Year 11 Saint John Houghton CVA Retreat 2022
It was my privilege to support our wonderful Year 11’s in their Retreat and Final Liturgy, with thanks to Year 7 for providing the ‘Words of Wisdom’ and Mrs Gabriel, Chair of Governors, for leading the reflection and Mr Brogan for the closing words and prayer. Each Tutor Group led part of the final liturgy. We began with Scripture and a warm welcome, which led to an opportunity to ask for God’s forgiveness and a time of reflection and to remember the people we are called to become. Students and staff shared memories from the past five years, including Sport’s Day, pilgrimages to The Briars, Tutor stories and lunchtimes. Year 11 presented our Eco Club with some Crocus’ as they shared their memories from the Crocus Café and wanted to ‘give back’ something which represented ‘growth’ to the school family. It was a time to pray together, to listen to the prayers they had written and to hear their hopes and dreams. One Tutor Group led us in making a Prayer Bracelet. One parent said, ‘this was such a beautiful liturgy, I can’t believe the time has gone so fast and they are suddenly all grown up! Thank you so much for this memory – it is a time I will treasure.’
