ST ANNE’S Primary School in North Albury has honoured Father Kevin Flanagan — he is the first person to have one of its school houses named after him.
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The school council recently followed the lead of other schools and name their houses after significant figures in their history.
So yesterday, the day after a weekend-long celebration in Albury for Father Flanagan’s 50-year anniversary of his ordination, the school’s green house was named after him during a Mass.
The other three house names will be unveiled this year.
Acting principal Cassandra Jones said green was chosen for Father Flanagan because of its clear Irish connections.
“He ticks every box of the criteria for the naming of houses,” she said.
“He is a wonderful example and role model for our children and has given 35 years of service to our school community.
“All our houses are important, but green is symbolic of the Irish.
“Father Kevin was acknowledged at the weekend and again today by the Albury community, the parish community and the school community on this wonderful achievement of 50 years since his ordination.”
Yesterday’s Mass was held on the exact anniversary of his ordination in his home town of Tocumwal 50 years ago.
Other parish priests, Joel Wallace (St Patrick’s), Paul Hart (Corowa), Terence Mahedy (Culcairn and Holbrook) and Dennis Crameri (Wodonga), joined in yesterday’s celebration.
His sisters, Kathleen Lester and Dorothy Fegan, were also present.
A plaque donated by the St Anne’s community to mark his 50-year anniversary was blessed during the Mass.
It will stand in the school’s courtyard.
The Mass follows a celebration attended by more than 300 people at the Commercial Club on Saturday and a parish picnic at St Anne’s on Sunday.
Mrs Jones is the school’s acting principal after the principal since 2009, Bede Hart, accepted a temporary posting to the diocesan headquarters at Wagga, beginning last week.
