The mission of my life

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Cardinal John Henry Newman was beatified in 2010 by Pope Benedict during his visit to Britain. His feast is this Tuesday. Among his voluminous writings this passage seems to speak to many people. I make no apologies for printing it again here. It is packed with wisdom, so read it slowly, pausing wherever you find you can relate to what he says …

“God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments. Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.”

Blessed John Henry Newman 1801 – 1890

This is me

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On 12th October we are showing “The Greatest Showman” at St Brigid’s (see inside). In the film Keala Settle, as a bearded lady, leads the ensemble of so-called circus “freaks” in the multi-award winning song “This is Me”. Here are the lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul to this uplifting song.

I am not a stranger to the dark,
“Hide away”, they say “cause we don’t want your broken parts”. I’ve learned to be ashamed of all my scars
“Run away”, they say, “no one will love you as you are”.
But I won’t let them break me down to dust
I know that there’s a place for us for we are glorious
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised I am who I’m meant to be, this is me Look out ‘cause here I come
And I’m marching on to the beat I drum
I’m not scared to be seen, I make no apologies, this is me

Another round of bullets hits my skin
Well, fire away ‘cause today, I won’t let the shame sink in.
We are bursting through the barricades and reaching for the sun. Yea, that’s what we’ve become.
I won’t let them break me down to dust,
I know that there’s a place for us for we are glorious
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down…

And I know that I deserve your love,
‘cause there’s nothing I’m not worthy of
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down…

Search “This is Me Lyric Video” on Youtube

Mrs Sue Miles and Fr Matthew

New nursery at Christ the King School

Christ the King

We are delighted to announce that from 1 January 2019, a nursery will be opening in our parish school as part of an Early Years Unit. It will provide half day placements for 32 children, 16 in the morning and 16 in the afternoon.

Huge benefits to the whole school community will include:
* Enhancing early years education at the school, with continuity of provision reflecting the ethos and culture of the school.
* Early years provision within a faith-based setting for local families, and the support of strong and effective parental links from the earliest opportunity.
* Ease of transition for a nursery-aged child going into Reception
* The opportunity for children to attend nursery at the same site as their older siblings.
* Pupils will not miss out on the start of the foundation phase where trained staff are able to appropriately address their individual development and cultural needs.

One parent writes: “This would be an excellent addition to this wonderful school and would help with the transition for pupils starting Reception. It would help tremendously for continuity of education so that children at a very young age do not have to attend two different schools… long overdue.”

Children are entitled to a part time nursery place from the start of the term following their third birthday. Your child can start full time education in the September following their fourth birthday. Attendance at the Early Years Unit does not automatically entitle a child to a Reception place in the same school. If parents are offered a place for their child within the nursery, a new application must be made for entrance in to the Reception class of the school. So applications for admission to the Early Years Unit in January 2019 can now be made and forms are available from the School Office.

2019 is going to be an exciting year with the establishment of our Early Years Unit. We have a highly skilled and enthusiastic team of staff ready and waiting to begin the new year with our youngest pupils.

Mrs Sue Miles and Fr Matthew