Feehan Kicks Off 50th Anniversary with Honors

When first opened 50 years ago in the fall of 1961 the buildings weren't quite finished, the students had to eat lunch in their home rooms and there were only six teachers who recalled Bishop George Coleman.

Now, 50 years later, the school has grown considerably and now boasts a student body of nearly 1,000 and 100 full-time teachers.

In the intervening years between 1961 and 2011 there were many different people who helped make Bishop Feehan what it is today, and the school chose to honor those people as it embarks on its 50th year.

The school will be awarding 50 "Spirit of Feehan" medallions throughout the year at various events and presented the first six of those awards at a Mass Thursday.

The recipients were The Sisters of Mercy, who originally founded the school, the chaplains and other sisters who worked with the school, Sister Mary Urban, Sister Mary Noel Blute, Sister Mary Faith Harding, who was the schools fourth and longest tenured principal, and Sister Patricia Harrington, a current teacher who has been with Feehan for the last 43 years.

Principal Bill Runey thanked the Sisters of Mercy for their dedication, saying "They have helped shaped Bishop Feehan."

During his homily, Bishop Coleman reminded those present of the schools motto, which is taken from the book of St. Paul, "Set your hearts on things above, and not on goods of earth."

Bishop Coleman said the students will begin to find their vocations, their ideals and their motivations while at Feehan and advised them to "not be satisfied wit anything less than truth and love."

State Rep. Betty Poirier  (R-North Attleborough) also presented the school with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the state and congratulated the school on its first 50 years.