This week in our school community: 25 April 2025

Welcome back to Term 5

 

Welcome back to Term 5 although we gather as a community in mourning for Pope Francis. To commemorate Pope Francis, I am using a beautiful reflection from the Head of Education for CAFOD, as well as our own Bishop Bosco's prayer.

“Dear friends, it is with sadness that we write to you following the death of Pope Francis. As the world mourns his passing, Pope Francis’ legacy will be remembered as one that brought the Church closer to its mission of love, mercy and justice.

A constant source of hope and inspiration, Pope Francis has profoundly shaped the very mission and the whole life of the Catholic school community, moving a generation of children and young people throughout England and Wales to put their faith into action, to care for our world and for those in greatest need. There is no doubt that the impact of Pope Francis’s words can be found in every Catholic school in the country. We at CAFOD have seen the tangible results, as you and your schools have engaged in responding to “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” through taking part in our climate campaigns, supporting the Big Lent Walk for many years, in solidarity with our sisters and brothers around the world, and in raising awareness of many aspects of our work that resonate with Pope Francis’ teachings, from welcoming the refugee and stranger to campaigning for debt cancellation.

Pope Francis said that his own life story was a journey of hope. He understood that in a world that can feel scary or divided, God’s love and the hope it brings is needed more than ever. In fact, he made hope the theme of this Jubilee year.

How poignant it is in this Jubilee year, as hundreds of thousands of children and young people in schools around our nations embark on their Jubilee journey, aspiring to his invitation to be pilgrims of hope, he is now passing the baton over to these trusted young hands.

We join our voices with those of the global Church, as we remember Pope Francis in our prayers and give thanks for his life and inspiration.” Monica Conmee (Head of Education, CAFOD)

“Above all, he will be remembered for his love—for God, for the Church, and for every person. As we commend him to the Lord, may we honour his memory by living the joy of the Gospel, walking with the poor, and keeping our hearts open to all. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.” Bosco, Bishop of Clifton

Mrs Melissa George (BA Hons, MA, PGCE) 

Headteacher