36students from year 7 and 8 have recently spent 3days on retreat at Alton Castle Catholic Retreat Centre in Staffordshire, where we looked at the theme of ‘Called’.
What are we called to be?
How are we called to live?
The students tried different activities to enable them to push themselves and see the beautiful countryside they were staying in. They tried a range of activities, cycling, trekking, climbing wall, archery and survival skills-looking at the 3 things we need to survive, water, shelter and food.
During their time they took part in prayer, adoration and a beautiful Mass celebrated by Fr Paul Wheldon at the St John Catholic Church which is on site.
We shared our Retreat with St John Wall Catholic School in Handsworth and many new friends were made.
We are all called to do be ‘Saints’ .
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.

Our Chaplaincy Team this year decided to put together lots of feathers to make 2 ‘Angel Wings’. Mrs Ferris asked the form tutors to ask the students if they would like to either design a feather, write their new year’s resolution on, their aspiration or inspiring quote.
‘God has created me to do some definite service…I have my mission. I shall be an angel of peace.’ Saint John Henry Newman
We hope you like the final display inspiring students to aim high and be the best they can be.
From the moment that you are born you have all the potential in the world inside you. God gives you this potential but it is up to you to make the most of what you are given. That means pushing yourself to accomplish great things, and taking some risks that are worthwhile in order to grow as an individual. Don’t let a fear of heights keep you from reaching the top and seeing the most incredible view. Your wings are already there, you just have to recognize that you have them so you can successfully take off. Don’t be one of the people who do not accomplish what they could have just because they mistakenly thought they were missing the tools needed to achieve their goals.
‘Your wings already exist…all you have to do is fly’.

On Tuesday 24th October, two members of St. Edmund’s Catholic Sixth Form represented our Chaplaincy team by attending Mass at St Chad’s in Birmingham. Students from schools across the Diocese came together to say their Chaplaincy promise, together with all the Lay Chaplains.

The journey was a difficult one due to the rain and road conditions, but we all came together to celebrate with Bishop Kenny who preceded the Mass, along with Fr Paul Whieldon the new Chaplain for the Kenelm Trust, Fr Michael Doleman the Priest for Vocations and Fr Tim Menzies the Cathedral Dean of St Chad’s. We raised the roof in song, while St. Edmund’s students, Sophie Tudor and Seren Young, carried our school banner (fresh from our pilgrimage to  Lourdes) with pride.

Bishop Kenny explained that Pope John Paul was asked by a reporter what the best event he had been to was. He responded twice ‘My Baptism’, because that was the day I became a member of the Church. He continued to speak about what we could do to follow our baptismal promises – even the act of smiling, is following what Jesus would like us to do and be.

Mrs Ferris along with other Lay Chaplains were presented with a certificate from Bishop Kenny on behalf of the Kenelm Trust for completing her qualification on Liturgy and Collective Worship.

May we continue to pray for all the Chaplaincy Teams in our schools and the invaluable work that they do.

On Wednesday the whole school came together to prepare for the start of Lent by attending our Ash Wednesday Liturgy lead by Fr Mark our Chaplain. The choir, led by Mr Bard, was in fine voice leading us in hymns such as ‘Be still for the presence of the Lord’, ‘Father I have sinned’ and the Song of the Prodigal. On guitar was Mr Garrity and Saoirsa Kerrin, on Bass guitar was Jacob Cuthbert, on Drums was Jacob Creswell and our visiting pianist Martin.
There were readings of day and bidding prayers read by students from the different year groups. Fr Mark blessed the ashes, and together with the Eucharistic Ministers distributed the ashes while saying:
‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return’
The ashes are used as a sign of our repentance and are traditionally made from the Palm Crosses from the previous year’s Palm Sunday
Special Prayer
Lord, bless the sinner who asks for forgiveness and all those who receive these ashes.
May they keep this Lenten season in preparation for Easter
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen