Launch of 40th Anniversary Book at St Joseph's HS Crossmaglen St Joseph's HS Crossmaglen is 40 years old and throughout this academic year a number of events have taken place to mark this significant milestone. Last week, the school launched its 40th Anniversary Book following a thanksgiving mass concelebrated by past pupil Father Malachy Conlon and Father Clarke CC. Miss Aileen Mc Carron, a teacher at St Joseph's for 14 years, painstakingly pieced together a collection of memoirs and moments throughout the school's history to produce a truly invaluable book packed with photos and events spanning 40 years. The invited guests at the launch, which included the Board of Governors, Conor Murphy MLA, various local councillors and associates of St Joseph's past and present, were told by the Principal, Mr Kevin Scally: "This book records the events of the past 40 years, both in the school and community. It starts with a wonderfully evocative piece by former English teacher Mr Tommy McKeown called 'The Early Days' about life in the school and in Crossmaglen in the 1960s. There is a report on the Silver Jubilee Celebrations in 1989 attended by Cardinal O'Fiaich and on 21st October 1998, the warm reception surrounding the historic visit of President Mary McAleese is almost palpable in the newspaper reports of the time. The book also describes how the preparatory work in establishing the school was done by Canon McEvoy, although the then sitting South Armagh MP Eddie Richardson was charged with the task of acquiring a site and paying for it. Patrick Rogers was responsible for the construction of St Joseph's. Mr Scally went on: "When His Eminence Cardinal William Conway officially opened the school on 16th March 1965 he was very warmly welcomed. It was the Cardinal's first visit to South Armagh since being elevated to the Sacred College. Since being made Archbishop he had not been able to spend much time in Ireland. He had spent months in Rome at the Vatican Council, and then had to return to Rome to receive the Red Hat. There was some doubt about whether he could make it - but he did - and got a wonderful reception. He was fulfilling a promise made to Canon McEvoy. The book also records that St Patrick's Church in Crossmaglen was packed to capacity for the official opening and that the route followed by the Cardinal (as well as many other roads leading to Crossmaglen) was abuntantly displayed with flags and bunting at every corner and every dwelling". The Principal quoted from Cardinal Conway who spoke about how significant a day it was in the locality. "I have confident hopes that we are witnessing the birth of a new vivifying force in South Armagh" Mr Scally said that those hopes were justified in a number of fronts, particularly the emphasis St Joseph's places on educating children in the Catholic faith: "This is the core, the heart, the soul of life at St Joseph's. We want children to leave here with a strong faith. We know that faith and prayer will help children to make the right choices in life... this underpins everything else we do." Mr Scally went on to say that the success of all the local clubs was in no small way due to the encouragement the players received when they were at St Joseph's. On the whole, the school has enjoyed much sporting success. Just two days before the launch of the book, the U14 Ladies Gaelic Football Team overcame St Comghall's of Lisnaskea to win the Ulster title for the first time. The exceptional renditions from the choir and traditional group were warmly applauded and testimony to the strong tradition of music and singing in South Armagh. A delicious meal was provided by the canteen staff in the school canteen which had been superbly decorated by Mrs O Donnell of the Art Department. Mr Scally also commented on the academic success of the pupils, particularly the recent relaunch of A Level provision in the school and its successes since then. "Both the academic and vocational needs of the pupils at St Joseph's continue to be met by a highly dedicated staff, as the school goes into its 5th decade." Tributes were also paid to the Principals of St Joseph's, Mr Archie McMullan, Mr Bernard Crilly and Mr Frank McCreesh. Mrs Roisin Mc Conville, representing the Past Pupils Association presented Mr Scally with a cheque to contribute towards the cost of the book. Mr Scally thanked the association for the donation, and for their continued support of the school.