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Newsletter 2 - October 2024
Chaplaincy
September and October have been busy months. Pupils,
parents (and grandparents!) and staff have got involved
in the various aspects of spiritual life at St. Richard’s with
commitment and enthusiasm. Term 2 promises to be just
as full.
Grandparents’ Event – Thursday, 10th October 2024
Our Grandparents’ day on Thursday, 10th October was
much enjoyed by everyone - visitors and the school
community alike. I would like to express my sincere thanks
to all the grandparents who visited, and to the many pupils
and staff who were involved in the Mass. Thanks to Ms
Tocknell for her support with the refreshments. Special
thanks to Mrs Byrne, and Mrs Knight and Miss Jefferies for
the wonderful music and liturgical dance and drama in the
Mass, which made it a wonderfully spiritual occasion. The
book of Proverbs says ‘grandchildren are the crown of the
aged’ and while that may be so, we are indeed privileged to
have the experience and support of our pupils' grandparents
here in St Richard’s and we look forward to next year’s
CARITAS Leaders:
All leaders came together to celebrate a short celebration
of the word where they made their commitment to support
the Spiritual Life of the school. Mr Barber joined us and
awarded certificates to those who were successful in being
elected Captains and Deputies. The first job of the senior
team this year was to support the primary school Spiritual
Leader Formation Day with the pupils from Year 5 & 6 in
our feeder primary schools. Our Captain, Henry, led on
instructing them in types of prayer, including Lectio Divina.
They then created liturgies using the ‘Let us Pray’ resource.
We finished the day with a short celebration of the word
where Misia and the Caritas Leaders taught the pupils two
hymns enabling us to finish our day in praise through music.
Secondary Pilgrimage
A group of Caritas Leaders joined Bishop Richard,
our Diocesan Education Service and our fellow
secondary schools form around the Diocese for the
Secondary Pilgrimage to Arundel. The day began
with a ‘gentle hike’ in the Duke of Norfolk's back yard.
The beautiful grounds of Arundel Castle more than
made up for the sweat broken with the walk. Pupils
had time to reflect and think about the environment
as instructed by Bishop Richard before we set off,
which fitted beautifully with the Feast Day of St
Francis of Assissi, who was a lover of creation.
With every blessing for a restful half term and for the exciting prospect of Term 2!
Jo Doyle – Lay Chaplain, Email: missdoylej@strichardscc.com
Deanery Catholic Schools Staff Mass
Our annual Mass for teachers who work in the Catholic
Schools in our Deanery was held this term and we
welcomed our colleagues from St Mary Magdalene Primary,
St Thomas a Becket Primary, Sacred Heart Primary and St
Mary Star of the Sea Primary to celebrate Mass together
to begin our school year. Fr Kevin Dring, soon to be
Moderater of our parish, led the celebration and offered a
blessing on all our school staff and pupils for the year as our
school jumpers were placed before the altar. A lovely way to
start our school year.
Some of our pupils then assisted with welcoming
other schools to the Cathedral for Mass with the
Bishop. Caritas Leader Captain, Henry, and Year
7 Caritas Form Leader, Aoife, brought forward the
Gifts of bread and wine. It was a lovely chance to
meet up with our fellow secondary schools, take
some time out and give thanks for the creation we
live in. We had time for a look around the Cathedral
and a photo with the Bishop, followed by lunch next
to the River Arun. My thanks to Mrs Ellis for driving
us all in the minibus.