‘That for which the whole world has long sighed, which Christianity has implored with such fervent prayer, and for which We too, interpreter of the common sorrow, have never ceased to pray with the heart of the father intent on the good of all – that has come in a moment: at last, the clash of arms has ceased.’ These word were written a hundred years ago after the armistice of 1918. Read more in our Thought for the Week.
The 11:00 am Mass this Sunday will be a Requiem for Victims of War. The ceremony will start at 10:55 so that we may observe the two minute’s silence at 11:00 am.
The nursery at Bishop Challoner School has been instrumental in driving forward a whole-school creative initiative to commemorate the 100 years since the end of World War One. The pupils, staff and families of the school from nursery, through to sixth form, have been taking time out to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during WWI. During form time and classes the pupils have been invited to reflect and to make a poppy for our large scale cross. Pupils in the school have used felt and buttons to either sew or glue poppies, and families, staff and children at home have crocheted, knitted and sewn a variety of poppies to adorn our cross.
Head Teacher Paula Anderson said, ‘This initiative has brought the whole school community together and inspired everyone to make poppies to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War’. The large quantities of poppies donated have enabled us to create a truly fitting tribute in memory of those who fought in 
WWI.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
A Prayer for Peace – St Francis