We have regular meetings of the Spiritual Life working party in the school and from this broad group a number of people took particular responsibility for planning the mission and drew in staff from every department to assist.  The usual timetable was set aside wherever necessary, except for some national exams which we worked around successfully.  Students also formed a Core Group, assisting in planning and delivering the mission, with some being prepared beforehand by the team, including preparation for Prayer Ministry in pairs during the mission week.

Our mission picked up the school motto ‘Know yourself’ and gave us a title for the week,  “Know God, Know yourself”.

We wanted a springboard from which to move forward and this has certainly given us oneThe Main Event was so good to see a mix of students and others, as also at the after school social.   Getting to know the team who were so ‘cool’.

‘Its OK to say you are a Catholic now to other students in Cheadle.’

A few staff reflections: ‘My form wouldn’t shut up about it’, ‘We wanted a springboard from which to move forward and this has certainly given us one.’

One member of staff was having a discussion the next week about ‘grace’ and the way we receive it  and one student commented ‘that’s what happened last week.’

Of course we now have to say,  “what next?”  The week was a memorable week but many people want to build on it, and students will have a greater role in planning the development of the college’s spiritual life.  Some are keen to offer the Prayer Ministry again, others are taking an active role in planning and delivering the Acts of Worship, and others are hoping to form a group to meet to talk and pray regularly.

Our new half term was given a kick start from the Cross Purposes team from the Sion Community who led our College Mission, Know God; Know Yourself. It was a week full of fun, reflection, prayer and friendship. Becky, Matt, Miles, Pius, Helena, Francesca, and David led each day with year group acts of worship based on the themes of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We watched dramas, songs, sign language and personal witness to help us identify with how God is with us in our everyday lives.

Workshops helped smaller groups of students take a deeper look at God’s presence with us and opportunities for prayer were also greatly welcomed by the students. All parts of our college community were given the opportunity to take part in our special week, particularly with the ‘Main Event’ on the Thursday evening. Teachers, governors, parents, parish links and students all experienced a time of worship led in the distinctive Cross Purposes way and the evening was a true success in uniting our community and refocusing our minds on the purpose and ethos of our Catholic College.

A unique week, led by a unique group of people that has enriched the lives of our students and beyond helping to continue to plant the seeds of God’s love to all his children.

A Sixth Form Student’s Account of Mission Week

As a Catholic Sixth Form student, living in the 21st Century, I have, like others, had to explore my mind in search of my real faith. Being a practising Catholic, I have discovered that not everyone will accept this as my choice in life; my belief has taken some knocks. Mission week was the perfect opportunity for me and others to open our hearts and our minds to the world and the Word of God.

The Mission team working from Cross Purposes allowed me and the rest of Painsley’s Sixth Form a chance to engage with the spiritual side of their life. This was done in a way which connected with the students’ age group.

I felt the whole week was a profound journey which delved beyond what I originally thought about God, and the life of Jesus, his Son.

The week was full of happiness, laughter and fun which also allowed time for some concentration when thinking about, not only our faith but who we are as a person, and who we are striving to be. The theme for the week was “know God, know yourself”. All members of the Cross Purposes team made me (and certainly others) feel like there is always a helping hand through Jesus and the people we love. A feeling of calm was felt when I realised I would never be alone when facing difficulties in my life.

A number of sixth formers were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to help organise a number of prayer groups with the aim to help people feel better about their choices in life. During the preparation time, the group in which I was involved decided on a theme of water, this would represent God; pupils who attended the prayer group would be handed a small paper boat to write their problems on, which would then be put in a large container holding the water. After a short time of prayer the boats sank, symbolically meaning that God had taken their troubles and stresses in life, and He will, from that moment, lift the burdens.

Today the group re-enacted “The Birth of Frankenstein” on stage.  This showed us that no human being can start and design life.  But then Holy water was sprinkled on the creation, and it came to life.  This told us that only the Holy Spirit has the power to design and create lifeCross Purposes really understood what young adults respond to; the team, Pius, David, Joe, Miles, Matt, Becky, Helena and Fran put together dramas with a modern twist e.g. the crucifixion of Jesus to modern music showed brilliantly the story of bitter-sweet anguish that He had to go through before, during and after his fate. Musical acts were also performed by the small group; the message of God was brought to all the sixth formers in a language which most related to them.

All in all, the week was a massive success and Cross Purposes, as well as spreading the Word of God to Painsley’s school pupils, also managed to reach out to touch the hearts and open the minds of students from other local schools who attend our joint Sixth Form. I have never before appreciated my religion as much as I do now. Truly a week to remember.