“Whatever happens, just remember, Jesus is always in the boat with you!”

These were some of the beautiful and reassuring words spoken to our new Year 7s during the homily given by Fr Gerry, our priest chaplain, as Year 7 gathered on Friday 25th September to celebrate their Mass of Welcome into the family of St Edmund’s. As we are in the “Season of Creation”, we celebrated using the prayers and readings of the Mass, which were approved for use by Pope Leo on the 10th anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ remarkable encyclical letter, “Laudato Si ‘”.

The gospel for the Mass was the calming of the storm, and it was from this that Fr Gerry drew his calming words of reassurance to our Year 7s – “remember, that Jesus is always in the boat with you!” The beautiful liturgy of the Mass was enhanced by the wonderful singing of our ever-growing academy choir, led by Mrs Whitmarsh. A big thank you to the great support from families at this Mass, with over 40 in attendance. And a big thank you to Fr Gerry, who gives so generously of his time and faith to support our academy.