Every year on November 14, St Laurence's Parish School Forbes celebrates the Feast Day of St Laurence O'Toole. This year the school celebrated in honour of their Patron Saint with a whole school Mass in the St Laurence Parish Church. "It's a special day for our school," Ms Donna Pavey said. In 1162 Laurence O'Toole became the first Irish Archbishop of Dublin. During his time as Archbishop, in 1190, the Normans landed in Ireland and in the following year they besieged Dublin under their leader, Strongbow. Laurence met Strongbow to arrange a peace but the Normans attacked while the talks were happening. They seized the city and began killing the citizens and looting their houses. Laurence saved the lives of many by the sheer force of his presence and carried the bodies of others in his own arms to be buried. In spite of many setbacks he was to continue his efforts as peacemaker to the end of his life. On Feast Day students at St Laurence's who exhibit the qualities of a peacemaker are recognised. One student in each class who works hard to maintain positive relationships, realises when there is an injustice against others and respects the opinions of others is awarded a peacemaker award. Bishop Columba presented this year's peacemaker awards to Amity Dunn, Georgia Wood, Ryan Davey, Ivey Rousell, Aliyah Kaptingei, Ella McConnell, Molly Betland, Edith Toohey, Indie Acheson, Helaina Nixon-Tamblyn, Austin Smyth, Billie Edwards and Milarnie Hanley. After Mass the whole school celebrated with families with open classrooms and a St Laurence's community gathering with cake, to mark the occasion. In the St Laurence Parish Church is a painting of St Laurence O'Toole with the Forbes township and the St Laurence church behind St Laurence which was painted by Sisters in Chile.
