The Catholic Life of our School

Mini Vinnies

Mini Vinnies are 7 to 11 year olds based in schools and parishes across England and Wales, and in several other countries across the world. They come together to form a part of the St. Vincent de Paul Society England and Wales, a voluntary organisation dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms. Our OLOL Mini Vinnies meet to pray, discuss and support however they can to help make a difference in their communities. 

Mini Vinnies truly turn concern into action as they use the simple formula of ‘see, think, do’ to find people in need and help them. They  help by: 

• Writing cards for people in a local care home
• Visiting local care homes to sing or play games with the residents
• Packing emergency packs for the homeless
• Running food collections for a local foodbank

Mini Vinnie Meeting Friday 16th September 2022

Our Mini Vinnies came together for their first meeting of the academic year. They were excited for the year ahead and shared lots of ideas for how they wish to help people in our local community and further afield. 

We looked at the new outdoor prayer area space and discussed what we hope it will look like and how special it will be. 

The Mini Vinnies were then set the task of planning and designing what they think the Prayer Garden should look like. They split into three groups and created detailed plans. They then shared these with Ms. Halpin who was very impressed with their wonderful, thoughtful ideas. 

The Mini Vinnies will present their plans to the whole school on Friday 23rd September during Celebration Assembly. As a school we will then decide on a final plan to put forward to complete our Prayer Garden. 

Watch this space.... 

October-The Month of The Rosary

The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. Praying the Rosary is a cherished Catholic devotion. In school, all prayer and liturgies are dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. 

You are invited to pray the Rosary with our Mini Vinnies every Wednesday at 8:30am during the month of October:

-Wednesday 5^th October

-Wednesday 12^th October

-Wednesday 19^th October

Please join us in the School Hall for these prayer sessions. The school will provide rosary beads and prayer cards.

On Wednesday 5th October, Year 6 led us on a reflective, thoughtful Worship Assembly that reminded us why this month is special and why and how we as Catholics pray the Rosary. 

Bishop John Sherrington Visit Tuesday 1st November 2022

We were delighted to welcome Bishop John Sherrington back to our lovely school again recently to celebrate an All Saints' Feast Day Mass and to bless our new Chapel. 

He praised pupils for their reverence during Mass and for their beautiful singing voices. He also praised our readers for speaking in a confident and clear manner and for learning their lines off by heart.

After Mass, the Mini Vinnies excitedly led Bishop John to our new Chapel, where he gave a blessing. He enjoyed talking to the Mini Vinnies and congratulated them on what they have achieved so far in their roles. He was particularly impressed with their Prayer Garden Plans which they shared with him. The Mini Vinnies enjoyed talking to Bishop John about his role as a Bishop and asked some thoughtful, intriguing questions.

Our Lady of Lourdes – New Mission Statement

On Friday 11^th November 2022 the whole school community came together to gather ideas to create our school’s new Mission Statement. This was a fantastic day for the school, and a day that all pupils and staff will remember. 

The day was led by Sr Judith who is a regular visitor to our school.  From whole school discussions in the hall, to focussed class and small group work, everyone worked enthusiastically to come up with two Mission Statement options, and as in all good democracies, the final decision was made following a whole school vote.

We are proud to announce that our new Mission Statement is:

Growing together in faith, hope and courage, we inspire each other-learning to continue Christ’s Mission.

Here are some images of the day…….