Daily Gospel Reflection

9th June 2020Mrs D Ferris

“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:13a &14a
Salt and light, that’s us. Hopefully! Have you ever pondered what it means to be salt or light in this world?
Let’s start with this image. Imagine you cook some wonderful vegetable soup with all the best ingredients. It slowly simmers for hours and the broth looks very tasty. But the one thing you are out of is salt and other spices. So, you just let the soup simmer and hope for the best. Once it’s fully cooked you try a taste and, to your disappointment, it’s somewhat tasteless. So, you search until you find the missing ingredient, salt, and you add just the right amount. After another half hour of simmering you try a sample and are greatly delighted. It’s amazing what salt can do!

Or imagine going for a walk in the forest and getting lost. As you search for your way out, the sun sets and it slowly becomes dark. It’s overcast so there are no stars or moon. About a half hour after sunset you find yourself in complete darkness in the middle of the forest. As you sit there, you suddenly see the bright moon peek through the clouds. It’s a full moon and the overcast skies are clearing up. Suddenly, the full moon sheds so much light your way that you are able to once again navigate the dark forest.

These two images provide us with the importance of just a little salt and a little light. Just a little changes everything!

So it is with us in our faith. The world we live in is dark in so many ways. The “flavor” of love and mercy is also quite void. God is calling you to add that little flavor and produce that little light so that others can find their way.

Like the moon, you are not the source of light. You only reflect the light. God wants to shine through you and He wants you to reflect His light. If you are open to this, He will move the clouds at the right time so as to use you in the way He has chosen. Your responsibility is to simply be open.

Reflect, today, upon how open you are. Pray each day that God will use you in accord with His divine purpose. Make yourself available to His divine grace and you will be amazed at the way He can use the small things in your life to make a difference.

Lord, I do want to be used by You. I want to be salt and light. I want to make a difference in this world. I give myself to You and Your service. Jesus, I trust in You.

Daily Gospel Reflection

8th June 2020Mrs D Ferris


“How blest are…” –Matthew 5:3
The Beatitudes are eight circumstances in which we receive exceptional blessings. The Beatitudes are keys to living a life of blessing and of being a blessing (see Gn 12:2). Consequently, we may surmise that people would strongly desire to live the Beatitudes. Yet this is not the case.

Part of the problem is that few people know how great blessings are, because they do not understand well the meaning of blessings. Many people think that blessings are prayers for good things to happen. No, blessings are not prayers from us to God, but blessings are from God to and through us. Therefore, we are to bless only those whom we have been authorized by God to bless at the time and circumstances God has authorized. As we sing in the hymn, “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow,” all blessings come from God. Blessings are creations by God, for when God speaks He creates (see Gn 1:3ff; cf Heb 11:3).

So blessings (beatitudes) are very important. The blessings at the end of Mass and in the other sacraments have the potential to re-create the world. Parents deprive their children of new life if they would fail to bless them daily. For those who understand blessing, benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is recognized as God creating.

PRAYER: Blessings are creations of God. Live the Beatitudes.
PROMISE: Father, teach me the basics of life in You.
PRAISE: “Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the stream.” –1 Kgs 17:6
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Black Lives Matter: We are all made in God’s image

4th June 2020Mrs D Curtis

St Edmund’s staff and students proudly support  the Bishops of England & Wales in their message of solidarity to the US. 

 

We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the USA as they challenge the evil of racism and the brutal killing of George Floyd. As the US Bishops made clear: “we cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities and yet still try to profess to respect every human life. We serve a God of love, mercy, and justice.”

 

Systemic racism is embedded in our own society. The disproportionate harm suffered by BAME people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted profound inequalities, marginalisation and injustice here in the UK. The peaceful Black Lives Matter protests taking place in our towns and cities this week reflect the understandable anger that so many people feel about this.

 

​As Catholics we recognise that racism is an evil which must be opposed; we all have a responsibility for actively promoting racial justice. Whenever we ignore racism or dismiss BAME people’s experience of it, we are complicit in violations of human dignity. We pray for God’s help to overcome racism in all its forms and that we might protect everyone who suffers its consequences. We are all made in God’s image.”

 

Bishop Declan Lang

Lead Bishop for International Affairs

 

Bishop Paul McAleenan

Lead Bishop for Racial Justice

Daily Gospel Reflection

4th June 2020Mrs D Ferris

A FAITHFUL GOD
“If we are unfaithful He will still remain faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” –2 Timothy 2:13
Which of us can honestly claim that we have been perfectly faithful to all the Lord’s commands? We all fall short; we are all sinners in some way (see Rm 3:23). The Good News is that God remains faithful to us, despite our sins and failings. Faithfulness is at the core of God’s very self.

God loves us unconditionally, even if we have completely turned our back on Him. “God is Love” (1 Jn 4:8, 16). Even should a mother forget her child (see Is 49:15), or a father disown his children, St. Paul tells us that God is faithful because it is impossible for God to deny what lies at the center of His heart: faithful love.

“There is no chaining the word of God” (2 Tm 2:9), and there is no chaining the love of God. Have you ever known a person who cannot seem to accept love? As impossible as it might seem for that person to receive any love, nothing is impossible for God. The stoniest heart is no match for the avalanche of God’s love. Jesus hung on a cross and accepted death out of a heart of unimaginable love for each human being. Therefore, have great confidence in the infinite power of the love of God. God’s Word breaks open hard hearts, and His faithful love melts them. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever” (Ps 136:1).

PRAYER: “Sacred Heart of Jesus, we Thee implore, that we may love Thee more and more.”
PROMISE: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” –Mk 12:30
PRAISE: Seeing Christ on the crucifix opened Mark to loving as Jesus loved.

Daily Gospel Refelection

3rd June 2020Mrs D Ferris

LIGHT MY FIRE
“I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God…” –2 Timothy 1:6
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus speaks of flame when He references the burning bush (Mk 12:26). Moses saw an angel of the Lord appear to him “in fire flaming out of a bush” (Ex 3:2). That experience stirred into flame a blazing fire for God in Moses’ heart.

In our Baptism and Confirmation, we have been given gifts of the Spirit (Rm 12:6; Eph 4:8). Hundreds of millions of people on this earth have received incredible gifts from the Holy Spirit. Why then is the world in such a mess when the Spirit has given us so much help? Many have stifled (1 Thes 5:19) and saddened (Eph 4:30) the Spirit by living “at the level of the flesh” (Eph 2:3), and the flesh fights against the Spirit (Gal 5:17). However, the Holy Spirit also fights against the flesh (Gal 5:17), if only we give the Spirit permission.

Jesus came to light a fire on the earth (Lk 12:49), but many are afraid they’ll get burnt. When you’re tempted to douse the fire of the Spirit, God wants you to throw gasoline on it. When you’re tempted to put a damper on the Spirit’s fire burning in your life, God wants you to put a blowtorch on it.

Fr. Al Lauer, founder and longtime author of One Bread, One Body, once said: “The more I say ‘No’ to myself, the more I say ‘Yes’ to the Holy Spirit.” “My point is that you should live in accord with the Spirit and you will not yield to the cravings of the flesh” (Gal 5:16).

PRAYER: Father, may I not be so afraid of getting burnt that I fail to catch fire. Consuming Fire (Heb 12:29), melt my heart in Your love.
PROMISE: “God has saved us and has called us to a holy life.” –2 Tm 1:9
PRAISE: St. Charles Lwanga and his fellow Ugandan martyrs endured cruel and sinister punishment imposed by the vicious King Mwanga. Pope St. Paul VI canonized them in 1964.

Daily Gospel Reflection

2nd June 2020Mrs D Ferris

IMAGE-CONSCIOUS
“Whose head is this and whose inscription is it?” –Mark 12:16
The Pharisees and Herodians were able to identify the owner of the Roman coin because of what was stamped on it. The seal on the coin marked it as belonging to Caesar.

When we were baptised  into Christ, we too were stamped with an image, “sealed” with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13; 2 Cor 1:22). We were “formed anew in the image of [our] Creator” (Col 3:10), and now we “share the image of His Son,” Jesus (Rm 8:29). God marked us with His own seal to identify us as His property (Rm 14:8). Isn’t this amazing? The same God Who forbade the making of any graven images out of concern for our falling into idol worship (see Ex 20:4) has now engraved His very own seal upon us (Eph 4:30).

Are you aware that you are marked with the seal of God? Can others tell to Whom you belong merely by looking at you? You can polish up your image. Concentrate on your Owner and gaze “on the Lord’s glory.” Then you will be “transformed from glory to glory into His very image by the Lord Who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18).

PRAYER: Father, may all who see me think of You.
PROMISE: “What we await are new heavens and a new earth where, according to His promise, the justice of God will reside.” –2 Pt 3:13
PRAISE: Emperor Constantine had great respect for Sts. Marcellinus and Peter. He buried his mother, St. Helena, in the basilica that had been erected over their burial crypt. These two saints were such powerful witnesses that they converted other prisoners and their jailer before their deaths.

Lads & Lasses School Wear Message

2nd June 2020Mrs D Curtis
We are getting prepared for a Back to School with a difference this year and hope that you will all support us by being prepared and shopping a little earlier than normal.
From the 15th June we plan to reopen our store. To be sure that we can operate a safe, controlled environment we have felt the need to implement a few changes this summer.
Please can you order online https://www.ladsandlassesschoolwear.co.uk/ wherever possible.
If you have a child at school already you have a guide from the uniform that they wore last year. There are helpful sizing charts and videos on our website and Facebook page and if you have any queries, we are happy to discuss your requirements. We have reduced the free delivery to a £35.00 spend and added a click and collect option at checkout if you would prefer to pop down and collect. The Click and Collect point is to the side of the store so that you do not have to enter.
If your child is back at school 1st June and you desperately need uniform, we will be happy to serve you from the click and collect point until the store officially opens.
We are offering an appointment only system this year to avoid long queues. From 15th June appointments can be booked online https://www.ladsandlassesschoolwear.co.uk/book-your-appointment/ or via our Facebook page. We would ask that you arrive on time and do your very best to keep your appointment. We will only admit one adult with each student for the safety of customers and staff. We are extending opening hours and will be practising social distancing in store. Hand sanitiser and gloves will be available and we are encouraging customers to wear masks.
There will only be one fitting room available at any one time in order for a used fitting room to be cleaned and sanitised between users. We would ask that fitting rooms are only used where it is an essential need. We will have disposable tape measures in store to ensure accurate sizing.
Exchanges can be made via the click and collect gazebo so that you do not have to enter the store.  A member of staff will be happy to assist with returns and exchanges.
Garments that have been exchanged will be quarantined and steamed so that they are sterile before they are returned to stock.
Although we are well stocked due to our forward planning we may encounter stock issues from our manufacturers this summer due to the pandemic. We will work tirelessly to ensure minimum impact to you all, but please take notice of this when booking appointments or ordering on line, ensure that you too forward plan and I cannot stress how important it is to shop early this year.
We would ask that you are patient with us. These are unprecedented times and all that we can promise to do is our very best for you. We have the most amazing customers and we know that we can rely on you all.
Take care and stay safe. We thank you for your support and look forward to welcoming you all back very soon. We are here to support you all the way Back to School.

Leah’s Helping Hands

1st June 2020Mrs D Curtis

Leah James, Year 12, has been volunteering at New Coss Hospital. This is her story.

I started volunteering at my local hospital during these difficult times. This opportunity came through as a way to have more people work in hospital wards to help and support healthcare staff.

My day starts off with a small ward round observing the doctors and nurses as they treat the patients in the morning. I would then help with breakfast and make sure that everyone is full and happy to start their daily routines. Jobs include changing the beds of each patient on the ward, which can be a struggle but nonetheless fun, and giving a tea round. By taking the correct precautions and wearing a full suit of PPE, I am able to converse with the patients and lighten up their days, as they are unable to see family members hence why I love to sit and listen to their fantastic stories such as touring with the English cricket team in South Africa or romantic stories about their partner! People tend to forget that they are as bored as you sitting at home even if they are surrounded by more people, they aren’t even allowed outside for a walk! Nevertheless, my experience has just started and so far it has been amazing to work alongside the people who we clap and cheer for on Thursdays at 8 pm.

The NHS has been doing a wonderful job and I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity to give an extra pair of hands to my community.

Leah James Year 12

Daily Gospel Reflection

1st June 2020Mrs D Ferris

MOTHERS
“The man replied, ‘The woman whom You put here with me — she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it.'” –Genesis 3:12
Most of us are very familiar with the story of the fall. Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation and thwarted God’s plan. Because our first parents were disobedient, we suffer the wounds of original sin. Shortsightedly, we could label Adam and Eve the ultimate scapegoats. But we and they are family! “The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living” (Gn 3:20). Have you pondered your lineage? Eve gave birth to us in the natural order — she is truly our ancestor. The trickery of the serpent, although frustrating, merely exposes human frailty. Are we any better than Eve? Jesus reminds us, “Let the man among you who has no sin be the first to cast a stone at her” (Jn 8:7).

Providentially, God the Father instituted a new master plan. He desired to restore us to His grace and love, for He wants all “to be saved and come to know the truth” (1 Tm 2:4). He chose a young virgin from Nazareth to help complete the plan. “The virgin’s name was Mary” (Lk 1:27). This new “woman” (see Gn 3:15) was destined to become the “new Eve.” In the spiritual order, Mary has given birth to “those who keep God’s commandments and give witness to Jesus”; we, as members of the Church, represent “the rest of her offspring” (see Rv 12:17).

Focus on Mary’s obedience, not Eve’s disobedience. Echo Mary and tell the Lord, “May it be done to me according to Your word” (see Lk 1:38, RNAB).

PRAYER: Father, give me the grace to accept Mary as my mother (Jn 19:27) and always act so as to honor her (Ex 20:12).
PROMISE: “When Jesus took the wine, He said, ‘Now it is finished.’ Then He bowed His head, and delivered over His spirit.” (Jn 19:30)
PRAISE: Mother Mary, you “gather your children, as a mother bird gathers her young under her wings” (see Mt 23:37).

Preparing for the wider opening of schools and early years settings

27th May 2020Mrs D Curtis
Guidance on the actions for education and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June, at the earliest, can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020

Guidance on implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings

Guidance for early years providers to help them prepare to open their settings for children of all ages from 1 June can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preparing-for-the-wider-opening-of-early-years-and-childcare-settings-from-1-june

Guidance for primary schools to help them prepare to open to Reception, year 1 and year 6 from 1 June can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preparing-for-the-wider-opening-of-schools-from-1-june/planning-guide-for-primary-schools

Guidance for secondary schools to help them prepare to offer face-to-face support to year 10 and year 12 pupils from 15 June can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preparing-for-the-wider-opening-of-schools-from-1-june/planning-guide-for-secondary-schools

Guidance for parents and carers as schools and other education settings in England open to more children and young people can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

The information below has not changed since yesterday.

Department for Education coronavirus helpline

The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Opening hours:

8am to 6pm – Monday to Friday
10am to 4pm – Saturday and Sunday