While we in the UK have access to clean water and sanitation, many around the world do not. We must act to change this. As members of God’s world and family it is our duty to prioritise those who are most vulnerable to poverty and injustice.
We must go beyond looking at those in need and truly see their struggles. Only by doing this can we act to help them. If we use our talents to help others, whether that is through volunteering or small acts of kindness, we can improve the lives of others.
but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them, will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. – John 4:14
Saint Joseph was by birth of the royal family of David, but was living in humble obscurity as a carpenter when God raised him to the highest sanctity, and fitted him to be the spouse of His Virgin Mother, and foster-father and guardian of the Incarnate Word, Jesus. The Gospels tell us that Joseph was a “just” man. He was faithful to God and said yes to God’s plan for him to be Mary’s husband and Jesus’ foster father. He was faithful to Jesus, protecting him when he learned of King Herod’s plan to kill him and, when danger passed, helping Mary to raise Jesus with love in the small town of Nazareth.
Like Saint Joseph we must follow God’s plan for us. We must think well of others and have clean and positive thoughts. Bearing no malice or grudges against others. With a pure and trusting heart, God will help us to achieve our potential and guide us in our path.
Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God – Matthew 5:8
Saint Joseph – Pray for us
Mothering Sunday is a day of reflection and celebration. It is an important day where we return to our mother church and reflect on the healing nature the church provides for us. This day is also a celebration of our mothers and those who are like mothers, who have nurtured us. There is remembrance for those mother figures we have lost, through all means, and a thought to those who never had a positive relationship with their mothers. Let us be comforted by our heavenly mother, the Blessed Mary, and let her holy guidance move us through this day.
We are all part of God’s family and we have a responsibility to help others achieve their full potential. Like a mother, let us nurture and guide those who need it to become the best they can become. This day may you be compassionate to those in need, whether that be those without mothers or mothers without children. Check in on those who are alone this Mothering Sunday, spend time with them and let them know their value.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness – Proverbs 31:26-27
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.
– John 9:1
After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
His neighbours and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was.
Others say, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
– John 9:6-9
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”
Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”
But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.
Then they turned again to te blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”
The man replied, “He is a prophet.”
– John 9:13-17
To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
– John 9:34
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him.
– John 9:38
We have been informed the bus strike will take place from Monday 20th March 2023 indefinitely.
Services will begin to be affected from around 10.30pm on Sunday 19th March and customers should expect some disruption to buses which usually run late at night on a Sunday.
Regrettably this means thatthere will be no school bus services provided.
Additionally, National Express will only be operating an extremely limited bus service on the general network (initially on the 59, 529 & 51 services in the Walsall/Wolverhampton areas only).
Please can I remind you, it is parents/carers responsibility to ensure that your child/children attends school. We recognise this will be challenging, especially for those pupils who have to come across the city, and advise reminding pupils to travel safely and allow sufficient time for their journey.
Thank you for your continued support.
Find out more: https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/service-updates/strike-action
Red Nose Day is a day of raising awareness of and putting an end to child poverty. We should prioritise these children as they are vulnerable to injustice. They are people created in God’s image and their life is sacred as is all human life.
Acts of compassion fuel our drive to help others. We should give to charity and defend those who need it. Red Nose Day encourages this compassion to raise funds for children in poverty. It is just that we defend these children and continue to campaign for a fair world and human rights. This combination of compassion and justice will make a difference to the world and the children struggling to grow up in it.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you – Matthew 7:12
Saint Patrick of Ireland is one of the world’s most popular saints. He was born in Roman Britain and when he was fourteen or so, he was captured by Irish pirates during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. At the time, Ireland was a land of Druids and pagans but Patrick turned to God and wrote his memoir The Confession. In this, he wrote: “The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.”
Saint Patrick’s participation within the teachings of God shaped his life in a difficult time and new land. As we also participate in God’s teachings let us act faithfully. We must love the world but let God be first. We must be constant in our love for God and others. We must communicate with God frequently. We must find time for reflection and to reconcile with God when we have done wrong.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me – Psalms 51:10
St Patrick – Pray for us
Young Carers Action Day does more than raise awareness about the lives of young carers, it encourages action to be done to improve the livelihoods of young carers. By looking past our own personal interests to those of others we are able to work towards the common good. This will help us to work towards changes to improve the lives of young carers and see what they need to help make things easier for them. Everyone should be able to participate in the decisions that affect their own lives. Due to their increased responsibility for those they care for, young carers may be limited in the life decisions they can make, such as moving away for university or attending after school classes to help with exams. Action to provide young carers with spaces designed to support them will not only allow them to make life decisions for themselves but also gives them an opportunity to be with a group of people that understand their life.
Young carers sacrifice a lot to help their loved ones in need. By acting we can help and support them through this. If we too put ourselves out to help others and act as Jesus would, society would be a kinder place for all. We can use our talents to help others and small acts of kindness can make a huge difference. Voluntary work at an organisation that supports young carers can help them to take time for themselves that they may not have otherwise. It may be a small act for one person but it can make a huge difference to a young person.
No greater love a man can have than to lay down his life for his friends – John 15:13
On Friday 10th March two teams from St Edmund’s represented the West Midlands in the British Schools National Milano Gymnastics Championships at Fenton Manor Sports Complex.
The U13’s were first up and they did really well considering it was their first nationals competition. Their trio routine was impressive and the skills in their floor routines were performed well. Their floor and vault scores were added to Woodrush School and as a region they gained a National bronze medal 🥉. A fantastic achievement for them all!
The U19’s team were on the competition floor straight after and as they are all in Year 13’s my advice was to go out there and enjoy their last Milano National competition. They certainly did and went above and beyond! All gymnasts went clean on all three pieces and their trio routine was performed with perfection! It was an outstanding performance by all and this placed them in the individual silver medal position. A fabulous end to our very busy day!
Can I also express my sincere thanks to Mrs Hard and Mrs Jeyarajan for helping to transport our gymnasts to and from the competition – absolute superstar parents!
U13’s team – National bronze medal winners – Mahdi, Cerys & Sophie
U19’s team – National silver medal winners – Brientony, Amelia & Lysia
