The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

As the month of June is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we have been taking the time to reflect on what God’s love really means to us. We then used oil pastels to create abstract heart based on our own interpretation of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Afterwards, we explored the meaning of the different symbols and considered some key questions: Why do you think people have a devotion to the Sacred Heart? How can you reflect the love of Jesus in your life?

Pentecost Artwork

To start our Pentecost unit, we explored a range of Pentecost art and then recreated our own artwork in the same style using oil pastels. We explored how the lives of the disciples changed after this dramatic event and what we can learn from the understanding that Jesus is always with us. 

Marian Procession

Linden led the whole school in a prayerful Marian Procession this morning to celebrate our devotion to honouring Mary in the month of May. It was a lovely, reverent service with music, prayers and beautiful flowers donated by parents and guardians. 

Palm Sunday Prayer Service

Each of us painted a palm branch on a stone, and recorded some of the praises called out to Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. We held a prayer service, asking Jesus to show us how to welcome Him into our lives. We placed our stones on our prayer table as an offering. During our service, we reflected on the following questions: How would you welcome Jesus if he arrived here today? How can we welcome Jesus into our lives?

New Testament Letters

In RE today, we read some letters (1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Colossians 3: 12-15, Colossians 3: 20-23, Ephesians 4: 1-3) from the New Testament that were written after the resurrection of Jesus to guide people who began to believe in Him.

Working in groups, we explored and analysed one of the letters: identifying the type of guidance that was offered. We discussed how these messages could help us as followers of Jesus today as we try to grow and change to be more like Him.

St Patrick's Day

Linden led the whole school in mass to celebrate the feast of St Patrick. It was a fantastic service with a sea of green throughout the church. C and E then treated the parishioners and parents to some Irish dancing and Irish music.

Forgiveness Lenten Workshop

Linden held their Lenten prayer service this morning with a theme of forgiveness. It was a time for us to reflect on our own willingness to forgive people who have wronged us, intentionally or unintentionally. We read the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant and explored how Jesus asks us to forgive “not seven times but seventy seven times”.

We know that to forgive as Christ forgives is sometimes impossible to do on our own. However, God simply asks that we participate in his gift of forgiveness. God has already forgiven those who are truly sorry — and all he asks us to do is to participate in his forgiveness. Forgiveness is possible when we trust in God to bring healing, forgiveness and reconciliation to our broken relationships. As God constantly searches out the lost, so should we; and as God always welcomes back the stranger, so should we.

We talked about how holding onto anger and resentment by choosing not to forgive can feel like stones weighing us down. During the final hymn of our service, we placed our stones inside the heart-shaped arrangement of candles: thinking about someone that we were yet to forgive whilst reflecting on our willingness to forgive those who have wronged us and participate in the forgiveness of Christ.

Sacrament of the Sick

First, we looked at photographs of the Sacrament of the Sick being administered. We explored the gestures of laying on of hands and anointing with the Oil of the Sick. We heard the words that are said to the sick person as they are anointed with the oil on their forehead and hands: “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy strengthen you by the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up.” We wrote prayers for the sick to give to Fr Sean to take to the sick when he next visits them.

Stories of Hope

We had an enlightening session with visitors from Stories of Hope where we learned more about the lived experiences of refugees and asylum seekers. We were so full of admiration for their strength, resilience and humility. With our visitor from the Columban’s, we explored what we can do to be a voice for people in similar situations who are need.  

Advent Art

To begin our Advent unit, we created a piece of art using oil pastels and then took part in Advent meditation. We thought about the hope felt by Elizabeth and Mary as they awaited the birth of their children: John, who prepare the way for the Messiah; and Jesus, who would be the light to dispel the darkness.

Benediction

Linden went over to church for Benediction with Deacon Tim. It was a lovely, devotional ceremony which we enjoyed celebrating together as the perfect end to our week. We said the Divine Praises together and took a moment in silence to reflect on all we have to be grateful for and to pray for our any of our friends and family who might be going through difficult times at the moment. Deacon Tim blessed us with the Eucharist and we thought about our devotion and adoration for God. 

Class Liturgy 

A led our class in a lovely prayer service that she had thoughtfully planned using our prayer bag. It was a lovely, tranquil end to our busy week.

Red Wednesday

We all wore red to show our support for persecuted Christians around the world. As a class we prayed for all the Christians around the world who don’t have access to a bible and aren’t allowed to gather together to celebrate God’s Word. We prayed that God gives persecuted Christians comfort, hope and the right words to say to stand up for their beliefs.

Remembrance

As a whole school, we gathered in prayer and reflection to remember the fallen of war and conflict. We prayed for the souls of all we have lost - those we have known and those we do not know. We said thank you for the sacrifice of many that came before us so that we could live in a country that is free and strong.

Class Prayer Bag 

E asked two of her friends to help her lead her prayer service for the class. She carefully planned out the service and delivered it with reverence and sincerity. 

Harvest Collection

This morning, we dropped off our harvest collection to the church. We understand importance of almsgiving and carrying out charitable acts for those less fortunate than ourselves.

Baptism of Jesus

To start our Baptism unit, we looked at a stunning piece of artwork based on the baptism of Jesus and recreated our own version using watercolour paint. We thought about how God has given us all a purpose and vocation as He did for John the Baptist. 

The Beatitudes

We explored some of the teachings of Jesus to his disciples about being the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We know that Jesus taught his disciples to use their gifts and talents at the service of other people. Then, we looked at the other important form of teaching from Jesus about using gifts and talents at the service of other people found in the Beatitudes. After analysing the version of the Beatitudes in Matthew and Luke’s Gospel, we discussed which gifts and talents are needed to live out some of these Beatitudes Working in groups, we wrote our own prayers asking God to use our gifts and talents at the service of other human beings. We focused on the Beatitudes of Jesus, understanding that they provide a guide for living as a disciple of Christ.

The Holy Rosary

As we entered the month of October this week, our Liturgy Leaders led us in a decade of the Rosary. We reflected on one of the ‘Joyful Mysteries’: The Annunciation. We recalled that Our Lady gave the Rosary to St Dominic as a special prayer so as we said the first decade we remembered and reflected on the life of Jesus.

Class Saint Feast Day

Today, Linden led a whole school Mass celebrating the feast day of our class saint, St Michael the Archangel. It was a powerful mass where we considered the impact St Michael can have on us this year; perhaps he can influence us to be courageous as he defeated Satan or responsible and caring as he is the patron saint of the police and paramedics. 

The Creation of Adam 

To begin our 'Creation' unit in RE, we recreated a section of the famous painting on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam: Adam’s hand reaching to touch the mighty right hand of our Lord. We used the grid method to ensure our drawings were precise. Then, we used flesh tones to add colour; we focused on highlighting the areas where the light touches the hands and using a darker shadow to deepen the darkest areas making sure that the whole illustration was blended perfectly. We thought about how we were made in the image and likeness of God and what that demands of us. 

Prayer Bag Liturgy

G led Linden in their first 'prayer bag' liturgy of the year. It was a lovely liturgy celebrating the astonishing life of Her Majesty and giving thanks for her service. G presented her service beautifully and reverently with the help of some of her friends. 

New Beginnings 

We held our first whole class collective worship led by our newly appointed liturgy leads; it was a beautiful service of welcome and new beginnings.

Compassionate and Loving

We worked in groups to explore this half term’s Jesuit Virtues: Compassionate and Loving. We discussed what is meant by each virtue and how this will shape our work and play this year.

Our Class Saint: Saint Michael the Archangel

We learned all about St Michael and enjoyed completing a fact file about the chief of all the angels and of the army of God. We are looking forward to celebrating our class saint on 29^th September, his feast day.

Our Mission

We discussed our school Mission Statement and explored how this will affect our actions and faith this year.