The 50th anniversary of the Marist College Leaving Certificate class of 1961 will be celebrated next weekend, Friday December 2.
Past pupils will travel from all corners of the country and abroad to attend a number of functions, the highlight of which is a reunion dinner arranged in the Radisson Blu for Friday December 2.
The Class of ‘61 consists of 31 pupils and the Marist past pupils union reported that at the time that it was the largest number ever on record to sit the examination. The attendance at the celebration is expected to include many of the 66 pupils recorded in the Intermediate Certificate class of 1959.
This reunion is a once-off occasion for the coming together of people who, at the parting of ways in 1961, were teenagers but are now senior citizens, much wiser and contented in their venerable years.
Approximately 16 per cent of the class settled in the environs of Athlone. Others chose career paths which extended nationally in all directions and around the globe, particularly in the UK, Canada, and the USA. Thanks to the determined work of the organising troika, ably assisted by the diligent staff of the Marist School and support and encouragement from all involved, every member of the class of ‘61 has been contacted.
A mass for deceased past pupils and deceased Marist Brothers and lay teachers will be celebrated in the new secondary school, Retreat Road at 11am on Saturday December 3.
All relatives and friends of deceased are very welcome to attend
