Recall the history, thank the persons, assure the continuity
On 29 April 2011, the celebration of the centenary of the Association of Former Students of the school « Maristas La Inmaculada » began in the main hall of the establishment. The first statutes of the Association of Former Students of the « Maristas La Inmaculada » school were approved in April 1912 (under the designation « Asociación de Antiguos Alumnos Maristas de Barcelona »). This association was founded when the school was in Rue Lauria, 38. The history of the establishment continued in Rue Valencia 370, site of the present school. The members of the Committee of Directors of our Association have been very numerous, as have been the former students who, in the course of the years, have belonged to the Association (those have never been part are even more numerous). Many Brothers have been Advisers of the Association, and most of the school’s Teams of Direction have always supported us. A great thank you to all!
The celebration of the centenary of our Association has just been launched, and the celebrations will continue for a whole year (April 2011 – April 2012). For this purpose, we have prepared a programme of activities which, we hope, will allow us to recall the event as it deserves. But we are convinced that what is most important on the occasion of this Centenary is to remember and thank all the persons who have made this history possible and allow it to continue. So we invite you to aim at this triple objective: recall our history, thank those who have made it possible and assure its continuity.
The opening ceremony on 29 April was a resounding success. It was presided over by Br Andreu P. Sánchez, director of the school, Mr Francesc Torralba, Mrs Judit Gratacós, President of the Association of the Parents of Students of the school, Mr Jordi Cunillera, President of ADEMAR La Inmaculada, and Mr Albert Estany, Vice-president of ADEMAR la Inmaculada. It began with some words of greeting from the Director of the school to all those present. Br Andreu P. Sánchez also thanked the Association of Former Students for the work carried out all through its history, and hoped that this Centenary would be one more step on the Association’s journey.
Then the President of ADEMAR La Inmaculada addressed those present, thanking all the persons who collaborated in the organizing of the Centenary. He also insisted on the manner of attaining the triple objective mentioned above. We then had the pleasant surprise of hearing a message from the Superior General of the Marist Brothers, Br Emili Turú, delivered by video. We are very grateful to him for his words. The Provincial of the Hermitage, Br Maurice Berquet, also added to the messages of felicitation on the occasion.
After the opening address, it was time to begin the central part of the inauguration. First, Dr. Francesc Torralba, philosopher and theologian, gave a remarkable conference on the theme: « To educate with enthusiasm », centred on the need to work with enthusiasm, as much for the educator as the person being educated. It was a brilliant presentation; everyone was convinced that if education generally as well as social activity was approached with enthusiasm, the future would be much better. The inauguration programme closed with a round of songs from the « Orfeó Badaloní » (Badalona Choir), which had chosen for the occasion an international repertoire – a musical promenade through many countries – with a view to presenting a global vision of the presence of the Marist Brothers in the world. The last piece interpreted, the hymn of the « Colegio La Inmaculada » of Sancho Marraco, was taken up in choir by all those present.