Match of the Day at Our Lady’s

Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Prescot featured on BBC’s Match of the Day on Sunday 19 February. Over the last two years the school has been part of the ‘Game On’ programme run by the LFC Foundation and Nike to provide all children across Merseyside with free sport opportunities, including sports such as netball, tennis, athletics and many more.

The feature covered a visit to the school by Liverpool players Fabio Carvalho and Rylee Foster who spoke with the pupils and took part in training in a number of sports. Fabio said of the pupils, ‘I just hope that they have fun and that they cherish this moment. I hope that they learn something so that they come to school each day and enjoy taking part in football, basketball and different activities to improve both mentally and physically’.

Rylee Foster enjoyed the visit and said, ‘It’s really amazing to me just to be able to do something that I never really had growing up. I like how I can come in and talk about different things and excite them all a bit –that is what means the most to me.’

Head teacher, Haydn Boyle, praised the benefits of the scheme saying, ‘all children really want to be something and do something with their lives. Coming out of the years of the pandemic, mental health has really been affected for children in schools and now they’ve got a chance to be inspired by someone coming in and working with them showing what they can do and what they can be’.

Previous visitors to the school under the ‘Game On’ programme include World and Commonwealth games heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

The holy season of Lent is here with us again and it seems to have arrived in quick succession to Christmas. For many, Lent conjures up memories of giving up something, trying to pray more and thinking of others. I recall the numerous times over the years when I made extravagant promises of sacrifice only to fail miserably with weeks and in some cases days after Ash Wednesday.

We are asked to do three things during Lent. The Church gives us a slogan—Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving—as the three things we need to work on during the season.

In our schools and colleges our young people will be doing many different activities concerning Lent. Their lessons, prayers, activities, and collective worships will have Lent as its central focus. They will see the visible signs of the season in the classroom displays and dedicated prayer areas. Our young people will take part in reconciliation services and support the CAFOD Fast Day.

CAFOD has asked our schools and colleges to take part in the Big Lent Walk Challenge this year. They are asked to walk 200km in 40 days raising money for those in need. Recent events such as the war in Ukraine and the earthquakes in Turkey/Syria region have highlighted the outstanding work of our aid agencies.

This Lent I am doing this challenge to allow myself the opportunity to raise funds to help my brothers and sisters in need. I am also walking to ensure that I spend time in the open air appreciating the environment - God’s gift to creation. By walking I will give myself time to pray to God and give thanks for Lent and the opportunity to start again.

Please consider supporting those schools/colleges taking part in the Big Lent Walk and I would welcome any donations as well. https://cafod.enthuse.com/pf/joan-mccarthy/post/2670763

May you all have a blessed and reflective Lent.

Joan McCarthy Director of Education Archdiocese of Liverpool