Diocese celebrates school’s Faith in Action story
Tuesday 25th July 2023Pupils from a Trafford primary school have received special recognition after going above and beyond to be active witnesses of faith.
Year 6 students from Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School, in Urmston, have been awarded the Pin Award, as part of the CYMFed Faith in Action Award Scheme.
Faith in Action is an inspiring programme that rewards active service in schools and parishes, encouraging young people to put their faith into action by serving their local community in a tangible way.
Divided into four tiers (Pin, Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards), this first stage acts as an introduction to the programme, enabling primary school pupils to discover what it means to be active in faith.
Our Lady of the Rosary is one of the schools to receive the Pin Award this year, after months of fundraising, faith, and community activities in and around their parish of St John Henry Newman.
Headteacher Sue Molloy has been delighted by the dedication of the students, who have enthusiastically committed themselves to the programme over the past year.
She said: “The last year has been exciting, as working closely with Fr Kieren, the class has supported many new school/parish initiatives. These included Soup and Stations of the Cross and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament services. At all services, refreshments were served and time was given over to chat with parishioners and visitors, forming even closer, supportive relationships with our parish community.
“I was exceptionally proud of the class commitment to join Fr Kieren’s 7.30am Lent Challenge Mass each Friday morning. Over 70 Our Lady of the Rosary Nursery to Yr6 pupils joined the celebration each week, and Yr6 supported the children both during the Mass as well as escorting them on the mile walk back to school.
“The class raised over £2,600 through the sponsored Caritas Little Sleep Out in September, where they slept overnight in the school grounds. One of their favourite activities has been visiting the lonely and isolated in their homes, bringing news and laughter, and always cakes and sweet treats!”
The pupils were awarded with certificates and a special pin to mark their achievement in a presentation with Canon Michael Cooke, Vicar General for the Diocese of Salford, on Friday 14th July.
Speaking at the presentation, Canon Cooke said: “First of all, well done to everyone receiving your awards today. You’ve done a lot of work over the past year in order to achieve those and I thank you for all the work you’ve been doing.
“In your presentation, you talk about the school community and you mention parishioners as part of that, and that’s very important.
“Our schools are not just little islands that keep themselves to themselves, and we don’t keep our faith to ourselves. We’re meant to be out there in the world, sharing the Good News of Jesus with people.
“Remember when Jesus went back to heaven? He told us ‘Go and tell everyone else the Good News’ – and that’s what we’re doing now. All these generations later on, we’re doing that.
“Our faith, which is important to us, asks us to find a way of expressing that in our daily lives. It’s about putting our faith into action and that’s what your presentation really shows.
“You’ve taken this first step with Pin Award and hopefully, when you go to high school, you will be able to build on what you’ve done here.”
As the pupils prepare to enter secondary education this September, we invite you to keep these young people in your prayers as they look to build on the impact they’ve already made in the community.
Ms Molloy said: “This award will further ignite Our Lady of the Rosary pupils to continue their faith journey through their secondary education.
“The Faith in Action Award, achieved in their primary education, has empowered them to know they can make a difference in their local and wider communities, using their many unique skills and talents.”
To find out more about the CYMFed Faith in Action Award and how your school can get involved, please click here or email our Youth Ministry Team at youth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Tagged | Around the Diocese | Caritas | Caritas Salford | Diocese | Education | Parishes | Schools | Society | Youth
