Category

Prayer Life

Ash Wednesday Liturgy

3rd March 2017Mrs D Ferris

On Wednesday 1^st March the whole school came together to start our Lent journey with our Ash Wednesday Liturgy. At the beginning of the Liturgy, Mrs Hughes, Principal, spoke to the community about how important the day is, marking the start of a period of 40 days preparing for the joyful resurrection of Easter. She reminded us about the three things we can do during Lent, Praying, Fasting and Giving.

During the Liturgy Fr Mark blessed the palm leaf ash and marked out foreheads to remind us that we are created by God.

‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return’

In the book of Genesis, Adam was created from dust, this reminds and shows us of our human weaknesses and to receive the ashes with humility.

Students Testimony- St Joseph’s Catholic Church

1st February 2017Mrs D Ferris

My Article About My Church Life

My name is Leah James and I’m a student in year 9. In October 2011 I started serving the Lord in mass at my parish church, St Joseph’s Catholic Church. As of October 2016 I had been an altar server for five years. I still remember the first time I got on the altar. It was on a Saturday and I remember asking my mum at the end if I did better than my sister. She said, “I don’t remember your sister’s first time but I’m pretty sure that you did better.” I was clearly satisfied. Throughout my years of serving at my parish church, I have served three different priests.

In July 2012, I took part in the ordination of Deacon Craig Fullard (now Father), our current parish priest. I personally thought that that day was the best day I had altar served. It was the first ordination that had taken place in St Joseph’s. At that time our church was just a small little parish but now, if you come along on Sunday masses, the church would be full to the brim.

What I love about our parish is the fact that everyone knows each other. After mass all the elderly will crowd together and coo at the new babies with us, or ask us how we are getting on at school. We’re like one big family and if someone’s not there one week, we’re always asking around for them. In our parish, all the parishioners get along with others. Throughout my time I have had cakes made for me and even a party! Due to everyone being so close to each other we all get invited to their grandchild’s christening or child’s wedding. Other times they invite us round for tea and biscuits in the parish club.

As an altar server I’m always busy. During the fares, I help out on stalls or if I’m trustworthy enough (which I always am), I sometimes have my own stall to look after. The luckiest part about being an altar server is that in the fares you can persuade the stall holders to give you 50% off the item. My favourite season in the church has to be Lent. The forty days leading up to Jesus’ death is the best time of year. I think this because I’m always at church either helping out or having rehearsals for the forthcoming service. Christmas isn’t too bad either. We get mince pies and the masses are so joyous that there is no other place you could feel more Christmassy.

Altar serving feels like it’s always been a part of my life, even if I’ve only done it for five years. Serving for the Lord may sound very intimidating but it’s really simple, once you know why you’re doing it. Since year seven I have been a proud member of the chaplaincy team. I would love to give a massive thank you to Mr Ferris and Fr Mark for all the things they’ve done for me, and an even bigger one to all the parishioners and Fr Craig

To summarise being an altar server in three words, it has to be “an extraordinary job.” It has been an amazing five years and I wish for many more to come.

By Leah James 9CH

Alton Castle Retreat

1st February 2017Mrs D Ferris

On the 23^rd January, 35 students from Year 7 & 8 along with Mr McArdle, Mrs Badham and Mrs Ferris went on Retreat to Alton Castle in Staffordshire. They shared their time there with Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School in Birmingham and explored the theme ’Who am I?’

They took part in many activities from trekking, bike riding, archery, survival skills, and ventured around the adventure course. They took a tour of the grounds and learnt about the history of John Talbot and Augustus Pugin. The staff were very proud of all the students especially when they attended Mass when some of our student Alter Served, read and took part in the offertory. A good time was had by all and we have already booked for next year.

“Laudato Si” inspires St Edmund’s to make some exciting changes

13th June 2016S Huynh

Jess Bradley (year 9) has recently delivered a series of assemblies to groups of students at St Edmund’s motivated by the Holy Father’s encyclical letter “Laudato Si” on care for our common home. Pope Francis invites us all to take seriously how we protect and nurture our planet and to act more responsibly to preserve the earth’s resources for generations to come. St Edmund’s students and staff are looking closely at how we use resources and how we can avoid waste.

One way we can make a significant saving is if we move across from a printed newsletter to a more eco-friendly e-newspaper – available on our website. We will be launching our new e-paper in July and not only will this be more environmentally friendly, it will be run by the students of St Edmund’s Academy! We are very excited about this new initiative and hope it will “engage” students of all ages as well as their families. We will be looking for budding writers, editors and photographers soon but to get us started…..we need a name!

Look out for the competition to name our new paper – posters in tutor groups are coming soon and there are great prizes to be won!

Maundy Thursday

19th May 2016S Huynh

On Maundy Thursday the whole school attended a Solemn Liturgy depicting the story of the Last Supper and Jesus washing the Disciples feet.

Mrs Ferris the Lay Chaplain told the story and introduced each Disciple in turn, explaining the parts the disciples had played in serving Jesus.
Students including the 6th form acted the story. Washed the Disciples feet which (John 13:1–17) occurred in the upper room, just prior to the Last Supper and has significance in three ways. For Jesus, it was the display of his humility and his servant hood. For the disciples, the washing of their feet was in direct contrast to their heart attitudes at that time.
For us, washing feet is symbolic of our role in the body of Christ.
Fr Mark explained more about the Easter message and gave the whole community an Easter Blessing.

Archbishop Bernard Longley’s visit to St Edmund’s

By S Huynh26th January 2016

On Friday the 22nd January St Edmund’s Catholic Academy was delighted to receive a visit from Archbishop Bernard Longley.

We are the first school in Wolverhampton to celebrate Mass with Archbishop Longley within the ‘Year of the Mercy’. He spoke of many things during his Homily and reminded those present that in life there are many doors that lead to opportunities, one being the door to the Academy Chapel, which would always be open for them.

Archbishop Bernard Longley commented: “I want to thank everyone involved for making this Mass a very special one. The choir sang splendidly and were very uplifting.”

After the Mass 34 students, 1 class representative from every tutor group, together with some visitors, made their way to our new Chapel where Archbishop Longley blessed the Chapel and the students.

After the blessing of the Chapel, Archbishop Longley kindly had his photographs taken with some of the students, a few of the students took ‘selfie’s’ and he also signed some of the students’ Mass booklets.

He then had lunch with Principal, Mrs Hughes and guests in the boardroom.

Lay Chaplain, Deb Ferris of St Edmund’s said: “It was a great day, emotional and enjoyed by all the community. We feel very blessed, our Academy is now complete.”

You can read Archbishop Bernard Longley’s Letter of thanks by clicking the link ‘Letter of thanks’ below.

Letter of thanks

Celebrating St Edmund’s Feast Day Mass

By S Huynh2nd December 2015

On Friday 27th November, it was the St Edmund’s Feast Day Mass. We came together as a whole school and celebrated our Patron St Edmund and all the activities and successes we have had in and around our community. It was a beautiful service led by Monsignor Fr Mark Crisp, and Fr Paul Bielak in front of 800 students, staff and dignitaries.

Father Mark Crisp reminded everyone of how “St Edmund Campion was victim of severe religious intolerance and how the story of his life should stir us up to make sure that we all become passionate ambassadors of tolerance.”

In his homily Monsignor Crisp also reminded all pupils of the family moving forward together in the diverse community, with prayers being said for the people of Paris after the recent atrocities there.

After Mass, Governors and friends were treated to cakes and refreshments to mark the Feast of St Edmund.

Special thanks to everyone who attended including; the readers, the Alter servers, the choir and those who contributed in making it such a wonderful celebration.

A Beautiful Remembrance Assembly

By S Huynh13th November 2015

On Wednesday morning, St Edmund’s Catholic Academy came together as a whole school as part of our Remembrance Assembly in honor of the sacrifices made by our brave Service men and women.

It was a moving Assembly with readings and tributes read by staff and our Senior Prefects team were on hand selling poppy’s.

Adria Dongo Year 12 played the piano beautifully with Isobel Casey and Alex Platt singing ‘Amazing Grace.’ Mr Lloyd showed his hidden talent by playing the trombone to mark a one minute silence.

We’d like to thank all students and staff for taking part and also those who have helped organise such a lovely Service.

Principal, Mrs Hughes added: “St Edmund’s is a big family of many languages, cultures and faith traditions and today was an outstanding example of the strength and cohesion of our faith community in action.”

Feast of the Holy Souls

By S Huynh5th November 2015

On Monday 2 November 2015 members of the Academy Council, Mr Farr (Vice Principal) and Mrs Hazeldine (Vice Principal), Mrs Hughes (Principal) and Mrs Gallagher (Academy Chair) joined together in our Chapel to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Souls. The mass was celebrated by our Chaplain Father Mark Crisp.

The Feast of All Souls has always been a significant day at St Edmund’s. It is the day we especially commemorate the souls of all the faithful departed and take time to pray for our own loved ones who have gone before us.

Mrs Gallagher said, “I am most impressed by the reverence and attention of the young people in remembering family and friends from our community who have died during this year”.

Year 7 Welcome Mass

By S Huynh10th September 2015

On Monday afternoon, we held a Welcome Mass for all of our new Year 7 pupils which was celebrated by Father Mark Crisp.

The prayers were focused on asking our Lord to help them, guide them and to be with them, as they start the new chapter in their education.

Father Mark told the students in his homily about how his Dad taught him to ride a bike, the motto being; sometimes new things can be scary but we can all do it.

The Mass was a lovely way to end their first day and we hope they enjoy their time here.

St Edmund's Catholic Academy

To Love and Serve the Lord