Catholic schools must “target values” as much as they “value targets” so that staff and pupils can learn to live lives cast in the image of Jesus Christ – so said the Head Teacher of St Maurice’s High in Cumbernauld upon the visit of Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews & Edinburgh to the school, Friday 23 November.

“That’s why it was really pleasing this morning, Your Grace, that you taught us the importance of faith and love and of having values at the very centre of all that we do,” said Head Teacher, James McParland, in comments addressed to Archbishop Cushley at the conclusion of Holy Mass, “Thank you for encouraging us all to live lives that are in the image of Christ.”

Founded in 1975, St Maurice’s High educates nearly 1000 pupils drawn from three different dioceses: Glasgow, Motherwell and St Andrews & Edinburgh. Representing the latter today were a delegation of pupils from St Patrick’s Primary in Kilsyth. Concelebrating Holy Mass with Archbishop Cushley was Father Daniel Doherty VE and Father Peter Amoah, both of St Patrick’s parish in Kilsyth, as well as school chaplain, Father John Mulholland, of Our Lady and St Helen’s parish in Condorrat. The school motto is Ad Deum, To God.

“Love God and love your neighbour” said the Archbishop to the pupils during his homily, “if you leave here with that as the touchstone of your life, if you keep that alive in your heart, and if we all did that, what a better place this world would surely be.”

Holy Mass was followed by a reception in the school library where Archbishop Cushley spent time talking to pupils and to staff.