Search Results

Altar Servers ‘Let the children come to me’. (Luke 18:16) Our altar servers play an important role in the spiritual life of our Catholic school community. Being an altar server is a valuable opportunity for our pupils to grow in their faith and to serve others at the Ch urch’s liturgy. As altar servers, they have the privilege of serving the altar, assisting with the preparation of the altar and communion elements, as well as performing other duties during the Holy Mass. They also help the congregation to pray by being good role models and setting a good example. We are blessed to have such devoted pupils, willing to serve the Lord, their school and church community in the worship of God in a prayerful and reverent manner. Any child who has completed the First Holy Communion programme can become an altar server. Please talk to Fr. Fretch if your child is interested in deepening their faith and fulfilling their vocation to serve others by becoming an altar server. School Altar Servers The Guild of Saint Stephen Our altar servers have recently been enrolled into the Guild of Saint Stephen. The Guild of St. Stephen is an international organisation of altar servers, founded in England in 1904 by Fr. Hamilton McDonald. The Guild has spread and developed since then, and is active in many parishes in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Altar servers take Saint Stephen as their patron saint. Saint Stephen is one of the first seven deacons chosen to assist the apostles in service (Acts 6) and the first martyr of the Church. The objectives of the Guild are: To encourage, positively and practically, the highest standards of serving at the Church's liturgy and so contribute to the whole community's participation in a more fruitful worship of God. To provide altar servers with a greater understanding of what they are doing so that they may serve with increasing reverence and prayerfulness and thereby be led to a deepening response to their vocation in life. To unite servers of different parishes and dioceses for their mutual support and encouragement.

Pupil Premium Pupil premium is funding to improve education outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in schools in England. Evidence shows that disadvantaged children generally face additional challenges in reaching their potential at school and often do not perform as well as other pupils. DFE Guidance Pupil Premium Policy 2024/25 Pupil Premium Strategies 2024-27

Earth Ambassadors Welcome to the Earth Ambassadors! Who are we? We are an after school group who meet once a week to learn more about the effects humans are having on the planet. What do we do? We have followed the Marine Conservation Society’s Ocean-friendly Schools Award for the last 3 years. This involved meeting certain requirements which enabled us to explore, investigate, act upon and share about a given environmental problem. This year we chose to dive deeper into the affects of microfibres from clothes on the environment and the creatures that live in it. We have a link here to the different parts of our work. Would you like to join us? When you are in Year 6 you would be welcomed by Miss Corkery if you are motivated, interested, caring and want to know how to help look after our planet. Section 2 Evaluate Section 3 Act Section 1 Explore

Mental Health & Well Being Mental Health and Wellbeing at St.Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School At St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, we aim to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for our whole school community and recognise how important mental health and emotional wellbeing are to our lives. Our role is to ensure that everyone is able to manage times of change and stress, and that all members of our community are supported to reach their potential or access help when they need it. We also have a responsibility to ensure that our children, staff, and wider community learn how to maintain positive mental health, understand what affects their mental health, help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and know where to go for support. Therefore, we have developed a curriculum to help children become more resilient and aware of their own mental health and wellbeing. For children, mental health encompasses their emotional, social, and cognitive wellbeing. It involves how they feel, think, and act, and is crucial for their overall development. Mental health affects daily life, relationships, and learning. In childhood, good mental health includes reaching developmental and emotional milestones, learning healthy social skills, and developing strategies to cope with challenges. We encourage the following abilities through our delivery: Resilience This is the ability to bounce back from challenges and adapt to changes, which is important for long-term well-being. Children develop the ability to manage stress, learn from mistakes, and build confidence. When children build resilience they form stronger relationships, have better problem-solving skills and manage their emotions better. Healthy relationships Healthy relationships with peers and adults can foster a sense of belonging and support. Children have healthy relationships when their communication is based on respect, trust, honesty and open communication. Healthy relationships offer support and encouragement, helping children to grow and develop their confidence. Children who learn to build and maintain relationships develop empathy and can communicate effectively. Self-regulation These are abilities that help children manage their emotions, behaviours, thoughts and choices of actions especially in the face of challenging situations. It is a crucial skill as it impacts learning, social interactions and overall well-being. Children learn how to manage and regulate strong emotions like anger, frustration and sadness. It is important for children to know how to control their impulses, by resisting the urge to act on immediate desires and rather make more thoughtful decisions. Children are encouraged to maintain attention on tasks and resist distractions. What we provide your child. We have several programmes and methods we use to encourage this. These programmes are described below. Compass This company are a NHS endorsed group who offer support to your child’s mental health through counselling. This service is offered at no cost to yourselves and we have many children who have really benefitted from their time spent in sessions. They can offer one to one counselling with a child or sometimes where more appropriate they offer parent and child meetings to help you develop together. These can take place in person at school, in a community place or over Zoom. Letter for Parents Intro to MHST Pupil Voice: A Year 4 pupil said ,”I learnt ways to calm down. I use these a lot. I use Happy Breathing.” A Year 4 pupil said, “They were awesome. They taught me to take a deep breath. I could talk about what happened and my feelings.” Throughout the year we will organise one-off workshops for parents as advertised in the newsletter. Their parent worker has a lot of experience in sharing ideas and knowledge that we could use as parents when our children are experiencing difficulties. You can self-refer to Compass or ask Miss Corkery, Mrs Taylor or Miss Finn and they can talk you through the process to receive your consent for a referral. Throughout the year we will organise one-off workshops for parents as advertised in the newsletter. Their parent worker has a lot of experience in sharing ideas and knowledge that we could use as parents when our children are experiencing difficulties. You can self-refer to Compass or ask Miss Corkery, Mrs Taylor or Miss Finn and they can talk you through the process to receive your consent for a referral My Happy Minds Children are led through a weekly informative programme where they are shown how parts of our brain drive how we feel. They watch short videos, play games, hear short stories for each section. hm1 hm2 hm7 hm1 1/7 My Happy Mind Happiness Heroes This is a group of KS2 children who meet regularly to share how to help their year band sort out little issues in the playground or the classroom. They will start the important role of Playground Ambassadors and will be trained in how to watch out for children that are sad or lonely on the playground. They will be trained in how to start a conversation to help others explain what they are feeling and what to do to help.

Updates on the Corona Virus and it's impact on pupils, parents & staff. CORONA VIRUS - Updates and Information Risk Assessment Covid Catch Up Premium Remote Education Provision Blended & Remote Learning Covid Management Plan For the latest information relating to Corona Virus, please visit the Government website and World Health Organisation. https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public For any urgent queries regarding Corona Virus, you can contact the Department of Education Helpline using the contact information provided below. This is for Staff members and Parents. Department for Education Helpline: Phone: 0800 046 8687 Email:DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday) NHS Information: NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do. Use this service if: you think you might have coronavirus in the last 14 days you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see travelling advice you’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus enquiry@stberns.bham.sch.uk What are Covid 19 Symptons? The main SYMPTOMS OF Covid-19 are: - A new continuous cough and/or - Fever (temperature of 37.8 degrees or higher) - Loss of or change in, normal sense of taste of smell (anosmia) What is the mode of transmission? Covid-19 is passed from person to person mainly by large respiratory droplets and direct contact (close unprotected contact, usually less than one metre). These droplets can be directly inhaled by the person or can land on surfaces which another person may touch which can lead to infection if they then touch their nose, mouth or eyes. When is a person infectious? A person is thought to be infectious 48 hours before symptoms appear, and up to seven days after they start displaying symptoms. Are pupils at risk of infection? Pupils of all ages can catch the infection, but pupils make up a very small proportion of Covid-19 cases with about 1% of confirmed cases in England aged under 19 years. Pupils also have a much lower risk of developing symptoms or severe disease. If setting has been notified of symptomatic pupil/staff member, should the rest of the class/bubble be excluded? No, the class/bubble should continue to attend the education setting as normal. The symptomatic case should stay at home and follow the stay at home guidance: the staff member/pupil’s parents encouraged to get tested. Any siblings of the pupil attending the setting/staff’s household member should self-isolate for 10 days. Should a pupil/staff member come to School if a member of their household is unwell? No. If a member of the pupil’s/staff member’s household is unwell with COVID-19 symptoms then the pupil/staff member should isolate for 10 days starting from the day after the household member(s) became ill. If the pupil subsequently develops symptoms then they should isolate for 10 days from the date. Can the siblings of a pupil who is self-isolating because they are a contact of a case attend the education? Yes, other household members of the contact do not need to self-isolate unless the pupil, young person or staff member they live with in that group subsequently develops symptoms. If a pupil has Covid-19 symptoms, get tested and tests negative, can they return to the education setting even if they still have symptoms? If the pupil is NOT a known contact of a confirmed case the pupil can return to the education if the result is negative, provided they feel well, and they have not had a fever for 48 hours. Should close contacts of a positive case get tested? No, they are not required to get tested unless they develop symptoms during the 14 days of isolation. Key Worker Contact Form A message to all the children at St. Bernadette's

St Bernadette's Governors Information School Governors Governor Portal Governors: About Us St Bernadette's Governing Body Our Governors are an amazing group of volunteers who serve the parish of Holy Family in Small Heath. They support our school in educating children in a happy, calm and safe environment where they feel surrounded by God’s love. Governors play an important role in the leadership and management of the school. They are involved in the recruitment of staff, formulating the school budget and ensuring the curriculum we offer to the children in school is engaging, challenging and appropriate. The Governors are regular visitors in school, offering support and challenge in equal measures and holding the Head and senior leadership team to account. The Governing Body's aim is to work closely with the Headteacher, the leadership team and the staff, in order to help the children at the school achieve their full potential. They meet as a Full Governing Body four times a year and in addition to this, will meet in smaller sub- committees to focus on finance, staffing, admissions or curriculum. Our Governing Body is made up of 7 Foundation Governors who are appointed by the diocese, two parent governors, appointed by the parents, a Staff Governor and a Local Authority Governor. All serve for a term of four years. If you would like to contact the Governing Body, please forward hard copies of mail to Mr John Lenihan c/o St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, Hob Moor Road, Yardley Birmingham, B258QL. Emails to be sent to m.smallwood@stberns.bham.sch.uk and given the title 'For the attention of Mr John Lenihan'. The School Governors Mr John Lenihan Chair of Governors (FG) Curriculum Governor / Finance Governor / Mathematics Governor Mrs Quinlan Vice-Chair Parent Governor / Foundation Governor Mrs Gemma Wrench Chair of Finance / Curriculum Governor Mrs Maria Winters Foundation Governor / RE Governor / Chair of curriculum Fr Fretch Ballesteros Foundation Governor / R.E Governor Mrs Vas Panayiotou Parent Governor / Safeguarding Governor Mrs P Moran Foundation Governor Mr Carlos De la Cruz Foundation Governor / Finance Governor Mr Iqbal Local Authority Governor Mr Carroll Staff Governor / SEN Governor / Finance Governor Mrs Maria Smallwood Clerk to Governors Admissions Committee Pupil Discipline Committee School Hearings Committee Curriculum & Standards Committee Terms of Reference Resources Committee Governor Information Terms Of Reference Dismissal Appeal Terms of Reference Curriculum & Standards Terms of Reference School Hearings Terms of Reference Admissions Terms of Reference Pupil Discipline Presentations to Governors RE KS2 English.pdf KS1 English.pdf PE.pdf Maths.pdf School Financial Benchmarking Governors: List Any correspondence to the Governors should be addressed c/o St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School. Miss A Cowings Head Teacher I joined St Bernadette’s School in 2002 as Deputy Head and was appointed as Head Teacher in 2006. Since my appointment I have always been a member of the Governing Body and work closely with the dedicated team of volunteers to develop provision within school. As Head teacher it is my duty to deal with the day to day management of the school. As a member of the Governing Body we provide the strategic management. We set the general direction of the school and consider ways that it can best be developed. As a team, we monitor the school’s progress and set annual targets for the school’s performance. The team of governors act as a critical friend to the Head, whilst providing me with the necessary support required to lead the school. John Lenihan Chair of Governors I was appointed as a Governor in March 2019. I am currently a member of the Resources Committee. I previously served as a Governor at Corpus Christi School in Stechford. After spending 50 years in the Printing Industry and having grandchildren in the school I am now looking forward to supporting St. Bernadettes pupils and staff in the challenging world of education. Mr C. Dela Cruz Foundation Governor I have been a school governor for a number of years and have seen a lot of changes throughout the years. I have really enjoyed being on the school governing board, and doing my best to contribute in ensuring the school provides the very best facilities, support for the teaching & non-teachingstaff, and to ensure all pupils to have opportunity and encouragement toreach their full potentials. Kristin Quinlan Foundation Governor I've been a Foundation Governor at St Bernadette's since 2016. My day job is working as Head of Legal and Company Secretary at a water company, so I have experience of working in corporate governance and I hope that I bring some of my skills and experience from that role to my role on the Governing Body. For me, the role of the Governing Body is to support and provide healthy challenge to the leadership team at St Bernadette's for the benefit of the pupils, and I really enjoy playing my part in that. G Wrench Parent Governor I have been a parent governor at St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School since 2018. As part of my role, I am the link Governor for Literacy and also the Chair for the Resources Committee and a member of the Admissions Committee. I believe the children’s education, progress, personal welfare and development should be at the heart of all decision making at school. I am happy to be part of the Governing Body that will support the school in order to get the best outcomes for the children. T Moran Foundation Governor I was appointed as a Foundation Governor in February 2023. I was a teacher at St. Bernadette’s for thirty-three years, and I retired from St. Bernadette’s and teaching almost seven years ago. I hope that I can bring some of my skills and experience from my years of teaching to my role on the Governing Body. I look forward to supporting the pupils and staff of St. Bernadette’s in any way that I can. Fr Fretch Ballesteros Foundation Governor Vasiliki Panayiotou Parent Governor I would like to introduce myself as the new Parent Governor of St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School. My name is Vasiliki Panayiotou (please refer to me as Vas) and I joined the Board of Governor's on 20th December 2019. I am honoured and privileged to have been given this opportunity to represent the parents of the children that attend the school by Miss A Cowings. I will do my utmost for the best interests of all concerned, in connection with the school. Before I became a full time mother to our 2 girls I worked in telesales for a wholesale food distribution company for around 8 years and prior to that, I co-owned a business in floristry for around 20 years in Solihull. My eldest daughter, who is five, is in Year 1 at St Bernadette's and our youngest is 16 months old, going onto 6! I can't speak highly enough about St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School or all the staff in connection with the school. I remember when we visited the school during an open day and my first thoughts were about the impeccable behaviour of the children. Also, during the classroom visits we observed how the teachers interacted with the children and we saw the passion and commitment they have in everything they do. I turned to my husband and said, this is where I want our daughter to come and he agreed. We feel blessed that our children are and will be attending the best school Alex Carroll Staff Governor I have worked at St Bernadette's since 2001 and have been staff governor since 2020???? It is my privilege to be part of such a vibrant and hard working school community, both as a member of staff and governor. Cllr Zafar Iqbal Foundation Governor I was previously a Governor at St Bernadette’s, I have a long association with the school and was previously a Governor some years ago when my son attended. I am now an LEA appointed governor and as I live close by I have a genuine interest in supporting my local schools. Governors: List Governors: List

Inspection Reports Ofsted Report 2023 2024 CSI Report

School of Sanctuary at St Bernadette’s For some time now, our news media has been reporting stories about migrants, refugees, small boats, the expense of housing people in hotels etc. Much of this has been quite misleading and dehumanising with inaccuracies and wrong ideas taking hold in the minds of many. As a Catholic school, St Bernadette’s is looking to explore the realities of the asylum system and the experiences of people going through it right now. Our mission statement makes clear that, “… We follow the ways of Jesus using our talents and gifts to make our school special.” We must never forget that Jesus himself was a refugee. We will therefore, be seeking to gain the award of ‘School of Sanctuary’. What is a School of Sanctuary? A School of Sanctuary is a school that has received a Sanctuary Award from City of Sanctuary UK or a partner organisation in recognition of its good practice in fostering a culture of welcome, belonging and solidarity for those seeking safety. (1) How can St Bernadette’s become a School of Sanctuary? To become a School of Sanctuary, a school must take an intentional and reflective approach to reviewing and refining school practice in relevant areas and demonstrate that they have implemented three key principles: LEARN Schools help their students, staff and wider community learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary and the issues surrounding forced migration. EMBED Schools are committed to creating a safe and inclusive culture of welcome that benefits everybody, including anyone in their community seeking sanctuary and working with people seeking sanctuary to co-produce their sanctuary efforts and practice. SHARE Schools proudly share their values and activities with their local communities and work collaboratively to build our movement of welcome. (2) As we move forward with the award, we will be partnering up with St Chad’s (who are already working hard in this endeavour), making collections for those in need and learning about the real experiences of people seeking refuge. We believe this will be of huge benefit to our children and community in an ever more precarious world. Notes (1) and (2) taken from the Schools of Sanctuary website. https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/award Day of Action Thursday 19th June The whole school took part in our School of Sanctuary Day of Action on Thursday of this week. They took part in a number of activities which they then shared with the rest of the school in a special assembly at the end of the day. We also had a number of visitors in school. Steph from Stories of Hope and Home helped run the day as did James from the Columban Fathers. Some of the children got the opportunity to interview asylum seekers who visited us during the day and heard their very moving stories. The energy, empathy and determination of the children shone through in the different activities and developed their understanding of the asylum process. Here is some of the activities and work they produced Our Day of Action – The Lampedusa Cross By Year 4 On our Day of Action, we learned about something special called the Lampedusa Cross. It’s a cross made from old pieces of wood that came from a boat full of refugees. Refugees are people who must leave their homes because of war, danger, or poverty. The man who made the cross is called Francesco, and he lives on an island in Italy called Lampedusa. He wanted to do something kind, so he made crosses out of the broken boat wood to remember the people who had been on that journey. We started the day by acting out the journey of a refugee from Eritrea. It helped us understand how scary and difficult it must be to leave your home and not know where you're going. We imagined walking through deserts, hiding, and crossing the sea. It made us feel thankful for what we have. Then we learned about the Lampedusa Cross and how something broken can become something beautiful and full of hope. We made our own crosses out of cardboard, wood, and paper. We decorated them with words like hope, peace, family, friendship, and kindness. We also wrote shape poems to show what hope means to us, and we learned a song about looking after one another. At the end of the day, we talked about what we had learned. We said that everyone deserves to feel welcome and safe, and that even small things — like smiling, helping someone, or saying kind words — can make a big difference. We made a promise to be kind, to stand up for others, and to bring hope to our school and the world. We can all be a sign of hope. Refugee Week: Stories of Hope and Home As part of our Refugee Week celebrations, pupils took part in a special day of learning and reflection themed around the idea of seeing the people behind the label. We began the day with a whole-school assembly, followed by reading My Name is Not Refugee, which encouraged children to think about the individual stories and emotions behind the word ‘refugee’. We then explored the journeys of famous refugees, including Malala Yousafzai, and had the privilege of interviewing Danny and Virginia from Stories of Hope and Home. These moving conversations helped us understand more about them as people—not just as refugees. In the afternoon, children created powerful posters and artwork inspired by these stories, along with thoughtful cover letters to send to Members of Parliament. The day ended with a sharing assembly, where classes presented their creative work and reflections. It was a meaningful and inspiring day that deepened our understanding of compassion, dignity, and the strength of the human spirit. Dear MPs, My name is Maverick and I am writing this because I would like to ask that you consider helping refugees. At school, we have been learning about refugees and some of us have even met people who have had to unwillingly leave their homes. Before, I thought the word ‘refugee’ was just a label. But now I know better than that. They aren’t just refugees. They’re humans, people, just like you and me. They have favourite colours, songs, loved ones. Some wish to be doctors, teachers or footballers. They miss their family and their homes, but they still have hope. They are kind, funny and full of dreams. They are people like us. Please help them and treat them with equality and dignity. One way you could do this is by giving them the right to work, so they can make their families proud. How would you feel if you had no job, no proper home, no family alongside you? Thank you for reading my letter. Please consider helping these poor people because they are people just like us. Yours sincerely, Maverick (aged 11) I am Eleanor and I am writing to you to ask for your assistance in helping refugees and asylum seekers across the country. At school, we had a day of action, which is where we dedicate our day to learning about refugees and asylum seekers. People from the Columbian Missionaries charity came in with two people, who are asylum seekers, from Columbia and Kenya. In reality, their just humans like us. They have hopes, dreams and feeling too. They have hobbies, passions and people they love. Even though they miss their families and friends, they have hopes for the future by traveling to the UK. In conclusion, I hope you can help all refugees and asylum seekers feel respected and cared for in the UK. One way you can help is by allowing them to work, so they can support their own families and not being able to rely on others for support. Thank you for reading my letter. Dear Jess Phillips, My name is Lily and I am writing to you because I want to ask you help refugees. We learn about refugees in school and we know that ‘refugee’ is just a label. People cross boarders for safety aren’t just refugees, they are humans. Humans who are just like us, they miss family, home and friends but they hope for good futures. Please make sure they are treated with kindness. You can do this by giving them rights to work so they can feel proud of themselves. Nobody should ever feel unwelcome. Thank you for reading my letter. I hope you are able to help them. Yours sincerely Lily (aged 11) Dear Jess Phillips, My name is Nuala and I am writing to you because I want to ask you to help refugees. At school, we have been given the opportunity to learn more about refugees, what they’ve been through and even meet some. Before this, I only heard the word refugee and thought it was just a title, but now that I have looked beyond the label, I understand they are so much more than that. They are human beings and they have hobbies, favourite colours just like us. Some have dreams of being doctors, nurses or teachers. They miss their families and loved ones, but they also have hope for the future. They are friendly, kind and most importantly people – just like us. They deserve the dignity and respect they are entitled too, they do not need to earn it. It is unacceptable that some refugees travel across the world to finally feel safe and then be treated like rubbish and be described as spiteful things in newspapers. All I ask is for you to help refugees and treat them with kindness – you never know their backstory. Please give your time and energy to make sure refugees feel welcomed, wanted and respected. Please give them the right to work so they can feel appreciated and so they can be financially stable. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I’m hopeful that everyone will remember that refugees are people, not just a word. Yours sincerely. Nuala, (Aged 11). To begin our day, Nursery used Google Earth to look at some different countries. We learnt that sometimes, there are people living in those countries who need to leave. We watched a clip explaining the meaning of ‘refugee’ We talked about the feelings of refugee children and thought about the kind of things they’d need to bring when leaving their home. We discussed why things such as shoes and clothes may be important, but toys were not needed. We shared a lovely prayer together and prayed for everyone impacted. Welcome, welcome everyone, We can play and have some fun. If you’re new or if you’re shy, We will smile and say hi-hi! Everyone belongs right here, We show love and bring good cheer. Welcome welcome everyone, Let’s be kind to everyone As part of our Day of Action, our enthusiastic Year 5 children took to the local community to actively promote the Lift the Ban campaign. They confidently approached local shopkeepers and members of the public, politely asking them to display posters, wear campaign badges, and sign petitions in support of giving people seeking asylum the right to work. The children showed great teamwork, respect, and courage, engaging in meaningful conversations and explaining the importance of the campaign. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience, gaining valuable communication skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of social justice and active citizenship. It was inspiring to see their passion and maturity as they made a real impact in their community. Year 1 made a banner – we will welcome you- for outside of school. Cards for new refugees to pass on to Steph from Stories of Hope and Home. Using the book Lubna and the pebble 1ML have discussed what it would feel like to be a refugee. We created our own pebble friend and held a prayer service together. At our school, we are proud to be working towards becoming a School of Sanctuary – a safe and welcoming place for everyone, especially those seeking refuge. In Reception, our youngest children have been learning all about what it means to be kind, caring, and inclusive. We enjoyed reading “All are welcome” by Alexandra Penfold. We shared the message that everyone is welcome in our school. The children listened to stories about refugees and talked about how we can help people feel safe, loved, and accepted when they arrive in a new place. To celebrate our unique identities, each child created a self-portrait, proudly showing that we are all different, but all equally special. We also made beautiful friendship chains, linking our names together as a symbol of unity and belonging. 2EH Loving God, Thank you for new friends. Help us to be loving and compassionate every day. Please keep safe those who are in danger and looking for a new home. Help us to welcome them with joy and kindness. Thank you for loving all people. Amen. 2EOB Dear God, Thank you for our school where everyone is welcome and safe. Please help us to open our hearts to children and families who have had to leave their homes because of danger or fear. Help us to understand how hard it can be to be new in a strange place, and to always show kindness and friendship. Give us the courage to stand up for those who feel lonely or scared and to make sure no one feels left out. Help us to make our school a place of hope, peace, and safety for everyone, no matter where they come from. Teach us to listen, to care, and to share what we have with others. Thank you for helping us be a School of Sanctuary, where everyone belongs. May we always remember to treat others with love and respect, just as you love us. Amen 2SH Loving and compassionate God, You who shelter the stranger and bind up the broken hearted, We come before You with humble hearts, Remembering all those who have been forced to flee their homes The refugees, the displaced, the weary travellers. Grant them safety and refuge, Open our eyes to their needs, And soften our hearts to welcome them with love and generosity. Teach us to be instruments of Your peace, To build bridges where there is division, To offer hope where there is despair, And to see Your face in every stranger we meet. Bless all who work to provide shelter, comfort, and justice, And inspire us to walk beside the vulnerable, Sharing our homes, our resources, and our friendship. May Your Spirit guide us to create a world where all are valued , All are safe, and all belong. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen Year 3 – Day of Action: Learning About the Lampedusa Crosses During our Day of Action, children in Year 3 learned about the Lampedusa Crosses — small crosses made from the wood of refugee boats that washed ashore on the Italian island of Lampedusa. These crosses are powerful symbols of hope, compassion, and solidarity with those fleeing conflict and hardship. Inspired by this, the children made their own Lampedusa crosses and decorated them with messages of hope and welcome. They also took part in a thoughtful prayer service, reflecting on the parable of the sheep and the goats. They linked this to the message of welcoming others, remembering the words of Jesus: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35) To put their learning into action, the children made welcome cards to be given to refugees arriving in the UK, showing kindness and support to those in need. It was a meaningful and inspiring day — the children enjoyed every moment and learned so much about empathy, faith, and the importance of welcoming others. 3EG Dear God, Help us to welcome the strangers who have left their homes because there is war, sadness and disaster, Please make refugees who need to leave their unsafe homes and travel on long journeys feel safe in their new homes, Let us welcome Asylum seekers and refugees and help us to help them, We pray we can help them find shelter and warmheated friends, Help us convince the MPs to stop the ban, allowing them to find safe jobs, We ask you to give courage to asylum seekers when they need it, Please guide the refugees with courage, love and blessing Amen 3CK Dear Loving God, We pray for all refugees who are in danger. Keep them safe on their journeys and bring them to places of peace. May they feel welcome and at home when they arrive in our country. May all people treat them with the respect, kindness and compassion that they deserve. Help us to open our hearts to those in need and to remember them in our prayers. And to do as Jesus taught us, by being mindful of our thoughts and words. We ask You to bring an end to war and violence and to fill the world with peace. Amen. 3DA Dear God, Thank you for loving us and showing us how to love others. Please help us to care for people who have no homes especially refugees. They are far away from their countries and families and they need our love and kindness. This is the year of hope, and we want to brig hope to others. The Lampedusa cross reminds us that out of something broken, you can make something beautiful. May we always choose love instead of fear, and make our hearts be open, just like your arms are open to us. Amen June 2024 ‘I was a stranger and you made me welcome.’ Matt 25:35 Stories of Hope and Home is a charity that supports asylum seekers and refugees in Birmingham. They work hard to meet the needs of those they help, offering care and guidance to make life more settled and hopeful. This week’s poem is written by a refugee who has been supported by Stories of Hope and Home. It expresses the deep longing they feel for a dear friend far away, but in the final verse, they look ahead with hope for a new life—despite all they have been through. My Dear Friend My dear friend since I left you, Have passed so many years. Sitting in the kitchen, drinking tea And analysing my life. My dear friend... Winter has come and my sadness sat in my heart Spring came and flowers bloomed in my hair, As always the summer is empty in my soul, Flowers have not yet wilted in my memories. My dear friend... There was a loud laugh And cheerful tones in my eyes. But my dear friend... I hung my soul on empty walls, Like a frame waiting for an image Longing and sadness in my soul has not gone anywhere. My dear friend... There is a blank page in front of me My paint box is open again I will make life colourful again. May 2025 On Tuesday 6th May, staff at St Bernadette’s will take part in a special retreat day focused on the theme of welcoming others. We will be working with participants from Stories of Hope and Home , sharing experiences and learning how we can better support and stand alongside refugees and asylum seekers. During the day, staff will plan a range of activities for a ‘Day of Action’ on Wednesday 19th June, including letter writing, school visits, creative projects and liturgies. We are excited to be working with Emma from Asylum Matters to develop our ideas. The retreat will end with a special Mass celebrated by Fr John Boles. On 21st March, some of our Year 5 and Year 6 Mini Vinnies delivered the generous donations from families and staff to St Chad’s Sanctuary. While they were there, they also volunteered their time by helping to prepare food and hygiene packs for refugees. We are proud of their compassion and willingness to serve others in need. Easter Egg Competition 2025- Countries around the world As you know, we hold an Easter Egg decorating competition each year for children in KS1 and KS2. To celebrate our school’s cultural diversity, this year's theme was ‘Countries Around the World’. The entries were spectacular and incredibly creative! Thank you to all the families who took part, and a special thanks to Mr. Wayne and Miss Boron for organising the event. March 2025 Miss Finnegan's Family Story From Dublin to Birmingham My nan was originally from Portobello, Dublin, but her family’s roots stretch back even further - to France. They were originally Huguenot refugees who fled religious persecution and settled in Ireland. In the 19th century, my nan’s mother converted to Catholicism, a faith that became a guiding force in my nan’s life. My grandad was from Loughrea, Galway, where his family were dairy farmers. He moved to Dublin to start a job in the Military Police and that’s where fate brought him and my nan together in 1949. They were married at St. Kevin’s Church in Dublin and soon after they began dreaming of a new life in Australia. Their journey started in 1950 with a boat trip to Liverpool, followed by a stop in Birmingham, where they settled for a short time on Coventry Road in Small Heath. It was here that they heard life in Australia wasn’t as wonderful as people had made it out to be. If only they hadn’t listened, I might be sunning myself on Bondi Beach right now! My nan and grandad decided to stay in Birmingham and they made a life for themselves. They later moved to Edgbaston and then settled in Ladywood, where they raised a family of eight children. My grandad worked hard at Dunlop, while my nan owned two hairdressing salons and rented out flats on the Hagley Road. Although they were settled in Birmingham, it never truly felt like home for my nan. She would have returned to Dublin in a heartbeat if life had allowed it. Her faith remained a source of strength. She attended weekly Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on Dudley Road, where her faith and the Irish community gave her comfort and belonging. Birmingham, however, became the foundation for future generations. My mum moved from Alnwick, Northumberland, to Birmingham, where she met my dad. They were married at St. Patrick’s and I was baptised there too. Even though my grandparents’ move to Birmingham wasn’t meant to be permanent and my nan always longed to return to Dublin, I’m grateful they stayed. Even though I no longer live in Birmingham, it always feels like home to me! My grandad on the left with his brothers. My Nan and her dad. School of Sanctuary February 2025 Mrs. Begum’s Parent’s Immigration Story Hi My name is Mrs Begum. I am was born in Birmingham and I would like to share my parents Migration story. My dad was born in 1950 in Dadyal, Pakistan and was one of 6 children. I wanted to start with how my Grandad came to England first which then paved the way for my dad’s journey. My grandad came in 1950 and after working very very hard was able to buy his own house. However, he didn’t live alone, along with my dad he actually lived with 15 other men in the same house it was very crowded!!! All of the men worked different shifts and very long hours. My grandad and dad took it in turns to cook during the day and the others helped when they could in between their shifts. It was very difficult at times as they didn’t earn a lot of money and worked very long hours. Any spare money they had was very rarely spent on themselves as they were all trying to support their families back home however they did enjoy the odd trip to the cinema. My Grandad’s hard work in England all those years ago then paved the way my father’s own journey. My dad came to England with my grandad in 1963 at the age of 13. This was not an easy thing to do but due to my Grandfather’s determination to give his son a better life that journey was made possible. They made the journey from Pakistan to England on an aeroplane which was very uncommon in those days. When my dad first came to England he went straight into Secondary school where he started his education. His first job was in a factory where they made electrical items and although the pay was not a lot he still managed to support his family back in Pakistan. He then became a truck driver but he always dreamed of furthering his education. A couple of years later he achieved his dream. He attended college and through hard work and study he became a Mechanical Engineer. One of the highlights of his career was actually building his own car along with his two colleagues. Their achievements were celebrated and published in the newspaper. My father then went on to start his own business in Mechanics and opened his own garage. In this time my Father also married my mother and started their own family. We lived in a diverse community with people from all over the world. We had heard that some people had faced racial discrimination but we had not experienced this. The community we lived in was loving, caring and very supportive of one another. We were so lucky as I know this was very different for others. We played together we went to school together and supported each other. In fact, the community was that close we even cooked and shared meals with each other. My parent’s English was limited when they first came to England but because of being integrated into such a loving community their English improved and they very quickly became fluent. I would like to say that the community they lived in continued to be a wonderful and safe place but unfortunately due to people’s attitudes changing towards immigration in the 1980’s my parent’s started to experience racial abuse which up to this point they had not. It was a very difficult time for them and other families that had settled in England from different parts of the world. Despite these difficulties they showed resilience, love and respect for others. They continued to raise their family with those same values and thankfully today we are living in one of the most diverse cities in the world full of different religions and different cultures and I think I am very lucky to live here. So thank you Mom and Dad for making that journey all those years ago. Mrs Begum Thank you to Jinette, a refugee from Cameroon and Steph, from the organisation Stories of Hope, for coming in to speak to the children of Saint Bernadette’s about the plight of asylum seekers. Olivia from 5CG wanted to show her thanks by making this amazing card to say thank you. Orange Heart Campaign – Week Beginning 10th February Children from Nursery and Reception took part in the Orange Heart Campaign, showing their support and solidarity for refugees. As part of this initiative, classes created posters with messages of kindness and hope, which were displayed around the school. On Valentine’s Day, the children made orange armbands to wear as a symbol of love and compassion for those fleeing war and persecution. We are proud of our children for embracing this important cause and spreading a message of kindness. A huge thank you to all the families who took part in the Orange Heart Art Competition. We were amazed by the wonderful range of creative and thought-provoking artwork submitted. As a token of our support for refugees, the children’s artwork will be taken to St. Chad’s Sanctuary, where it will serve as a message of kindness, solidarity and hope. Well done to all the children who participated, your artwork truly makes a difference! School Council have had a very busy 2 weeks! Meeting with Asylum Seekers- Thursday 6th February School Council were lucky enough to meet with Janette, an asylum seeker who moved from Cameroon to the UK in 2023. Alongside her translator, we were able to ask some questions about her transition to the UK. We covered a broad range of topics such as her journey, change of culture, mental health and her family. School Council thought of some challenging and insightful questions and both of our visitors were impressed with the thought we put in. We looked at a map where we saw Cameroon and all the countries that bordered it. We could also see all the other countries that asylum seekers have come from and discussed why they may have chosen to move away. It was an interesting and thought-provoking lunchtime and we are grateful to our visitors for giving us a first-hand insight on what it is like to be an Asylum seeker. Orange Heart Campaign- Friday 14th February. For Valentine’s Day, we have made Orange heart cards to send to our local MPs. We wanted to show them that St Bernadette’s welcomes all and we support those who need it most. We are asking our local MPs to have more empathy and to continue to do all they can to support refugees and asylum seekers. We worked together to make cards, writing messages of support and drawing orange hearts. On Thursday, some school councillors walked to the post box to deliver these. Miss Coley and Ms Mohammad are so proud of School Council for being so mature and thoughtful whilst we explore a complex topic. They are fantastic role models for the rest of school! Mrs Hussain's Story As part of our work towards the School of Sanctuary Award, we want to share some personal stories from our staff about migration. These stories, while not about asylum seekers or refugees, offer insight into what it’s like to start a new life in a different Country. My dad moved to Birmingham when he was around 10 years old, with the intention to support his family back home in Pakistan. At such a young age, the weight of those responsibilities felt heavy as he had 4 younger siblings and his widowed mother thousands of miles away struggling to live in difficult conditions. He was the first in his family to move to England and longed to start a new life here, with the hope of inviting his family in the years to come. He had to grow up fast, working hard in school and doing whatever he could to help his family, even though he was still just a young boy who had also lost his father at such a young age. He lived in shared accommodation and at such a young age, this was a struggle. The people that he lived with were kind, but the adjustment to a new culture, language, and life wasn’t simple. My amazing dad spent hours studying, determined to make something of himself, but at times, it felt like he would never see his family again. He missed his old life in Pakistan, and the pressure to succeed was always a lingering thought in his mind. He yearned to make his family proud, but at such a young age, wasn’t quite sure how to. Both his determination and drive helped him to complete college, and he became an electrician, which provided him with somewhat of a stable income which meant he could support his struggling family back home. At the age of around 18, my brave dad made the bold decision to leave Birmingham and move to Leeds, a decision that I will be forever grateful for! This new move enabled him to begin a career and something that he is still passionate about today. It was a new chapter, one where he could build his future in the not so sunny but the incredible county of Yorkshire, a place that will always be home. After a few years he met my mum, who also made the huge move to England at the age of 19. After getting married, they eventually moved to a quiet, small village in Yorkshire. The village was a far cry from the hustle of the city, but it felt like the right place to settle down, start a family of their own, and create a life that my dad's own father would’ve been unbelievably proud of. Through it all, his journey was a testament to resilience—a young boy who had to become a man before his time, and in the end, built a life full of hope and new beginnings. My dad's humble beginnings in Birmingham will always be incredibly special to me and when I myself moved to Birmingham 5 years ago, I felt that I was continuing in his footsteps in a city he still loves to this day. I spent the first year reliving his steps, visiting the places he cherished and recreating old photographs from his youth. He still enjoys pulling out the comparison photographs and is adamant his are better, however I beg to differ! To this day, he will still tell me how to get to places and that I am completely following the wrong directions, and as always, he is entirely correct! I will be eternally grateful to both my parents for moving from their home country of Pakistan, although it is a place that will always be home for our entire family, the living conditions are still incredibly difficult to endure. If it wasn’t for their unwavering bravery, my entire family wouldn’t have the access to the incredible life that we are blessed with today. Birmingham will always be a special place to my dad, and even though my small village in Yorkshire will always be home for me, I’m glad that my amazing dad still has a connection to Birmingham through his daughter living here. January 2024 Pilgrimage of Hope: Refugee Journey On Monday 27th January, classes in KS2 and Year had the opportunity to take part in a Pilgrimage of Hope, reflecting on the journey of refugees. Station 1 Packing for a Journey : The children put themselves in a refugee’s shoes and imagined what they would pack if they had to flee their home at short notice. Station 3 The Long Journey : The children imagined the exhausting and dangerous journey, often across deserts, mountains, and forests, in search of safety. Station 5 Final Journey : The children reflected on the final stage of a refugee’s journey, where emotions mixed between relief, excitement, and nervousness as they arrived at their new home. Station 2 Emotional Goodbyes : They thought about the emotional goodbyes that refugees must face as they leave everything behind. Station 4 Refugee Camps : They paused to consider life in refugee camps, where some refugees wait years before being granted asylum. Station 6 A New Home : At the final station, they discussed what it might be like to arrive in a foreign land with a new language and culture. This pilgrimage was linked to the Jubilee Year's theme of Pilgrims of Hope, encouraging us all to walk alongside those who are displaced, offering empathy, support, and a shared journey of hope. It also reminded us to keep our hope in God, trusting that He was with us on every journey, and that with faith, we could bring hope to others. Watch this video capturing the pilgrims in 4KL. Miss Corkery’s Family Story As part of our work towards the School of Sanctuary Award , we want to share some personal stories from our staff about migration. These stories, while not about asylum seekers or refugees, offer insight into what it’s like to start a new life in a different country. My family’s journey to Birmingham is a story of hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life. Like many families, we’ve experienced big moves and faced challenges along the way. It all began in Ireland, where both of my parents were born. My dad was one of seven children raised by a Headteacher Grandad and Granny, while my mum was the eldest of three, raised by my Granny, a housewife, and my Grandad, a sales representative. My dad graduated from Medical School in Cork 66 years ago, and my mum worked as a medical secretary at the General Hospital in Cork. They were married in 1964, and my brother was born soon after. In search of better career opportunities, my parents decided to leave Ireland and moved to London, where my oldest sister was born. Life in London wasn’t easy. Dad worked long hours, and my mum, alone in a new city, faced hostility from some of their neighbours, as Irish immigrants weren’t always welcomed. Despite the difficulties, they persevered. From London, they moved to Sheffield, where my next sister was born. But when a big opportunity came to move to Canada, my parents didn’t hesitate. They crossed the ocean, seeking a brighter future for their growing family. It was in Canada that my next eldest sister was born. Eventually, my parents returned to the UK, settling in Birmingham, where my dad became one of only six Paediatric Surgeons in the country at the time. Today, there are often that many in a single hospital! Birmingham became home, and it’s where I was born—the youngest of five siblings. My dad’s dedication to his work went beyond the hospital. He built connections with doctors from around the world, often welcoming them into our home, where my mum would cook for up to 15 people at a time! My mum was a tireless homemaker, caring for all of us and later working as a secretary at a multi-faith centre. My parents instilled a strong work ethic in us, showing us the value of family, teamwork, and perseverance. Even in difficult times, they supported each other and ensured we had a loving home. At one point, all five siblings followed in their footsteps of dedication and service, becoming teachers in Birmingham—a testament to the values they passed on to us. When my mum fell ill last year, we returned the care she had always given us, looking after her in her final days. Her passing taught me more about living than I ever imagined. Watching my dad grow older is bittersweet, but it reminds me daily of the importance of family and how blessed we are. My family’s story is one of migration, determination, and love—a testament to how hard work and hope can create a brighter future. Mrs Canning’s Migration Story. I was born and raised in Dundalk, Co. Louth, sharing a secondary school with the Corrs, interviewing Steve Staunton for my school magazine and even managing to achieve fifteen minutes of fame next to Dustin the Turkey on Den TV. After completing my degree in University College Dublin, I was offered a place on a teacher training course in Ireland, specialising in English; I was also offered a teaching position in Dubai. But no, the bright lights of Birmingham were calling and in September 2008 I moved to Bartley Green. My plan was simple: train to be a teacher, finish the course in a year, and then head back home. Just one year, I told myself. Easy, right? Well, it turns out the universe had other plans. That one year turned into something much bigger, thanks to a city I never expected to fall for: Birmingham. Let me start with my first impressions. I arrived ready to dive into my studies but completely unprepared for the Brummie accent. "Yow alright?" threw me off entirely. Was it a question? A statement? A secret code? As much as I tried to embrace this new adventure, there were things I deeply missed: my family and friends, of course, but if I’m honest my deeper yearning was for Tayto crisps, Club Orange, and, of course, a proper portion of curry chips. No amount of hunting could replace those little comforts of home so I resorted to smuggling Lyon’s tea back after every trip to Ireland. The curry chip in my pocket did not fare so well! But as I settled in, something clicked. People from every corner of the world living, working, and celebrating together. It was like a living tapestry of cultures, and I was hooked. What made it even more special was knowing that my family’s roots were intertwined with Birmingham’s story. My parents had moved here in the 1970s, looking for work and a better life. My two older sisters were born here, adding to the family legacy. After seven years, they returned to Ireland, but the connection to Birmingham never really faded. Even my brother came back here years later for work. So, in a way, I wasn’t just starting a new chapter—I was continuing a family tradition. Training to be a teacher was no walk in the park. There were moments of self-doubt, cultural adjustments (little break, copybooks and principal, for instance), and the occasional day where I questioned if I’d made the right choice. Teaching phonics was particularly challenging. As an Irish person who struggled with ‘th’ words, it felt almost cruel to teach children how to pronounce “think” when I couldn’t get it right myself! I’d break out in a cold sweat every time a school trip to the Thinktank was mentioned—the irony wasn’t lost on me. Through it all, the resilience my family instilled in me kept me going. Hard work, commitment, and service to the community weren’t just words; they were a way of life. Birmingham’s people made it easy to stay. I found friendships that felt like family and communities that welcomed me with open arms; the staff at St. Bernadette's became my extended family. The city’s heartbeat—its mix of history, progress, and endless cups of tea—became my own. By the time I finished my course, the idea of leaving felt unthinkable. Fast forward sixteen years and I’m married to a Blues fan (much to the horror of my Villa-loving family) and have a two-year-old child with a very pronounced Brummie accent. Looking back, I came to Birmingham expecting a temporary stop. What I found was a home. It’s funny how life works like that. The city, with all its quirks and charms, became part of my story. So here I am, years later, still in Birmingham, still learning, still teaching, still missing Tayto crisps, and still trying to master the art of navigating Spaghetti Junction without panicking. And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. December 2024 For some time now, our news media has been reporting stories about migrants, refugees, small boats, the expense of housing people in hotels etc. Much of this has been quite misleading and dehumanising with inaccuracies and wrong ideas taking hold in the minds of many. As a Catholic school, St Bernadette’s is looking to explore the realities of the asylum system and the experiences of people going through it right now. Our mission statement makes clear that, “… We follow the ways of Jesus using our talents and gifts to make our school special.” We must never forget that Jesus himself was a refugee. We will therefore, be seeking to gain the award of ‘School of Sanctuary’. Stories of Hope and Home Stories of Hope and Home is a project focused around building a community and creating a safe space in which Asylum Seekers and Refugees can explore and share their stories. It encourages and empowers them to discover their voice, allowing them to share their narrative in their own words, and helping to realise that their stories, individually and collectively have worth and value. By taking these stories: expressed through storytelling, poetry, theatre and other media; to others, particularly in educational settings, the stories become powerful points of encounter with other sectors of the community, helping to educate, to change perceptions and to build positive relationships. This year the money raised at our Carol service will be donated to this charity. Mrs Robinson’s Migration Story This week we have a migration story from Ireland to England in 1959. It is a story of true strength and resilience that Mrs Robinson’s family became settled in England. My parents came to England from Tipperary, in Ireland. They lived in a small village called Portroe. Mom and Dad went to school together and lived doors away from each other. My two older brothers were born in Tipperarary. Mom and Dad came to England in late 1959 leaving my two older brothers with our two sets of grandparents. They travelled here to find work as Dad had lost his job at the silver mines. When they arrived, they slept on the floor in my auntie’s living room. They found life very difficult, being turned away from lodgings and Dad turned away from jobs as soon as they spoke, as they both had very broad Irish accents. This upset my mom very much and I remember her telling us people were very cruel and harsh, she often said they would shout at her and called her dirty and other names. Mom was also missing the boys who were only 2 and 1 years old but they never gave up looking for a home or jobs in which to support their family. Eventually, they found lodgings in a hostel for a few weeks and dad got a job working for the council as a bin man, a job he came to love. Not long after this, they found a home in Hockley. Mum told us it was small, but it was a home, so mom travelled back to Ireland to bring the boys over as she missed them so much. This was in the early months of 1960. When she arrived back here with the boys, she was happy and started to make a life for her young family, dealing daily with people being unkind to her but she was strong and stood her ground. She told us about her first council home, it had no glass in the windows, and the family sat on tea chests and drank out of jam jars but she was proud of that home in Ford street Hockley. She made a home for the boys and the council fitted the glass in the windows. Shortly after she discovered she was expecting my brother Tom. She was a little unsettled as she had only her sister for support. Not long after, whilst she was cooking dinner for dad and the boys, there was a knock at the front door, she opened the door to find her mother and father with suitcases in their hand, they came over to see the boys as they missed them so much. A few days later my dad’s parents also arrived. Although my parents thought it was just a short holiday for both sets of parents, they never returned home. As the family grew and mum had support, she looked for work herself and worked at Lucas in Hockley. They employed a lot of Irish people, but her supervisor was often unkind to them calling them names. The family moved to Rednal as it had grown by another two. So, my three older brothers and sister spent lots of happy times on the Lickey Hills having family picnics with mom and dad. Mom often talked about the back-to-back house she lived in and the friends they made and how life became easier for them. My parents struggled living here at times, but they stayed strong as a family. We soon became a family of 8! Miss Abdi In 2015 I moved to Bristol from Somalia on a spouse visa. My husband was living here so I came to join him. We were living in a rented home and my husband had good job. Shortly after I gave birth to my daughter we were happily family. I moved away to Birmingham with my daughter after a few years and we stayed with my aunt. I was advised to go to a homeless centre to get somewhere to stay. I was given temporary accommodation. I lived there for a few months until I got my permanent home. I did not have any bad experiences while I was settling in England. I started going to college to learn English language but this was not too much of a struggle because I was doing my degree back home. While here, I studied health and social care level 3. After that I signed up with an agency and I started working. I worked in different schools as a Special Needs teaching assistant. This brought me to St.Bernadette's in 2022. I worked in different year bands with a lot of different children. I also did some 1:1 and group work here. I am settled here now and enjoy supporting the children in their learning. One of the most special times in my life was when I went back home to visit my family, two years ago. It was lovely time to see my family again. November 2024 Year 4 Charity Fundraising – St. Chad’s Sanctuary Each half term, children in each year group take responsibility for charity work, choosing a charity to support as part of their commitment to serving others. These activities provide our children with valuable opportunities to practice selflessness, generosity, and compassion while deepening their understanding of solidarity and the responsibility we all share to care for and support members of God’s Family. This term, Year 4 has chosen to raise money for St. Chad’s Sanctuary, a voluntary project supported by many friends, including St. Chad’s Cathedral and The Salvation Army. St. Chad’s Sanctuary is a place of welcome and hospitality for asylum seekers and refugees, offering practical support, English classes, and signposting to other services. This ties closely to our work towards the School of Sanctuary Award, as we aim to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. From Monday 25th November to Friday 6th December December, Year 4 will be raffling tickets for their Holiday Hampers to support this wonderful cause. A single ticket will be £1, three tickets for £2 and five tickets for £3. Last year, the Holiday Hampers were extremely popular, filled with perfect treats for Christmas and this year’s are just as exciting! 🎄 Don’t miss your chance to participate and support such an important initiative. Below are examples of the hampers from last year! Miss Odeta's Journey – A Story of Resilience and Determination As part of our work towards the School of Sanctuary Award, we want to share some personal stories from our staff about migration. These stories, while not about asylum seekers or refugees, offer insight into what it’s like to start a new life in a different country. Miss Odeta, one of our valued teaching assistants, has an inspiring story to share. In 2006, 18 years ago, she made the brave decision to travel to England on her own. Two years earlier, Lithuania had joined the European Union, and at a young age, she sought independence and new opportunities. She had always been intrigued by England, a country she had learned about in school and seen in enticing images. While studying in Lithuania, she wanted to earn some money during the summer holidays, which led her to move here. She settled in Dorset, a place vastly different from the Lithuanian countryside she was familiar with. Living in a small seaside village, she noticed there weren’t many people or pavements around and assumed most of England was like this. Her perspective changed dramatically during her first visit to London, where she experienced the hustle and bustle of city life and realised the diversity of the UK. In her early days in England, Miss Odeta faced challenges. She worked in a laundry, travelling up a steep hill daily. Some of her colleagues displayed unwelcome attitudes, which made her feel undervalued. However, once she had talked diplomatically to the manager things improved. This shows Miss Odeta is driven by a correct, fair attitude to all people. Her life in England took a new turn when her son was born in Dorset. When he was five months old, they moved to Birmingham. In 2011 her son joined our school nursery and in 2012 Miss Odeta began volunteering at St. Bernadette’s. While volunteering in our nursery, she discovered a passion for working with children, leading her to complete Level 2 and Level 3 Teaching Assistant courses at Solihull College. During this time, she juggled her studies, work and motherhood, demonstrating remarkable perseverance. After completing her qualifications, Miss Odeta welcomed her daughter and continued to work night shifts in a care home while supporting her family. Her love for St. Bernadette’s inspired her to apply for a lunchtime supervisor role, where she worked for three years. Her enthusiasm and dedication motivated her to apply for a teaching assistant role last year, and she now works in Year 6, supporting both teachers and pupils. Miss Odeta’s story is a testament to her resilience, adaptability and passion for education. She has overcome challenges, embraced opportunities and dedicated herself to creating a positive impact in our school community. We are incredibly proud to have her as part of our team. Through these personal stories, we hope to foster greater understanding and appreciation of the diverse journeys that make up our school community as we continue working towards our School of Sanctuary Award. In support of our School of Sanctuary Award over the next few weeks, we would like to share with you some of the stories from the staff about migration. Mrs Docker has written the story about how her mum and dad came to live in England. While these are not stories of asylum seekers or refugees, the stories give us an idea of what it is like to have to start a new life in a new country. As a Catholic School we would fully embrace any new arrivals no matter what their story or past. Although the Award is about enforced migration we can relate to each other better if we respect our differences. These could be from our customs including the type of food we eat, our first language or where we worship. The aim of achieving our award is to help people live in safety with a sense of belonging where they can thrive and live with dignity as well as contributing so much to our society. Our display in the entrance hall of school shows a map of the world and identifies the many countries around the world that our pupils and their families originate from. We are very blessed to have such a varied and diverse school community with a wealth and range of different experiences, customs and religions. Mrs Docker's Story “It is with total pride and an honour that I can share my own family’s migration story with you today. My mum had spent a privileged and very happy childhood growing up on the family farm in Galway Ireland where she was educated at a convent school and recalls such beautiful and simple tales of her life delivering eggs to neighbours on her push bike and travelling to mass on a horse and cart. My dad’s mother died when he was a baby and life was difficult as his father was left with 13 children to rear single-handedly. My dad often tells us how he had to walk to school (which he went to until age 14) without shoes. Mum and Dad chose to independently leave their beloved Ireland just like so many of their family and friends. The boat journey over to Liverpool was so daunting as they recalled how they had never stepped foot out of their own home place. Like so many young Irish, they left with a suitcase, their strong faith and beautiful values and a strong work ethic believing that England could offer them a bright future and most importantly employment. After a long and lonesome journey, the boat arrived in Liverpool port and it was there they called home. Although greeted with signs that said ‘No Irish need apply’, they both recalled how they were quickly helped by other Irish people and managed to get rooms. My dad ended up in a shared house where there were many men sharing a room and my mum lived with her elder sister (who had left Ireland a few years earlier) and helped her settle in. They soon found a circle of other people who were in the same situation as themselves - missing home, feeling unwanted at times and struggling to make a life for themselves. The resilience that they showed was incredible. Armed with their faith and a determined work ethic they made their way and secured work in a factory and enjoyed meeting up with fellow Irish at dances. Eventually Birmingham, with jobs in the car factories seemed the next step to an even more positive future. They often told us how Oxford Road in Acocks Green (which became their home for 60 years) was known as Little Ireland as every house had Irish families living in it. We are incredibly proud of our mum and dad who left their home country in order to build a better life. We were so fortunate to have had so many opportunities, a fantastic education and although we had very little money at times, we knew we were loved, we knew we were safe and we were taught beautiful values- to treat all people with respect and never forget your roots as well as knowing that where there is a will there is a way. This is a faith and a belief which I am proud to share at St Bernadette’s today. It is fitting that on their headstone it says, “they asked for so little but gave so much.” October 2024 Last week we celebrated our launch assembly as we work towards the School of Sanctuary Award. The children were exposed to the terms Migrant, Asylum Seeker and Refugee and began to develop their understanding of why some people are forced to seek sanctuary in a country other than where they were born. The children will begin to look at some of the reasons why people have been displaced from their country of origin and will begin to explore some of the prejudices that they encounter. Staff will listen to the stories of some of the Refugees that Miss Cowings met last week and will consider ways in which we can support them this academic year. Dear God, It is sad to think that people today live in a world where there is persecution and extreme suffering. We pray for anyone who is facing the prospect of being uprooted to find safety in a new place. We pray for protection and safety for people who are forced to leave home to seek safety elsewhere. We pray for strength and wisdom for those people who support refugees And for charity workers and agencies here in the UK who help refugees. We pray that refugees who need safety might find welcome in a new place, so they can feel secure and thrive in their new environment. We thank you for the many ways in which the UK has benefited from the creativity and resilience shown by many refugees in the past. Amen The children in y6 who were not at Alton Castle completed lots of work on Martin Luther King as part of Black History Month. We shared our hopes and dreams for the world, like Martin Luther King Jr. did in his famous speech, and thought especially about our hopes for refugees, asylum seekers and people who live their lives in fear and danger everyday (linked to School of Sanctuary). September 2024 Working Towards the School of Sanctuary Award This year, our school is excited to work towards the School of Sanctuary Award, an initiative designed to foster understanding and support for individuals seeking safety and sanctuary. During our recent inset day, staff received valuable training from our School of Sanctuary lead, Barbara, who provided insight into the programme's objectives. The Schools of Sanctuary programme aims to raise awareness about the experiences of those seeking sanctuary, challenge misconceptions and build empathy among our children, staff, governors, parents and the wider community. It also focuses on developing staff expertise in supporting new arrivals, ensuring that all children feel safe, welcome and are able to thrive in our school environment. Furthermore, we are encouraged to connect with local charities and community organisations to strengthen our shared commitment to welcoming those in need. Throughout the year, we will participate in various initiatives to raise awareness and support refugees in our local communities. Our activities will include:  Launch Assembly: We will hold a launch assembly next week to introduce the School of Sanctuary award to the children.  Literature-Based English Unit: A dedicated unit of work in English will focus on the theme of refugees, using literature to inspire and engage our children.  Shoebox Appeal: We will take part in the Christmas shoebox appeal to provide essential items for those in need.  Pilgrimage Day: Children in KS2 will participate in a ‘Pilgrimage Day’, walking in the shoes of refugees to raise awareness and foster empathy.  Guest Speakers: We will invite refugee organisations to our school to share their work and experiences.  Refugee Day: In June, we will celebrate Refugee Day with the theme of solidarity with refugees and their contributions to society. We are looking forward to an impactful year of learning, empathy, and community support as we strive to achieve the School of Sanctuary Award!

Pastoral Support PASTORAL SUPPORT Please take a look at the following websites where you will be able to access support from various organisations if needed. BARNARDO’S – Support for children, young people and families in need. Contact details: www.barnardos.org.uk , Helpline telephone: 0121-550-5271. SHELTER - Housing advise and homelessness. Contact details: www.shelter.org.uk , Telephone helpline number 0300-330-1234 MIND - Adult support for mental health, benefits and housing. Contact details: Birmingham mind.org.uk, Telephone 0121-262-3555 Support for key worker practical advice for staying at home taking care of your mental health support for work, benefits, and housing talking to children about coronavirus how to talk to your anxious child or teen about Coronavirus and much more WOMEN’S AID - Provides front line domestic violence and abuse support to women and children in Birmingham and Solihull area. Contact details: https://bswaid.org/ Contact telephone number: 0800 800 0028 (freephone helpline)/   07891 492327 for anyone who would have accessed the drop-in centres. Any women at risk of homelessness as a result of domestic violence and abuse in Birmingham can call the Housing Options HUB. Telephone number:  0800 169 9604   EDWARDS TRUST - Support for Children and Families facing loss and surviving bereavement across the West Midlands. Contact details: admin@edwardstrust.org.uk Bereavement telephone: 0121-454-1705 CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE - Support for Children and Families facing loss and surviving bereavement. Open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm Contact Telephone number: 0808 808 1677 Email: www.cruse.org.uk BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST - https://www.@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY - Offer family telephone support for those living in Solihull - 5 days a week  Contact telephone number: 0121 779 1734 Email: socialsolihull.org.uk How best to look after your own and/or your child mental and emotional wellbeing on a daily basis How to talk with children about COVID - 19 and their worries relayed to it How to support children to engage with learning at home How best to maintain social connections whilst complying with social distancing How to manage behaviour that can be challenging or difficult to manage  FOOD BANK VOUCHERS - These can be obtained from school. Your local Children’s Centre will also be able to offer you advice and may sign post you to other appropriate organisations. We also know that lots of children will be over hearing adult conversations, listening to the news, and have access to social media etc. all of which may leave them feeling confused and frightened. Please have a look at these links with your children to help them understand about coronavirus, social distancing and self-isolation as they may benefit from a simple explanation; https://nosycrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Coronavirus_INSwith-cover.pdf Further support can also be accessed through: CHILDLINE- 0800 1111 SHOUT 24/7 - free text service for children- text to 85258 CHILDMIND HTTPS://CHILDMIND.ORG/ARTICLE/HOW-MINDFULNESS-CAN-HELP-DURING-COVID-19/ provides simple mindfulness activities to do with children PAUSE - is a drop in mental health and emotional well-being service for under 25s it is currently offering telephone support from 10 am - 6 pm 7 days a week for children and their parents. contact no: 0207 841 4470  email: askbeam@childrenssociety.org.uk OUR ROOTS CIC offers free telephone counselling (CBT or talk therapy) info@ourrootscic.co.uk Telephone : 0121 439 9045  For support, advice and information in a crisis please contact one of the following: - YOUR GP or out of hours service - SAMARITANS on 116 123 free 24hr support - POLICE -Call 111 (open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year) - SANELINE on 0845 767 8000 (open 4:30 pm – 10:30pm every day) - CALM HELPLINE 0800 58 58 58 open 5pm – Midnight 365 days a year

Our Class Saints Our Lady of Lourdes Feast Day: 11th February The Patron Saint of Lourdes, Bodily Ills, Sick People, Asthmatics, and Protection from Diseases. Of course, Mary, Jesus’ mother, is the greatest saint. She has appeared to many people over the centuries. Each place she has appeared, she has been given a different title. Our Lady of Lourdes was the title she was given after she visited Bernadette Soubirous, a fourteen-year-old girl, in 1858. Bernadette lived in a poor house in Lourdes, France, with her parents, two brothers, and a sister. It used to be a jail! One day Bernadette was out with her sister and a friend to gather wood for the fire. Bernadette, who had asthma and was often sick, did not cross over the stream to gather wood on the other side with her sister and friend. While they were gone, Bernadette heard a noise near a cave-like area and went to investigate. There, Bernadette saw a lovely lady dressed in white who had a blue sash around her waist and a rose on each foot. She was beautiful! Bernadette prayed the rosary with this lady before she disappeared. The lady asked her to come back again. The lady appeared to Bernadette a total of eighteen times. Bernadette was teased and laughed at; many believed that she was either imagining the appearances of Our Lady or making it up. When a spring miraculously appeared after one of the visions, many who doubted her began to believe. Those who bathed in the spring were often cured of serious sickness or disability. Eventually, the lady identified herself: “I am the Immaculate Conception,” she told Bernadette. It was then that people realised it was Mary, the mother of God, appearing to Bernadette. Our Lady’s appearance at Lourdes to a simple, poor girl, can help us see the beauty in poverty and can remind us that our Mother knows us, loves us, and is always with us. ‘For those you believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible,’ (The Song of Bernadette). Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. St. Bernadette Feast Day: 16th April The Patron Saint of Illness, People Ridiculed for their Piety, Poverty, Shepherds, Shepherdesses, and Lourdes, France. St. Bernadette was born in Lourdes, France, on 7th January 1844. Her parents were poor, and she was the first of nine children. She was baptised at the local parish church St. Pierre’s, on 9th January. As a toddler, Bernadette contracted cholera and suffered extreme asthma. Unfortunately, she lived the rest of her life in poor health. On Thursday, 11th February 1858, fourteen-year-old Bernadette was sent with her younger sister and a friend to gather firewood when a very beautiful lady appeared to her above a rose bush in a grotto called Massabielle (Tuta de Massavielha). The woman wore blue and white and smiled at Bernadette before making the sign of the cross with a rosary of ivory and gold. Bernadette fell to her knees, took out her rosary, and began praying. Bernadette later described the woman as ‘uo petito damizelo’, meaning ‘a small young lady’. Though her sister and friend claimed they could not see her, Bernadette knew what she saw was real. On 18th February, Bernadette said ‘the vision’ asked her to return to the grotto daily for a fortnight. When Bernadette began to visit the grotto, her parents were embarrassed and attempted to stop her but could not do so. On 25th February, Bernadette claimed to have had a life-changing vision. The vision had told her ‘to drink the spring’s water, to wash in it and to eat the herb that grew there’ as an act of penance. The next day, the grotto's muddy waters had cleared, and freshwater flowed. Though many townspeople believed she had been seeing the Holy Virgin, Bernadette's story created a division in her town. Many thought she was telling the truth, while others believed she had a mental illness and demanded she be put in a mental asylum. Some believed Bernadette's visions meant she needed to pray for penance. Church authorities and the French government rigorously interviewed the girl, and by 1862 they confirmed she spoke the truth. Since Bernadette first caused the spring to produce clean water, 69 cures have been verified by the Lourdes Medical Bureau, and after what the Church claimed were "extremely rigorous scientific and medical examinations," no one could explain what caused the cures. Following the miracles, Bernadette decided she did not like the attention she was getting and went to the hospice school run by the Sisters of Charity of Nevers, where she was taught to read and write. Though she considered joining the Carmelites, her health was too fragile. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the bone in her right knee and could not participate in convent life. She died in the Sainte Croix (Holy Cross) Infirmary of the Convent of Saint-Gildard at the age of 35 on April 16, 1879, while praying the holy rosary. St. Bernadette, pray for us. St. Patrick Feast Day: 17th March The Patron Saint of Ireland and Nigeria. When Patrick was about sixteen, he was captured by pirates from his home in Roman Britain and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he looked after animals. He lived there for six years, and during this time, he learned the local language and became closer to God. Patrick escaped captivity and returned to his family in his early twenties. He later travelled to France, where he trained in a monastery, possibly under Saint Germain, the Bishop of Auxerre. He dedicated his life to learning. Twelve years later, it is thought he returned to Ireland sent with the Pope's blessing. As he knew the language, he could preach to people and baptise them, and he also married couples. He established monasteries, schools, and churches. He brought Christianity to Ireland and converted people to his religion. He is credited as the first bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland. Patrick used the three leaves of a shamrock to explain the holy trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). We cannot be certain exactly when Patrick was born or died, but there is evidence of him being in Ireland in the 5th Century. Saint Patrick's Day is observed on 17 March, the supposed date of his death. It is celebrated inside and outside Ireland as a religious and cultural holiday. In the dioceses in Ireland, it is a holy day of obligation. All around the world, St. Patrick and Ireland are celebrated on this day. St. Patrick, pray for us. St. Teresa of Calcutta Feast Day: 5th September The Patron Saint of World Youth Day, Missionaries of Charity, Archdiocese of Calcutta. Agnes Bojaxhiu was born in the city of Skopje, which is the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, in August 1910. Her mother died when she was eight years old, and her father brought her up. At eighteen, she went to Ireland, joined the Sisters of Lorreto, and became a missionary in India. Based in Darjeeling, she learnt the language to teach in a local school. Eight years later, she made her solemn vows and took the name Teresa after Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. In 1946 she had what she called “the call within the call” and experienced interior visions that led her to the conviction that Christ was calling her to serve “the poorest of the poor.” Inspired by what she was doing, many other women joined her. This is how the Missionaries of Charity were formed, and she became known as Mother Teresa. Her legacy continues today through the work of over 4500 sisters who care for people worldwide and run schools, soup kitchens and homes for orphaned children. During her life, she won awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and India’s highest civilian award in 1980. In 2003 Pope John Paul II began the process of making her a saint, and she was canonised as St. Teresa of Calcutta in September 2016 by Pope Francis. St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us. St. George Feast day: 23rd April The Patron Saint of England St. George was raised a Christian and always wanted to be a soldier. When he was old enough, he joined the army. The man in charge of the army, Diocletian, hated Christians and had many put to death. Diocletian decided that everyone in his army must worship him and the Roman gods instead. George refused even though the army officials begged him to deny the one true God. Knowing that he would soon be arrested and executed, George gave all his money to the poor and prepared himself for death. He was cruelly tortured and then beheaded on April 23, 303. He is most famous for the legend of St. George and the Dragon. In a city called Silene lived a dragon who breathed fire. The dragon poisoned the countryside. To please the dragon, the people of Silene gave it a sheep every day for food, and when there were no more sheep, they gave their children to the dragon. The children were chosen by a lottery. One year, the lottery chose the King's daughter. The King, sad and desperate, asked the people to take all his gold, silver, and half of his empire - but only if his daughter could be saved. The people refused. The daughter was sent out to the lake, dressed in white as a bride, to be a fine meal for the dragon. Not knowing this, St. George rode past the lake the same day. The princess, terrified and trembling, tried to send him away, but George said he would stay and protect her. The dragon came suddenly out of the lake while they were speaking. St. George made the Sign of the Cross, jumped on his horse and advanced toward the dragon. He used his long spear to hurt the dragon badly. Then he asked the princess to throw her long belt at him. He put the silk belt around the dragon's neck, and the dragon followed the girl. The Princess and St. George took the dragon back to Silene, where the people were terrified to see the dragon enter. But Saint George told them not to be scared. He said that if the people became Christians and went to Church to be baptised, he would kill the dragon immediately. The king and the people of Silene converted to Christianity; George killed the dragon with his sword, 'Ascalon', and its body was taken out of the city on carts. Fifteen thousand men were baptised, not counting women and children. The king built a Church for the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. George on the site where the dragon died. On St. George's Day, some people in England wear a red rose or put an English flag in their window. The flag of England is white with a red cross. The flag’s design is often called 'The Saint George Cross'. St. George, pray for us. St. Joseph Feast Day: 19th March The Patron Saint of Fathers, the Catholic Church, Unborn Children, Happy Death, Carpenters, Pilgrims, and Immigrants (to name a few). Joseph was the husband of Mary and Jesus’ foster father. Saints Luke and Matthew both comment that he is a descendant of David, considered the greatest king of Israel (Matthew 1:1-16 and Luke 3:23-38). From the Bible, we learn that he was a carpenter and a hard-working man. He was not thought to be rich as when he and Mary presented Jesus in the temple; he offered two turtledoves as a sacrifice, which was allowed if you could not afford a lamb (Luke 2:24). There are no spoken words recorded by Saint Joseph in the Bible. Joseph was a man of action and protected Jesus when God told him to go to Egypt and protect Jesus from King Herod. He was compassionate and loving towards Mary and Jesus and listened to and respected God. Since Joseph does not appear in Jesus' public life, at his death or resurrection, many believe Joseph probably died before Jesus entered public ministry. It is believed that he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, so he is the patron of a happy death. Saint Joseph’s feast day is 19th March which is always during Lent. Many countries worldwide celebrate and remember Saint Joseph’s life and example today. In Spain, people celebrate Father’s Day, El Dia del Padre, on this day. St. Joseph, pray for us. St. Cecilia Feast day: 22nd November The Patron Saint of Music and Musicians. Cecilia was a Roman noblewoman who had given her heart to Christ. Cecilia's parents gave her in marriage to a young pagan noble, Valerian of Trastevere. Cecilia is considered the patroness of music because, during the wedding celebration, the lovely bride sat apart, singing a hymn of love to God in her heart and praying for his help. Cecilia told her husband, "I have a secret to tell you. You must know that I have an angel of God watching over me.” Valerian was surprised and said kindly, "Show me this angel. If he comes from God, I will do as you wish." Cecilia said, "If you believe in the one true God and receive the waters of Baptism, then you will see my angel." Valerian went to Bishop Urban and was received with joy. After he had professed his belief, he was baptised and returned to St. Cecilia. Thereby the saint's side, the young man saw the splendid angel. The angel placed a crown on each of their heads and offered Valerian a favour, and Valerian asked that his brother also be baptised. Valerian's brother, Tiburtius, learned of the faith from Cecilia. She spoke so beautifully of Jesus, and as a result, he was baptised before long. Together the two brothers performed many works of charity and mercy, like burying dead martyrs. When arrested, they bravely went to death rather than give up their new faith in Jesus. St. Cecilia lovingly buried their bodies before she, too, was arrested. As St. Cecilia was dying, she lay pointing three fingers on one hand and one finger on the other to profess her belief in the Blessed Trinity. When her tomb was opened about one thousand five hundred years later in Rome, her body was still found perfect and incorrupt. St. Cecilia, pray for us. St. Catherine of Siena Feast Day: 29th April The Patron Saint of Italy. She was born in Siena and died in Rome. She promoted peace in Italy and is one of Italy’s two patron saints: Saint Francis of Assisi. She was born Katerina de Benincasa in western Italy, the 25th of 25 children. She was born during the Black Death or Bubonic Plague. Although it probably killed many she knew, she did not contract the disease and survived the epidemic. She had a twin sister, who died several months later. Her family was part of the lower classes, and she did not become literate until 1378. At the age of six, Catherine had a vision of Jesus Christ. She continued to receive many visions throughout her life. At age 12, Catherine cut off her hair and was obligated to serve her family, living in small quarters in the basement. At 16, she entered the Third Order of St. Dominic and later became a Dominican nun. She wrote a book called Dialogue, which taught that if you love your neighbours, it is loving God. She also devoted her life to improving the Catholic church, helping the ill, poor, and spiritually underprivileged. Catherine persuaded the pope to return from Avignon, France and back to Rome. She also tried to start a new Crusade to the holy land, Jerusalem. She died of “holy anorexia” as she ate very little in the name of God. She became a saint in 1461 and was later made a Doctor of the Church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI and a patron of Europe in 1999. St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us. St. Augustine of Hippo Feast Day: 28th August The Patron Saint of Converts to Christianity, Printers and Theologians. Augustine was originally from North Africa. Also known as Augustine of Hippo, he was born in the Roman province of Numidia (modern-day Algeria) to a Christian mother and a pagan father. The young Augustine attended school for several years, where he became acquainted with Latin literature after showing an aptitude for his studies. Despite his academic brilliance, Augustine never managed to master Greek: his first teacher had been strict and beaten his students, so Augustine rebelled and responded by refusing to study. He never managed to learn properly later in life, which he said was a deep regret. He was, however, fluent in Latin and could make comprehensive and clever arguments. He was ordained a priest in Hippo and later became the Bishop of Hippo in 395. He preached between 6,000 and 10,000 sermons in his lifetime! In 430, the invasion into Roman Africa besieged Hippo. During the siege, Augustine was said to have miraculously healed an ill man. He died during the siege on 28 August, spending his final days absorbed in prayer and doing penance. Influenced by Greek and Roman philosophers, Augustine helped shape and create some of Western Christianity’s key theological ideas and doctrines, including those around original sin, divine grace and virtue. He is remembered today as one of the key theologians in Christianity, alongside St. Paul. St. Augustine, pray for us. St. Peter Feast day: 29th June The Patron Saint of Popes, Rome, and many cities that bear his name, such as St. Petersburg and Saint-Pierre. As a Former Fisherman, he is the Patron Saint of Netmakers, Shipbuilders, and Fishermen, and because he holds the “Keys of Heaven,” he is also the Patron Saint of Locksmiths. St. Peter, named Simon at birth, was a fisherman from the village of Bethsaida in Galilee. Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen before Jesus called them to follow him. One day as Peter and Andrew were mending their fishing nets, Jesus called out to the brothers. Jesus said, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Both brothers left their nets to become disciples of Jesus. After Jesus rose from the dead, Peter was among the first to see him alive. Peter’s given name was Simon, but Jesus gave him the name ‘Peter’, which means ‘rock.’ Jesus entrusted Peter with an extraordinary task. He appointed him the leader of the Church. Jesus said, "You are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). Peter received the Holy Spirit with the other disciples at Pentecost. The gifts of the Holy Spirit enabled him to carry out the mission of Jesus to witness the Gospel. He encouraged the early Christians to spread the Gospel message to people of all nations. Peter bravely accepted suffering for the sake of Christ as well. He was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. When he was released, he continued his mission. Then he went to Rome to preach the Gospel there. When a persecution of Christians broke out, Peter was arrested and killed. On 29th June, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of Saint Peter the Apostle. The historical accuracy of the accounts of Peter's role in Rome is a matter of ongoing debate. In art, he is often shown holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven (interpreted by Roman Catholics as a sign of his primacy over the Church), a reference to Matthew 16:19. Christian tradition says Saint Peter was the first leader of an early apostolic community for at least 34 years. At that time, the word Pope or ‘Papa’ was not used to name the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. At that time, there was only one Christian Church. Later, the Roman Catholic Church would say that Peter was their first Pope. St. Peter, pray for us. St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day: 4th October The Patron Saint of Animals, Merchants, and Ecology. Founder of the Franciscan Order and born at Assisi in Umbria in 1181, Francis enjoyed a rich, easy life growing up because of his father's wealth. He was originally named Giovanni Francesco Bernardone. From the beginning, everyone loved Francis. He was constantly happy, charming, and a born leader. If he was picky, people excused him. If he was ill, people took care of him. No one minded if he was so much of a dreamer or if he did poorly in school. No one tried to control him or teach him. As he grew up, Francis became the leader of a crowd of young people who spent their nights at wild parties. Like his father, he loved the country and songs of France. He was first interested in French troubadours, known as wanderers, who improvised songs on a stringed instrument. He was also good at business. However, Francis wanted more than wealth. He wanted to be a noble, a knight. Battles were the best place to win the glory and prestige he longed for. He got his first chance when Assisi declared war on their long-time enemy, the nearby town of Perugia. A call for knights for the Fourth Crusade gave Francis a chance for his dream. But he never got farther than one day's ride from Assisi. There he had a dream in which God told him he had it all wrong and told him to return home. And return home, he did. What must it have been like to return without ever making it to battle -- the boy who wanted nothing more than to be liked was humiliated, laughed at, and called a coward by the village. Francis' conversion did not happen overnight. God had waited for him for twenty-five years, and now it was Francis' turn to wait. He started to spend more time in prayer. He went off to a cave and wept for his sins. Sometimes God's grace overwhelmed him with joy. But life couldn't just stop for God. There was a business to run, customers to wait on. One day while riding through the countryside, Francis, the man who loved beauty, came face to face with a leper. Repelled by the appearance and the smell of the leper, he nevertheless jumped down from his horse and kissed the hand of the leper. When his kiss of peace was returned, Francis was filled with joy. As he rode off, he turned around for a last wave and saw that the leper had disappeared. He always looked upon it as a test from God... that he had passed. Francis’ father was not happy with his son’s conversion to humility and disowned him. Wearing nothing but castoff rags, Francis went off into the freezing woods -singing. And when robbers beat him later and took his clothes, he climbed out of the ditch and went off singing again. From then on, Francis had nothing... and yet everything. Slowly companions came to Francis. He knew he now had to have some kind of direction in this life. "Here is our rule," Francis said. He would do what no one thought possible anymore by the Gospel. Francis' brotherhood included all of God's creation. Much has been written about Francis' love of nature, but his relationship was deeper than that. He felt that nature and God's creations were part of his brotherhood. The sparrow was as much his brother as the Pope. Years of poverty and wandering had made Francis ill. His final years were filled with suffering as well as humiliation. Praying to share Christ's passion, he had a vision that received the stigmata, the marks of the nails and the lance wound Christ suffered in his own body. Francis never recovered from this illness. He died on 4th October 1226, at the age of 45. On his feast day, many churches have a ceremony for people to bring their pets and working animals to church. St. Francis, pray for us. St. Margaret Clitherow Feast Day: 26th March The Patron Saint of Businesswomen, Converts, Martyrs, Catholic Women's League, and Latin Mass Society. Clitherow was born Margaret Middleton in 1556, one of five children of Thomas and Jane Middleton. Her father was a respected businessman, a wax chandler, and Sheriff of York in 1564. He died when Margaret was fourteen. She married John Clitherow, a wealthy butcher and a city chamberlain, in 1571 and bore him three children. Margaret converted to Roman Catholicism in 1574. Although her husband belonged to the Established Church, he was supportive as his brother William was a Roman Catholic priest. He paid her fines for not attending church services. She was first imprisoned in 1577 for failing to attend church. Two more incarcerations at York Castle followed. Her third child, William, was born in prison. Margaret risked her life by harbouring and maintaining priests. She provided two chambers, where she kept priests hidden, and Mass was celebrated through the thick of the Roman Catholic persecution. Her home became one of northern England's most important hiding places for fugitive priests. She sent her older son, Henry, to the English College in France to train for the priesthood. Her husband was summoned by the authorities to explain why his oldest son had gone abroad, and in March 1586, the Clitherow house was searched. A frightened boy revealed the location of the priest’s hole. Margaret was arrested for the crime of harbouring Roman Catholic priests. She refused to plead innocent or guilty to prevent a trial involving her children being made to testify and being tortured. Although pregnant with her fourth child, she was executed on Lady Day, 1586 (which also happened to be Good Friday that year) in the Toll Booth at Ouse Bridge by being crushed to death. The two sergeants who should have carried out the execution hired four desperate beggars to do it instead. Following her execution, Queen Elizabeth I wrote to the citizens of York, expressing her horror at the treatment of a woman. Because of her gender, she argued, Clitherow should not have been executed. St. Margaret of Clitherow, pray for us. St. Nicholas Feast Day: 6th December The Patron Saint of Children, Coopers, Sailors, Fishermen, Merchants, Broadcasters, the Falsely Accused, Repentant Thieves and Brewers. St. Nicholas was born in the third century in Patara (modern-day Turkey) into a wealthy Christian family. When he was still very young, his parents died of an epidemic. He then sold his inheritance to help the poor and the suffering. Nicholas became the bishop of Myra when he was still a young man. He joined Saint Ambrose and Saint Severus in being appointed bishop without serving as a priest. He soon became widely known for his generosity and willingness to help those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. During the reign of Emperor Diocletian, who persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas was exiled and imprisoned for about five years. Bishop Nicholas died on December 6, 343. He was recognised as a saint before canonisation became a formal process in the 10th century. In those days, saints were declared by acclamation, which is the unanimous consent of the people. It is said that every year, the relics of St. Nicholas give off pure water that smells like rose water and is called manna or myrrh. The water is believed to have miraculous powers. It gradually seeps out of the tomb and is collected annually on St. Nicholas’ feast day, the 6th of December. The ‘manna’ helped to spread and foster the growth of the devotion to St. Nicholas. Throughout the years, history and legend have blended regarding the life of St. Nicholas. A well-known story established the tradition of St. Nicholas as a gift-giver. There was a woodcutter who had three daughters. In the days of Nicholas, when daughters were married, a father had to offer the potential husband a dowry – something valuable. A woman was likelier to marry a good man with a larger dowry. The poor woodcutter’s daughters had no dowry and would be sold into slavery. However, mysteriously, on three different nights, a bag of gold was tossed through an open window, landing in some stockings or shoes left by the fire to dry. Because of this gift by Nicholas, the three daughters were saved from slavery and given a future. Because of this story, the tradition of leaving shoes by the fireplace on St. Nicholas’ feast day began. On the feast day of St. Nicholas, it is customary for children to place their shoes by the fireplace, windowsill, or bedroom door for St. Nicholas to fill with toys, fruit, chocolate, and coins. Giving gifts on this feast day can re-centre the focus of Christmas on the birth of Christ instead of on presents. Every 6th December, St. Nicholas should remind us that true joy lies not in receiving but in giving! St. Nicholas, pray for us. St John Paul II Feast Day: 22nd October The Patron Saint of World Youth Day. Karol Wojtyla, known as Pope John Paul II, was born in Wadowice, a small city in Poland, on May 18, 1920. He made his First Holy Communion at age 9 and was confirmed at 18. Upon graduation from high school in Wadowice, he enrolled in Cracow's University in 1938 and in a drama school. The Nazi occupation forces closed the university in 1939. Young Karol had to work in a quarry (1940-1944) and then in the chemical factory to earn his living and avoid being deported to Germany. In 1942, aware of his call to the priesthood, he began courses in the seminary of Cracow. After the Second World War, he continued his seminary studies until his ordination in Cracow on November 1st, 1946. He later became the Bishop of Ombi in 1958 and the Archbishop of Krakow in 1964. He was made a Cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1967, and in 1978 became the first non-Italian Pope in more than 400 years. Pope John Paul II is remembered for his successful efforts to end communism, as well as for building bridges with peoples of other faiths and issuing the Catholic Church's first apology for its actions during World War II. As the leader of the Catholic Church, he travelled the world, visiting more than 100 countries to spread his message of faith and peace. He was a vocal advocate for human rights and used his influence to effect political change. He died in Italy in 2005. It was announced in July 2013 that he would be declared a saint in April of the following year. St. John Paul II, pray for us. St. David Feast Day: 1st March The Patron Saint of Wales, Vegetarians and poets. David was born in Wales and wanted nothing more than to serve God. He studied hard at school and excelled in studying the scriptures. David later became a monk; he founded ten monasteries where all the monks lived the same simple life as David, working hard and studying hard to serve God in the best possible way. David was kind to everyone who needed help but quickly corrected those who made mistakes. At this time, a group of people were talking a great deal of nonsense about God. A meeting was called regarding this matter, and David demonstrated that he was a great defender of the faith. As a result of this was made head of the church in Wales. It is said that St. David was preaching to a large crowd of people. The people at the back could not hear him. He made the ground below him form a hill so that the people at the back could hear and see him better! His last words to his followers came from his sermon just before he died: “Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do.” He is now buried in the City of St David’s in Wales in St David’s Cathedral. St. David, pray for us. St Anthony of Padua Feast Day: 13th June The Patron Saint of Lost Things. Anthony’s birth and baptismal name was Fernando Martins. He was born in Portugal in 1195 to a wealthy family, yet he felt called to the priesthood and chose a life of poverty. At the age of fifteen, he travelled to the capital of Portugal to study to become a priest. After his ordination (when he became a priest), he lived at an abbey and cared for visiting guests. Once when some Franciscans were visiting, Fernando felt called to join their order. When he took the vows of this order, he changed his name to Anthony. The plan was for Anthony to travel to Morocco to help spread the Catholic faith. While there, he became very sick. Because he was so ill, his superiors decided to send him back to Portugal. On the way home, a storm blew his ship off course. Instead of landing back in Portugal, they landed in Sicily, close to Italy. They then travelled to Tuscany, which is in the middle of Italy. Being ill and weak, Anthony’s superiors decided to have him stay with some local friars to regain his health. He spent a long time there praying and studying. One day, Dominican friars arrived, and there was confusion about who would give the homily at a Mass. Somehow, it was determined that Anthony should give it. Anthony was not known for his preaching abilities, and his superior told him, “Just say what the Holy Spirit wants you to.” (In other words, don’t prepare anything, and God will give you the words to say.) His homily was so well received that he was from then on asked to preach to various groups. He became known as a great preacher. What was so special about Anthony’s preaching? Anyone, young or old, educated, could understand what he was trying to teach. Books back in this time were rare and highly treasured. Anthony had a book that he often used for reference when teaching. One day it was stolen. St. Anthony prayed that the thief would return it. His prayer was answered. The thief even eventually became a member of his religious order! It was deemed a miracle. This is why people pray to St. Anthony when searching for lost items. "Dear St. Anthony, please come around: something is lost, and it cannot be found." St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us. St. Jude Feast Day: 28th October The Patron Saint of Lost Causes and Hopeless Situations. St. Jude, known as Thaddaeus, which means 'generous and kind', was a brother of St. James the Less and a relative of Jesus. St. Jude was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and is referred to in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, sometimes called ‘Jude of James’. Ancient writers tell us that Jude preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Libya. He returned to Jerusalem in the year 62 and assisted in the election of his brother, Saint Simeon, as Bishop of Jerusalem. We often see pictures and statues of St. Jude with a flame on his head. This represented his presence at Pentecost when he received the Holy Spirit with the other Apostles. Sometimes we see him in a boat to symbolise that, as an Apostle, he was a fisher of men. Another common attribute is Jude holding an image of Jesus Christ, known as the Image of Edessa. Little is known about Jude's life other than that he was a good man who followed the Lord. He asked Jesus at the Last Supper why he would not manifest himself to the whole world after his Resurrection. He is thought to have been martyred in Beirut around 65 AD, along with fellow apostle Simon the Zealot. He is sometimes depicted showing a club or axe, symbolising how he died. In the Catholic church, he is known as the patron saint for hopeless causes. Jude became associated with desperate situations because of a letter he wrote to the Churches of the East. In it, he says that the faithful must keep going even in harsh or challenging circumstances. Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, I place myself into your hands at this difficult time. Please help me to know that I am not alone. Please pray for me, asking God to send me comfort for my sorrows, bravery for my fears, and healing for my suffering. Ask our loving God to strengthen my faith and give me the courage to accept His Will for my life. Thank you, St. Jude, for the hope you offer to all who believe in you. St. Jude, pray for us. St. Valentine Feast Day: 14th February The Patron Saint of Marriage. St. Valentine lived a lo ng time ago when Emperor Claudius II was the ruler of Rome. There were two important things to know about this king. First, Claudius II did not like Christians. Second, he loved having lots of soldiers to fight in his wars! Claudius II thought having soldiers for his wars was so important that he made a law that people could not get married. Claudius II believed that if young boys got married and had families, they would not want to go off and fight in his wars. This made things tricky for the Christians following God. First, they knew that God wanted them to worship Him, not the false gods of Claudius II. Second, they knew God wanted them to marry and start families. St. Valentine had the special job of being God’s helper during this time. He was a priest, so he would marry the men and women who wanted to get married. This is why he is called the patron saint of love and marriage. Emperor Claudius tried to no avail to convert Saint Valentine. Regardless of what was asked, however, Valentine would not renounce his faith, so Claudius sent him to prison. The guard where Valentine was imprisoned listened as he preached day in and day out. As the legend goes, the guard, Asterius, had a daughter who was blind. He asked Valentine to hear her confession, which he did. Afterwards, Valentine put his hands over the girl’s eyes and chanted: “Lord Jesus Christ, enlighten your handmaid because You are God, the True Light.” Immediately, the little girl regained her eyesight. Because of this miracle, the guard and many of his family members converted to Christianity and were baptised. Upon hearing of the conversions, Emperor Claudius condemned them to death. He was killed on 14th February 269. St. Valentine, pray for us. St. Oscar Romero Feast day: 24th March The Patron Saint of Persecuted Christians. Oscar Arnulfo Romero was born into a family of ten on 15 August in Ciudad Barrios, El Salvador. His father was in charge of the local telegraph office. Sometimes the young Romero helped his father to deliver telegrams. Oscar learned to be a carpenter, making tables, chairs, and doors. When he was 14 years old, Oscar wanted to be a priest, so he went to study at the junior seminary. When his mother was ill, and they needed money for medicine, Oscar left the seminary for three months and worked in the gold mine in Potosí. He earned about 4p a day. In 1937, Oscar went to Rome to study and stayed there during World War II. His father and brother died while he was in Rome. In 1942, Romero was ordained a priest and returned to El Salvador. He became famous for his sermons. He also did a lot of parish work, like visiting prisons, organising catechism classes, and working with others in the Church to provide help and food for the poor. Romero’s compassion for the poor earned him great admiration from many Salvadorans. Romero was made a bishop on 21st June 1970. Violence increased in El Salvador by the mid-1970s as the government and army began killing poor people who stood up for their rights. When the army killed three people in the village of Tres Calles in Romero’s diocese, he comforted the families and wrote to the President to protest about the murders. In 1978, Romero became Archbishop of San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. Some rich people were happy because they thought he would stop priests from helping the poor to stand up for their basic rights. But a few weeks later, his friend Fr Rutilio Grande was shot and killed, along with two companions. The following Sunday, Romero allowed only one Mass in the whole diocese - at the Cathedral - where he spoke out against the murders. From 1978-1980, as the violence in El Salvador continued, Romero continued to speak out. Every Sunday, his sermon was broadcast by radio. The whole country listened. Romero’s life was often threatened. In his sermon on 23rd March, Romero ordered the army to stop killing people: “In the name of God, and in the name of this suffering people whose cries rise to heaven more loudly each day, I beg you, I implore you, I order you, in the name of God, stop the repression!” The next day, a shot killed Romero as he said Mass. A UN report later found that Major Roberto D’Aubuisson had ordered Romero’s death. Thousands came to the funeral. The army fired into the crowd. Thirty people died, and hundreds were injured. The civil war in El Salvador continued until 1992. His canonisation took place on 14 October 2018 in Rome. St. Oscar Romero, pray for us. St. Thérèse of Lisieux Feast day: 1st October The Patron Saints of Missions and Florists. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is regarded as a Doctor of the Catholic Church, which means that her life and writings are considered particularly important for Catholics. She is also called the ‘Little Flower of Jesus.’ Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin was born on 2nd January 1873, in Alençon, France, the youngest daughter of a watchmaker and a lacemaker. After her mother died in 1877, Thérèse moved with her family to Lisieux, where older sisters and an aunt raised her. Thérèse’s strong faith developed early in her home's deeply religious atmosphere. At the age of 14, she requested admission to the Carmelite convent at Lisieux with two of her sisters but was refused because she was too young. On a pilgrimage to Italy in late 1887, she asked the Holy Father to be allowed to enter the convent during an audience with Pope Leo XIII. Eventually, permission was granted, and in April 1888, she entered the Carmel. Her romantic ideas of convent life and suffering soon met up with reality in a way she had never expected. When her father suffered a stroke, he was physically and mentally affected and was admitted to an asylum. Unfortunately, as a nun in the convent, Thérèse was not allowed to leave to visit him, which troubled her greatly. Thérèse knew that as a Carmelite nun, she would never be able to perform great deeds. However, she took every chance to sacrifice, no matter how small it would seem. She smiled at the sisters she didn't like. She ate everything she was given without complaining, so she was often given the worst leftovers. She was once accused of breaking a vase when she was not at fault. Instead of arguing, she sank to her knees and begged forgiveness. Thérèse continued worrying about how she could achieve holiness in her life. She didn't want just to be good; she wanted to be a saint. Then in 1896, Thérèse coughed up blood. She kept working without telling anyone until she became so sick a year later that everyone knew it. Worst of all, she had lost her joy and confidence and felt she would die young without leaving anything behind. Her sister Pauline had already had her writing down her memories in a journal so they would have something to share about her life after her death. Her pain was so great, but she tried to remain smiling and cheerful - and succeeded so well that some thought she was only pretending to be ill. Her one dream was the work she would do after her death, helping those on Earth. "Upon my death, I will let fall a shower of roses; I wish to spend my heaven in doing good upon the Earth." She died on 30th September 1897, at 24 years old tuberculosis. Mother Teresa chose her name in honour of her. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us. St. Paul Feast day: 29th June The Patron Saint of the Missionaries, Writers, Journalists, Authors, Public workers, Rope and Saddle Makers, and Tent Makers. After Jesus Christ, St. Paul is often considered the most important person in the history of Christianity. He was one of the leaders of the first Christians. Paul’s life and his writings make up 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament in the Bible. His most significant impact on Christian history comes from the letters he wrote. They played a significant role in the development of Christian beliefs. Paul was given the name Saul at birth in about 4-5 AD in what is now Turkey. He was Jewish and initially persecuted the followers of Jesus. He travelled to synagogues and suggested that any Jew who accepted Jesus as the Messiah (saviour of the Jews) be punished. The story of Saul’s conversion to Christianity is a popular Christian story. He was travelling to Damascus when a bright light shone on him, and Jesus spoke to him. After this experience, he was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. From that day on, he used the name Paul. After his conversion, Paul went to Jerusalem to meet Peter, chief of Jesus’ apostles, to learn how Jesus had lived. Paul then became one of the greatest missionaries of all time. For the next 20 years, he established churches in Asia Minor and Europe. As a result of Paul’s work, Christianity soon became a worldwide religion. Paul returned to Jerusalem in the late 50s. He was arrested for bringing non-Jews into the Temple. After a series of trials, he was sent to Rome. He was held in Rome for two years. It is unknown how Paul died, but it is believed that Emperor Nero had Paul beheaded between 64 and 67 AD. Paul believed his purpose was to preach to and convert Gentiles (people who were not Jewish) to Christianity. His greatest impact on Christian history comes from the letters he wrote. His thoughts on Jesus, Jewish law, and the relationship between God and Jesus were the foundation for the development of Christianity. He shares his feast day on 29th June with St. Peter. St. Paul, pray for us. St. John the Beloved Feast day: 27th December The Patron Saint of Authors, Booksellers, Burn Victims, Art Dealers, Editors, Friendships, Government Officials, Notaries, Printers, Scholars, Tanners, Theologians and more. According to the New Testament, John the Apostle (c.AD 6-100) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Generally, he is listed as the youngest apostle. His brother was James, who was another of the Twelve Apostles. He is sometimes referred to as John the Evangelist, John of Patmos, John the Elder and the Beloved Disciple. Church tradition has held that John is the author of the Gospel of John and five other books of the New Testament — the three Epistles of John and the Book of Revelation. In the Gospel of John, the phrase "the disciple whom Jesus loved" or "the Beloved Disciple" is used five times but not in any other New Testament accounts of Jesus. John the Apostle was the son of Zebedee and the younger brother of James, son of Zebedee (James the Greater). Their mother was Salome. Zebedee and his sons fished in the Sea of Galilee. The brothers were the first disciples of John the Baptist. Jesus then called Peter, Andrew and these two sons of Zebedee to follow him. James and John are listed among the Twelve Apostles. Jesus referred to the pair as "Boanerges" (translated as "sons of thunder") because although their nature was calm and gentle, when their patience was pushed to its limits, their anger became wild and thunderous, causing them to speak out like an untamed storm. A gospel story relates how the brothers wanted to call down heavenly fire on a Samaritan town, but Jesus refused them. John lived for more than half a century following the martyrdom of his brother James, the first Apostle to die a martyr's death. John was the only one of the Twelve Apostles who did not forsake Jesus in the hour of His Passion. He stood faithfully at the cross when the Saviour made him His Mother’s guardian. It is traditionally believed that John was the youngest of the apostles and outlived them. He is said to have lived to an old age, dying at Ephesus sometime after AD 98. John's traditional tomb is thought to be located at Selçuk, a small town in the vicinity of Ephesus. St. John is the patron saint of love, loyalty, friendships, and authors. He is often depicted in art as the author of the Gospel with an eagle, symbolising "the height he rose to in his gospel." In other icons, he is shown looking up into heaven and dictating his Gospel to his disciple. St. John the Beloved, pray for us. Maximilian Kolbe Feast day: 14th August The Patron Saint of Amateur Radio Operators, Political Prisoners, Families, Journalists, and Prisoners. Maximilian Kolbe was born Raymund Kolbe on 8th January 1894 in Poland. His life was strongly influenced by a vision he had of the Virgin Mary when he was 12 years old. As a priest, Kolbe worked to convert sinners and enemies of the church. He travelled around Poland, promoting Mary and set up a religious printing press. Later, he founded monasteries in Japan and India. Kolbe returned to Poland in 1936 due to his poor health. When World War II broke out, he was one of the only Franciscans to stay in the monastery and opened up a hospital for those injured. He also provided shelter for refugees. Kolbe refused to sign paperwork that he would be recognised as a German citizen, and when the monastery was shut down, he was arrested. After 2 months in the concentration camp at Auschwitz, some men were chosen to be starved to death. Kolbe was not one of them, but he took the place of a man with a family. After 2 weeks, he was the last person still alive and was given a lethal injection. It is said that he calmly raised his arm and awaited death. On 10 October 1982, Pope John Paul II canonised Kolbe and declared him a martyr of charity. John Paul II declared him "the patron of our difficult century". Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us. Carlo Acutis Feast Day: 12th October The Patron Saint of Youth Computer Programmers. Born in London (3 May 1991) and raised in Milan, Carlo’s wealthy parents were not particularly religious. Upon receiving his first communion at age seven, Carlo became a frequent communicant, making a point of praying before the Tabernacle before or after every Mass. In addition to Francis of Assisi, Carlo took several of the younger saints as his models, including Bernadette Soubirous, Jacinta and Francisco Marto, and Dominic Savio. At school, Carlo tried to comfort friends whose parents were undergoing a divorce, as well as stepping in to defend disabled students from bullies. After school hours, he volunteered with the city’s homeless and destitute. Carlo spent four years creating a website dedicated to cataloguing every reported Eucharistic miracle worldwide. He also enjoyed films, comics, soccer, and playing popular video games. Diagnosed with leukaemia, Carlo offered his sufferings to God for the intentions of the sitting pope—Benedict XVI—and the entire Church. His longtime desire to visit as many sites of Eucharistic miracles as possible was cut short by his illness. Carlo died in 2006 and was beatified in 2020. He was noted for his cheerfulness, computer skills, and deep devotion to the Eucharist, which became a core theme of his life. Carlos Acutis, pray for us.

A-Z List of Composers A-Z of Composers A-Z of Composers: List Isaac Albéniz Isaac Manuel Francisco Albéniz y, more commonly known as Isaac Albéniz, was born on 29th May 1860 in Camprodon, Catalonia, Spain and died on 18th May 1909 in France. To classical guitarists the world over, he is known for his quintessential Spanish guitar repertoire. My younger brother, who is a professional guitarist himself, has been playing his pieces since childhood. Few realise that he was not actually a guitarist at all, but was in fact a virtuoso pianist, composer, and conductor. He is best known for his piano works often based on Spanish folk music. Despite composing mostly for the piano, it is his transcriptions for guitar that are most well known today – particularly works such as Asturias (Leyenda), Granada, Sevilla, Cadiz, Córdoba, Cataluña, Mallorca, and Tango in D. Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician who was born in March 1685 and died in July 1750. This was a period of musical history known as the Baroque. He is perhaps the most well-known of the famous Bach family of musicians: Johann Christoph Bach (1642–1703), Johann Michael Bach (1648–1694), Maria Barbara Bach (1684–1720), Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710–1784), Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714–1788) to name just a few. He is known for instrumental compositions such as the Art of Fugue, the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations, and for vocal music such as the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor. A master of the keyboard, Bach gifted the world such gems as The Well-Tempered Clavier and organ works too numerous to name individually. Since the 19th-century Bach Revival he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Western art musical canon. Here are links to some of these great pieces. Mr Baker Sept 2019 Art of Fugue Brandenburg Concertos Goldberg Variations St Matthew Passion Mass in B minor The Well-Tempered Clavier Cello Suites 1 – 6 Air on the G string Chaconne, Partita No. 2 BWV 1004 (violin) Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 Cream (Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker & Jack Bruce) The great drummer Ginger Baker died on 6th October this year aged 80 and so it seemed fitting to continue the musical A-Z with the group he was perhaps most famous for being in – Cream. Cream were a British rock band formed in London in 1966. The group consisted of bassist Jack Bruce, guitarist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker. Bruce was the main songwriter and vocalist, although Clapton and Baker also sang and contributed songs. Formed from members of previously successful bands, they are widely regarded as the world's first supergroup as each player was considered to a master of their instrument. Their music spanned many genres of rock music, including blues rock, psychedelic rock, and hard rock. In their career, they sold more than 15 million records worldwide. The group's third album, Wheels of Fire (1968), is the world's first platinum-selling double album. In 1993, Cream were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here are links to three of their more famous songs. Mr Baker Sept 2019 White Room Sunshine of your Love I Feel Free Claude Debussy Claude Debussy was born 22 August 1862 and died aged just 55 on 25 March 1918. He is regarded as one of the greatest French composers of all time. He is sometimes seen as the first Impressionist composer, seeking to paint pictures in the mind of his listeners by the quality of the sounds they hear. Despite being born to a family of modest means and little cultural involvement, Debussy showed enough musical talent to be admitted at the age of ten to France's leading music college, the Conservatoire de Paris. He originally studied the piano, but found his vocation in innovative composition, despite the disapproval of the Conservatoire's conservative professors. Debussy is responsible for some of the most recognisable piano and orchestral music of the twentieth century. He himself was influenced by Russian and far-eastern musical styles and he in his turn was to be a great influence on later composers such as Bartok, Messiaen and George Benjamin. All his music is easy to listen to but here are some links to some of my favourites. Mr Baker January 2020 La Mer La boîte à joujoux Fantaisie for piano and orchestra Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune Syrinx (for solo flute) Claire de Lune La fille aux cheveux de lin Deux arabesques Children's Corner Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp Edward Elgar Sir Edward William Elgar was born 2 June 1857 and died 23 February 1934. He was an English composer who many consider to be one of our greatest. Many of his works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations (including the world famous ‘Nimrod’ often played during remembrance services), the Pomp and Circumstance Marches (including ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ – played every year at the Last Night of the Proms), concertos for violin and cello, and two symphonies. He also composed choral works, including The Dream of Gerontius (based on a poem by Birmingham’s Saint John Henry Newman and first performed in Birmingham’s Town Hall in the year 1900), chamber music and songs. He was appointed Master of the King's Musick in 1924. Although Elgar is often regarded as a typically English composer, most of his musical influences were not from England but from continental Europe. He felt himself to be an outsider. It is worth noting that this self-taught composer was openly Catholic in a Protestant Britain where his Roman Catholicism was regarded with suspicion in some quarters. He never forgot his humble beginnings even when he became successful and achieved recognition for his music. Elgar has been described as the first composer to take the gramophone and recorded music seriously. Between 1914 and 1925, he conducted a series of acoustic recordings of his works. The introduction of the moving-coil microphone in 1923 made far more accurate sound reproduction possible, and Elgar made new recordings of most of his major orchestral works and excerpts from The Dream of Gerontius. Mr Baker February 2020 Nimrod Enigma Variations (complete) Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1 – 4 Pomp and Circumstance March no 1 (from the proms ) Dream of Gerontius Gabriel Fauré Gabriel Urbain Fauré was born on 12th May 1845 and died on 4th November 1924 in Pamiers, Ariège, in the south of France. He was a composer, organist, pianist and teacher. He was one of the most important French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th-century composers such as Ravel. Fauré’s was not an especially musical family, but his talent became clear when he was just a small boy. Aged nine, he was sent to the Ecole Niedermeyer music college in Paris, where he was trained to be a church organist and choirmaster. Among his teachers was Camille Saint-Saëns (himself a famous composer of such works as ‘The Swan’ ), who became a lifelong friend. After graduating from the college in 1865, he made his living as an organist and teacher, leaving him little time for composition, so he didn’t become a successful composer until his middle age years. Towards the end of his life, Fauré was recognised in France as the leading French composer of his day and a national musical tribute was held for him in Paris in 1922. Outside France, Fauré's music took many years to become widely accepted, except in Britain, where his work was greatly admired during his lifetime. Fauré's earlier works are among his most accessible and below are some YouTube links to his more famous pieces Mr Baker August 2020 Pavane Op.50 - Piano Solo Pavane Op.50 – Orchestral Version Sicilienne. Requiem Op. 48 Dolly Suite Op. 56 Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11 Après un rêve for cello & piano Percy Grainger Percy Grainger was born on the 8 July 1882 and died on 20 February 1961. He was an Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist who, in his adult years, lived in America and became an American citizen in 1918. During his career, he played an important role in reviving the public’s interest in British folk music in the early years of the 20th century. It is highly likely that many will be familiar with his piano and orchestral arrangements such as the folk-dance tune "Country Gardens" among others. It is these well-known folk gems and stylistically similar compositions that I will link to here. Mr Baker August 2020 Molly on the Shore Country Gardens Blithe Bells Handel in the Strand Mock Morris Colonial Song Lincolnshire Posy Shepherd's Hey Walking Tune Joe Hisaishi With Olympics and Paralympics having taken place in Tokyo this year, I thought it would be a good idea to feature a modern Japanese composer this September. Joe Hisaishi was born Mamoru Fujisawa on 6th December 1950 in Nagano – Japan. He is most well known for his film music, especially the classic anime films of Hayao Miyazaki such as Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbour Totoro and Princess Mononoke among others from the Studio Ghibli company. He started learning the violin and the age of just four and he knew then that music would be central to his life. He also watched about 300 movies a year with his father. These two passions naturally saw him become a film composer after attending the Kunitachi College of Music in 1969 to major in music composition. He enjoyed his first success in 1974 when he composed music for the anime series called Gyatoruzu and he has never looked back. Why does he go by the name Joe Hisaishi when he was born Mamoru Fujisawa? Well it comes down to his admiration for the work of American musician and producer, Quincy Jones. Retranscribed in Japanese, "Quincy Jones" became "Joe Hisaishi". ("Quincy", pronounced "Kuinshī” in Japanese, can be written using the same kanji in "Hisaishi"; "Joe" comes from "Jones".) Below are some links to some of his film music. There is much more to find as he has produced quite a lot! Mr Baker September 2021 From the film – Howl’s Moving Castle Merry-Go-Round of Life From the film – Spirited Away One Summer’s Day From the film – Kiki’s Delivery Service Main Theme From the film – My Neighbour Totoro The Wind Forest From the film – Princess Mononoke Sound-track Suite (1998 version) Other pieces – Asian Dream Song Jacques Ibert Jacques François Antoine Marie Ibert was born on 15th August 1890 and died on 5 February 1962. He was a French composer of classical music. Ibert took to music from a very early age and eventually studied at the Paris Conservatoire where he excelled winning its top prize, the Prix de Rome, at his first attempt- despite his studies being interrupted by his service in World War I. Ibert would go on to pursue a successful composing career, writing several operas, five ballets, incidental music for plays and films, works for piano solo, choral works, and chamber music. He is probably best remembered for his orchestral works including Divertissement (1928) and Escales (1922) – links to these and other works listed below. Mr Baker October 2021 Divertissment Escales Entr’acte (recorder & guitar version – a favourite of mine) Karl Jenkins Sir Karl William Pamp Jenkins CBE, who was born on the 17th of February 1944, is a Welsh multi-instrumentalist and composer, best known for works that include the song "Adiemus" (once used to advertise Delta Airlines), Benedictus and Requiem. Jenkins was educated in music at Cardiff University and the Royal Academy of Music. He joined the jazz-rock band Soft Machine in 1972 and became the group's lead songwriter in 1974. Jenkins continued to work with Soft Machine up to 1984. Jenkins has won the industry prize twice. Something of a musical trademark is his notable use of ‘Vocalise’ where singers sing not words, but sounds. Mr Baker November 2021 Adiemus Song of the Plains Requiem - I. Introit Benedictus (The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace) Requiem - IX. Pie Jesu I'll Make Music

The Sacraments At St Bernadette’s School, the children have the opportunity to receive three of the sacraments: The Sacrament of Reconciliation in year 3 First Holy Communion in year 3 The Sacrament of Confirmation in year 6 The preparation for these sacraments takes place in school, with meetings held for parents and children in the early evening. The Sacramental Life of the School: About Us Reconciliation Reconciliation is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. It is one of the two sacraments of healing, the other being the Sacrament of the Sick. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation we receive God’s forgiveness for our sins, his pardon and healing and reconciliation with the Church. Baptised Catholic children in Year 3 will usually receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time during Lent. This takes place in a special Reconciliation service at Holy Family Church. Preparation for this important sacrament takes place in school through the RE curriculum and during an after school meeting, where parents meet with Fr Fretch and children work with teachers and catechists. All You Need to Know About Reconcilliation The Sacramental Life of the School: Our Mission First Holy Communion The Holy Eucharist is described as “the source and summit of the Christian life.” This is because it is at the very centre of the practice of the Catholic faith. It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation into the Church, which are necessary for people to become full members of the Church. The other two Sacraments of Initiation are the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. In receiving Holy Communion we are united with Christ in a physical way and we enter more fully in to the Body of Christ. The more we receive Christ the more Christ-like we become. At St Bernadette’s, Baptised Catholic children in Year 3 will make their First Holy Communion during a Mass held at Holy Family Church in the Summer Term. Preparation for this important sacrament takes place throughout the RE curriculum and in the form of after school meetings where parents meet with Fr Fretch and the children are supported by Catechists. All You Need to Know About The Sacrament of The Eucharist The Sacramental Life of the School: Our Philosophy Confirmation Confirmation is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. It is one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Church which are necessary for people to become full members of the Church. The other two Sacraments of initiation are the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. Through Confirmation the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are received: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. These gifts can help a person to live as a follower of Christ. Through receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit it is hoped that the candidate will, through their thoughts, words and actions bear the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control and joy. It is a means by which the candidate publically professes their faith and shows their commitment to becoming a full member of the Church. Children at St Bernadette’s usually receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in Year 6, during the Autumn Term. Preparation for this important sacrament begins in Year 5 and is continued in Year 6 through the delivery of the RE curriculum. Children have the opportunity to work closely with Fr Fretch and Sr Maura during this time. They are encouraged to think carefully about their chosen saint’s name and opportunities are provided for them to find out more about their saint and reflect on their life. All You Need to Know About Confirmation The Sacramental Life of the School: Text