Catholic Education Week 2019 got off to a great start with our Caritas Pupils and new Chaplaincy Ambassadors assisting with Sunday Mass in their parishes. Sharing our vision for a community rooted in Gospel Values, the young people expanded on that theme and reflected on how we strive to become a school that is centered on Christ.
On Monday morning, every lesson began with a lesson starter which highlighted ways in which each discipline
promotes Gospel Values. Using our school values as a summary of how we live our faith, departments discussed the importance of honesty, compassion, growing closer to God and respecting the dignity of each person.
On Wednesday lunchtime, Caritas pupils led a short prayer service based on the Beatitudes and the lives of the saints during which our new Chaplaincy Ambassadors were commissioned and received their badges from Mrs Kennedy. Their role will be to promote the faith life of the school, especially attendance at our Thursday Morning Mass and other events liturgical and retreat program. They will also form a significant part of our whole school engagement with pupil voice in relation to our chaplaincy provision.
The climax of Catholic Education Week was our Patronal Feast Day. In 2017, Turnbull’s 40th Anniversary and the 100th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions at Fatima, we took the Immaculate Heart of Mary as Our Patron. On the 21st of November that year, Archbishop Tartaglia consecrated the school and all who are connected to the Turnbull family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This year we were pleased to welcome Fr McGrath (St Aloyisius, Springburn) as he offered the Mass and helped us to renew our consecration. In his homily, Fr McGrath encouraged us to reflect on our identity as brothers and sisters of Jesus as per the Gospel reading, and the impact that this should have on our lives and the lives of those around us. Mass began with a rousing rendition of ‘Immaculate Mary’ which is becoming something of a School Anthem, and ended with a nod to this Sunday’s Feast for Christ the King with ‘Hail Redeemer, King Divine’ accompanied by the school band. Two house groups attended Mass, and our S1 prayer competition winners read their winning intercessions.
The remaining two house groups prayed the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary in different locations around the school, in union with the Mass. In the afternoon, the whole school enjoyed two periods of activities that were organised by the PE department- a great opportunity to work off the calories from the community breakfast which began the day. We thank Our Lady for Her intercession and protection and ask that with each passing year, we may become more and more devoted to Her and Her Divine Son.
