St Teresa’s, St Ethelbert’s, St Gregory’s, and Our Lady of Lourdes Primaries joined us for our Lent Chaplaincy Day, an inspiring and spiritually enriching occasion. The day was centred around the theme of the Year of Jubilee, a time of reflection and renewal, with a particular focus on how we can be Pilgrims of Hope. The theme encouraged us to reflect on the importance of hope in our daily lives and how we can bring hope to others through our actions, prayers, and commitment to faith.

The day started off with a beautiful and reflective collective worship, setting the tone for the rest of the event. This was followed by an icebreaker game of Matthew, Mark, and John, a fun and engaging activity that not only helped everyone get to know each other but also brought out both staff and students’ competitive spirit. Laughter and enthusiasm filled the room as teams raced to answer questions, and it was heartwarming to see such team spirit between the primary school students and our older students.

After a short break, the students from MSJ (Mount St. Joseph’s) took on the role of leaders and led the younger students through four distinct activities. Each activity was designed to explore and highlight different ways in which we can spread hope with others, both within our communities and in the wider world. The activities were both practical and reflective, encouraging students to think creatively and spiritually about their actions. We explored the importance of sharing hope through prayer, reaching out to others through charity, and spreading good news to lift spirits. Each activity was meaningful, engaging, and full of discussion, with students sharing their thoughts, ideas, and experiences with one another.

To round off the day, we gathered together to celebrate Mass, a central part of the day’s spiritual journey. The Mass was led by Fr Gorton, who not only guided us through the celebration but also took the time to explain to everyone the origins of the Jubilee. Fr Gorton’s reflections helped the students to understand the significance of this special year in the Church calendar and the ways in which the Jubilee offers a time for reflection, renewal, and a deeper connection with God. As part of the celebration, Fr Gorton introduced us to the mascot of the year, Luce, who symbolised the light of hope and the guiding presence of Christ in our lives. The students were captivated by Luce and took this image of hope with them as they left the Mass.

As the day drew to a close, students were invited to reflect on the activities and discussions they had participated in. They shared the ideas and actions they had come up with to take back to their schools, eager to spread the message of hope and continue to celebrate the Jubilee year. It was inspiring to hear the creative and heartfelt suggestions that students had for sharing hope in their communities. From organising prayer groups and charity drives to planting trees and caring for the environment, the ideas were varied, but all centred around making a positive impact.

The day left everyone feeling uplifted and motivated, and it will be exciting to see the amazing things that the students come up with in the future. It is clear that the spirit of the Jubilee has ignited a passion for spreading hope and positivity, and the energy from this event will continue to resonate throughout the year. We are all looking forward to hearing how the students take these ideas back to their schools and transform them into tangible acts of hope that will benefit others. The Pilgrims of Hope have indeed begun their journey, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to inspire those around them.