Chaplaincy
Page 7
Newsletter 5 - March 2024
We are now in the season of Lent and during this time we are encouraged to
focus on three main areas. The first is to give more time to prayer, perhaps
five minutes each day. The second is to fast; this could be not consuming a
favourite food or drink (or even spending less time on Facebook or Twitter!) to
remind us not to become too dependent on material comforts. The third is to
help those in need. If we are able to put these three areas into practice, then
Lent becomes a season of getting closer to God, so that when we reach Holy
Week and Easter, the most solemn and important time in the Church’s year,
we will be well prepared and ready to receive the Risen Lord. May I wish you
every blessing on your Lenten journey.
Jo Doyle - (Lay Chaplain & Teacher of RE)
Deanery Spiritual Council Retreat Day
On Monday, 4th March we welcomed our four deanery Primary School’s
Spiritual Councils. These are Year 4,5 and 6 pupils who have taken over the
leadership of Catholic Life and Ethos in their schools. The Caritas Leaders
Senior Team, some members of the Minister of the Word Club and the Altar
Servers Club helped to support and lead on the day. Pupils created an action
plan on what they could do to support prayer life in their schools and then
explored a resource called ‘Let us Pray 2gether’, created by NDCYS to support
pupils in creating Celebrations of the Word. It was lovely to see the younger
pupils learning from our Caritas Leaders and indeed they brought a wonderful
energy. We ended the day with a Celebration of the Word and a blessing on
their ministry in their schools.
Form and Year Masses
Year 9 were delighted to welcome Fr
Simon to begin their Lenten journey in
a prayerful fashion with a Mass in the
school hall. Fr Simon reminded them
that giving up something in Lent is not
always about sweets or chocolate, but
perhaps we could think about giving up
hateful words or negative interactions
with each other. He also reminded them
that we should see Lent as a starting
point and try to carry those Lenten
promises through to beyond Easter.
Miss Rhodes and Mrs Forster-Simmons
forms, 9U & 9H, also focused on Lent
for their Form Mass and Fr Simon
encouraged them to think of this time
as a time to seek forgiveness and begin
again. 8F and 8R are busy preparing
their form service, as 8L & 8I will be in
the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Music, Drama and Dance
departments are hard at work preparing
for our annual Easter Celebration for
the end of term.
CAFOD Walk and Foodbank Appeal
Our annual CAFOD Walk Appeal took
place on Thursday, 21st March.
Pupils had been sent a sponsorship sheet via EduLink and alongside this, we
asked pupils participate in our Foodbank collection. All food collected will be
distributed in the local area and benefit so many in our own community who
are in need. This is a wonderful way to fulfil our Lenten promise of Almsgiving.
Upcoming Event - SPEC Retreat for Year 9
This is a residential retreat for Year 9 pupils which will be advertised
to pupils in the coming weeks - keep an eye out and sign up.
Chaplaincy Clubs
Wednesday lunchtime
Drop-in for a ‘Moment with God’
Friday morning
Morning Prayer of the Church - 8.15-8.30am
Friday lunchtime
Chapel Band
Each week in the Chapel, we have the following clubs:
The following clubs are also available in the Chapel - details will appear in
Pupil Notices:
Altar Server Club
New and existing servers train practically and
spiritually to serve as Altar Servers in our school.
Minister of the Word Club
Pupils can develop skills in delivering the Word of
God and put this to use in school celebrations.
Year 9 Retreat: 10th-12th May 2024
Year 9 parents/carers will be sent an
email in the coming week about the
exciting opportunity for Year 9 to sign
up for a wonderful residential retreat
at the Diocese of Westminster's
Youth Retreat Centre in Pinner. This
weekend, run by the Youth team, is
an opportunity to reflect on your faith
and spend some time on your own
spiritual and mental wellbeing. See
details of the Centre on their website
here. The total cost for the whole
weekend is £160 - including food,
accommodation and transport. There
are only twenty places available, so
don't miss out!