Update from St Margaret Ward Chaplaincy

It has been a busy term of faith-based activities at St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy. We began the term with our Ash Wednesday Liturgies, marking the beginning of our Lenten fasting as a school community. All year groups marked the day fantastically well with their prayerful engagement in the services and many receiving the ashes. It was wonderful to gather together as a faith community in the presence of God, something we have not been able to do for some time.

We also raised over £300 for our emergency appeal for Ukraine, where students were encouraged to add something blue or yellow to their uniform for the day. Many have also donated items to be donated as well, showing that our faith leads to concrete actions for those in most need.

As well as this, at the start of Lent we launched our Lent Prayer Challenge. Students in their Fidei groups were encouraged to choose an issue or situation that is important to them to pray for every day. This is connected with the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, who are aiming building a Christian monument dedicated to answered prayers.

We have also been doing our best to serve others, with our fundraising efforts this term focussing on raising money through clothes donations via the Bags2School scheme. Lots of bags of clothes being donated and the money raised will go to Father Hudson’s care, who care for the elderly, vulnerable adults as well as children and families.

People are able to share stories of how their prayers have been answered and so we hope to be able to contribute to this towards the end of Lent. Our students will end the term by reflecting on their own experiences of prayer and maybe even sharing how God has answered their prayers. If you would like to know more about this, or to share an answered prayer of your own, please visit https://www.eternalwall.org.uk/