The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Church’s life, so it is fitting that we begin every academic year with Mass. Fr Tim preached on the Parable of the Talents and Mrs Wright led us in the Dedication of Studies prayer. Our half-term concludes this afternoon with a service of Choral Vespers for the feast of Saint Luke. The strong tradition of congregational singing continues and the latest edition of the Stonyhurst Cantionale has just arrived in the pews. As well as to our musicians, we are very grateful to the altar servers, to our readers, eucharistic ministers and all who help to make the liturgy both prayerful and beautiful.
As a Jesuit school, we also have a dedicated time each day to pray the examen, and it has been wonderful to see pupils in Aloysius House keenly offering to lead this reflection for their classmates. This half-term, as well as examens on virtues from the Jesuit profile, we have used the themes of relationships, finding God in all things, and care for our common home. Talking of the wonder of creation, many of us were blessed to have the opportunity to see the truly awesome phenomenon of the Northern Lights here last week.
During this month of October, several pupils and staff have taken up the invitation to pray a decade of the Rosary during First Rec, and in May we are hoping to extend this prayer initiative to involve families who may be interested in a Rosary relay, so please look out for details in the spring.
The RS department’s Core RE programme has supported the faith life of the school, helping Higher Line pupils to engage with the Season of Creation via the work of Jesuit Missions and to consider ministry to those on the margins with a powerful talk from Pastor Mick, founder of local charity Church on the Street.
The Poets in the Arrupe programme have also been active in service in different ways on Thursday afternoons, from wheelchair dancing to charity fundraising.
Standing up for faith and freedom is in Stonyhurst’s DNA and in November we have two significant days coming up: Red Wednesday, when we raise awareness of religious persecution and raise funds for Aid to the Church in Need, and Campion Day, which this year will be celebrated on Friday 29 November.
After half-term, classes will begin for those in Grammar and above who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2025. Any final sign-ups should be made via the Microsoft form in pupils’ inboxes.
Finally, huge thanks to everyone who has contributed to the fundraising efforts over recent months for the Jesuit schools in Lebanon, and please join us in praying urgently for peace in our world!
