Dear Editor, As I understand it, there are six days in the Church’s calendar, as well as Sundays, which are designated Holy days of Obligation in the Irish Church. These are:
December 8, Feast of The Immaculate Conception;
Christmas Day;
St Patrick’s Day;
August 15, Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary;
November 1, Feast of All Saints;
January 6, Feast of the Epiphany;
Of the six, only three could possibly impinge on the school year – December 8, January 6 and November 1.
While fulfilling State requirements regarding mandatory days of opening, is it too much to expect Catholic schools and colleges to plan the school calendar in a way that does not oblige Catholic staff, students and families to ignore their obligations as Catholics?
Yours etc.,
Mary T. Brien,
Limerick,
Co. Limerick.