Mayo literacy campaigner returns to school to say 'thanks'
FIFTY years after he went back to school to learn to read, a Mayo literacy campaigner found himself back in the classroom.
Castlebar man Ernie Sweeney had a simple message for the De La Salle Brothers who helped change his life: “Thank you.”
Ernie was joined by Brother Tom Walsh, DLS Waterford, Tom O'Neill, DLS Waterford (retired teacher, Waterford) and Matt Coady (retired teacher, St. Gerald's) at an event in St. Gerald's College, Castlebar, celebrating Lasallian spirit.
Back in 1973 Ernie made up his mind about an important aspect of his life: “I decided I no longer wanted to be illiterate.”
He had missed large parts of his schooling due to health difficulties and as happened back in those days, Ernie's resulting issues with reading and writing were left to one side.
Ernie took the plunge and went back to school at the age of 23, where Brother Augustus, then principal of St. Gerald’s College, took him under his wing to tackle his literacy issues.
For three years Ernie and the Brother worked together and Ernie was given the gift of informed freedom of thought and the ability to converse with others without feeling a sense of shame due to his own lack of acceptance of his inability to read and write.
The faith and time the brothers invested in Ernie didn't go to waste. He went on to become a national literacy campaigner, helping countless others in the intervening years.
Ernie was delighted to return to St. Gerald’s to acknowledge the work of Brother Augustus and the DLS Brothers in Castlebar.
He told a captivated student audience about his work ever since, both locally and on the national stage, to bring improved supports for people with additional educational and literacy needs.
One of his most effective campaigns resulted in photos being placed on ballot sheets for local and national elections, 'giving dignity to those with literacy struggles'.
The Connaught Telegraph was a key supporter of that campaign, support which Ernie will always be grateful for.
The support of the DLS Brothers, of course, was the catalyst for that change - for Ernie at a personal level and nationally - and he thanked the brothers for all they had taught him.
Standing before a group of second year students and outlining his inspirational story was a proud moment for Ernie. “I felt a million dollars,” he admitted after.
He encouraged the students to 'be kind and gentle, to put an invisible hand of friendship around those who have learning difficulties' and to be proud of who they are and the fact that they come from a school with the DLS tradition.
He invited Brother Tom, the second years and those present to join in a prayer of thanksgiving to acknowledge the work of the Brothers.
Bro. Tom presented Mr. Askin, deputy principal, with a DLS banner and flag to mark the occasion.
Ernie will be renewing acquaintances with the DLS brothers in the not too distant future again having been invited to address their national conference next year.