life of the College” and expressed the hope that “education at Summerhill College be forever inspired by the Catholic ethos and the two great commandments – ‘Love of God and Love of Neighbour’.”

The ceremony was led by students of the College and accompanied by the College choir.

Wednesday 18th May 2016.

Photos below with thanks to Carl Brennan and Summerhill College