Hi. I’m Reverend Deacon Michael McKearney – Rev for short. I’m so pleased and privileged to be working in chaplaincy here at St Edmund’s. I’ve spent the majority of my working life in Catholic Education in Warwickshire, Birmingham and Shropshire. It’s so good to be working and sharing faith with so many wonderful students and staff, and to be able to exercise the ministry of deacon in the place where I work.  I have been a permanent deacon for nine years and am attached to the local parish of Blessed Carlo Acutis, working with Fr Mark and Fr Alex. It’s really good to be able to work with many parishioners who are also part of our St Edmund’s family. We try to give as many opportunities as we can to help all develop their life of faith and relationship with God, so please pop into our beautiful school chapel when you’re free – to pray to enjoy the peace and quiet or for a chat about faith, life and especially football ☺

Fr Gerry Bowen – assistant priest at Blessed Carlo Acutis parish, Wolverhampton and Academy Priest Chaplain. I am a recently ordained priest, and I am delighted to begin my ministry here as school chaplain at St Edmund’s. Before entering the seminary, I worked for around ten years as a primary school teacher, so being back in a school environment feels very natural to me. My favourite saint is St John Henry Newman, whose life and writings have inspired me since childhood, especially as I grew up in the Birmingham parish where he once lived and worked.
I am passionate about Jesus and bringing Christ to others through the Sacraments, and I look forward to sharing that joy with our school community. I also have a deep love for Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who has always looked after me in my own journey of faith. It is my hope that I can encourage others—especially our young people—to trust in her guidance, knowing that she always leads us closer to God.