Chaplains Corner: 8th December

Heading into the last week of term, there has been much buzz about Charity, Community and Celebration. 

Mrs Waters has compiled an update of Charity events that have taken place this term, and the generosity of all students, staff and families has been fabulous. This last Monday at the Headmaster’s Assembly, Lottie Warburton (Year 13) announced to the Senior School that our Whole School Charity this year is HCPT (Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust), which organises and houses people of all ages living with disability on pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. It is a charity with which Ratcliffe College has long been associated, and our students accompany and assist the pilgrims annually. Their stories upon return speak of friendship and solidarity, of spirituality and fun! We are pleased to raise funds for their work, and I invite you all to look through their website for further details of their work – https://www.hcpt.org.uk.

Our community comes together at this time to celebrate the Advent of Christ, and prepare for Christmas. To this end, we have practiced our Carols at the Chaplaincy Assembly, held an annual “Sing Song” with the Syston Friendship Club, organised our Community Carols Service (this coming Sunday, 6pm in the Church – ALL WELCOME!), and our last day of term Carol Service at school. The Boarding Community began Advent with a Mass and Dinner last Sunday. We have also been preparing for the annual celebrations of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (our College Feast), beginning with Mass this Friday and our dinners throughout next week. Please read through Fr Philip Sainter’s explanation of this important feast, and its place in our collective heart.

I would like you to note that our Christmas Eve Mass this year will take place at 5pm, 24th December 2017 in the College Church. This is an amendment to the time advertised in the printed calendar, and it is hoped to be more convenient for families. Please do consider our invitation to attend this Mass, and be assured of appropriately celebratory refreshments after the Mass!

I thank you all for your positivity and generosity this term. Across retreats, charities and celebrations, the whole Ratcliffe family has enjoyed a busy and fruitful start to the year. I wish you all a happy and holy Christmas, and a new year full of blessings.