Catholic Life
Chaplaincy and Charity
Love thy neighbour – Faith in Action
Great importance is attached to the priority of educating young people in an awareness of the needs of others (local, national and global) and in fostering a spirit of generosity and compassion. Special emphasis is given to fundraising activities during Lent and Advent.
Chaplaincy – Three groups
At Bishop Walsh Catholic School we are incredibly proud of our Chaplaincy Team. We have over 100 committed pupils who meet regularly to do God’s work.
What is the Chaplaincy team?
The Chaplaincy Team consists of students from all year groups who take the lead on the ensuring our faith and ethos permeates through all aspects of school life. They lead by example are true witnesses to their faith, they are the apostolic core of pupils who see it as their mission to do God’s work. All students in the Chaplaincy team wear a badge and are proud of their role in the school. All pupils can be involved in chaplaincy work.
Three teams
Mission Team – Pupils take the lead on missions of the heart. They organise actions and galvanise their peers in order to make a difference
Liturgy Leads – Pupils plan, lead and review liturgies in school. They take an active role in Masses and suggest areas for development
Stewardship group /Eco-Team – making sure that we care for our common home – reducing consumption and waste. In charge of the prayer garden, recycling and ensuring that our environment
Charities
It is our mission to aid the neediest in our society. Values of service, sacrifice and compassion are of the upmost importance at Bishop Walsh Catholic School and we see charity work as ALL of our responsibly. Year groups are galvanised to raise awareness and money for a charitable mission alongside a whole school charitable focus led by the mission team.
Some of our recent charity work
Food bank, hygiene bank and clothes bank donations.
Shoebox Appeal – Pupils collect and send parcels to children less fortunate during Advent
CAFOD- Regular awareness, charity and collections
Fundraising activities during Adevnt and Lent - These include; sing-a long’s, quizzes, car washes and more
Prisoners of Conscience Christmas cards supported by staff and KS5 students
Senior citizens within the local parishes celebrate our annual senior citizens Christmas party where they are entertained by KS5 pupils
Chaplaincy team serve drinks and biscuits at a local senior citizen’s home on a termly basis
Our mission team and eco team lead on environmental clean-up’s around the school area
John Paul II Award
This award was established in thanksgiving for the life of Saint John Paul II, who was such a keen supporter of and believer in young people, and of the gifts and talents that they so generously bring to their parish communities. Through this award, young people will be enabled to take an active part in the life of their Church, in the life of the community and society, and also become more aware of the teaching and role of the Catholic Church in the world.
This award recognises the contribution many of you already make to your parish, school and local community.
There are 4 awards: The Papal Cross, Gold, Silver and Bronze. You earn your award by taking part in activities through school and Parish involvement and Social Awareness and preparation of a presentation.
Go and see Mrs Condron if you would like to find out more.
At the Advent Service on the last day of term those students in Year 12 who are taking part in the John Paul II award were commissioned and blessed by Fr. Allen, our school chaplain.
Fr Ryan Service
School Chaplain
Mrs Moakes
Senior leader i/c Catholic life
Mrs Condron
Liturgy & Chaplaincy Co-Ordinator
Lourdes Pilgrimage
For over ten years now a group of staff and Year 12 students have travelled on the Birmingham Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes in France. Lourdes is an incredibly reflective, religious and moving place. Our Lady appeared to Bernadette in 1858 at Lourdes and since this time it has become a place of pilgrimage.
A key element of the pilgrimage is that the cost is fundraised. Students are expected to pay a deposit and fundraise the remaining amount. This helps to create a spirit of comradery and service amongst the students and staff and makes the pilgrimage accessible to a greater number of students.
The size of the group varies but during the May half-term students stay in Lourdes for 5 nights with hundreds of other young people from across the diocese. There are daily masses and services, team building activities, day trips to the Pyrenees and opportunities to socialise with other young people. However, the main reason people go to Lourdes is to reflect on their faith and serve the sick pilgrims who travel with Birmingham every year. Lourdes is a life changing experience for many students.
If you are interested in supporting our pilgrimage or you wish to find out more please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Lines.
