Richard Challoner School had the privilege of attending the most wonderful, spiritually rich celebration in St George’s Cathedral, Southwark on 26th September, to celebrate the beginning of this new academic year.
Organised by the Education Service in the Archdiocese of Southwark, Richard Challoner School was invited to attend a very special Mass, together with representative students and staff from no less than 130 other primary and secondary schools in the Diocese. The cathedral was completely packed and there was a unique, uplifting atmosphere from start to finish!
The Mass was celebrated by the Most Reverend John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark and Metropolitan, together with four supporting Priests and an Assistant Priest.
Particular schools had been given the privilege of leading on different parts of the Mass, and five of the eleven Year 8 students who represented Richard Challoner School, had the onerous responsibility of being Altar Servers, which they carried out to perfection.
Archbishop John’s “sermon” started by inviting those students who felt brave to go up to the Altar and answer some questions about the Bible, and four of our Challoner students rose to the challenge.
Tying in with the Gospel reading of Luke 9, the Archbishop talked about staying curious and open to God’s work in the world and to understand more of who Jesus is, like Herod who was curious to meet him. The Archbishop asked the students to provide their thoughts on how we can be open to God’s work. The responses given were spontaneous and thought- provoking, including one from a young student who mentioned about living the Beatitudes!
The Archbishop asked everybody to try to put into practise the many lovely responses the students had given.
Following the Liturgy of the Word, Archbishop John invited all the Headteachers, the Representatives of the schools’ Governing Bodies, the Chaplains and the Education Service staff, to reconfirm and renew their commitment to their special roles, and to join together in the Prayer of Dedication for the year ahead.
