The Most Reverend Patrick Christopher Pinder, S.T.D., C.M.G, Archbishop of Nassau, blesses the statue of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Recently, Aquinas College held a brief ceremony during which the Most Reverend Patrick Christopher Pinder, S.T.D., C.M.G, Archbishop of Nassau, blessed the school’s bus, statue of St. Thomas Aquinas and Class of 2016 bench. Aquinas College’s procurement of these newly treasured items was made possible through partnership between the school and several stakeholders. These persons believe in the Catholic Board of Education’s vision and plan for Aquinas College and stepped up to share their gifts with the school. The school bus, the statue, and the bench have quickly become an integral part of the landscape and spirit of the institution.

If you walkabout Aquinas College you will encounter the St. Thomas Aquinas statue, strategically located at the centre of the campus between the Fine Arts Building and the Willam Paul Holowesko Library. A major part of the Catholic identity of CBE schools is encapsulated in the prominent display of signs and symbols of the Catholic faith throughout each school campus. St. Thomas Aquinas, the school’s patron saint, is considered one of the Catholic Church’s greatest teachers. The statue was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Robinson.

The new bus replaces the old one, affectionately called “Betsy”, which served the Aquinas College community for twenty-six (26) years. The bus will be used to transport the sports teams and members of the popular Aquinas College Marching Band.  It will also be utilized to carry student groups on field trips. The Class of 1986 donated fifteen percent (15%) of the total cost of the bus.

Statue of St. Thomas Aquinas, with the school bus and Class of 2016 bench in the background.

The bench was a class gift from the 2016 Aquinas graduating class. Each year members of the graduating class make a donation to the Catholic Education Endowment Fund and bequeaths a tangible gift to the school. The signage for the new bus was graciously donated by the Gibson family, owners and operators of Apex Awards and alumni of Aquinas.

As one looks at the statue of St. Thomas Aquinas, the 2016 bench positioned in the distance behind it, one cannot help but reflect on one of St. Thomas Aquinas’ famous quotes, “Man should not consider his material possession his own, but as common to all, so as to share them without hesitation when others are in need.” It is a reminder of the important role all CBE stakeholders play in sustaining and contributing to the development of Catholic Schools in The Bahamas.

“The Aquinas College family is grateful for the contributions of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, Class of 1986 and 2016 alumni and Apex Awards, expressed Mrs. Shona Moss-Knowles, Principal of Aquinas College. She continued: - “Our students benefit greatly from the talents and treasures of those who have gone before them. Therefore all of our students are encouraged to give back to the school community that has given so much to them.” The Principal concluded: - “As the school prepares to celebrate its 60th Anniversary on January 28, 2017, I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Aquinas family, to personally thank students, past and present, and all those persons who have supported the school throughout the years. You are all an integral part of the rich legacy of Aquinas College.”

Karrington Culmer, Senior Class President, presents a brief history of the life of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Special guests, teachers and students during special program for the blessing of the Aquinas school bus and St. Thomas Aquinas statue.

By Janelle Albury

Source: Catholic Education Centre