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‘As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ (Romans, 10:15)

When Sister Angel Grant reflects on the path which led her to the Daughters of St Paul, a series of moments return to her from her youth in Scotland. There was the Mass celebrated by Pope Saint John Paul II at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium in 1982 and his message that ‘when deciding your future, you must not decide for yourself alone’. There were retreats, organised by the Pauline Sisters, which she attended from the age of 15 and Saturdays spent travelling from her family home in Greenock to volunteer at the Pauline Book Centre in Glasgow. ‘I felt in my element surrounded by so many books and resources,’ she recalls. ‘Discovering the Pauline charism was totally overwhelming – something which I connected with instantly.’ Later, crucially, there was the chance encounter with a priest from Paisley Diocese who, over a cup of coffee, advised her to ‘listen to the voice within and read the sounds around’. As fate had it, it was actually here in Liverpool, on St Andrew’s Day in 1987, that ‘God caught up with me’ as she puts it. ‘I’d found myself for weeks reading the words from St John’s Gospel, Chapter 15. I was touched deeply by the words “You did not choose me, I chose you”. I then attended Mass at Bishop Eton and as the Letter to the Romans, Chapter 10, was read, I knew there was no escape and God was calling me.’ It seems fitting that Sr Angela should be citing passages from Scripture and things once said. Words are a fundamental part of the Pauline mission and today Sr Angela is back in the city where God ‘caught’ her, living in Aigburth and leading the work of the Daughters of St Paul at the new Pauline Books and Media Centre on Church Street. It is not the first time she has overseen the opening of a new centre, having done the same in Newcastle and Glasgow, and she is delighted to be putting those experiences to use here. ‘In Liverpool the people are just so welcoming,’ she says. ‘Now that we’ve relocated, people have been so appreciative of the fact we’ve not closed down and there’s still a presence here.’ Sr Angela’s many years in the Pauline family also include spells at the Pauline Book Centre in London and in their old production department in Slough, coordinating the creation of educational

resources. ‘I collaborated with 16 dioceses throughout England and Scotland, marketing the products and offering in-service training to teachers and catechists.’ Crucially, she also spent over a decade in Italy where she began her formation in Rome in 1988, undertook her novitiate period and, between 1994 and 1998, studied Theology and Communication at the Gregorian University prior to taking her perpetual vows in 1999. She has particularly fond memories of leading summer youth camps in that time – and the memory of one particular camp, in Piedmont, still resonates today. Piedmont is the region where the first Daughters of St Paul, back in 1915, helped set up the first Pauline typography, printing the Diocesan newspaper. ‘It was such an honour to walk those streets and hills to the more remote areas, bringing to each house the gift of the Word of God. I had the words from St Paul resounding in my heart as, in the footsteps of our first sisters , we were ‘bringing the Good News’. Then, in the evenings, we’d host meetings for the youth and have house prayer times where we’d reflect on Scripture.’ Words and reflections once more. It is the Pauline way.

A St Helens school has noticed a 'real difference' in its students as a result of an education programme that was a very powerful day and that is said to live long in the minds of its young people. Year nine students at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School in Parr, St Helens, took part in Humanutopia’s ‘Who am I?’ programme before Christmas which aimed to provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their past and consider why and who they have become today. It also challenged them to ask if and how they can make positive changes to improve their life chances. The day was broken up into three sessions, Session 1 was the ‘Comfort Zone’ in which the students reflected on the past helping them reflect on how they have become the person they are. This session was a rollercoaster as the students were roaring with laughter one minute and deep in reflection in the next. The second part of the day focused on the ‘Stretch Zone’ when the students considered how the present could be so different if each person behaved differently and the activities were highly engaging as they interacted with others outside their normal friendship group. ‘Panic Zone’ made up the final session of the day during which the young people imagined who they could be in the future, discussing dreams, hopes, goals and ambitions. The day concluded when every student identified and committed to making three positive changes to improve their future. Stuart Holland, Assistant Headteacher for Academic and Personal Development at St Cuthbert’s, said: “The Humanutopia team were absolutely amazing and held Year 9 in the palm of their hands. Their enthusiasm, positivity and ability to develop such positive relationships with students is something to behold. “Some of our teaching staff who were present during some of the sessions were ‘blown away’ by the transformation they saw in some students and this is testament to the skill of the Humanutopia team.” Steve, who’s worked for the Humanutopia Team for over 10 years and ran the full day at St Cuthbert’s said: “Our audiences give me energy every day with their courage and compassion for others. “I truly believe if you give positive energy out it will come back to you and this was definitely the case with our audience at St Cuthbert’s. What a year group!” Headteacher, Catherine Twist said she was hugely pleased with the results but believed the more important impact was the difference in student’s selfconfidence. “I think what’s more important than any stats, is that the students were reporting on how they all thought it was a success, which is really interesting,” she said. “Also our staff are continuing to see that confidence in our young people in simple things like being able to stand up in class and talk, particularly with quieter or more vulnerable students.”

St Mary’s College in Crosby has announced a major boost for the cricketing programme at the school. As part of its extensive extracurricular programme St Mary’s has unveiled a long-term partnership with cricket coaching specialists Academy North who will run all pre-season training sessions in future. The move is designed to improve levels of cricketing achievement at the school to reflect the advances that have been made in rugby and football over recent years. It comes at a time when the college has also joined forces with Crosby’s Northern Club to use their outdoor net facilities for games lessons, and their front pitch for important first XI matches. This will build on the school’s successful existing partnerships with Hightown St Mary’s, Formby and Ormskirk cricket clubs. The development will also complement other recent sporting developments at the college including significant investment in a new, state-of-the-art gym, the relaying of the junior cricket square and extensive drainage improvements at the school’s games field. Head of boys PE, Derek Williams, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Academy North on board with the school. “We have worked extremely hard to improve rugby and football at the school over recent years and are proud of what has been achieved. We’re now very pleased that Academy North will help us to improve our cricket offering in the same way.” Stephen Cole of Academy North said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with such a prestigious school as St Mary’s College. “Over a number of years our coaching, tours and cricket camps have seen our profile increase significantly and to have that recognised by St Mary’s, and to be invited to work with them, is flattering beyond measure. “We look forward to growing the culture of cricket - and cricket achievement - at the school together in the years ahead,” added Mr Cole.

St Mary’s pupils celebrate the new partnership with Academy North coaches Stephen Cole (top left) and Dan Loader (top right)

Students from schools within All Saints Multi Academy Trust have taken part in a unique initiative launched by the Crown Prosecution Service. The Anthony Walker Pathways programme was established by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with the Anthony Walker Foundation, National Black Crown Prosecution Association, Liverpool John Moores University and Salford University. It aims to increase diversity in the CPS by inspiring and supporting students of minority backgrounds into a rewarding career as a prosecutor. Year 11 students from The Academy of St Francis of Assisi, Kensington, and Year 12 students from All Saints Sixth Form, Garston, took part in the scholarship scheme. The scheme is in memory of Anthony Walker who was murdered in an unprovoked, racially motivated attack in July 2005 in Merseyside. Anthony, 18, was a black British student in the second year of his A-levels when he was killed and had wanted to go to university to study law. During the event, students listened to, debated and networked with senior prosecutors and other professionals form the CPS and The Anthony Walker Foundation, and gave students the opportunity to hear first-hand about the criminal justice system and the different pathways into law. The students will now be taking part in a flagship project of work experience with the Mersey Cheshire CPS team where they will take part in workshops and look at real past cases, examine evidence and take part in a mock trial. They will find out about how the CPS make decisions based on evidence and public interest and how to “think like a lawyer”. They will also get to see law in action, learn how law is evolving and will have the opportunity to work with more amazing and inspirational staff in various CPS job roles. Miss Caroline Swarbrick, careers and employability manager at All Saints Multi Academy Trust, said: “The aim of the project is to develop our students with skills for employment, to learn about different qualifications and pathways, including university and apprenticeship routes and most of all, have the opportunity to gain real experience with professionals and grow in knowledge, enthusiasm and understanding that with the right mindset and dedication they can achieve anything they want in life. “I’m so pleased by the students’ eagerness to be part of this programme and I hope it encourages them to consider a career in law.”

Archbishop Malcolm visited Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Dingle at the beginning of December to present them with the Cafod ‘Live Simply’ Award. It is a prestigious award, with Holy Family being only the second school in Liverpool to receive it. It recognises the work that Holy Family have been doing, both in school and in the wider community. It follows the Catholic values which Pope Francis addresses in his encyclical letter, Laudato Si’. The key messages are to Live Simply, Live Sustainably and Live in Solidarity with the poor. The Cafod Live Simply Award has helped Holy Family build their community by bringing together different groups under a common vision. The school has taken part in a range of activities over a two-year period to encourage its pupils, staff, parents and carers to follow these messages. The school has worked to raise awareness of Fairtrade, achieving a Fair Active award in June 2020, through a visit to the local Co-Op shop and holding a Fairtrade coffee morning for parents/carers. Through Fairtrade Fortnights, children have learned about the impact of climate change upon farmers globally. The school has run events such as textile recycling collections, donating to Cafod through a sponsored School Unplugged Day, a refugee awareness campaign and even has its own allotment which the staff and pupils carefully tend. The Cafod ‘Live Simply’ award ended as it began, by gathering as a school community to reflect upon Pope Francis’ message. The award was presented to Head teacher, Mrs Rachel Davidson, a group of pupils and the award leader, Miss Sarah McClelland at two special assemblies at Holy Family. Archbishop Malcolm talked about how proud he was of the children and staff for working so hard to care for our world. He explained how so much had changed in his lifetime and how our children are key to resolving the environmental issues created by his generation. The Archbishop also spoke to younger pupils about Advent and the preparations needed for the coming of Jesus. With a Year One pupil, he lit the Advent wreath. What a wonderful day was had by all.

The staff and students of Maricourt Catholic High School had a busy Advent! Throughout Advent, the students along with their form tutors collected food items to create Christmas hampers that were subsequently distributed to those in need in the local community at the end of term. A car wash set up by gatekeeper Derek Jones on the staff Inset day and a cake sale by the Faith In Action group raised money for CAFOD’s World Gifts campaign. Pastor Lee Jennings from Hope Community Church in Aintree invited Maricourt students to assist in serving Christmas afternoon tea for the vulnerable and the elderly in the local community. Sixth form students, along with students from the Faith In Action group, went along and thoroughly enjoyed serving and chatting to those who attended. Pastor Lee said: “We are so thankful for the students from Maricourt who served at a Christmas community afternoon tea for the elderly residents in Aintree. Maricourt Lay Chaplain, Ken McCabe said: “We served together as Christians from Catholic and Baptist churches, and as old and young people together, with one common goal of demonstrating the love of Christ to those we were serving.” Towards the end of the Advent season, the sixth form students with the chaplain Ken McCabe returned to the Missionaries of Charity in Seel Street to help the Sisters prepare and hand out food to the homeless men who attended the centre. The students worked hard in the kitchen but also took some time to chat to the men on the street as they queued for food. Ken believes that these interactions with the men are important: “The students get to see the person behind the label ‘homeless.’ They hear their stories and it gives them a more realistic insight into the reasons for homelessness.”