Chaplaincy
Page 6
Newsletter 6 - May 2024
We are fast approaching the Feast of Pentecost. The
birthday of the Church, this Feast commemorates
the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, thus
empowering them for their mission and gathering them
together as a church. We remember very specially in
prayer all the pupils who are preparing for Confirmation
with Bishop Richard in June; may the Holy Spirit guide
them at this particular moment in their journey of faith. We
also pray for all those preparing to sit their exams, may
they be inspired and strengthened to give of their best.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in
them the fire of your love. Amen.
Lent Reconciliation
Lent Reconciliation was well supported by our clergy. The
assembly in the morning for all proved really inspiring and
many more signed up on the day.
Easter Services
The whole school came together over four services on the
last two days of the term to prepare for the Easter Holiday
and the upcoming Tridium. There was a wonderful sense
of togetherness as over 200 pupils took part in delivering
a very strong message. Our focus was around the Last
Supper and Jesus' gift of the Eucharist to us and his
demonstration of true servant leadership in his washing of
the feet of his disciples. This was the final time for some of
our Year 11 dancers, ministers of the Word, musicians and
choir to take part in a St Richard’s celebration of the Word
and I thank them for all their contributions over the last five
years.
Form Masses
A number of form masses took place in the past term. Pupils
have worked hard on practising their readings and preparing
reflections to deliver in the Liturgy and, on the whole, these
have been very reflective and appropriate for the liturgical
season. Well done to all who have volunteered to play roles
in these celebrations. Fr Simon joined Year 8 to celebrate
Mass on the feast of St George. Fr Simon spoke to the year
group about St George and his commitment to his faith,
despite persecution. The year group participated well, joining
the Year 8 choir members in all the hymns.
CAFOD Lent Appeal
We held our annual Sponsored walk for CAFOD with a good
turn out from across all year groups. The Student Listeners
in Year 10 provided support to engage Year 7 and there was
a great atmosphere on the walk. We raised £386 for the
CAFOD Big Walk appeal. Our donation joins others across
the country already being put to work, helping people fight
poverty caused by climate change.
Foodbank Appeal
We ran our annual Foodbank Appeal in conjunction with our
CAFOD Walk and we collected an impressive 308.15kg!
Which was about 8.5% of the total stock in the Foodbank
for that month. This was gratefully received by the Bexhill
Foodbank whose stocks are running low at this time.
A&B Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage
I am delighted to say that we have four St Richard’s pupils
joining the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage this year as
RedShirts. Following their preparation meeting recently they
are very excited and have already made friends with other
young people from our Diocese. Please watch this space for
some fundraising by them, which will support their pilgrimage.
Mr Barber’s Mass of Induction as Principal of St Richard’s
God Bless, Jo Doyle (Lay Chaplain) - Tel: 01424 731070 ext 126 Email: missdoylej@strichardscc.com
On Monday, 13th May, we were delighted
to welcome Bishop Richard to celebrate
a Mass of Induction for Mr Barber. This
was his commissioning as Principal of St
Richard's and Mr Barber was joined by
his wife, children, mother and friends from
his previous school. The choir provided
beautiful music including a psalm written
for the occasion by Mr Martin Foster,
Director of Music at St Mary’s University
Chapel, Twickenham and Director of the
Liturgy Office of the Bishops’ Conference
of England and Wales.
Also in attendance were the Director of the Education
Service, Julie Oldroyd, CEO of Bosco Educational Trust,
Dave Carter and Head of St Paul's Catholic College, Burgess
Hill, Rob Carter, all of whom came to offer their prayers
and support for Mr Barber. Alongside Bishop Richard,
concelebrating Mass, were our own local clergy, Fr Kevin
Dring and Fr Chris Benyon, and joining us from Brighton,
Canon Kieron O'Brien. It was a beautiful blessing on Mr
Barber's journey ahead as Principal. Many thanks to all
involved; Mrs Byrne, Mrs Potter, Mr Lyons, Mrs Di Mascio and
in particular, the PTFA who served refreshments.