St Cuthbert's RC High School

Letter from Pope Francis

One of our Year 8 pupils was so enthusiastic about our recent BOB Box project that he decided to send one to His Holiness Pope Francis.

A BOB box is a bat or bird box and is the brainchild of CAFOD Community Officer, Steve Burrowes. He developed the idea for a box which can be adapted for either bats or birds, in response to Laudato Si, the message from Pope Francis to us all about caring for our common home and all the creatures in it.

St Cuthbert’s RC High School pupils have raised over £1,000 for CAFOD by making and selling BOB boxes to friends and family, which gave George the idea that Pope Francis himself needed to have a BOB box in his garden.

George was delighted to receive the following response from the Vatican.

“His Holiness Pope Francis has received your kind letter and your gift of a BOB box. He thanks you for sharing with him your efforts to care for the world, our common home. The Holy Father will remember you, your family and your school in his prayers.”

Mass of Sacred Chrism

As part of our Holy Week preparations, three of our Year 9 Pupil Chaplains, Emily, Princia and Viviana represented St Cuthbert's at the Mass of Sacred Chrism at the cathedral church of St John the Evangelist Salford.

The Mass was celebrated by Bishop John Arnold together with most of the priests of the Diocese of Salford. During the Mass, the sacred oils which will be used for anointing by all the parishes throughout the coming year, were blessed and distributed.

After Mass, everyone was invited for refreshments and a chance to chat to others who had been part of this very special event.

Our Pupil Chaplains were wonderful ambassadors for our school and said afterwards "It was a wonderful opportunity to take part in such a special Mass and we are grateful we were invited to take part."

Lenten Assemblies

Our Pupil Chaplains and Caritas Ambassadors have been very busy preparing and leading a Holy Week assembly for each year group.

We are very proud of them as it takes great courage and commitment to stand and speak in front of their peers. 

Their assembly focussed on the events of Holy Week, through the eyes of those who were there - what they saw, how they felt and what difference it made to them.

Pupils were given the opportunity to reflect on their own faith journey and what the events of Holy Week and Easter means for them.