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Liturgies
Easter Liturgy (Video clips) Rejoice, Rejoice. In Me
During lent each Year group has the opportunity to attend a holy week liturgy.
The liturgy this year focused upon the words of Jesus on the cross “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. We reflected upon a prayer that had been found next to the body of a child at the Ravensbruch concentration camp. The prayer illustrated how suffering in our lives can evoke greater love, compassion and generosity.
A group of Year 8 students re-enacted a scene between Jesus and the disciples through using sign language to Leona Lewis song “Run”.
Reconciliation
During lent every student has the opportunity to meet with a Priest for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a blessing or an individual chat.
Ten Priests from local deaneries came into school. Before meeting the Priest each student had an opportunity to reflect on their relationship with God and the influence that it has on their lives.
They were reminded of God’s unconditional love through a quote that the year 9’s had recently heard at Kintbury: “There isn’t anything you can do, that will make God love you less.!” . This sacrament is an extraordinary reminder of the healing power of God’s forgiveness and the importance of asking forgiveness for the areas of our lives that are weighing us down.
Voluntary Mass
On the first Friday of each month at 8.05am there is a voluntary Mass which takes place in the school chapel.
Students prepare prayers, reflection and lead the music.
This Mass is an opportunity to pray for any members of our school community who are having a difficult time.
Students make a real effort to be in school early and some of them travel a significant distance.
Retreats
During January and February 185 Year 9 students visited St.Cassian’s Centre Kintbury for an overnight retreat.
St. Cassian’s is located in beautiful grounds and the retreat was
led by the team of young people who work there.
The team commented on how generous and open they found the students to be. In their evaluations of the retreat Year 9 asked for the retreat to be extended to two nights in the future.
As a result of this next years retreats will involve a two night stay.
During November and December Year 11 had an opportunity for a days retreat.
This was led by the Whitstable team and provided students with an opportunity to pray through art, sign language and meditation.
The day also included an affirmation exercise where each student acknowledged the lovely qualities that she was aware of in her form members.
Year 11 appreciated the opportunity to stand back from coursework and take time to reflect and consider how they were developing as people.
During March and May Year 8 and Year 10 had an opportunity of a day of retreat led by the Sion Community. Both Year groups had a wonderful time and the Sion community commented on the enthusiasm and faith commitment of the students.
Each retreat provided opportunities for prayer through drama, signing, music and writing.
Opportunities for day and residential retreats enable students to experience various styles of prayer that are relevant and attractive for their age group.
This then enables them to develop their own spirituality and their own unique way of relating to God.
Fundraising for Deborabant Secondary School in Tanzania
As part of our lenten efforts students raised money for the Deborabant secondary school in Tanzania.
The school was built by the La Sainte Union Sisters who founded St. Catherines. Sister Marion Walsh who works in the Deborabant school visits St. Catherines each year to let us know how the school is progressing.
During May Year 9 took part in a penny mile where they formed lines of coins across the school gym and this event raised ? for the school in Tanzania.
During June the school presented a cheque for ? to Sister Marianne.
Looking ahead to the next academic year Mr Edmunds in our English department is planning to run the London Marathon in 2010 for the school in Tanzania.
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