…’No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar or puts it under a bed; rather, one puts it on a lamp stand, so that those who enter may see the light’… (Luke 8:16-17)
Our school community was blessed to come together in recent days in St Mary’s Church to celebrate and mark the opening of our new school year 2025/2026 through prayer, music, hymns, song and reflection, in the Holy Mass and Eucharist.
On the day that we honoured St Gerard Majella - patron saint of mothers, expectant mothers, babies, children and families, most especially - and following the canonisation of St Carlo Acutis in recent weeks, our children, parents and grandparents, families, staff and members of our wider community were invited to continue to be ‘a light’ in our world, in our families and homes, in our classrooms and school, and to all around us. We reflected upon Fr Alwill’s words and encouragement as he reminded us that Jesus tells us that the reason He puts the light of the Gospel in the hearts of believers is so we can give light to each other. We pray that we may shine brightly in the world, bearing witness in both our words and deeds, so that what we do brings glory to His light.
Of course, in this month of October, we also gave thanks for the wonderful autumnal beauty and bounty all around us, and dedicated ourselves through devotion and prayer to Our Blessed Lady and the Holy Rosary. It was most special and meaningful to join with our children in singing the beautiful hymn to Mary - ‘A Mhuire Mháthair’ - at the closing of our Mass, and invite you to share in this once again in the recording, below.
As we continue, too, to journey through this Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, recognising ourselves as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, may we all make new beginnings with God, with each other and with all of Creation, reflecting on the hope that comes from God and how each one of us is called to be a ‘Pilgrim of Hope’…
We convey our collective thanks and appreciation to parents, grandparents, families, members of our school’s Board of Governors and the wider community, who joined with us in the church and via the webcam to celebrate our Mass, and for a cup of tea in our school, afterwards. We also extend a word of sincere thanks to Fr Alwill for leading us in our Mass, and to Paddy for his help and support, as ever.
We hope you will experience a little joy and ‘light’ when sharing in our photographs and singing, as below…
