Catholic Pic September 2022

to our students

Welcome

This month will see a once in a lifetime event with the visit of the relics of St Bernadette. As I write the relics are just arriving in England and will tour England and Wales and Scotland over the next two months. They arrive in our archdiocese on Thursday 15 September at St Mary’s, Chorley, where there will be a Welcome Ceremony at 8.30 pm. On Saturday morning, 17 September, they will be brought to Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral and at 3.30 pm will arrive at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, where they will remain until the morning of Tuesday 20 September. We publish the full itinerary on our centre pages.

We welcome our new Deacons: Daniel Piwowar and Pearse McDonagh who were ordained by Bishop Tom Neylon at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Graeme Easton who was ordained by Bishop Tom Williams at St Mary of the Isle and St Joseph, Douglas. We remember them in prayer as they begin their ministry among us.

We remember too Olivia Pratt-Korbel and her family following her tragic death. Bishop Tom Williams led a vigil of prayer for her at St Margaret Mary’s parish in Knotty Ash; prayers and support which will continue in the coming days. May she rest in peace.

From the Archbishop’s Desk

this summer I ordained three priests, two for the archdiocese and one for the Dominicans. It is always an awesome ceremony – Cardinal Basil Hume used the word awesome at my ordination forty years ago. It wasn’t a fashionable word at the time but is now. Many people after an ordination say how moving they found the ceremony; others are filled with joy. Even those who have no religion will show respect as if they know something is happening that is beyond what they can see with their eyes or perceive with their senses. Yes, ordination is awesome but there are many other awesome things happening around us if only we can tune in the eyes of our heart to ‘see’ them.

recently got my second hearing aid, and now I can clearly hear the birds singing in the garden. Sometimes they are too noisy, especially the seagulls, but with the help of an app on my phone I can now identify them. I am filled with wonder at the variety of birdsong – I find it truly awesome. I don’t know why I am surprised at that because the birds in all their variety are expressions of God’s creative love. Of course, the word ‘awesome’ is overused these days, but take a moment this month to reflect on what you find awesome, and it will undoubtedly lead you to God. And please keep the new priests Derek, Michael and Albert in your prayers that they will continue to be overawed by the grace of the priesthood.

Our new Deacons

On Sunday 17 July Bishop Tom Neylon ordained Daniel Piwowar and Pearse McDonagh to the permanent diaconate in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. In his homily Bishop Tom reflected on the ministry of the diaconate saying, ‘as disciples of Christ we can serve the Lord best when we turn towards him, attentive to his word, so that we can then turn outwards with confidence and hope as we serve the needs of others’.

Daniel who works as an HGV driver was born in 1980 and grew up in Poland coming to the UK with his family in 2007. In 2014 they moved to Stockbridge Village where he will serve in St Albert the Great parish and the Knowsley Deanery.

In 2005 he completed a 5-year study of Catholic theology and philosophy in Poland and after moving to the UK decided to use his formation and theological studies as a permanent deacon. On his ordination day he says, ‘I felt very calm end excited at the same time. It was the finish line of a long process of formation and discernment, but most importantly it was the beginning of a new journey with Christ’.

Daniel goes on to say, ‘I am very grateful to my wife, children, and the rest of my family for their support and help before and during that day, also massive thanks to my friends and members of St Albert’s parish’.

Pearse was born in Mullingar, Ireland in 1970 and his formative years were spent

almost exclusively in South Africa. In 1988, he had a profound religious experience during a Redemptorist parish mission which led him on the path to the permanent diaconate. He will serve in the parish of Holy Family, Platt Bridge and the Wigan and Leigh Deanery and says, ‘as a member of Holy Family Parish for 16 years, it is both exciting and humbling to serve the parish family as a new permanent deacon’.

He has been married to Nichola for 14 years and has twin sons, Joshua and Dominic aged 13. He says that ‘being a recently ordained deacon has brought with it a deeper sense of family life and a renewed sense of direction for our family’.

Pearse describes his ordination day as ‘significantly powerful - being ordained in the presence of family, parishioners and fellow clergy was life changing. It marked the beginning of a new ministry, and for me a new chapter in which I find myself being equipped and consecrated to bring the joy and Good News of the Gospel to those I serve’.

On the following Saturday Daniel and Pearse travelled to the Isle of Man to celebrate the ordination of Graeme Easton in St Mary of the Isle and St Joseph, Douglas, by Bishop Tom Williams.

Graeme has been married to Heather for 36 years and has two married daughters. He has lived on the Isle of Man for 22 years and chairs the Parish Pastoral Council for St Mary’s and St Columba’s Castletown and Port Erin where he will serve and also in the Isle of Man Deanery.

He has a mathematics degree from Cambridge University and is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries holding the Institute of Directors' Diploma in Company Direction. He has held a number of senior finance roles with various

‘It was the beginning of a new journey with Christ’ Deacon Daniel Piwowar

Daniel and Pearse with their families and Bishop Tom Neylon

companies in the UK and Isle of Man and is currently a nonexecutive director of Hansard Global plc.

Graeme is a trustee of the archdiocese and a trustee and director of the Leprosy Mission (Isle of Man), treasurer to the Friends of Rushen Silver Band and a past Chairman of the Manx Actuarial Society. He is also a volunteer with Isle of Man Railways, the Crogga Valley Railway and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway in Cumbria.

He says, ‘It was a great joy for me to celebrate my ordination at St Mary’s where I really felt the love and support of my family, and so many friends and parishioners. I appreciated having some of my fellow deacons present, particularly Pearse McDonagh and Daniel Piwowar who I had trained with and had been ordained the previous week. I am Honorary President of the Rushen Silver Band who led the music of the Mass, really lifting everybody. It was special that my wife, Heather, led the litany of saints which was a profoundly moving and deeply spiritual experience for me. At the end of Mass, I just remember the joy throughout the church as I spoke to people and had photos taken and then afterwards at the reception on a steam train from the Isle of Man Steam Railway where I am a volunteer.’

Daniel, Graeme and Pearse at St Mary’s, Douglas

what’s on september

Thursday 1 September

World Day of Prayer for the care of creation.

Saturday 10 September and Sunday 11 September

Heritage Open Days

1.00 pm to 4.00 pm each day at Holy Cross and St Helen church, Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1EF.

Sunday 11 September

Education Sunday

Liverpool Bach Collective

Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata 127 ‘Herr Jesu Christ, wah’r Mensch und Gott.’ (‘Lord Jesus Christ, true man and true God.’) 6.30 pm at Holy Cross Church, Church Lane, Woodchurch, Wirral, CH 49 7LS. Singers and Players directed by Philip Duffy. www.liverpoolbach.com Email: liverpoolbach@icloud.com

Tuesday 13 September

Time out on Tuesday – enjoy some personal quiet time to deepen your relationship with God.

10.00 am at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane; Liverpool, L15 6TW. Please bring your own lunch, tea/coffee are provided. Suggested offering for the day is £10.00. No booking required. For more information contact Sr Winnie Tel: 0151 722 2271 email: morleywinifred6@gmail.com

Thursday 15 September

Newman Circle Talk: ‘My Path to Rome’. Speaker: Father John Goddard, former Anglican Bishop of Burnley. 7.30 pm at St Helen’s Parish Centre, Crosby, L23 7TQ. Tea and coffee will be available at the start of the meeting. Details from Secretary, John Potts Tel: 07889 841096.

Friday 16-Sunday 18 September

‘The Call of Creation’ Women’s Weekend at the Irenaeus Centre, 32 Great Georges Road, L22 1RD

or join by zoom. Residential places available. Details contact Jenny Tel: 0151 949 1199 Email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk

Saturday 17 September

Heritage Open Day

1.30 pm to 4.30 pm at St Patrick’s church, Park Place, Liverpool, L8 5RA.

Heritage Open Day

1.00 pm to 4.00 pm at Holy Cross and St Helen church, Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1EF.

Friday 23 September

The Sixteen Choral Pilgrimage present a programme of English choral music centred around Hubert Parry’s emotional Songs of Farewell. 7.30 pm at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Tickets £8.00 - £16.00 Details and booking: https://thesixteen.com/event/thechoral-pilgrimage-2022-liverpool/

Saturday 24 September

Cursillo 50th Anniversary

Mass of thanksgiving and exhibition, reflections and witness talks in the Gibberd Room of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King to celebrate 50 years of Cursillo in England and Wales. 10.00 am – 4.00 pm with Mass at 12.00 noon celebrated by Bishop Tom Williams.

‘Come apart and rest awhile’ Quiet Day 10.00 am at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane; Liverpool, L15 6TW. Please bring your own lunch, tea/coffee are provided. Suggested offering for the day is £10.00. No booking required. For more information contact Sr Winnie Tel: 0151 722 2271 email: morleywinifred6@gmail.com

Sunday 25 September

Day of Prayer in thanksgiving for the harvest

Tuesday 27 September

St Vincent de Paul Festival Mass

7.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. Mass to celebrate the work of the SVP in Liverpool and across southwest Lancashire, all welcome.

Wednesday 28 September

All ladies of the Archdiocese are invited to a ‘discussion group meeting’ at 7.30pm in the Gild Hall, Formby

It is hoped that a more formal ‘women’s discussion group’ will start to meet on a regular basis and will move around the archdiocese with a view to linking into the National Board of Catholic Women. For further information contact Pat Murphy Email: Mpmmurphypat@aol.com or Claire McCarthy claremccarthy1@icloud.com

Friday 30 September and Saturday 1 October

Living Christ Retreat

Take time out to do something special for yourself listen to talks about people’s experience of Christ in their lives, and share prayerful conversation, in safe company, share as much as you are comfortable with. 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm (Friday) and 9.30 am to 5.00 pm (Saturday) including Mass at St John Stone Parish Hall, 1 Sandbrook Way, Ainsdale, PR8 3RN. Food provided. No Charge - Donations welcome. Details and booking: Tel: 01704 577722. Email: heartstone@rcaol.org.uk

Looking ahead:

Sunday 2 October

‘Pause for Hope’ for all those affected in any way by cancer

3.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. A service led by Bishop Tom Williams, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool; Canon Crispin Pailing, Rector of Liverpool and Major David Taylor, Salvation Army. Speaker: Maria Breslin, Editor Liverpool Echo. Homily Canon Crispin Pailing. Music by SingMeMerseyside choir.

‘History of St Patrick’s.’

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP will visit St Patrick's, Park Place, Liverpool, L8 5RA at 4.00 pm for the press launch of Michael O'Neill's new ‘History of St Patrick's, 1821-2021’. Over 7,000 people have been buried below and beside St Patrick's since 1827 and are commemorated in the book. They will be remembered at Mass celebrated before the book launch. Refreshments will be served afterwards.

Order

Pause For Hope

National Development Officer

Part-time starting at 6hrs/week Location: Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Office (Liverpool) Salary: £15.00 per hour

We are seeking a National Development Officer to work under the leadership and direction of Professor Ray Donnelly, Founder of Pause for Hope. We are looking for someone to assist in the growth of Pause for Hope throughout the UK and Ireland. Responsibilities will also include supporting Pause for Hope services, handling telephone, internet and mail enquiries and maximising opportunities in the media and social media.

Please send applications to Professor Donnelly via pauseforhope@gmail.com www.pauseforhope.org.uk

News diary

Cursillo celebrations

Our Lady of Walsingham, whose feast we celebrate on Saturday 24 September, is a symbol of what was, what is, and what will be. It can be of no small coincidence then that this special feast day has been chosen as the perfect day to celebrate 50 years of Cursillo in England and Wales. For those who are not familiar with Cursillo it is simply an encounter with Christ. Cursillo is a Spanish word meaning ‘a course’ a short course in Christianity. It promotes a spiritual revitalisation of our world. By living a fully Christian life, we bring Christ to others, including members of our family, school and workplace. Cursillo develops a consciousness that we are called to be leaders in our everyday lives.

The Cursillo movement began in Mallorca, shortly after the Spanish civil war and developed quickly into a three day course of talks, discussions and devotions. It was brought over to England in the early 1970s by Francis Stillwell a member of the diplomatic service in Portugal. He was accompanied by a number of young Portugese cursillistas and a number of seminarians who were studying at the

English College in Lisbon, including the Burns brothers and our own Bishop Tom Williams, and so the first Cursillo was held in Liverpool.

In 1972 Father Jimmy Collins became Spiritual Director and Cursillo truly began to flourish growing around the country from Liverpool to Hallam, Oxford and Birmingham and as far south as Plymouth. Father Jimmy believed Cursillo was truly the work of the Holy Spirit. He believed all Catholics should make a Cursillo and through his massive devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham we are reminded that we are called to evangelise and bring others to Christ.

Over the past 50 years there have been many special moments and we have many people to thank. We hope to bring all of these alive for you in our exhibition which will be held in the Gibberd room throughout the celebration. The day will begin at 10.00 am within the Metropolitan

Cathedral of Christ the King - throughout the day we will share a number of reflections and witness talks sharing the lives of those touched by the Lord through Cursillo.

At 12.00 noon Bishop Tom Williams will celebrate Mass and we can come together in thanksgiving for all the blessings we have received. We ask Our Lady of Walsingham to pray for the continued growth of Cursillo throughout the world.

Following Mass all are invited to join us for refreshments. The day is scheduled to finish at 4.00 pm.

There have been so many blessings over the past 50 years we are excited to be able to invite everyone to join us for the day to share in them.

If you have any stories you would like to share with us or have any questions regarding the day please feel free to contact us at national@cursillo.org or call Liverpool Lay Director Jenny Maguire on 07947 271037.

St Vincent de Paul Festival Mass

On Tuesday 27 September, the feast of St Vincent de Paul, Archbishop Malcolm will celebrate Mass in the Metropolitan Cathedral at 7.00 pm to thank SVP members and families for their dedication and service to others. Everyone is invited to the Mass to celebrate the work of the SVP in Liverpool and across southwest Lancashire.

The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in Paris in 1833 by Blessed Fredric Ozanam and the first conference was set up in Liverpool in 1847. Since then, 32 conferences have been founded in Liverpool and 22 in southwest Lancashire to serve and meet the needs of

others. The people of the archdiocese have kept this work of befriending and meeting the needs of those in any form of poverty going for nearly two hundred years. Members from all age groups will be at the Mass in the Cathedral: the Mini Vinnies from primary schools, the Young Vincentians from secondary schools, the 1833 group of university students, and members from parish conferences who have given their time over decades as their parents and grandparents did. For further information about membership and the work of the SVP, contact Kath Riley, Membership Support Officer. Tel: 07917 303155. Email: kathyr@SVP.org.uk

Communion and Liberation

A Catholic Movement in Liverpool and the Northwest by members of the Northwest CL community

This October marks the 100-year anniversary of the birth of Monsignor Luigi Giussani who founded the Communion and Liberation movement, a lay movement recognised by the Catholic Church. When Monsignor Giussani began teaching high school boys and girls in 1950s Milan, he could have hardly imagined he was founding a Catholic movement with members in 90 countries around the world. Communion and Liberation (CL) has groups in the UK and one locally in the Northwest encompassing the Archdiocese of Liverpool and other Northern dioceses.

Father Luigi Guissani presented the Catholic faith anew to his pupils not as a liturgical obligation or cultural relic but as something exciting, fulfilling, relevant and real. He and his students followed a method to accompany each other as friends living faith in everyday life together. Father Giussani challenged people to recognise in ordinary life that Christ is all in all - and Christ is the criterion by which we can evaluate the world and our place in it. What began with a small youth group in a school spread throughout Italy and is now a world-wide movement of lay men and women, clergy and religious of every age and background.

CL meets in the Northwest weekly on Friday evenings as one group joining

either on Zoom or in person in Warrington. This weekly meeting throughout CL is called the School of Community. Individuals, couples and families come together to reflect on a short text and relate what they have read to their daily life at work, in the home or in their prayer life. Often the texts are excerpts from the writings of Father Giussani. The readings are the same for the whole movement throughout the world. In the School of Community those attending support and encourage each other in friendship, sharing God’s actions in daily life. It is like a school because those joining in are interested in learning and evaluating their own experiences and committed to sharing their faith with each other. A father with teenage children was first drawn to join in the School of Community during lockdown. ‘CL has offered me a way to Christ in every aspect of my life. It has allowed me to meet new and very special friends who inspire and help me. It has brought my faith to life. I wish I had met CL earlier.’

A Liverpool mother with older children noted the beauty of being part of the School of Community. ‘For me seeing single people and couples joining in discussion (with children sometimes climbing over parents as they participate in the Zoom meetings.) was a powerful witness of community.’ The Northwest School of Community also includes a couple from Warrington that became involved in order to find Christian friends for their children.

diary

While members gather as the School of Community, they also attend Mass in their local parishes and are active participants in their local faith communities through worship and volunteering.

While some are new to CL, others have spent many years in the movement. A mum of four from Lancaster joins the School of Community on Fridays with her husband. She explains that she ‘… joined the movement after I attended a meeting with my husband during university time’. She continues explaining that friendships made through CL ‘have been very important for me and for my faith because it helped me to go deeper in every relationship, trying not to stay on the surface and not to take anything for granted.’ Meeting with others in CL helps everyone appreciate an all-embracing faith that’s not just for Sunday Mass, but instead present in the daily drudgery and joy as parents, single people, workers and students. A mum from Sheffield joins in online and explains ‘I am more aware of how Christ is present in my daily life, supporting me as a friend and supporting my family in our vocation every step. The movement for me is a great help to live daily my Christian faith.’

Other ways of gathering include CL family days, national and international meetings, talks online and in person, holidays, hikes, the Way of the Cross and the occasional Mass together. There are specific groups and associations for children and students that are part of the larger, international movement. There is no official or formal registration, and anyone is welcome to join in.

For more information about the centenary of Father Giussani, the movement, and local contact information: The local contact for CL: clnorthwest.soc@gmail.com https://english.clonline.org/ The Giussani centenary: https://english.clonline.org/fr-giussani Virtual exhibition of the centenary of Mgr Giussani: www.mostra.luigigiussani.org

The online magazine of the Movement, Traces: https://english.clonline.org/traces Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/communi onliberation/ Facebook: @communionliberation

Vigil for Olivia

On Wednesday 31 August Bishop Tom Williams led a prayer service and vigil for Olivia Pratt-Korbel at St Margaret Mary’s parish, Knotty Ash. The vigil, attended by Olivia’s mother and family, began with a short prayer service during which Bishop Tom offered his support, that of the parish family and local community, and spoke of the incredible strength which is shown by mothers in such tragic situations.

The gospel, read by parish priest Father Roy Cooper, was from St Mark where the disciples try to stop people bringing little children to Jesus who responds by saying, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs’. Following the prayer service, the church remained open for the congregation of 250 to come forward and sign a Book of Remembrance.

Helping the Warrington Hub - #liverpool4ukraine

Ukrainians forced to flee their country because of the war are finding a warm welcome from the Ukrainian Family Hub in Warrington where the focus is on far more than simple support with over 280 families being helped by a dedicated band of volunteers. Kate McCarthy-Booth, founder of McCarthy Recruitment, immediately wanted to help and established the hub to find host families and offer support. Over the months the support has grown with English classes being offered every Wednesday evening, a social time every Sunday lunchtime, assistance with job applications, support for hosts and much more. There are days when families are able to spend time together with visits to Chester Zoo and Gulliver’s World and a trip to Goodison Park to see Everton play Dynamo Kyiv. To mark Ukrainian Independence Day the hub held a celebration for families and hosts on Sunday 21 August with music, cultural events, food and fun. Kate says, ‘the focus of the hub doesn’t begin and end with offering support, its much more than that. Its about building community and networks, making friendships, creating good memories, especially for the children. It’s a bitter-sweet time for the families, they enjoy themselves, yet they have to live with the background of what is happening to those left behind in Ukraine.’

The #liverpool4ukraine appeal by the archdiocese is making a substantial donation to support the work of the hub, Kate says, ‘ the archdiocese has been amazing with funding which has meant that we can keep the hub going. It goes towards a range of activities for the families; toys and school uniforms for the children, toiletries, refreshments and help with the trips out and days such as the Independence Day celebration’.

Martin Miller, chief operating officer of the archdiocese

says, ‘Archbishop Malcolm is very keen that we continue to help the Ukrainian people in every possible way. The archdiocese has been providing prayerful support, finance and direct aid (in our convoys) to the Ukraine itself. Our partnership with the Warrington Ukrainian Family Hub allows us to also provide support to Ukrainian refugees, and those who are hosting them, here in the archdiocese. We have committed to providing up to £10,000 to finance their vital work. We are delighted to be able to provide this support.’

For more information on volunteering or being a host contact: Kate McCarthy-Booth, email:admin@ukrainehubwarrington.co.uk. Visit www.facebook.com/groups/ukrainianhubwarrington or call in to the hub at The Daten, Culcheth Sports Club, Charnock Road, WA3 5SH. Sunday 11.00 am–2.00 pm and Wednesday 5.00 pm–7.00 pm.

Joan McCarthy

‘I started working 30 years ago –today is the anniversary, 1 September 1992!’ Joan McCarthy has been director of education of the Archdiocese of Liverpool for barely nine months yet, as she tells the Pic, her experience of working in education is extensive. It was 30 years ago this month that she started out as an RE teacher at St Augustine’s Catholic College in Trowbridge, newly arrived from Ireland where she had gained her BA in Theology and History at Saint Patrick’s Pontifical University in Maynooth..

‘I have always loved being in education and have seen the benefits,’ she elaborates. ‘I’ve seen what a Catholic school can do. My passion has always been education and children, and my faith is a drive as well. I’m very passionate about Catholic schools and the work they do. We need to be celebrating more what they do because we’re a success story and we do a lot of good. We make such a significant contribution to society and if I’m honest, we are not good at promoting ourselves.’

Joan’s experience of Catholic schools includes six years as deputy head at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic Technology College in Birmingham (2006-12) followed by seven years as head teacher of the St John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy in Ilkeston (2012-

2019). During her time in Derbyshire, she was also a director of the St Robert Lawrence Catholic multi-academy trust and this experience of academies should be significant in her role here in Liverpool.

Her belief is that ‘the landscape is changing’ with the Government’s Schools’ White Paper ‘Opportunity for All’ outlining a desired direction of travel towards academisation and the formation of strong multi-academy trusts by 2030. Hence the consultation process she is currently overseeing regarding proposals to develop Catholic Multi-Academy Trusts (CMATs) across the Archdiocese of Liverpool. Feedback is due from schools at the end of September and Joan says: ‘Change is difficult but maybe we have to think it offers an opportunity to secure what we’ve got and maybe ensure we protect our future and we do that by taking control of it ourselves.’

Currently there are 14 academies in an archdiocese whose total number of maintained schools is 205. ‘I feel very conscious of the history and tradition of Catholic education in this area and as we move forward, with this landscape with the academies, for me it is absolutely vital that the history and traditions are respected and still kept,’ she continues.

‘The advantage of the academisation system is we can take a little bit more control because if we don’t do this, I

worry there’s an agenda out there. There’s a very organised group of people who question Catholic schools, who question Catholic identity, who question the need for them.’

Joan, a trustee of Nottingham diocese, offers other reflections on her work so far in Liverpool which has included ‘restructuring internally and making sure we’re ready to meet the needs of the changing education landscape’. There is also a wish to encourage closer cooperation – ‘sharing resources and training opportunities’ – with Liverpool’s fellow dioceses in the ‘northwest hub’. She talks too about her touchstones: her connection to Sligo, her hometown on the west coast of Ireland, and her faith.

And she has a love of volunteering, which took her to the London Olympics and, more recently, to South Africa for four summers of working in township schools in Cape Town – an experience which underlined ‘the value of education and how we can turn people’s lives around’.

Not that she has needed too many reminders during the three decades since she turned up at St Augustine’s in Trowbridge for her first day as a teacher.

‘So enthusiastic,’ she says of her younger self, ‘but I still am!’

From next month Joan will be contributing a regular column to the ‘Catholic Pic’

A passion for education - by Simon Hart

youth ministry

My summer re-set

Father Simon Gore of Animate Youth Ministries ponders the significance of summer for those with a ‘new year’ starting in September.

I think working in youth ministry gives you a slightly warped view of time. By that I mean that for me – and I might suggest this extends to those who work in schools and to young people themselves – a new year starts in September rather than January.

By the time Christmas rolls around and society in general is looking forward to the fireworks of the new year, I tend to be thinking of what the new term will be like – and if, within the fairly small timeframe of a Christmas break, it might be possible to make any changes to what we are doing before it all starts up again in January.

I think it was Brendan Rogers, the former Liverpool and now Leicester City manager, who said that managing a football team was like flying a plane while also trying to build it at the same time. You can see

what he means: people want the plane/club to keep in the air, while you are trying to add more parts/players to it to make it better.

I don’t think life here is as stressful as it is for a football manger but I can see how the analogy applies to the way our year works at Animate. Once the academic year gets started, there is not much chance to do anything that has not been planned already. The treadmill starts and you run with it.

This is why it is nice to have some time to think over the summer – and also a chance to get different bits of work done around the place which will help the overall mission of the Animate team. Once the year begins in September, such opportunities become few and far between.

And so it has been this summer. First, it was good to be able to have some

form of evaluation of the Lourdes pilgrimage after not being able to go to the shrine for the previous two summers. With next year bringing the diocesan 100th anniversary, it was important to be able to look back and learn from what we think went well and what we can do differently and better for what, we hope, will be a huge celebration.

It has been important too for us to be able to plan for the academic year ahead so we are able to do all that we hope to do and not suddenly find ourselves with a long list of tasks and no time left.

And on a dull but necessary note, the summer has also allowed me to do my best handyman impression and get done all those jobs that are impossible to do once you have pupils visiting with their schools and a team living in the house. Although not trained in any way, I have discovered that YouTube videos and a selection of generic tools can get most jobs done! And if following detailed instructions with precision craftsmanship fails, there is always the Jeremy Clarkson theory of ‘More Power’ and hitting something with a hammer!

As I write this, the ‘new year’ I mentioned at the beginning is soon to start. I hope that those of us who do see September as their new year have spent the summer wisely and –as with those moments in December that lead up to the fireworks of 1 January – have taken the opportunity to reflect on the good things of the past year. I hope there has been a time to look back and see the blessings that we received from the hand of the Lord last year and to ask for God’s blessings to be with us in the months ahead. I know without Him the year would be far more difficult –no matter how much preparing I might do.

I personally try to find the time – amid the hammering and the painting and the planning – to remind myself that without God being there, all of my efforts would be a little redundant. I hope that those who are in a similar situation might have done likewise.

Finally, on behalf of all who see September as their new year, I ask the readers of the Pic to keep us in your prayers for 2022/23.

All Saints Multi Academy Trust is congratulating students from the schools within the trust for brilliant exam results this year.

In August, students from The Academy of St Francis of Assisi, Kensington, and The Academy of St Nicholas, Garston, collected their GCSE and BTEC results, while students from All Saints Sixth Form College, Garston, received their A-level and BTEC results

There were many notable successes including The Academy of St Francis of Assisi student, Jamie Chen, who achieved seven grade 9s, a grade 8, a grade 7 and a level 2 distinction in BTEC digital information technology.

Colette Singleton, head of the school, said: “Our Year 11 students have had to adapt to a lot of changes since the beginning of the pandemic and they have handled it so professionally. We are incredibly proud of all of them and the grades that they have achieved. They have worked very hard for this.”

“We wish our students the very best of luck in what they each decide to do next. It has been a pleasure having them at The Academy of St Francis of Assisi.”

At The Academy of St Nicholas grades increased across all subject areas particularly grades 7 to 9. Over 30% of students in maths achieved these higher grades. The academy has also saw a record number of students achieving grade 9s overall.

Student Kristina received grade 9s in maths, biology, chemistry, physics and art, a grade 7 in English and a distinction in music. Despite an incredibly start to the year due to a serious illness, Kristina worked relentlessly and has achieved outstanding results. Headteacher of The Academy of St Nicholas, Jeniffer Sing, said: “Our cohort has faced many challenges due to the pandemic, but they have continued to perform amazingly and produce excellent GCSE results. We are thrilled that our results continue to improve – this re ects the incredible amount of work over the past two years to improve the quality of the curriculum. The whole of the

academy is extremely proud of what our students have achieved.”

Many students from The Academy of St Francis of Assisi and The Academy of St Nicholas will be continuing their studies at All Saints Sixth Form College.

The sixth form achieved the highest results ever in English and maths A-levels. In English, 66% of students achieved a B or higher and in maths 66% achieved a C or higher.

There were lots to smile about as students celebrated with friends and family. Successes include Orinta who achieved an A* in mathematics, an A* in chemistry and an A in biology. Orinta has secured a place to study medicine at the University of Liverpool. Jeniffer Sing added: “As always, I am delighted with the All Saints Sixth Form College students for all that they have achieved and for their impressive A-level and BTEC results, they are a credit to the college.

“Whilst they may not have had the typical sixth form experience because of the pandemic, the students dealt very well with the challenges that they were faced with and worked exceptionally hard. We wish them all the luck in the world as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.”

Students from St Cuthbert Catholic High School, in St Helens, have been celebrating another great set of GCSE results this year.

The school’s conservatory was lled with smiling faces of parents and students alike and after two years of very different celebrations, the St Cuthbert’s community were able to gather together again to celebrate results that were based on examinations.

A total of 46% of students achieved e grades 4-9 (including maths and English), a signi cant improvement from the last time students sat their GCSEs.

The results are testimony to the hard work of St Cuthbert’s students, staff and families who, throughout the pandemic, did everything they could to support their young people – and underline the school’s determination to help every student achieve the highest possible standards

Some outstanding results were gained by head student, Ali Oskan who achieved 3 grade 9s, 2 grade 8s, a grade 7 and 3 grade 6s and Amy Ganner who achieved 2 grade 9s, 3 grade 8s, 3 grade 7s and a grade 6.

Ali said: “I’ve loved my time at St Cuthbert’s. I know if I ever needed support, the doors would always be open for me to come and ask for guidance and help. I’ll always remember the support they gave to me whilst I was a student there.”

This cohort of students had their learning disrupted massively as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but still have a lot to celebrate as they go onto the next stage of their lives, from starting colleges or apprenticeships, to moving into employment or undertaking further professional training.

Headteacher, Catherine Twist said: “We are very pleased with this year’s results, showing another improvement since the last GCSEs. “Our young people who have shown such resilience over the last two years and a genuine determination not to be d ned by the pandemic. “The staff have worked tirelessly to prepare our students not just for their exams but for life after school and I am extremely proud of the efforts of everyone who is involved with and is part of the St Cuthbert’s community.”

Cathedral Record

Canon Anthony O’Brien Cathedral Dean

With the Relics of St Bernadette arriving here in the middle of this month there has been plenty to keep us busy as many people return following the summer break. As the schools restart our choirs begin to return to their normal singing routines in the Cathedral.

The major part of the rebuilding work on the organ is now complete and most of the scaffolding will be removed from the Cathedral in the first half of the month to enable the voicing work to begin. The Cathedral Clergy have also faced changes with Father Peter Murphy now appointed as the new Chaplain for the Royal and Broadgreen Hospitals following the departure of Father Stephen Lee and we welcome Father Derek Lloyd who joins us as a new assistant priest for the Cathedral.

The Relics of St Bernadette arrive here on the afternoon of 17 September and that evening there will be a Vigil Mass at 5.00 pm and torchlight Procession later at 7.30 pm. The full schedule of services and times can be sourced on the Cathedral website, the national site and below. There will be a Mass on Sunday afternoon, 18 September, with the Blessing and Anointing of the sick. This is available to anyone who has a serious illness or who is very frail. Please spread word of this and let us know if you are bringing anyone who wishes to be anointed at this service.

The Choral Group ‘The Sixteen’ are singing at the Cathedral as part of their current tour on Friday 23 September. Archbishop Malcolm will preside at this – details can be found on their tour website. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society are celebrating a National Mass for the Society at our Cathedral on Tuesday 27 September at 7.00 pm. The Annual Pause for Hope Service for those affected by cancer will be held on Sunday afternoon, 2 October this year.

Saturday 17 September

7.30 am

Morning Prayer

8.00 am Mass of Farewell

9.00 am Departure for Liverpool Anglican Cathedral

Liverpool Cathedral

Saturday 17 September

Arrival and Service of Welcome Private Prayer throughout the morning

2.30 pm Service of Farewell Departure for the Metropolitan Cathedral

Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King

Saturday 17 September

3.30 pm Arrival and Service of Welcome

3.00 pm to 5.00 pm Confessions

5.00 pm Mass in the Cathedral

Time for private prayer and reflection. 7.30 pm Torchlight procession outside the Cathedral

10.00 pm Cathedral closes.

Sunday 18 September

8.00 am Cathedral opens 9.00 am Mass 10.00 am Mass (Crypt Chapel) 11.00 am Solemn Mass

Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP 3.00 pm Mass with the Anointing of the Sick 7.00 pm Mass 9.00 pm Cathedral closes

Monday 19 September

7.00 am Cathedral opens 7.30 am Morning Prayer

8.00 am Mass

St Mary’s, Chorley

Thursday 15 September

8.30 pmArrival, welcome ceremony and Night Prayer

Friday 16 September

7.30 am

9.00 am

Morning Prayer

Private Mass for St Mary’s RC Catholic Primary school

10.00 am Church opens

11.00 am Rosary and Litany to St Bernadette

12.00 noon Mass

2.00 pm Rosary and Litany to St Bernadette

3.00 pm Mass

5.00 pm Rosary and Litany to St Bernadette

7.00 pm Mass and Candlelight Procession

Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP

9.45 pm Night Prayer

10.00 am to 12.00 noon Confessions 12.15 pm Mass

2.00 pm to 4.00 pm Confessions

5.00 pm to 6.30 pm Confessions

7.00 pm Closing Mass in the Cathedral

Followed by Rosary and Night Prayer

10.00 pm Cathedral closes

Throughout the day schools will be invited to attend.

There will be an opportunity for private prayer throughout the day. There will be Reflections at 10.00 am, 11.00 am, 2.00 pm, 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm

Tuesday 20 September

6.30 am Cathedral opens 7.00 am Service of Departure

Further information on the national relic tour can be found at www.stbernadette.org.uk

The golden hue of healing

by Ms M C Benitan - Director of Pastoral Development

There are many reasons why pilgrims go to Lourdes, but the overall flavour is healing. And so, as St Bernadette Soubirous journeys across our land, she triggers many questions in the wake of the terrible tragedies in Liverpool. Questions such as: what constitutes healing when people have been murdered, not least a young child? What constitutes healing when neighbours can no longer trust one another? But also: what constitutes healing when the world bleeds through a plethora of wars – some better documented than others – and the rift between human beings and the rest of creation feels like a mortal wound? Or, what constitutes healing when people might starve or freeze to death this winter, and not just in war-torn Ukraine?

Two simple definitions of healing are ‘the process of making sound’ and ‘becoming healthy again’. Healing clearly presupposes an initial state of wellbeing: a solid bone before it breaks, a functioning society before it is torn apart, or a sense of personal wholeness and happiness before a tragedy strikes. Although healing is a repair job, an attempt to imitate the earlier

wholeness, it is more than that. Rather than craving a return to the intact past, healing is more forward looking. Japanese culture has a visual representation of this process. In its art of golden joinery (kintsugi), broken fragments of pottery are fused back together with gold, converting marks of violence and destruction into the lines of beauty. Gold shines in former cracks and replaces lost fragments.

When Jesus shows Thomas his wounds, they are glorified. This does not mean that they glorify the violence of the cross but that they presumably do not hurt anymore. They highlight the past suffering and, just like the strips of gold that transform something broken into something newly wholesome, the glorified wounds become signs of resurrection. How does anybody broken get to this place where the past pain is not denied, and the suffering is not glorified? Kintsugi may give us a hint. The strips that fuse the pottery shards are not made of clay. The gold that holds everything together in the new beauty has a different origin from the pot it mends. It would be easier to glue the bits with ordinary glue and suffer the ugly lines as shameful blemishes. But the most profound healing needs the golden hue of divine love – as St Bernadette knew only too well.

Mums the Word

Welcome back everyone. I hope you all enjoyed the summer break and had good holidays. I was very privileged to go to Lourdes with the Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage and it was fantastic after being away for two years.

Our Lady was waiting patiently for us and it was wonderful to be at the grotto with her. We prayed the rosary and sang hymns as we walked in the torchlight procession. The weather was too wet for us do the high stations but we managed the low ones. Masses were said in

various churches, and prayers and candles were offered for your intentions. The atmosphere was electric as we greeted old friends and new.

Each service was accompanied by the wonderfully talented Lourdes music group who provided such joyful hymns. Young people get a bad press generally but in Lourdes our youth excel. They care for the sick and push wheelchairs to and from services. All with good humour.

Next year Liverpool will be celebrating

100 years of pilgrimage to Lourdes and it would be lovely if all our UCM foundations could make it there. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you all on 14 September at St George’s, Maghull, for our bi-monthly Mass and on 15 October for our business meeting in the Gibberd Room at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

God bless everyone, Maria Pimblett, Media Officer

Carmel College ‘one of the top three sixth forms in the country’

There were plenty of smiling faces at Carmel College as students celebrated their A-level results on 18 August. 68.1% of students achieved A* to B and distinction* to distinction grades.

Overall, there was a Level 3 pass rate of 99.4% for the sixth form. Carmel College principal, Mike Hill, was delighted.

Mr Hill commented: “This is a fantastic set of results for the college, particularly when one considers that for most of the students, these were the first public exams these young people have ever sat.

“The college has significantly outperformed its 2019 results, which is a testimony to the hard work and determination of all our students who have had such a challenging time over the last few years of their education journey.”

He added: “I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all the staff at Carmel, who for the past two years have consistently put the needs of our students first and offered outstanding support which again is reflected in these phenomenal results.”

Admirable achievements at St Mary’s Catholic College

Students at St Mary's Catholic College, Wallasey, celebrated excellent GCSE, BTEC and A-level results in August.

This year, seven students are continuing their studies at the Oxbridge universities and a further fifteen students will be studying medicine, dentistry or veterinary science. Carmel College said they wanted to congratulate their students ‘who have worked hard over the past two years’.

SFX delighted at recordbreaking GCSE results

St Mary’s results were overall in line with expectations and there were some fantastic success stories. These were particularly impressive given that, for the first time in two years, this cohort sat a full suite of exam papers, rather than teacher assessed grades, after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted earlier in the year. Headteacher, Mr Kevin Maddocks, said “The last two years have been difficult for all children across the country and the resilience our Year 11s have shown in diligently attending after school revision sessions and Saturday School has been remarkable.

“It was fantastic to see our Year 13 students opening their results and we are confident these represent fantastic attainment and progress from their sixth form career. I am extremely proud of each and every one of them.”

Year 11 student Jean Torpey-Aldag, who will be staying on at St Mary’s to study A-levels next year, achieved grade 9s in English literature and art, grade 8s in science, French and RE and grade 7s in history, maths and product design.

Jonathan Marlowe received a grade 9 in English literature, a distinction* in music, a distinction in business, grade 8s in English language, geography and RE.

Jonathan will also be joining St Mary’s Sixth Form College to study A-levels in September.

St Mary’s sixth form students have chosen to pursue a range of different routes including apprenticeships, university places, employment and further education college courses.

The wide range of exciting pathways include apprenticeships with Toyota in Deeside, a dental health nurse in the local community as well as engineering and sales roles.

Students who have applied to university have received offers from institutions across the UK, from as far north as the University of Stirling in Scotland to as far south as the University of Bristol, with many choosing to stay closer to home with applications to all local universities.

St Mary’s head boy, Michael Upton, achieved A* in history, A in English and B in philosophy and ethics and he is looking forward to studying liberal arts at the University of Leeds.

Mia Casey received double distinctions in her health and social care diploma and a distinction in applied science and will study an Integrated Masters (children’s and mental health nursing) at the University of Chester.

Mr Maddocks added: “Given the past couple of years, the commitment and drive they have demonstrated throughout the pandemic is highly commendable. Myself and the rest of St Mary’s wish them all the very best for what comes next.”

St Mary’s Catholic College is proud to be part of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust.

St Francis Xavier’s College (SFX) are delighted with how its Year 11 and Year 13 students have performed in their GCSEs and post 16 qualifications this year, after what has been an incredibly turbulent and unsettling time for them. Headteacher David Hayes said: “The pupils have achieved beyond teachers’ expectations, despite the dramatic impact of COVID-19. The very positive results also reflect the hard work of all the teachers and staff over the last two years, very often going above and beyond and giving of themselves to ensure our students were supported as best they could be.

“GCSE results have improved across the board, with a record number of students gaining strong and standard passes in both English and mathematics. In addition, we have seen a record number of grade 9s across all subjects. The same improvements have been achieved in our post 16 results, with our average grade increasing a whole grade higher than in previous years.

“All students have been truly inspirational in terms of their hard work and resilience and this set of results will most certainly give them the springboard to go on to many positive opportunities in the future and embrace our motto to “live life to the full”.”

Saint Francis Xavier’s College will be holding their open evening on Thursday 22 September, 5pm-8pm. There will be presentations and tours of the school throughout the evening, where prospective students and parents will be able to hear about the wide-ranging improvements achieved recently, alongside its strong pastoral care, expansive curriculum and continued aspirations for the future.

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St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School student Niall Tonge looks at his results with a family member

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The Academy of St Francis of Assisi

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Valery Kay from The Academy of St Francis of Assisi, KensingtonStudents from St Edmund Arrowsmith chat after receiving their GCSE results

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Maricourt Catholic High School

St Francis Xavier’s College

Maricourt Catholic High School students Lizzie, Liv, Olivia and Olivia holding their GCSE results

Students and staff from St Francis Xavier’s College posing in the Instagram frame

Elsie Manson, from St Mary’s, Crosby. She achieved 12 GCSE passes, 11 at grade 9 and one at grade 8

The students from St Mary’s, Crosby, who achieved ten or more 9-7 grades

The atmosphere at St Francis Xavier’s College was happy as students received their GCSE results

Maricourt Catholic High School students Owen and Jonathan smile as they look at their GCSE results

Maricourt Catholic High School applaud students’ achievements

There was a wonderful sense of achievement for students opening their results at Maricourt Catholic High School last month.

Staff were extremely proud of its students after the difficulties of lockdown and studying at home for large portions of their courses.

Ian Daly, curriculum leader for PSHEE & citizenship at Maricourt said: “Some students’ (and their parents’) nervousness before opening their results envelope quickly turned into feelings of pride and excitement. In particular, GCSE students Sophie, Holly and Anjali who all secured 7s, 8s and 9s in their respective subjects, along with so many of their friends and peers, had cause for celebration.

“We look forward to welcoming many of these fantastic young people back into our sixth form centre from September to embark on the next stage of their educational journey.

Ian added: “For those students who have secured apprenticeships and college places we wish them the very best of luck in their next chapter and know that you will always be part of the Maricourt Family.”

Many sixth form students had confirmation of successful university applications and will now be spread all over the country to study for their degrees.

Level 3 academic and vocational results at the school were strong with some subjects proudly boasting A* and A grades.

Phoebe Scott Scarth achieved an amazing three A* grades whilst Finn Boylan (A*, A, A) and Phoebe Kehoe (A*, A*, A) gained top grades in each of their subjects.

The school’s vocational subjects performed really well again with Olivia Ching gaining D*D* and an A*.

Headteacher, Joe Mangan, said: “The school is extremely proud of Year 13 after the difficulties of lockdown and studying at home for large portions of their KS4 and 5 studies. They have worked very hard and deserve these great grades.

“The nervousness of opening the envelope soon turned to tears of joy and then onto excited chatter about moving away, studying for degrees, and working at higher level apprenticeships. They are a truly remarkable group of young people, and we wish them all the best in their new adventures; we can’t wait for them to come back and visit.”

A day of celebration for Saint Edmund Arrowsmith pupils and their families

Pupils and staff from Saint Edmund Arrowsmith are celebrating some excellent achievements following the release of GCSE results. This group of young people have faced more prolonged disruption to their education than any previous cohort and shown admirable resilience in the face of adversity.

Mr Peachey, the new headteacher said: “I would like to congratulate pupils for their dedication, effort and attitude during the time that they have spent with us at Saint Edmund Arrowsmith (SEACA). GCSEs are more challenging than ever before and there are so many pressures on young people today. With this in mind, it is so pleasing to see hard work, resilience and perseverance rewarded.

“We are immensely proud of all of our pupils as we celebrate some fantastic individual success stories. We wish all our pupils the very best for the future as they embark on the next phase of their education – be that sixth form, college, or an apprenticeship.

“You are all exceptional, inspiring, and talented young people who have lived our values of Love, Inspiration, Empowerment and Joy daily and we couldn’t be any prouder of you. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank staff for the unlimited support they continually offer to all our young people to help prepare them for their next steps in life.”

Bellerive FCJ Catholic College is a popular and oversubscribed Catholic school for girls. Bellerive was inspected by Ofsted in October 2021 and confirmed to be ‘Good’ in all areas.. Pupils join from over 60 primary schools throughout the city and beyond. Bellerive is an inclusive and diverse girls’ school, and its Bellerive family includes pupils from a wide range of different cultural and religious backgrounds.

At the end of the last academic year, the girls performed their first musical stage production since Covid. Matilda the Musical was a complete sell out for each evening performance and the girls put on a special performance for the primary school pupils who attended a Year 4 and 5 taster day. Despite the hot weather everybody thoroughly enjoyed some amazing performances. The Bellerive Music and Drama team are now busy planning their next production.

The school are excited to welcome parents and carers to its Year 6 Open Evening on Tuesday 4th October. Further details can be found on their website.

www.bellerivefcj.org/openevenings

St John Bosco sixth formers celebrate results success

St John Bosco Arts College sixth formers celebrated a successful A-level results day on 18 August.

Among those celebrating their A-Level results was Maria Dumitru who gained two A* and an A grade.

Grace Scullin and Jessica Taylor both achieved two grade A’s and a distinction* each while Grace Barlow achieved three distinction* grades in her vocational studies.

Students are going on to a number of higher education, training and employment opportunities. Many students secured places in universities. These universities include the University of Liverpool, the University of Manchester and Bangor University along with degree apprenticeships in quantity surveying and the Police.

Headteacher of the college, Darren Gidman, said: “We are delighted that so many St John Bosco sixth formers have achieved so highly.”

“The A-level results, are testament to the students’ dedication and hard-working attitude, the high quality of teaching here and the outstanding individual support we offer students to reach their true potential.

“They have come through some of the most difficult years and have flourished.

“Congratulations to the class of 2022!”

Matilda the Musical –

Excellent GCSE and A-level results at St Mary’s College

Students and staff at St Mary’s College in Crosby celebrated an excellent set of GCSE and A-level results this summer, as public examinations return after a coronavirus enforced two-year break. At GCSE, more than half (53 per cent) of all passes at the school were at the highest 9-7 grades, and 42 per cent of candidates achieved seven or more passes at these top levels.

Staff at the school believe that these results reflect the broad and balanced curriculum at St Mary’s, and the fact that the college does not restrict the number of GCSE subjects that students can take.

In terms of individual achievements Elsie Manson from Crosby was top of the class at St Mary’s this summer with 12 top-level GCSE passes, 11 at grade 9 and one at grade 8.

Elsie said: “It’s been an incredible and happy few years at St Mary’s College. I am delighted

with my results, which are a testament to the amazing support I’ve had from my teachers, who have inspired me. I look forward to joining the St Mary’s Sixth Form and the exciting opportunities it will bring.”

At A-level, the class of 2022 recorded a 99 per cent pass rate, with almost a third of students (31 per cent) achieving three or more A*, A or B grades.

Overall 30 per cent of all passes were at the highest A*/A grades and almost two thirds (62 per cent) were A*, A or B grades.

Top of the class among this year’s A-level students at St Mary’s is 17-year-old head boy Jack Miller from Formby who achieved four A* passes in history, physics, maths and further maths. Jack is heading to the University of Oxford to study philosophy, politics and economics (PPE).

He said: “I am really delighted, and relieved, and can’t wait to move on to the next stage of my journey at Oxford. I’d like to extend

St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust celebrates fantastic GCSE results

Students and staff at St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust had an extra reason to celebrate after students received their GCSE exam results.

The trust, which works in partnership with the Archdiocese of Liverpool, the Diocese of Shrewsbury and the Diocese of Chester, has two secondary academies: St Chad’s Catholic & Church of England Academy in Runcorn and St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy in St Helens.

St Chad’s Catholic & Church of England Academy achieved its best GCSE results in seven years, a testament to its new leadership team. The number of students passing both maths and English increased by 10% since GCSEs were last externally examined in 2019, and vast improvements were also made in Spanish, history and geography.

Headteacher, James Forber said, “I am proud of all our students for their resilience in overcoming an exceptionally difficult period. This is a phenomenal testament to the hard work of students and staff and to the exceptional support we have from our parent community.”

Students at St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy also did well, with the highest achievers accumulating 28 Grade 9s, 32 Grade 8s and 11 Grade 7s between them. Giselle Lynch, headteacher of St Augustine, said, “Everyone at the school has worked relentlessly to give our pupils the greatest chance of success, and we wish them all the very best for a bright and successful future.”

The school gave a special mention to their Head Girl, Megi Bukaci, who joined St Augustine in Year 8 while her family fought for asylum in the UK. Megi achieved four Grades 5-8 and will be studying biology, chemistry, and maths at Carmel College from September.

a massive thanks to all my teachers at St Mary’s College for everything they’ve done for me during my time here.”

Commenting on this summer’s results, St Mary’s College principal, Mike Kennedy, said: “We are very proud of all our students who have worked incredibly hard to achieve success this summer despite the challenges they have faced over recent years due to coronavirus.

“They deserve credit for their hard work, resilience and positivity, and we congratulate them on this excellent set of exam results.”

St John Plessington students celebrate GCSE, A-Level and BTEC results

Year 11 and Year 13 students from St John Plessington Catholic College, Bebington, received a warm welcome from staff as they returned to collect their GCSE, A-level and BTEC results in August.

Students were in high spirits as they found out that their hard work had paid off after enduring an unusual couple of years at school due to the restrictions put in place as a consequence of the pandemic. For a while, students prepared for their exams through online learning and returned to the classroom in September 2021.

Year 11 students at St John Plessington (SJP) achieved 66% of all grades as a standard pass or better and 43% gaining a strong pass or better, in vocational qualifications 46% achieved a distinction or distinction*.

Most will continue their studies at St John Plessington’s Sixth Form College where they will embark on a range of A-level and BTEC qualifications.

Sixth form students are preparing to achieve further success at university, in an apprenticeship or the world of work.

95% of these students secured a destination of their choice, with some going to the University of Liverpool to study medicine, Queen Mary University of London to study languages, Durham University to study economics, Edge Hill University to study child nursing and engineering at Nestlé.

Headteacher, Ms Maria Sharratt, said: “At St John Plessington Catholic College, part of our mission and ethos is to encourage students to reach their full potential, to ensure that they can have choice filled lives and are equipped to make positive contributions to their communities. I am pleased to say that our students have achieved that and more and we are proud of each and every one of them.”

“The grades that our students have received are excellent, they pushed through the boundaries put in place due to the pandemic and performed exceptionally. I wish them good luck and success for what is to come, whether that be sixth form college, employment, apprenticeship or university degree.”

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On a liturgical note

On 14 September the Liturgy keeps a feast which is known as the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Now the word to ‘exalt’ can mean to highlight, to focus on, or to praise – and naturally we do all these things because the holy cross is the sign of the love of Jesus which is total self-giving.

The cross is the sign with which we mark ourselves at the beginning and end of the Mass and indeed we use the sign of the cross to mark our forehead, lips and heart as we prepare to listen to the words and wisdom of the Gospel.

To exalt can also mean to ‘raise up’ and this particular meaning comes to mind for this feast because it commemorates the ‘raising up’ or the discovery of the relic of the cross on which Jesus died in Jerusalem. Tradition tells us that it was discovered by Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, and that soon after its discovery (around 320 AD) the emperor built a Basilica in Jerusalem to mark the site of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Rebuilt by the Crusaders in the 12th century, the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre is

Sunday thoughts

There are 26 designated ‘dark sky sites’ dotted around the Isle of Man. The Milky Way galaxy can be clearly seen with the naked eye along with the Great Andromeda galaxy whose light has been on its way to us for about 2.5 million years.

The first images from the James Webb Space Telescope have extended our appreciation of the vastness of the universe. It has revealed the existence of many more galaxies than we ever imagined. Like our own Milky Way, billions of these other galaxies each contain many millions of stars.

Until a few hundred years ago it was assumed that Planet Earth was the centre of the universe with sun, moon, planets and stars orbiting around it. This understanding prevailed in the centuries during which the inspired authors of both the Old and New Testaments were writing. They too had the advantage of observing the heavens in the dark skies. It is reasonable to assume that

Weekly

still a centre for pilgrimage today. This feast therefore links us back to the church in Jerusalem –which in a very real way can be called our ‘Mother’ church. It is good to support the Christian community in Jerusalem with prayer, with our physical presence through pilgrimage and with our material assistance – see Saint Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth (1 Cor 16:1–4 – because that city and its people are a precious witness to the Passion, Resurrection and the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The entrance antiphon for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is ‘We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered’. Be it a Crucifix on the wall, an icon or perhaps a painting, our churches and places for public prayer will have depictions of the holy cross. It is commendable that we do the same in our own homes as an assistance to our personal prayer and also as a witness to our faith.

sunday reflections

The power of the Word

I was not always very happy when I was at the seminary. Much of what I was taught seemed irrelevant to me. I also found some of the seminary lifestyle difficult to handle. I had been catapulted into a profound experience of God some years earlier. For me it was hard to equate what went on in the seminary with my experience of a God who brought extraordinary life. The one thing I did love were the lectures and courses about the Scriptures and I drank in every word, loving the scholarship and the reflective aspects of the lectures. What I knew with all my heart in those early days of my faith journey was that these Scriptures are the Word of God and can fill us with power, the power to live out our lives in service.

I remember reading the story of the miracles in El Paso where a group of middle-class Catholics met each week for a bible study on the forthcoming Sunday’s readings. They were impacted by the invitation Luke gives that when we give a party, we should invite the poor, the crippled, the lame. This led to miracles happening on the Mexican/US border, the sweeping aside of class barriers, the reaching out in love to feed the poor and the broken, and the multiplication of food.

Mgr John Devine OBE

if the Sun rises in the east and sinks in the west, it is making its way around the other side of Earth as we sleep. The Church weighed in to condemn those who suggested otherwise. Some would claim that recent astronomical discoveries further challenge the credibility of faith in a Creator God. But they strengthen my faith. That’s a view shared by many eminent Christian astronomers working on the James Webb project.

Sieger Koder, a German artist who went on to be ordained a priest, died in 2015 at the age of 90. His paintings give fresh insights into the characters we meet in the Bible. One of my favourite pictures is of Abraham standing with hands extended in prayer against a backdrop of the night sky. It depicts the promise repeated in the book of Exodus, our first reading for Sunday 11 September: ’I will make your offspring as many as the stars of heaven.’

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Every time we read the Scriptures, God will speak – challenging us, comforting us –and we will be drawn into an experience of God where we know that He is alive and with us. For most of us who are Catholic, when we think of the presence of God we think about the Eucharist. We talk of the ‘real presence’ but the truth is that God is as really present in the Scriptures, and in people, as God is present in the Eucharist. Every time we read the Word we enter into the presence of God, that indescribable sense of relationship where another is walking with us and entering into the reality of our lives.

It is extraordinary how the Word calls us into an encounter with the living God. Somehow through praying and reflecting we can meet and experience the power of the God who set ancient peoples free, the God who became flesh in Jesus, the God who transforms individuals and peoples. The Word invites us to find meaning in life, to discover what it means to be a human being. The Word invites us to become people who are in love with God, in love with life because in our lives we discover the presence of God, in love with each other and in love with the world that we live in. So read the Word each day and let it become a living force for you.

Father Chris Thomas

Canon Philip Gillespie