LENT AT ST MARIE’S – WE
WALK WITH JESUS
Our second Lenten Walk took place this morning, beginning at St Vincent’s. Thank you to all the children and families who joined us so early to continue this special journey through Lent together.
Fr Lee kindly started our walk with a prayer and blessing, helping us to reflect on the meaning of Lent and asking God to guide us safely on our journey to school. It was a lovely moment to pause together in faith before setting off.
Although the weather was a little dull and drizzly, it certainly didn’t dampen our spirits! The children walked with great enthusiasm and showed wonderful determination as we made our way to school together.
These walks are a lovely opportunity for our school community to pray, reflect and support one another during this important season in the Church’s year.
Thank you again to everyone who joined us this morning.
Lenten Walks Schedule
- Friday 13th March – Walking from St William’s (8:00am) to school
- Friday 20th March – Walking from St John’s (8:30am) to school
- Friday 27th March – Walking from Holy Family (7:30am) and St Marie’s Cathedral (8:30am) to school
To help us plan safely, please complete the attendance form to let us know if your child will be taking part. We will also need parent and family volunteers to walk with us. If you are able to help, please indicate this on the form. Your support is greatly appreciated. Sign up here.
All sponsorship money raised will go to the Good Shepherd Appeal to support people in need in our local community.
“Whater you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
#WeWalkWithJesus
Y1 Lenten Talk
Father Lee came to visit Year 1 and spent some special time talking with the children about Lent. He explained how Jesus went into the desert for forty days, where He prayed, showed great strength, and trusted God even when things were difficult. Father Lee encouraged the children to think about how they could be a little more like Jesus during Lent by making good choices, being kind to others, helping at home and taking time to pray.
The children listened carefully and showed great interest in what Father Lee was saying. They asked thoughtful questions about the desert, about how Jesus felt, and about what they could do during Lent to grow closer to God. It was a lovely visit, and the children came away inspired to try their best to follow Jesus’ example.
#WeWalkWithJesus
LENT AT ST MARIE’S – WE WALK WITH JESUS
It was a cloudy and cold start to our fourth Lenten Walk today as we made the short journey from St John’s, Ranmoor to school. Despite the chilly weather, it was wonderful to see so many families come together once again in faith and fellowship.
As we continue our Lenten journey, moments like these remind us of the importance of prayer, reflection and walking together as a community of faith.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the walk this morning.
We look forward to welcoming you next Friday for our final Lenten Walk, with two starting points:
- 7:30am (an early start) from Holy Family
- 8:30am from St Marie’s Cathedral
All parents, carers and grandparents are warmly invited to join us as we continue our Lenten journey together.
Lenten Walks Schedule
- Friday 27th March – Walking from Holy Family (7:30am) and St Marie’s Cathedral (8:30am) to school
To help us plan safely, please complete the attendance form to let us know if your child will be taking part. We will also need parent and family volunteers to walk with us. If you are able to help, please indicate this on the form. Your support is greatly appreciated. Sign up here.
All sponsorship money raised will go to the Good Shepherd Appeal to support people in need in our local community.
All Donations can be made through ParentPay.
This Lent, let us walk together in faith, strengthen our community, and support those most in need.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
#WeWalkWithJesus
CONGRATULATIONS TO FR. JOHN
We offer our warmest congratulations to Fr John Cook as he celebrated his 25th Anniversary of Ordination on 17th March, St Patrick’s Day.
On Tuesday evening, some staff and families from St Marie’s attended his special Mass to give thanks for his many years of faithful service. It was a joyful and prayerful celebration, and a wonderful opportunity to show our appreciation.
We thank Fr John for his dedication, guidance and commitment to our parish and school communities over the years. We are truly grateful for all that he has done and the difference he has made in so many lives.
We keep Fr John in our prayers and wish him every blessing on this special milestone.
#WeLoveEachOther
On Thursday, we hosted our “Give It Up” Lenten challenge in support of CAFOD. In the morning, many of our Year 3 Mini Vinnies came to help prepare the vegetables. Our fantastic peelers and choppers made sure we had plenty of ingredients ready for the soup.
Mr Fernandes then worked his magic, turning them into a delicious soup. A number of children said, “This is the best soup I have ever had!”
It was also lovely to see so many parents and grandparents join us for lunch. We served over 150 soups on the day!
Thank you to everyone who came along and supported the event.
A big thank you to all the children and staff who helped make the day such a success. Thanks to your generosity, we raised an amazing £557 for CAFOD.
Our Catholic Social Teaching principle of the week is “Preferential Option for the Poor.” Today, we were able to truly live out this principle.
Poppy the Popokotea will be very proud of the children.
Poppy says:
“Jesus wants us to help people who need it most. No one should be left out.”
All Donations can be made through ParentPay.
“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)
#WeWalkWithJesus
A MESSAGE OF THANKS AND PRAYER
Last week, we learned the sad news that Bishop Ralph will be retiring due to ill health after many years of faithful service to our Diocese.
We would like to thank Bishop Ralph for his dedication, kindness and leadership. He has always shown great care for our schools, and we were delighted to welcome him to our school in September when he officially opened our new pre-school. This was a very special occasion for our whole community.
We keep Bishop Ralph in our prayers as he begins his retirement, and we wish him every blessing for the future.
Bishop Ralph opening our Pre-school September 2025
We also look forward to welcoming Bishop Marcus to our Diocese. Our Year 6 children had the opportunity to meet him in October at a diocesan Directors Mass, and we hope to welcome him to our school in the future.
At this time of change, we pray for both Bishop Ralph and Bishop Marcus, trusting in God’s guidance for our Church.
#WeWalkWithJesus
LENT AT ST MARIE’S – WE WALK WITH JESUS
Today, we completed our final Lenten walk from our furthest parish, Holy Family. It was a cold and drizzly start, but we began with prayer, joined by Fr Henry, before setting off together.
We walked through Norfolk Park, past the Cholera Monument, through the station and on to St Marie’s Cathedral. There, we took time for quiet reflection and prayer before continuing our journey back through the city to school.
It was a lovely morning of prayer, reflection and togetherness. The children showed great respect and positivity throughout, and it was wonderful to see our school community walking together in faith.
Thank you to all the parents, carers and family members who joined us and supported the walk. Moments like these remind us how important it is to pray, reflect and walk together as a community of faith.
All sponsorship money raised will go to the Good Shepherd Appeal to support people in need in our local community.
All Donations can be made through ParentPay.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
#WeWalkWithJesus
WALKING WITH JESUS
We are very proud to share that Brendan in Year 1 will be going on a special pilgrimage to Walsingham.
During his journey, Brendan and the other pilgrims will be giving out crosses to people they meet along the way. This is a lovely way to share God’s love with others.
Brendan and his family have already started this by kindly bringing in crosses to share with his classmates. What a thoughtful and generous act!
We are very proud of you, Brendan, and we can’t wait to hear all about your pilgrimage when you return.
Let us keep Brendan and his family in our prayers:
Dear Jesus,
Guide my steps,
keep me safe,
fill my heart with joy,
and help me share Your love
wherever I go.
Amen.
#WeWalkWithJesus
