On Thursday 3rd February, Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School welcomed Bishop John Sherrington for a visit to the school.
Bishop John was invited along with the local parish priests to lead the NBS Synod Listening Event. This event gave students a chance to have their voices listened to and Bishop John commented on how well the NBS students articulated themselves, especially on sensitive issues.
The discussion showed that the pupils had considerable passion for their faith as well as the importance of being part of a Catholic community, and how the Church might change in the future. Bishop John reassured the pupils that the views from the school survey and the Synod discussion would become part of the diocesan submission to the Bishops' Conference.
Macey Breaks, a student in year 12, commented, 'It was lovely to meet Bishop Sherrington. I felt the student’s views were listened to by our esteemed guests. I now hope some of our views and ideas are shared in Rome as we collectively work towards shaping our Church for the future.'
After the listening event, Bishop John and the local parish priests celebrated Mass with Years 7 and 8. This Mass was the first time these students experienced a Mass in the school hall since the Covid restrictions were imposed.
Bishop John, in his homily, invited the students to go out and make a difference to our world through understanding the importance of Catholic Social Teaching, using the lives of the schools House Saints as role models: Sts John Bosco, Josephine Bakhita, Maximillian Kolbe, Therese Lisieux and Bernadette Soubirous.
Earlier in the day, Bishop John had a school tour and visited several lessons. He asked the students of their knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching and how this can connect to their subject knowledge. The students made a lasting impression through their understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and the formation opportunities at school and home.
As their pupil profile states, Nicholas Breakspear School seeks to empower students to develop into young people who are able to take up Bishop John’s invitation and go and make a positive difference in the world.
See more photos from Bishop Johns' visit here.
