Schools live out faith this half-term through charity work, campaigning, and prayer

Monday 25th October 2021

Schools across the diocese have had a busy start to the year by taking on a number of inspiring activities on top of their academic work.

From winning praise and recognition for welcoming families fleeing Afghanistan, raising funds for various charities, and campaigning for climate justice, to learning more about their faith, our schools are shining examples of how to live out our faith in an active way.

Charity

St Charles’ Roman Catholic Primary School in Rishton has won praise from the local community after going the extra mile to provide a warm welcome for families arriving in Lancashire after fleeing Afghanistan.

Lancashire County Council reported how the primary school students heard about the horrors these families faced and wanted to extend a hand of friendship when they arrived in the area, so set about creating a number of colourful welcome cards for the families, in addition to much-needed clothes and toys.

The report from Lancashire County Council revealed how one student was delighted to see the smiles on the faces of the recipients, saying: “It makes my heart feel really warm.”

An impressive fundraising challenge saw staff from St Ambrose RC Primary School in Chorlton take on a gruelling 5K Pretty Muddy challenge in October, raising an incredible £2,310 for Cancer Research UK. However, the school’s fundraising efforts didn’t stop there as deputy headteacher Mr Cunningham ran two marathons to raise funds to buy a defibrillator for a junior football club in Greater Manchester.

Meanwhile, Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College in Burnley has been raising funds for international development charity CAFOD by donning their very best green outfits and baking cakes.

In September, Xaverian College in Manchester hosted Caritas Diocese of Salford’s Big Sleep Out event. After Mass in their beautiful chapel, led by Bishop John, students from the college joined other fundraisers to sleep out under the stars in the college grounds. The event is held annually to raise funds for Caritas Cornerstone’s work in supporting people who are homeless, sofa-surfing, or without a permanent home.

Climate

As the world prepares for pivotal climate talks ahead of COP26 at the beginning of November, our schools throughout the diocese have been working hard to understand more about the environmental crisis, and to campaign for change.

Students from St Antony’s RC School in Urmston have been writing to Stretford and Urmston MP and shadow education secretary Kate Green to highlight their concerns about the future of our planet ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference, and to call on world leaders to do more.

Meanwhile, Christ the King Primary School in Walkden has been reflecting on the needs of our planet and the inspirational work of people around the world working for climate justice by creating double page spreads on their findings and completing a silent walk.

We were also delighted to welcome St Charles RC Primary School from Swinton to the Laudato Si’ Centre in September for our inaugural school visit. Pupils enjoyed exploring the grounds of the walled garden, creating fairy gardens, and joining Bishop John on a walk around the Wardley site.

Prayer 

This October, some of our schools have been learning more about the Most Holy Rosary, with some students experiencing this most special of prayers for the very first time.

Children from St John’s RC Primary School in Chorlton gathered for a special collective prayer service in honour of Show Racism the Red Card, during which pupils wrote their own prayers to ask God for a world of peace, justice, and equality.

Holy Cross and All Saints in Eccles have been learning about different ways to pray, using the memorable acronym PASTA to call to mind “praise”, “adoration”, “sorry”, “thank you”, and “ask”.

If you would like to share your schools news with us contact us on: communications@dioceseofsalford.org.uk

Tagged | Around the Diocese | Bishop John | Caritas Salford | Education | Environment | Laudato Si' Centre