CHAPLAINCY: SEPT/OCT 2021

Chaplain Update

Chaplain Message

This year our theme is, “Faith is an encounter with Jesus, we must do what Jesus does, encounter others.” Throughout the year we will explore how we encounter with those around us, by building positive relationships and reflecting on how we encounter Jesus and grow in faith.

This year, we have been able to reintroduce the celebration of Mass into our school community. It has been wonderful to come together at the start of the year for the feast of St Ursula. Our focus of the St Ursula Masses was creation, and we learnt about St Kateri Tekakwitha, who is the patron saint of Ecology and the environment. From St Kateri we learn the importance of seeking to live in harmony with nature and managing resources carefully, following closely the rhythms and patterns of nature. This was just the start of our focus on the environment, throughout the next half term students will learn more about the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and our response as a school community. 

This half term we also had our physical Year 11 Retreat. The theme was ‘Building our positive future’. During the day, students had the opportunity to reflect on their personal faith journey and learn about the current crisis in Afghanistan. We were joined by the Salvation Army Merton and The Jesuit Refugee Service. After the retreat, students said they had learnt the following. “I have learnt how I can adjust my life to be able to support asylum seekers and refugees, as well as how to reflection my personal situation. I have learnt to be more aware of my personal wellbeing, and think of more ways to help with world problems.” Some Year 11 students asked if they could raise money for Salvation Army Merton and JRS, they held a snack sale raising over £150.

Well done Year 11, I was very impressed with your initiative!

Ms Murphy