Erin Brown |
This year’s first year retreats were another great success, with the help of our school’s Lay Chaplin Mr Russell, and those staff members who also attended Carfin Grotto: a place of worship for over 90 years.
The theme for the retreat was “Pilgrimage” and the pupils learned a great deal about what a spiritual journey can involve and how physical journeys can develop one’s spirituality.
There were three workshops, one of which was in the reliquary which holds more than 700 authenticated relics and many more historical artefacts.
After these workshops, which taught the children of how and where various religions go on pilgrimage, the stories belonging to some of the most well-known saints and the history of the grotto through questionnaires, Mr Russel held a service to finish.
The service took place in the Glass Chapel, which was built in the late 1980’s to commemorate those who died in the Lockerbie plane crash in 1988. It was there the group prayed for their intentions that included those suffering as part of the current migrant crisis, their families, friends, teachers and all those in need of prayers.
Before the short service, in which every child participated, the group broke for lunch and the S1’s had the opportunity to explore the grotto and its sunken garden as well as the café for a side of chips.
Overall, the retreat was thoroughly enjoyed by all there, with the weather remaining pleasant to top off an already great day. Many of the first years thought it a fun day spent with their classmates and were complimented by members of the public for being a fantastic representation of our school.
A big thank you to Mr Russel and staff once more and also to the first year pupils who were a credit to the school.
