The day of our school photographs has arrived! John Wilson will transform the music room into a temporary studio and it will be a non-stop day of top buttons being fastened, ties being straightened and cheesy smiles all round!

St Columba is sometimes given the credit for bringing Christianity to Scotland but it was actually St Ninian, whose feast we celebrate today. The traditional story is that Ninian was the son of a Christian tribal chief somewhere in what is now known as Dumfries and Galloway. He became a bishop and built a monastery in the town of Whithorn. It is said that St Ninian would often retreat to a cave on the beach near his monastery to be alone in prayer. I have fond memories of making the annual pilgrimage to St Ninian’s Cave as a child… Certainly a peaceful place, but definitely not the warmest!

Today is also the three year anniversary of the papal visit to Glasgow. Many of you, like me, will have very special memories of the Mass in Bellahouston Park, where 75,000 people gathered together in the September sunshine to celebrate the Eucharist in the company of Pope Benedict XVI. During his homily, the Holy Father addressed Catholic schools directly. It would be worthwhile for us to revisit these words and draw fresh inspiration and encouragement:

‘Scottish Catholic schools have taken up the challenge of providing an integral education to greater numbers of students, and this has helped young people not only along the path of spiritual and human growth, but also in entering the professions and public life. This is a sign of great hope for the Church, and I would encourage the Catholic teachers of Scotland never to lose sight of their calling to use their talents and experience in the service of faith.’

St Ninian, missionary to Scotland, pray for us.