In the tapestry of faith, vocations weave the threads that connect individuals to their divine calling within the Church. A vocation is not merely a career choice; it is a profound and spiritual journey where one discerns their unique role in serving God and His people.

Vocation is a calling from God to live a life dedicated to His service. It includes many paths, such as priesthood, diaconate and religious life. Each vocation is a unique response to God’s invitation, and as members of the Church, we are called to support and encourage those on this sacred journey.

The distractions and pressures of modern life can drown out the gentle whisper of God’s call. This is where the power of communal prayer comes into play. Praying for vocations is not just a passive act; it is a conscious effort to create an environment where individuals can discern their calling and respond with courage and clarity.

In the quiet spaces of our hearts and the collect echoes of our prayers, the call to vocations resonates. Let us, as a community of believers, continue to lift our voices in prayer, nurturing and sustaining the vocations that will shape the future of the Church and illuminate the path for generations to come.

Saint John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco, holds a cherished place in the Catholic tradition as a remarkable educator, priest and advocate for the welfare of young people.

Born in 1815, he dedicated his life to the service of God and the guidance of impoverished and at-risk youth in Turin, Italy.

Inspired by a vision, Saint John Bosco founded the Salesian Order, an educational community committed to the holistic development of the young, combining academic, spiritual and vocational training. HIs approach emphasised kindness, understanding and a deep trust in the power of love to transform lives.

Saint John Bosco’s tireless efforts to provide a nurturing environment for the marginalised youth and instill in them a sense of faith, hope and responsibility have left an enduring legacy.

Saint John Bosco – Pray for us

Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 18:5

Today our Maths Department lead the upper and lower schools in our Holocaust Memorial Assemblies.

Reverend McKearney started the assembly with a prayer and addressed why we remember the Holocaust – as catholics and as people.

Mr Morris lead the assembly, explaining this years theme for Holocaust Memorial Day – Fragility of Freedom. He went through the loss of freedoms the Jewish people experienced in the years up to and during World War 2, how this happened and how it resulted in the loss of millions.

Three students read the story of a Holocaust survivor, who experienced the horrors of Auschwitz. Her story and the stories of people she knew are given to us so we can remember the horrors and violence of war in a hope that they are never repeated.

Mrs Ricketts sang Amazing Grace, as a moment of reflection and contemplation on what we had heard.

We ended with a Jewish prayer for the dead to honour those who were lost. We must never forget the 9 million people that were lost during the holocaust. Their memory is a constant reminder of the world we must avoid and a driver of the world we can create.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4

On this eighth and final day of the Octave of Christian Unity, we stand at the culmination of our shared journey towards oneness in Christ. Today, let our hearts overflow with gratitude for the strides we have made in understanding, fellowship, and mutual respect. As we reflect on the prayer of Jesus for unity, may the spirit of reconciliation permeate our souls, reminding us that, despite our diverse traditions, we are bound together as members of the Body of Christ. Let this day be a testament to the transformative power of love, as we commit ourselves anew to fostering unity within the Church. May the bonds formed during this octave extend far beyond its conclusion, creating a legacy of enduring brotherhood and sisterhood in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Finally, brother and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. – 2 Corinthians 13:11

The Feast Day of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle commemorates a pivotal moment in Christian history. Saul, a zealous persecutor of Christians, encountered the divine on the road to Damascus, experiencing a radical conversion that transformed him into the Apostle Paul, one of the greatest evangelists of the faith. This day is a poignant reminder of God’s boundless mercy and the possibility of redemption for even the most hardened hearts. We reflect on Saint Paul’s journey, his unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, and the profound impact of his letters that form a significant part of the New Testament. The Feast Day of the Conversion of Saint Paul serves as an inspiration for us to embrace the transformative power of God’s grace and to be open to the unexpected ways in which He can work in their lives.

As we embark upon the seventh day of the Octave of Christian Unity, our hearts are drawn closer together in the pursuit of oneness in Christ. Today, let us reflect on the progress we have made, celebrating the bridges of understanding and fellowship we have built. May this day be marked by a deepening commitment to breaking down the walls of division, fostering a spirit of love that transcends theological differences. Let us earnestly pray for the grace to overcome any remaining obstacles, recognizing that our unity reflects the radiant diversity within the Body of Christ. Inspired by the example of Jesus, who prayed for our unity, may this day strengthen our resolve to walk hand in hand as brothers and sisters in Christ, bearing witness to the transformative power of love and unity within the Church and the world.

until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. – Ephesians 4:13

Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength – St Francis de Sales