Pope Francis - RIP

Following the death of Pope Francis, the children, staff and families of our school offer prayers of thanksgiving for his wonderful life in service to Our Lord. We pray that his soul be welcomed into heaven where he will be rewarded with eternal rest.

Further information, prayers and resources for children and families can be found here:

https://cafod.org.uk/news/international-news/death-of-pope-francis

https://cafod.org.uk/education/education-resources/remembering-pope-francis-in-schools

Lenten Stations of the Cross

On Wednesday lunchtimes during Lent, many children join the Stations of the Cross prayer sessions. The chapel was full of those who wanted to travel with Jesus on his final journey to Calvary. Mrs Hackett and the children also walked the path around the field, remembering each event of Good Friday and stopping to pray as they went.

Our Mission Together is HOPE

The Mission and Prayer Team welcomed Fr Daniel Rooke to school.  Missio is Pope Francis’s charity which supports the work of missionaries around the world and Fr Daniel helped us understand the important work that they do. We can be missionaries too! During this Jubilee year, we are called to be faithful young people, bringing hope and enthusiasm into our community.

Lenten Penitential Service

We joined together as a school community this Lent to remember that Jesus lived His life so that we would clearly know right from wrong, good from bad, just from unjust.  We took time to think about our choices and reflect on our behaviours so that, through our sorrow, we can learn to be more like Jesus in the future. Fr Gerard helped us understand St Paul’s letter, which states that Love is patient and love is kind (Corinthians 13:4-8).  Year 6 children were able to go to individual confession and receive the beautiful sacrament of God’s forgiveness.

Ash Wednesday

Our whole school gathered together to mark the start of Lent with a lovely Celebration of the Word. Fr Gerard reminded us that we can grow closer to God during Lent by PRAYING more, FASTING from things that distract us from God, and by GIVING to others. He told us that when Jesus was tempted, he was able to think of God, his Father, and make strong choices. We must do the same!

Each person received a cross of ashes on their forehead as recognition that we are not perfect and that we will try to improve during Lent.

The scripture today was: Matthew 4:1-11  Jesus’ temptation in the desert.

Pancakes

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent begins and the last chance to feast and celebrate before the 40 day season of fasting and reflection. It is a joyful conclusion to Ordinary Time and a joyful preparation for the most important Catholic season of Lent.  Children enjoyed eating their pancakes during breaktime today.

Service at the Altar

We are lucky to have a good number of children who serve at the altar of Our Lord on Sundays at the various parishes of Milton Keynes. It is a wonderful way to deepen one’s faith, to serve the parish and to assist our parish priests.  This Sunday, another pupil received his Guild of St Stephen medal for 1 year of continual service and he pledged to remain faithful through his prayers and actions. Congratulations!

Please speak with Fr Gerard or your parish priest if you would like to become an altar server.

St Stephen, pray for us.

St Thomas Aquinas Feast Day

We had a wonderful day celebrating the feast of our patron, St Thomas Aquinas.

Click here to see how we spent our day!

Surrounded by Jesus Christ

Have you seen the beautiful new wooden art pieces in the school hall?

The four bespoke items have been commissioned by the school and individually designed by a young carpenter who is setting up his own business. Dan has been great to work with throughout the process; from initial thoughts, design ideas, templates, wood choices, cutting, sanding and staining and even hand delivering the items. https://dsawfordwoodworks.co.uk/

Each of the four items is a symbol that represents Jesus Christ:

Cross – representing Jesus’ own sacrifice, his love for us and victory over death.

Chi-Rho – from Roman times, the letters from the name, Christos.

Ichthys – a fish with a secret meaning: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.

Alpha–Omega – Greek letters meaning ‘God at the beginning and end of all things.’

With these lovely new additions, pupils, staff, parents and visitors truly feel that Jesus Christ is at the centre of our school and that they are surrounded by love daily.

Epiphany 2025

6th January is the Feast of the Epiphany, when Christians celebrate the visit of the wise men to the new-born King, Jesus. The word ‘epiphany’ is used at times when the glory of Jesus is revealed.

Mr Mundy led our special assembly as we learned about the journey (or pilgrimage) the Maji took and about the significance of the gifts that they brought. Some volunteers from Year 1 were dressed as kings and we wondered at an amazing photo of the billions of stars in the sky.

The Gospel today was: Matthew 2:1-12   ‘They bowed down and worshiped Him.’

Traditionally, the entrance of each home is marked and blessed on this day, so the STAMP team gave a blessing to each class and chalked a blessing at the entrance to our school.

Christmas Carol Service

All the musical preparations which had taken place during Advent fell into place as the pupils from Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6, the choir and orchestra led family and friends in a beautiful carol service at All Saints Church. A mix of traditional carols, modern music and re-worded pop songs were used to retell the greatest story from the scriptures. Fr Gerard gave a blessing and the congregation were able to take the joy of Christmas back to their homes as we sang ‘We will Go!’

We have been chosen to retell the greatest story,

to tell of a baby who was promised to the world.

We have been chosen to make a change,

to be the ones to who shine His love.

We have been chosen to act in faith

So, we will go!

The Nativity – Lights, Camel, Action!

Parents, grandparents and parishioners enjoyed a mince pie and mulled wine before the performance of Lights, Camel, Action 2024 when children from Reception class, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 all joined together to tell the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. With some wonderful acting, singing and dancing, the children performed with confidence and joy.

When Pope Francis watched the Living Nativity in Rome this year he said, "the newborn baby Jesus gives us hope, He came for us, with so much tenderness."

Blessing of the Advent Wreath

Fr Gerard joined the Mission and Prayer Team to lead us for our Celebration of the Word as we start the season of Advent.

First Reading: Isaiah - The people that walk in darkness have seen a great light

Gospel: John - I am the light that has come into the world.

Father spoke about how, during Advent, we have the opportunity to shine our light, our goodness through the things we do. If we are people of hope, of peace, of joy and of love, we will be ready for the coming of Jesus.  Our hymn today was ‘My Lighthouse’ which Father especially enjoyed.

Youth Sunday - 24^th November 2024

Thank you to all the children and families who attended 11am Mass this week to mark Youth Sunday. It was wonderful to see so many proudly worn red jumpers.

It was the feast of Christ the King and Fr Gerard spoke about how Jesus was a very different type of king, not an important king with a fancy robe, golden crown and a big palace. Jesus is a humble king who served others and wore a crown of thorns and we must learn to be like him.

The Gospel today was John 18:33-3. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Pope Francis spoke to young people and called them into action, inviting them to be active participants in building God’s Kingdom here on earth. 

Our Lady of Fatima Pilgrim Statue

We are lucky to have the replica pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima in school this week.  Our songs of worship time was dedicated to Our Lady as we sang Marian hymns and learned about the amazing vision of Mary that the 3 young children had in Portugal in 1917.

Pope Francis said:

“Every time we come to Fatima or set eyes on the Pilgrim Statue, we must remember this: Mary made herself present in a special way, so that the disbelief of so many hearts would be opened up to Jesus, and with her presence she points us to Jesus.”

Sr Lucia, one of the children who saw Mary, said, “There is no problem, no matter how difficult, that we cannot resolve by the power of the Holy Rosary.“

Thank you to the parents who attended our Family prayer time and to everyone who spent a little extra time with Mary, Our Mother, this week .

Find out about the Fatima visions, the miracle and the messages here: Fatima visions

October - Month of the Holy Rosary

The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, a beautiful prayer that reflects on the life of Jesus through the eyes of his mother, Mary. Children have learnt about the mysteries and prayers of the rosary and have spent time in the chapel. There have been many opportunities to pray together in class and during assemblies. Staff have also led drop-in sessions before, after and during school and it has been lovely to see children choosing to attend these.

New School Bibles

The holy scriptures are an essential part of our faith as we draw strength and take guidance from the Word of God and the life and teachings of Jesus.   At St Thomas Aquinas school we have purchased some beautiful new Bibles which have been distributed to all classes. These will be displayed in a central, special place in each classroom and used regularly during RE lessons and class worship.

Blessing the New School Year

Father Gerard led us in a wonderful Mass to bless the start of the new school year.  The children listened well and sang beautifully as they heard the message that they should love God and love their neighbour.  Prayers were offered for our school community asking that children, staff, parents and governors be inspired to live and share the Gospel message through their actions and words.  

Father was also able to bless the new statue of our patron saint, St Thomas Aquinas.

Reading:   2 Corinthians 5:18-20  ‘We have been sent to share God's peace.’

Gospel:      Mark 15:14-16,19-20     ‘Go everywhere and tell the Good News to everyone.’