HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-12-24, Page 12John Carr has never taken anything
for granted in life, especially when it
comes to the holidays.
This attitude towards Christmas is
something he brought with him to
Canada over from Ireland through to
his marriage and his family and now
to Brussels Public School as its
principal. It started at a young age
with violence and social unrest that
most Canadians have never had to
factor into their holiday schedules.
Growing up, Carr celebrated
Christmas with his family in a very
fixed and traditional manner. On
Christmas Eve, preparation and
cooking would begin for Christmas
dinner. It was, however, left to warm
while the family attended midnight
mass. With the family returning from
mass between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., a
large, traditional Christmas dinner
would commence, lasting into the
late morning hours.
This was a tradition that Carr and
his family held close to their hearts
for years. However, once Carr
reached his early teens, violence in
Northern Ireland became so intense
and dangerous that Christmas
midnight mass ceremonies were
considered unsafe and were
eventually cancelled. Christmas mass
was scheduled around the dinner
hours of 5 p.m., 6 p.m. or 7 p.m.,
forcing the Carrs out of their tradition
and into a new schedule.
Being so close to poverty, violence
and uncertainty, Carr said giving as
well as receiving was a value that was
instilled in him at a very early age.
The Carr family was very aware of
their surroundings and made an effort
to give to less-fortunate families
whenever they could.
This was a tradition that travelled
with Carr to Canada. However, upon
meeting his wife, who held many of
her Francophone values close to her
heart, Carr was able to return to his
childhood tradition of midnight mass
and a feast without the danger he
faced back in Ireland.
Carr continues the tradition today,
although he says the early morning
dinner isn’t quite as elaborate as it
was in the days of his youth.
It is Carr’s philanthropy that has
taken off since he came to Canada.
With his two children, he has instilled
the values he was taught at a young
age, that at Christmas it is just as
important to give as it is to receive.
He and his family often volunteer
at the From Stratford With Love
dinner and have participated in
various charitable programs around
the holidays.Carr said it was one
snow day several years ago that his
children really learned why he
preached giving around the holidaysso strongly. “That really made a markon my children. It was a snow day, sowe were off school and we went tohouses to distribute these gift
baskets,” he said. “I think children
can just assume all kids have what
they have, but going around, they saw
how little some kids had. One boy
came to the door and was excited we
had food for him.”
Carr thinks it’s important to
maintain that balance and to not
forget about families that may be less
fortunate than his. He said he brings
that attitude to his work at Brussels
Public School, but that a firm
foundation of charity and giving had
already been established before he
came on the job.
At Brussels, students often
contribute to the food bank as well as
the Huron County Christmas Bureau,
but more recently an organization
called Kids Care has come out of the
school.
Kids Care is a student-driven
organization committed to helping
those less-fortunate in various ways.
Earlier in the year, the organization,
anchored by Jacob McGavin,
presented an initiative to raise money
to build a school in a Third World
country and recently they have
undertaken several holiday projects.
Carr takes no credit for the drive
and determination of Kids Care, but
says he encourages them at every
turn.
As far as Christmas activities go,
Carr says he finds it best that they
don’t start until the last week of
school, otherwise students tend to get
distracted. However, in the last week
of school, he encourages Christmas
activities and creativity and looks
forward to the community event
atmosphere of the school’s annual
Christmas concert.
He enjoys celebrating Christmas
with his students at Brussels Public
School. Prior to working in Brussels,
Carr worked in secondary education
and said there wasn’t the excitement
and the magic surrounding Christmas
there that there are in elementary
schools.
“If you get a kick out of the kids
and the excitement around Christmas,
and I do, this is a great place to be
around the holidays,” he said.
PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2008.
Ho, Ho, Ho
Brussels Public School principal John Carr tried his hand at
playing the big guy last year for the school, wearing a Santa
Claus suit just before the students left for their Christmas
break. (Courtesy photo)
Singing away
Carolling is always a big part of every school’s Christmas,
but Brussels Public School principal John Carr holds it
particularly close to his heart. He enjoys spending time with
the students during their carolling sessions and sitting in on
rehearsal time for the school’s annual Christmas concert.
Heather Dawe’s Grade 3/4 class was in the Christmas spirit
rather early this year. Back row, from left: Gregory Hiusser,
Jake Mitchell, Avery McArter, Darren Evans, Jarron
Thompson, Kaitlyn Wick, Jessica Johnston, Sarah Mitchell
and Kaelyn Morrison. Middle row, from left: Lorren Poland,
Teegan McGavin, Rebecca Oldridge, Tyler VanderMeer
and Dylan Prout. Front row, from left: Camron Gibson,
Nolan Johnston and Brett Stevenson. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Principal in the spirit
Howson &
Howson Ltd.
Blyth
Elevators 519-523-9624 Flour Mill 519-523-4241
May your faith be renewed and your spirits lifted as we
celebrate the birth of our Saviour. With best wishes to you
and yours for a truly memorable holiday season.
SS ee aa ss oo nn ’’ss GG rr ee ee tt ii nn gg ss
ROBERT RADFORD
FARM MACHINERY REPAIRS
P.O. Box 144
Londesborough, Ontario
N0M 2H0
519-523-4851
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Another great
season is in
the bag, and
we hope it’s
filled with good times
for you and your
family. We really
appreciate your
shopping with
us this past year.
Best Wishes from everyone at
Blyth 519-523-4551