Rev. Dr. Michael Shortall, Interim President of St Patrick’s Pontifical University and Prof. Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University today hosted a Christmas reception for staff of both universities in the historic Pugin Hall on the Maynooth Campus to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication this year and to wish everyone a restful and happy Christmas.
Rev. Dr. Michael Shortall speech from the reception is below:
We’re here to pause amidst the busyness of the season to reflect on the year gone by and to celebrate the enduring sense of community that makes the Maynooth campus such a special place.
As we look back on 2024, it is clear that this has been a year of growth, resilience, and achievement. Together, St Patrick’s College (Maynooth College) and Maynooth University, two institutions sharing one campus, have faced challenges head-on while continuing to create a supportive environment for learning, teaching, and research.
My thanks to Prof Eeva Leinonen. Her assistance to me in these past few months and her many kindnesses to me and to Professor Michael Mullaney, my predecessor, is much appreciated. Her openness to collaboration and your respect for the shared heritage of Maynooth continues to strengthen the bonds between our institutions. Thanks to her for her enthusiastic partnership and vision.
We are so lucky at Maynooth to be surrounded by incredible and inspiring music for the Advent and Christmas seasons in the College Chapel and here in Pugin Hall with the Chamber Choir’s concert earlier this month. Hearing the harmonious blend of voices from all the choirs, including two new compositions by Maynooth graduates, is a reminder of the talent, creativity and giftedness that is the defining mark of our students, staff and academics. Moments of collaboration such as these reflect the true spirit of Maynooth—a spirit of concord, respect, dedication, common resolve and shared purpose.
Christmas is a time that invites us to focus on what matters most: people. It’s about family, friends, colleagues, and community. It’s a chance to express gratitude for the connections we share and the opportunities we have to make a difference in one another’s lives. Whether it’s the kindness of a colleague, the quiet support of a friend, or the laughter of loved ones, these are the gifts that truly enrich us.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge all those who work tirelessly to make Maynooth such a vibrant and welcoming place: the academic staff who guide and inspire, the administrators who keep everything running smoothly, the catering and housekeeping teams who create a world-renowned campus, and the many others who contribute so much. Your dedication and kindness make this not just a place of work, but a community where everyone belongs.
To my own colleagues at St. Patrick’s, I want to thank you for your many kindnesses and offers of support since I assumed the presidency. It is a mark of your goodness, and to me a much-needed encouragement in such a daunting role.
This is a time for joy … but not for everyone, and we are conscious of those for whom this year has been particularly challenging – whether through personal loss, illness, or other hardships. If the Christmas season is to teach us anything, it is to remind us of the vulnerability of the Christ-child born in hardship, fear, and far from home. It reminds us again us to stand in solidarity with the vulnerable, the struggling and anxious.
As we approach a New Year, we do so in expectation. May the New Year find us continuing to build a community that celebrates diversity, fosters creativity, and inspires the next generations to lead with integrity and care. As places of learning and discovery, as individuals and as institutions may we continue to embody the values of compassion, inclusion, and peace that are so needed in our world today.
On behalf of St Patrick’s College and the Pontifical University, I wish you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas, filled with moments of rest and reflection. May 2025 bring health, happiness, and new opportunities for us all.