Education Beyond Borders | Mr Terry Thompson
Did you know Terrace is part of over 280 EREA schools worldwide? As I write from Cork, Ireland, I am currently on a two-week pilgrimage with fellow teachers from EREA schools, travelling through India and Ireland as part of the Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders (EREBB) community. This journey has reminded me of the global reach of the Edmund Rice family and the shared mission that unites us all.
Our journey began in India, where we visited Kolkata, Varanasi, and Delhi. One of the most moving experiences was in Kolkata, where we visited the Motherhouse of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa. Attending the 6am Mass and praying at her tombstone was a moment I will never forget, offering a profound glimpse into her legacy of love and service to the world’s most vulnerable. We also had the opportunity to visit fellow EREA schools, including St Joseph’s, St George’s, and St Mary’s schools in Kolkata.
Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, was another extraordinary stop. The spiritual significance of the Ganges River, where pilgrims gather daily to purify themselves in its sacred waters, left a lasting impression. Standing on the ghats, witnessing the rituals and reflecting on the universal search for connection with the divine, was a powerful reminder of the sacredness of all human life.
In Delhi, we visited St Columba’s, an EREA school with 3,100 students. We were inspired by the same commitment to a liberating education that we see in our own communities. Despite the different cultural contexts, the values of presence, compassion, and liberation were evident.
Now in Cork, we have continued to follow in Edmund Rice’s footsteps. We visited Nano Nagle’s tombstone, honouring the woman whose vision for education led to the foundation of the Presentation Sisters. We also met with the Presentation Brothers, the first order founded by Edmund Rice before the Christian Brothers. It has been an honour to explore the origins of the Edmund Rice story and witness how his legacy has flourished worldwide.
This pilgrimage has deepened my appreciation for the global Edmund Rice network. Meeting fellow educators and students, hearing their stories, and sharing in prayer has been an enriching experience. It’s a reminder that the spirit of Edmund Rice lives on not only at Terrace and in the formation of the Gentlemen of Terrace but also in communities worldwide, all working towards the shared mission of an Edmund Rice Education.
I look forward to sharing more when I return.