Two of our primary schools recently welcomed grandparents and older neighbours to special celebrations.
On 25th May, St Raphael’s Primary School in Yeading held a Pentecost party, inviting elderly relatives and neighbours from their local community.
After serving tea and cake to the guests, the pupils took the opportunity sit down with their grandparents and parishioners and talk. Children shared the joy of Pentecost with their guests by showing them the work they had been doing in their RE lessons.
Caritas Development worker Edward De Quay, who has been helping the school with their social action work said: ‘I’ve been really impressed by the initiative and commitment shown by the staff and the thoughtfulness of the children. The Pentecost party was a wonderful culmination of a year’s hard work!’
The afternoon provided the school children a greater understanding of the significance of Pentecost in the Church while also reaching out to their neighbours, who may be lonely. It gave grandparents and elderly parishioners an opportunity to share their faith with young people, and each other.
As part of their celebrations for the Year of the Family, students of Pope Paul Catholic Primary School in Potters Bar welcomed grandparents to a special assembly to celebrate the blessing of having grandparents.
The pupils shared poems and stories as grandparents enjoyed some tea and homemade cake. The grandparents were then invited into classrooms to meet the teachers and share a lesson with their grandchildren.
Michael Kelly, Chair of Governors, said: ‘It was a very special and moving occasion and I was delighted to share it with members of our school.It reinforced the fact that our grandchildren enrich our lives beyond measure.’
Canon Shaun Lennard led a special blessing for grandparents with the choir singing ‘Oh Danny boy’ and finishing with the Irish Blessing.
