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Year 1 Visit to St. Bede’s Church

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This week, our Year 1 class had a wonderful visit to St Bede’s Church, where they met with Father Bill. As part of our RE topic on baptism, Father Bill explained the importance of baptism and how it welcomes people into the Church. The children were fascinated as he showed them some of the special signs and symbols used in the ceremony, including the font where the baptism takes place, the holy water, and the shell used for pouring it. They also learned about the significance of the baptismal candle and the oil of chrism. It was a meaningful experience that helped the children understand the role of these symbols in the sacrament of baptism.

Reception Visit Church

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Yesterday we walked to church to meet Father Bill who talked to us about baptism. He showed us all of the symbols used in a baptism including the font, baptismal candle and the holy oil. The children then asked Father Bill some excellent questions like, “Why do you light the candle?” We would like to say a big thank you to Father Bill for a lovely morning!

Father Bill Visits Nursery

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Father Bill visited nursery to show us how a priest baptises a baby. We talked about our own baptism.

Mini Vinnies’ Behind the Scenes Tour of St Bede’s Church

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After school today, the Mini Vinnies enjoyed a lovely visit to our church to have a ‘Behind the scenes’ tour with Father Bill.

The children had a more detailed look around St Bede’s Church, looking at the Sanctuary, the Sacred Heart Altar, Our Lady’s Altar,  the statues, Font, Paschal Candle, the Stations of the Cross images, and the beautiful stained glass windows.

Father Bill then showed us the beautiful stained glass windows of the 7 Sacraments – Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick.  Here are 6 of the windows as one of them is best seen from the Choir loft.

 

The children were very eager to go upstairs into the Choir Loft so were very fortunate to visit that too, getting an amazing view of the church from that vantage point.

The children ended their tour with a visit to the chapel at the back of church, the Sacristy where the Priest and Altar Servers get ready, the Confessional and were lucky enough to see a small relic from the original cross of Christ.

Father Bill, thank you so much  for the tour and for answering our many questions!  We’ll definitely visit again with our other Mini Vinnies group and other classes from school.

First Holy Communion Going Forth Mass

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On Sunday, the First Holy Communion children celebrated their ‘Going Forth’ Mass, where they received their certificates from Fr Bill.

Here they are together and with their Catechists.

Feast of St Bede

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To celebrate the Feast of Saint Bede, some of our wonderful Year 5 and 6 children wrote and led an assembly all about our patron saint. The children did a fantastic job of researching key facts and writing their own script. They also collectively wrote a prayer to St Bede which they shared with everyone, alongside some beautiful artwork inspired by El Salvador crosses.

First Holy Communion Day

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Some of our Year 4 children made their first Holy Communion this morning.  It was a wonderful Mass – the Catechists had prepared the children well, the church was filled with families and friends, the children read beautifully and looked amazing!  Everyone was so proud of them!

After Mass, the children made their way to the church hall which had been decorated with beautiful artwork, prayers and cards made by their St Bede’s family.  The children then tucked into their First Holy Communion breakfast and continued the celebrations at home with their families.

St Vincent de Paul Summer Camps 2024 at Holy Island

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The St Vincent de Paul (SVP) Society has some availability for children in Years 5 and 6 to attend their annual summer camp at Holy Island.  The camp has been running on Holy Island for approximately 70 years.   While weeks 1 and 2 are now full, there are places for weeks 3, 5 and 6 of the upcoming summer break.  It will be a fantastic experience – some of our teachers even attended the camp when they were in school!

An information poster is available to download here – Holy Island Vinnie Camp

Please click here to view their website.

Application forms can be made using the above link, however, if you have any further queries, please contact SVP directly or speak to Mrs Kennedy when in school.

 

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