On 14th June 2018, the first anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, Bishop John Wilson, together with Fr Gerard Skinner, celebrated Mass for the pupils, staff and governors at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School in Notting Hill.
Tragically, a pupil from the school, Issac Paulos, and a former pupil, Jessica Urbano Ramirez, who later moved on to the Convent of Jesus and Mary Language College, both lost their lives in the fire. Their families, together with those of unborn baby Logan Gomez who died following the fire, attended the Mass. Also present were other family members, people from the local community, Police Liaison Officers and representatives from the Diocese and the Catholic Children’s Society.
The Mass was celebrated outside in the school grounds. The sky was overcast and the breeze sometimes gentle, at other times strong. The whole area was decorated with green scarves and ribbons of remembrance, together with a large green Grenfell heart made up of the pupils’ handprints.
The liturgy was marked by remembrance and prayer for all those who died, for their families, and for all those living with the consequences of the devastating fire. The theme of Christ as our light and our hope ran through the readings, prayers and music. The power of the light of Christ to overcome the darkness of fear, of loneliness and of despair, was captured through the words of St Francis himself: ‘All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.’
In his homily, Bishop John spoke about the importance of trusting that Christ is our light even on the darkest of days. He asked the children to remember ten important words and to share them with others. With hands held up, counting from finger to finger, the message of Jesus was shared: ‘I am your light; you must be light for others.’
The Mass ended at midday and everyone kept the 72 seconds of silence in memory of the 72 victims of the fire. Bishop John and Fr Gerard then spoke individually with each of the family members and other guests.
A new garden has been erected at the school in remembrance of those who died. There is a beautiful bench inscribed with Isaac’s name and a tree and plaque to remember Jessica. Bishop John blessed the garden, the bench, the plaque and the tree, and invited the family members to join him in sprinkling them with holy water.
Executive Headteacher Kathleen Williams paid tribute to the families, staff, pupils, governors and members of the local community. She said she was so proud of everyone at St Francis of Assisi School who had shown such strength and support during the terrible aftermath of the fire.
The Mass gathered together people whose lives, in different ways, had been marked by the Grenfell fire, some devastatingly so. United around the altar, remembrance and hope were intertwined with the commitment to walk forward strengthened by the light of Christ’s presence, a light we share with others.
