The Solemnity of All Saints was celebrated by the Whole school, in a Full Mass, on Wednesday 1st November 2017.
This Mass was dedicated to John Sheppee, former Headteacher of St Edmunds, who sadly passed away at the end of October. Many of his old colleagues were present to pay their respects to a great ambassador for education, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
On the feast of All Saints we take time to remember all those who have entered heaven, including saints who are recognized by the Church and those who are not. We are all created to be saints and Fr Mark in his Homily spoke about the need for Courage, Steadfastness and perseverance.
Here is an extract from Fr Mark’s homily:
Life does have many challenging experiences at school and home. The temptation at times to give up on the struggle can be immense.
Today we remember Saints 100, thousands impossible to count. A Saint isn’t a person who’s good and perfect all the time. A Saint, who despite all their challenges and their failures, never gives up and perseveres.
Today we remember all those who didn’t and made the world a better place! Saint Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941)
Even in the darkest of times, God’s light keeps breaking forth. In the darkness of the Second World War, a time of incredible suffering and human anguish, a light broke forth through a Franciscan priest named Maximilian Kolbe. He gave his life so that another man might be spared and eventually return to his wife and children.
Ten prisoners in the concentration camp in Auschwitz were chosen at random to die because a fellow prisoner had escaped. One of the 10, Francis Gajowniczek, was a husband and parent. When Father Kolbe heard of the man’s plight, he volunteered to take Gajowniczek’s place. Eventually, all 10 individuals died, including Father Kolbe. This bare outline says something of the heroic charity, graced and courage of Maximilian Kolbe.
Like all the saints – Kolbe’s love is similar to that of Jesus. Both gave their very lives for another; both made manifest the fortitude that says that faith is stronger than death.
Saints are individuals who are willing to sacrifice all; saints are individuals who do not allow fear to govern their destiny.
Today we give thanks for them, ask to have just a bit of their faith, courage and hope.

On Tuesday 10^th October 2017, 44 students and five staff, including Fr Mark our school Chaplain, started their pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican.

Our days were action packed from day 1. We were blessed with Fr Mark’s presence, as he could lead us round the beautiful city and had a wealth of knowledge because he had trained for 5 years at the English College in Rome. He and Mr Katumba could speak Italian, which proved very useful.

We visited world famous sites such as the amazing Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Catacombs, the Piazza Navona, the Spanish steps and the stunning Trevi Fountain. We visited many churches such as Santa Maria Maggiore, St John Lateran and the chapel of the Venerable English College.  This gave us time for reflection and prayer.

On Wednesday we got up very early, and, along with many people from all over the world, travelled to Vatican City as we were privileged to receive tickets to see Pope Francis at his audience in St Peter’s Square. The crowd was immense but we could get close enough to see the Pope in his ‘Pope Mobile’.  Just being in his presence gave some of us goose bumps. The master of ceremonies welcomed St Edmund’s Catholic Academy and as we waved our flags and cheered. You could not help but feel a sense of pride that we had created history and been in the presence of someone very special.

We then went on to visit the Vatican Museum, which show the vast history and wonders of the Catholic Church, the students were in awe of the paintings by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.

We were blessed with beautiful weather and our days were full and long but we came back feeling blessed that we had the opportunity to experience such an amazing city.

Last week 16 students from year 9 and 10, travelled to Soli House Retreat Centre in Staffordshire for 3 days. The theme of the retreat was ‘Legends’. Their first challenge was to ‘walk in faith’ a trek, which helped them to meet the Soli Team, including Fr Tye, to get to know one another.
They had a great day making their own prayers and 2 teams made their own St Edmund’s prayer for the school’s Mission week at the end of November. They had times of reflection, adoration and Mass celebrated by Fr Tye. Before and after each meal they sang grace.
Other activities included archery and the mystery room. I think this was the highlight for many of the students. It was similar to ‘Crystal Maze’. They had three rooms to find their way out off, working together, working out clues, collecting keys and deciphering codes which unlocked many padlocks.
We also looked at ‘Hostages’, each group was given a person who was being held hostage. Then presented the reasons why they should be released first. In the end all the hostages were real Saints.  It taught us not to judge each other by how we look and that everyone may have a past that we do not want other people to know or a reason for why we act or do things. We are all born to be Saints and can be forgiven for things we may do wrong.
Here is the pictures of the morning offering the students made and the 2 of the Mission Prayer.