Prayer Life - Collective Worship

'Where two are three are gathered in my name, I am there'

End of Year Whole School Mass

On Thursday 18th July, we came together as a School community and celebrated mass with Fr Luke Verhees and Fr Brendan Ona. This was a lovely way to celebrate our Core Value of Faith and begin our Go Forth Week.

St Peter and Paul Feast Mass - Confirmation celebration

Each year we celebrate with students who have been confirmed in their parishes during the academic year. Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ In our families and communities. Fr Nicholas Twumasi celebrated a Votive mass of St Peter and Paul, Apostles and Confirmation.

Year 6 Go Forth Mass

On Wednesday 26th June over 800 year 6 students from schools in the Catholic Deaneries of Merton, Sutton and part of Croydon celebrated the important element of transition in faith from Primary to Secondary school. the Year 6 “Go Forth Mass” was held at St George’s Cathedral which was celebrated by the Episcopal Vicar Fr Gerard Bradley.

Eucharistic Commissioning Mass

On Wednesday 24th April 2024, 19 Year 12 students were commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist which was celebrated by Bishop Philip Moger.

With Christ at the centre of our lives here at St Philomena’s, our faith has been greatly deepened by becoming a Eucharistic Minister. When we attended our first training session, we were nervous and worried that our faith wasn’t strong enough. However, Deacon Errol helped us to enhance our relationship with God by providing us with regular focused sessions and advice as to how we can develop further as active disciples. After getting commissioned, we feel deeply happy and one with Christ as we are receiving and serving him to members of our community. We feel greatly honoured to be able to carry out this important service and are immensely proud that our school has enabled us to do so. We thank Deacon Errol for guiding us and allowing us to build an even deeper relationship with our Lord.

Written by Sara F Year 12

Oscar Romero Feast Mass

On Wednesday 20th March a selection of student prayer leaders attended Oscar Romero Feast Mass at St George’s Cathedral which was celebrated by Archbishop John.

World Day of Prayer Service

For another year, our school was proud to be attending the Women’s World Day of Prayer service on Friday 7th March at St Paul’s Church in Wallington. It was an amazing opportunity to join together in prayer with other members of the Christian community to celebrate the women of Palestine, specifically. We were accompanied by stories of Palestinian women, a couple of which were read by some of our own students, as well as traditional songs and general prayers around the theme of “I Beg You…Bear With One Another in Love”. The service as a whole was so interesting and I really enjoyed the experience of women of all ages and backgrounds to unite in prayer. - Year 9 Student

Lent

Our Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14th, 2024.

Lent is a season of reflection and preparation for a period of forty days and nights which comes before the celebration of Easter. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the sacred season of Lent, where we have our foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross.

Lent is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation for the celebration of Easter. Lent is the time for celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, because it is the season for baptismal preparation and baptismal renewal.

At St Philomena’s, we have liturgies with Lenten themes through the season of Lent. Mass is celebrated every Tuesday. The Lenten Sacrament of Reconciliation is set out below, However, Fr Luke also celebrates this Sacrament with class groups every Friday morning.

Friday- 23/02/24 – Year 10

Tuesday 27/02/24 – Year 9

Thursday 07/03/24 – Year 11

Tuesday 12/03/24 – Year 12 & 13

Thursday 14/03/24 –Year 7

Monday 18/03/24 – Year 8

Bakhita Blessing

On Wednesday 21st February we welcomed Episcopal Vicar Canon Victor Darlington to bless our new building which we named after St Josephine Bakhita.

Saint Josephine Bakhita was born in 1869 in the Darfur region of Sudan. She was kidnapped by human traffickers at the age of seven and was bought and sold over a dozen times. Saint Josephine Bakhita travelled to Italy with her master and was placed in the custody of the Canossian Sisters which is where she came to learn about God. St Josephine Bakhita was beatifed on May 17th 1992 by Pope John Paul II and was canonised by him on October 1st 2000. She is the patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.

Carol Service

St Philomenas Carol Service was held in the School Chapel and was a perfect way to reflect on the nativity journey through scripture in preparation for the celebration of God’s love and birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. Outstanding performances were given by members of the Junior Choir, Gospel Choir, Chapel Choir and Brass Ensemble.

The Month of November; All Souls and Remembrance Day

On Monday 13th November we held a Remembrance Day Service where staff and students were given an opportunity to reflect on those who have given their lives and remember their service and sacrifice. We celebrated All Souls with a Liturgy as unfortunately the school was on half term when this feast day occurred. Throughout the month of November, students were given the opportunity to sign a Book of Remembrance, the names were read out during our weekly Tuesday morning Mass.

Celebrating 130 Years of St Philomenas Founding

On Wednesday 13th September, the whole school community came together and welcomed RT Rev Philip Moger, the Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark, to celebrate our Founders Day Mass marking 130 years of Catholic education at St Philomena's where we reflected on the long and rich history of the school. This was a Votive Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross which is celebrated on the 14th September. This is an important Feast day for our school and Founders, The Daughters of the Cross as it gives us the opportunity to reflect on their life giving vocation of service.

The students enjoyed a community picnic and various fundraising activities throughout the afternoon. Founders Day also marks the start of our fundraising efforts for the year.

A 'Go Forth' Mass

A 'Go Forth' Mass for Year 6 students leaving primary school to mark the end of their primary school journey and transition from Key Stage 2 - 3 is celebrated at St George's Cathedral, celebrated by Canon Victor Darlington, Episcopal Vicar for Education in the Archdiocese.

The 2024 Go Forth Mass is currently being planned for July 2024.

The 2024 project is a Sporting one due to be held on Saturday 15th June 2024. at the High School

Marian Procession

The Year 7 Marian Procession took place on Thursday, 11th May on the school grounds. The event started with a liturgy in the Chapel followed by the procession and the crowning of Our Lady. Each participant offered Mary, our Mother, flowers to honour her and show our gratitude and appreciation for her role in the Salvation plan of God. The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Order provided theStatue for the procession Mother Maria of the Immaculate Heart of Mary said, ‘It’s wonderful to see this tradition happening in school and hopes that it will grow and continue for years to come.’ The procession was joined by staff and teachers.

CAFOD Young Leaders

CAFOD Young Leaders programme was held online on Tuesday 16th January focusing on what Laudato Si means to them. Our young leaders have chosen to focus on sustainability and poverty where they are planning a cake sale to raise money for the charity Period Poverty UK.

Eucharistic Ministers

Our newly commissioned Eucharistic Ministers have started serving at school Masses and leading liturgies within the community. This is important as they have made the commitment to witness Christ and make Him visible by the example of their lives. The Eucharistic Ministers participate in a special way during Mass and we thank them for saying ‘yes’ to the call to serve.

Archdiocese of Southwark Beginning of the Academic Year Mass

On Wednesday 20th September 2023, Prayer Monitors in Lower and Middle School attended the Archdiocese of Southwark Education Commission beginning of the academic year Mass held at St George’s Cathedral. Bishop Paul Hendricks spoke about the importance of Catholic education that provided a unique opportunity to develop the whole person. It was a joyful and uplifting occasion that cemented the sense of being part of a wider family of Catholic schools and Colleges in the Archdiocese of Southwark. Headteachers, Governors and School Chaplains were prayed for and renewed their commitment to their vocations.

Year 7 Welcome Mass

Year 7 students and parents were formally invited and welcomed to the school as we celebrated their Lower School Welcome Mass and marked the end of their induction. Fr Sylvia from Our Lady of the Annunciation joined as the celebrant, there was a real sense of community being united in prayer and worship.

A farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

2 Corinthians 9:6, NLT

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