The Solemnity of All Saints was celebrated by the Whole school, in a Full Mass, on Wednesday 1st November 2017.
This Mass was dedicated to John Sheppee, former Headteacher of St Edmunds, who sadly passed away at the end of October. Many of his old colleagues were present to pay their respects to a great ambassador for education, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
On the feast of All Saints we take time to remember all those who have entered heaven, including saints who are recognized by the Church and those who are not. We are all created to be saints and Fr Mark in his Homily spoke about the need for Courage, Steadfastness and perseverance.
Here is an extract from Fr Mark’s homily:
Life does have many challenging experiences at school and home. The temptation at times to give up on the struggle can be immense.
Today we remember Saints 100, thousands impossible to count. A Saint isn’t a person who’s good and perfect all the time. A Saint, who despite all their challenges and their failures, never gives up and perseveres.
Today we remember all those who didn’t and made the world a better place! Saint Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941)
Even in the darkest of times, God’s light keeps breaking forth. In the darkness of the Second World War, a time of incredible suffering and human anguish, a light broke forth through a Franciscan priest named Maximilian Kolbe. He gave his life so that another man might be spared and eventually return to his wife and children.
Ten prisoners in the concentration camp in Auschwitz were chosen at random to die because a fellow prisoner had escaped. One of the 10, Francis Gajowniczek, was a husband and parent. When Father Kolbe heard of the man’s plight, he volunteered to take Gajowniczek’s place. Eventually, all 10 individuals died, including Father Kolbe. This bare outline says something of the heroic charity, graced and courage of Maximilian Kolbe.
Like all the saints – Kolbe’s love is similar to that of Jesus. Both gave their very lives for another; both made manifest the fortitude that says that faith is stronger than death.
Saints are individuals who are willing to sacrifice all; saints are individuals who do not allow fear to govern their destiny.
Today we give thanks for them, ask to have just a bit of their faith, courage and hope.