Decision, New Street School, Fafa Chapel Site.

   Edmund sought the opinion of many people, including Dr. Hussey, confidentially, expressing his doubts and worries. He also sought spiritual guidance. He felt he was being guided on his path.

   He wrote to Pope Pius VI with his idea, and he in his reply encouraged him to proceed.

   In 1802, Edmund sold and settled all his business affairs.

   He placed his unbounded trust in Providence in the task ahead. This behaviour was characteristic of him in later life.

   Edmund wished to improve the status of the poor through education. New Street school was founded in 1802 on property originally owned by his wife. It was a stable. It had three rooms and he lived in the attic.    He was aged 40 years.

   There were problems in starting a school. Edmund needed a licence, which would guarantee him as a fit and proper person to teach, and which would enable him to avoid having to pay a heavy window tax on the premises. This was obtained from a Protestant Bishop after using some friendly influence. It hadn't been granted at first.

   The specific law forbidding any Catholic "to fund, endow or establish any school, academy or college" was ignored and Edmund placed his trust in Providence.

   Local people in Waterford initially had mixed attitudes towards the new school. It was a difficult time keeping teachers.

   Two men from Callan, Thomas Grosvenor and Patrick Finn joined him in New Street.

   From these happenings in New Street, the idea of founding a religious congregation grew.

   In June 1802, Edmund started to build a monastery on the site of Faha Chapel.

   Again, Edmund placed himself outside the law, which forbade anyone "to found, endow or establish any religious order or society of persons bound by monastic or religious vows."

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