Author: Mr Pearce

O Come, O Come Emmanuel! Thank you to all the pupils, family members and staff who attended our 2023 Rorate Mass. As the sun rose outside, we turned our hearts towards the Risen Son, the light of the world whose arrival in time we will celebrate at Christmas. We did this gathered at the altar of God where the Son becomes flesh once more in the Blessed Sacrament. Maranatha- Come Lord Jesus!

From the 4th to the 9th of October, Turnbull has hosted its third mission, a schoolwide event that takes place every six years ensuring all pupils may experience it.

This term’s mission was centered around Blessed Carlo Acuitis (1991-2006) an English-born Italian Catholic youth and web designer. In fact, he is best known for just that, having created an inspiring website that explored the many miracles of the Eucharist. Although he died young of leukemia, he is known as the Patron Saint of the Internet for using this modern tool to help spread the good news of God.

The school’s auditorium was decorated spectacularly for the occasion and with speakers from Life In The Eucharist, all pupils were able to learn about the wonders of the Eucharist and Blessed Carlo Acutis himself. Our visitors were emphatic about the quality of our young people’s participation. “It’s a lot to process but the pupils have been engaged,” one speaker commented, “Each pupil will take something away from it, even if two or three tried to eat the wax grapes!” As well as this, the school was even given a T-shirt of Blessed Carlo Acutis signed by his mother. Each session consisted of time at the International Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition and time for Eucharistic Adoration in the school oratory. The visiting team were very impressed with Turnbull High School and spoke very highly of our young people’s engagement and reverence.

Throughout the week, pupils learned about Carlo’s life and example in RE lessons. They also learned about Carlo’s website which documents approved miracles involving the Eucharist. Pupils will stunned to learn that the words of Jesus and the teachings of the Church on the Real Presence are supported by forensic science. If you haven’t heard about this, you can visit Carlo’s own website to learn more. (https://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/liste/list.html)

It is important to us that a Whole School Mission involves as much of our community as possible. A twilight session for parents and family enabled us to welcome our wider community. Over refreshments, family members experienced the exhibition, viewed a showing of the EWTN film about Blessed Carlo and venerated the relic. On the Friday, we were thrilled to welcome Primary 4 pupils from St Nicholas’ and St Helen’s primary schools. The children were exquisitely behaved, were completely enthralled in the exhibition with help form the team and their reverence in the oratory would make the seraphim blush! We hope that the experience will have been a significant one as they prepare to receive their first Holy Communion.

Feedback from the young people was extremely positive, many of whom wished that they could have spent more time at the exhibition and the oratory. Most notable is an increase of 9% in belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist as a result of the School Mission.

The mission came to an end on Monday 9th and what better way to end it than with a Mass? Joined by invited guests and with music performed by Turnbull’s very own Jazz Band, this was surely a Mass (and a Mission) to remember!

Looking forward, it is clear that the legacy of this event will endure, serving as a source of motivation for our continued spiritual growth and serving as inspiration for the pupils, families and staff of Turnbull High School. Anna, S6.