Chaplaincy Display

24th February 2020Mrs D Ferris

Alton Castle

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.

Cafod- Climate Change

2nd October 2019Mrs D Ferris

Yesterday CAFOD, the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development, blessed us with a visit. They led a discussion with year 9 students on the topic of  ‘Climate Change- climate change destroys God’s precious gift to us-creation’. Inspired by the teachings of Pope Benedict and Pope Francis, we know that responding to the climate crisis requires working together-as families, parishes and countries.

So what can we do?

  • Reduce your meat consumption
  • Could you grow a vegetable garden or wildlife garden?
  • Instead or getting to school in a car, could you go by bus, bicycle or walk?
  • Heating – could you turn the thermostat down?
  • Can you consume less electricity? Turn the lights off, turn plugs off at the mains
  • Do you recycle at home and school- plastic, paper, plastic, crisp packets etc?
  • Could you write to your M.P? Let them know what you are doing to revive our common home

I am sure that there are many more ways you can think of to reduce our negative impact on Earth. 

The poorest countries are the ones most affected by global warming, but are creating the least waste and greenhouse gases!

“ … how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society and interior peace,” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ #10

Chaplaincy Commissioning Mass

27th September 2019Mrs D Ferris

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.

 

Synod Catch Up

29th April 2019Mrs D Ferris


Pope Francis to the youth of today: ‘You matter and you are important’
In the last week of term, the Kenelm trust, Soli House team and visitors from America and Canada came to St Edmund’s to speak to students involved in Pope Francis’ Synod on youth. Last year our students had discussed what challenges and issues they face in today’s modern world as a child of faith. On this visit the team shared the Pope’s response to their questions and concerns in a new document ‘Christus Vivit’
The Pope highlighted the challenges that young people face offering this as a “letter from the father to his kids’. Pope Francis reminds us: ‘you matter and you are important, and the church think you are important’.
The students received feedback on the Pope’s message and the session finished with prayers and music.

Lent

13th March 2019Mrs D Ferris


Lent
We are now in the season of Lent. Lent is an opportunity for us to examine our conscious, pray more, acknowledge what we have, be thankful and be generous. In order for us to grow closer to the Lord, build up our relationship and discover anew the joy of a deeper conversion of the heart.
Our PRAYER is a sign of our hunger and thirst for God
Our FASTING is a sign of sorrow for our sin and an openness to conversion and turning back to God
Our ALMSGIVING is a sign of our gratitude, for we have received mercy, and through generous giving show mercy.
Here at St Edmund’s the students have an opportunity to enter into this Holy Season in many ways. Here are few examples;-
1. through prayer-
• all this week the 6 formers have been creating a prayer chain all Year 7 Tutor Groups
• some classes will have an opportunity to follow the ‘stations of the cross’ or spend time in the Chapel to share prayers
• every Thursday the school can attend Lightfever, for prayers in the Chapel
• every t.v. screen showing a daily extract from the Walk with me booklet
2. through Fasting
• on Friday’s there will be no meat served in the canteen
• the students will listen to an assembly on Lent and be encouraged either to give something up for lent or give something back
• the staff will become Guardian Angels and participate in acts of random kindness
3. through Almsgiving
• During the weeks leading up to Easter, each year group has been given their own week, to have the opportunity to raise funds for our 3 nominated charities: a local, national and an International one
We wish you all blessed journey through Lent as we hunger to become closer to our Lord
Prayer
‘Lord, teach me to resist the temptation to doubt your love. Renew within me a sure and solid grasp of your loving plan for my life. May I grasp, in deeper measure, the depth of your love so I can walk with you day-by-day, knowing your peace in my heart. Amen.’

Ash Wednesday

12th March 2019Mrs D Ferris


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

Confirmandi

11th March 2019Mrs D Ferris


Confirmandi
On Monday 4th March, five of our students, along with students from SS.Mary’s and John’s Catholic Primary took their Sacrament of Confirmation. The Mass was celebrated by the Rt Rev Bishop David McGough. Bishop David had spent the afternoon with the students talking to them about the strength of Holy Spirit.
The students renewed the promises, which were made on their behalf, by their godparents during baptism; and then Bishop David prayed for the candidates, while stretching his hands over them
Each candidate knelt before the Bishop with his or her sponsor. The sponsor placed their right hand on their shoulder while the Bishop anointed them with the oil of Chrism. During the anoint, the Bishop addressed each by his or her confirmation name saying, ‘Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit’
After the Mass they continued their celebrations in the church hall.
On Thursday 14th March 4 more of our students will be receiving their Confirmation at St Michaels Catholic Church in Penn, along with the students from St Michael’s Catholic Primary at 7 o’clock. The RT Rev Bishop MC Gough will be the celebrant once again.
The students have been working hard with Mrs Ferris after school and during their lunch to complete their spiritual preparation confirmation.
We ask that you keep these students in your prayers that they may be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Soli House- Girls Weekend

27th February 2019Mrs D Ferris


Two of our students attended a girls weekend retreat at Soli House. Here is Molly Kerins testimony of her time there.
Soli house weekend

During the 15th and the 17th of February Siwi and I went on a girls retreat to Soli House. The weekend was focused on our treasure, what is it, how we find it and how we use it. During the weekend we took part in multiple outdoor activities such as a scavenger hunt around Alton Castle, escape room and crate stacking. Additionally, we also had discussions about what we treasure in life and went to a mass on the Saturday evening where we all took part either through reading, singing or dancing. Over the whole weekend girls from all over the country were able to come together and discuss our faith and how we can use our talents to better our lives and the lives of others. I think that the weekend was an amazing experience and I look forward to going on another retreat soon.

Alton Castle

13th February 2019Mrs D Ferris

For 3 days, 35 students from year 7 and 8 experienced the delights of Alton Castle Catholic Retreat Centre in Alton Staffordshire. The theme for the retreat was ’Who am I?’ The students were to consider how they view themselves, how friends view them, family and God.
‘He counts the Stars and Calls them all by name’ Psalm 147:7
They then faced a range of challenges, such as survival skills, archery, trekking and a climbing wall. They also looked at the three things we need to survive, water, food and shelter. This helped them look at what they are capable of and how to work as a team.
They had opportunities to pray and attend Mass Celebrated with Fr Thé Quang Nguyen in St John the Baptist Church, on the grounds of the Castle.
The weather was frosty, many layers were needed but fun was had by all.

In case no-one told you today, you are God’s work of Art,
Wonderfully made, knit together by the almighty,
Anticipated since the beginning of time,
You are called to a unique and specific purpose.
You are not rubbish, and you never were,
Because God does not make rubbish
It is time to be fearfully and wonderfully you!
You are….FANTASTIC!

      

Mission at Home

22nd January 2019Mrs D Ferris

On January 26th – 27th, young adults across the Diocese will be answering the call of Pope Francis and serving in mission projects over this weekend serving their local community. Following a weekend of mission, local groups will join together on Sunday evening at Ss. Peter and Paul in Wolverhampton to celebrate the closing Mass of World Youth Day, enjoy Panamanian food and tuning in to the Pope’s homily and the sights and sounds of Panama. All young people are welcome to join us. Please arrive at St. Peter and Pauls RC Church WV11RJ. at 6pm. Event finishes at 9pm.
The young people will be asking for people to sponsors them. All the money raised will go to Tabor House to support their project with homeless people. If you would like to sponsor the young people you can via parent pay at school.
Please keep in your prayers the 20 young adults, largely from parishes in disadvantaged areas of the Diocese, representing Birmingham in Panama with Pope Francis and the youth of the world!
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