Ampleforth 2012 - Sorry seems to be...

...the hardest word. Well that was indeed the theme for our Lenten retreat at Ampleforth this year and what a wonderful and blessed experience we all shared. This was one of the biggest groups that we've taken on retreat during that time and what a fantastic group you all turned out to be! Group work, rounders, welly flinging, praying with the monks, stations of the cross and great food of course all contributed to a fantastic weekend and a massive thank you goes out to everyone who got involved.

We had our usual mix of parishioners from each of our local parishes here in Hartlepool join us for the weekend and share in all of the activities and it was wonderful to see the way in which everyone from all the different year groups around the school simply got on so well. Over the next week we will be putting more images and videos on the blog so look out for those but for now here's a quick selection:

Ampleforth Retreat 2012

Getting to know each other

Biblical fancy dress anyone?!

Celebrating mass together to end the retreat

Receiving our Lenten Promises

Did you know about Noah and the Rainbow?

Fr Phil celebrating mass

Ampleforth 2012 - Message To You All!

Water everywhere!

Thank you for your kind and warm welcome yesterday at Ampleforth.

I had a wonderful and moving time with you and the young people there. Hope springs eternal and yesterday proved that to me. Although some didn’t want to look too ‘uncool’ by acting as though they gave credence to what was going on, their companions gently brought them in to play a part in the Mass preparation and the thought and understanding which that was about.

The importance of the retreat was made more significant in that not only had a group prepared the retreat themselves, but that Fr Phil had taken time from his work as the Provincial of the Holy Ghost Fathers to come to spend the weekend with you all. It is a tremendous accolade that over forty young people took part in the weekend and that they, the English Martyrs staff and parishioners who where there gladly gave up one weekend to look for a better understanding of God in their busy lives.

God Bless, Terry

Pancake Day Flipping Quiz

The 3 Parishes Youth Action Group celebrated Pancake Day by organising a Flipping Quiz to raise money for Mary’s Meals, a charity helping feed and educate children in Africa and across the world.

Some of us found it hard to answer questions after eating far too many pancakes but it was all in a good cause as over £230 was raised.

Many thanks to the people of St. Thomas More’s parish who let us use their hall and supported us so generously. If you want to join in the fun, click on the link and try out the picture quiz.

Hartfields Games

Last week, students from English Martyrs went back in time to find out what being might have been like 50 years ago. As part of our project linking up EMS Houses with local parishes, St. Thomas More students visited Hartfields Retirement Village to play games that residents had played when they were younger. Some of the games were familiar and some were new, though Health and Safety prevented us from trying out Mountykitty, a game involving leaping on people's backs until they collapsed!

Emma Wheatman, activities co-ordinator at Hartfields was delighted: 'The session was a huge success, both generations talked about the games they played as children before playing the games and having a lot of fun.' Thanks to the residents for making us so welcome.

Gambia Week - Day 5

We pray today in thanksgiving for everything we have. A roof over our head, food on our table, water in our taps, free education and medical help... the list is endless when you begin to think of things to be grateful for. Team Gambia will be living a different kind of life right now and they too will have a lot to be thankful for.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."

St Paul's letter to the Colossians

Gambia Week - Day 4

We pray today for those countries around the world that do not have peace or who live under oppression and do not know joy. Our brothers and sisters in The Gambia will be experiencing joy with those who have very little. Let us remember that we can be happy and have peace even when we don't have all the things that we believe make us happy.

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you."

Psalm 5:11

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Psalm 16:11

"May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests."

Psalm 20:5

Gambia Week - Day 3

Team Gambia will now be getting ready for their first day of activities. We pray for them as they extend the hand of friendship from us to our friends in The Gambia. May the friendships they create and sustain help to make a difference in our world, to show that we can all live as one, regardless of our cultural differences.

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

Gospel of John

Gambia Week - Day 2

As we pray right now, Team Gambia are just about to take off. Let us be united in our prayer this morning and the rest of the week as they too will be praying with us on their journey. We journey with them in prayer today. Let us not forget them when we say our own prayers this week.

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as a member of the one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

St Paul's letter to the Colossians

Gambia Week - Day 1

Today, we pray for our staff and students who tomorrow will make their long journey to our link school in The Gambia. We are all on a journey though and already today we have made the journey here to school. As we begin our day, let us remember that Jesus is with us in every step we take.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord

your God will be with you wherever you go."

Josuha 1:9

St Anne Line House Mass

Today saw the students of St Anne Line house at The English Martyrs School celebrate their annual mass. Students and teachers participated in the mass along with members of St Patricks and St Teresa's parish who had come along to share the celebration with us.

During the week the students had also been collecting 50p donations so that we could all contribute something to the Apostleship of the Sea, a group of people who look after the sailors who come into ports such as ours here in Hartlepool. This is something that affects each and every one of us as 90% of the world trade is transported over seas.

Well done to everyone involved in the mass today and particular congratulations to the older students who were singing their hearts out right through!

Candlemas BBQ 2012

A fire in the garden, a candlelit procession and Mass by candlelight with uplifting new music- what more could you want to celebrate this great feast day? Well, how about a delicious BBQ, brownies and custard, a funky sock competition and the excellent company of the Catholic community of Hartlepool?

This was the second event planned by the newly formed Youth Ministry Coordination Team Youth Section and they've only been going 6 weeks! Their enthusiasm is truly inspirational. Thanks to everyone involved; you know who you are!

Fancy a BBQ?

Last year people thought we were barking mad having a BBQ in the middle of Winter, this year that status has been downgraded to slightly bonkers! It's fair to say that last year was an amazing success and we never imagined so many people would turn out to celebrate Candlemas day in a way that none of us had experienced before so this year we're hoping for even more of you to come along and share in the fun. The whole event will once again take part at St Marys Church on the Headland starting at 5:30pm on Thursday 2nd February. Why not come along check it out yourselves?

Team Gambia 2012

Just under one week to go now until our Year 11 students head off to Africa once more and back to our partner school in Darsilami. The students and staff taking part this year are getting very excited about the trip and fundraising has been ongoing throughout the year. The team have hosted events such as a sponsored bike ride (see story in the Hartlepool Mail), a fashion show and most recently a race night. All of these events have not only helped to raise funds but also allow the students to develop a real team spirit which is obvious for everyone to see.

While the group are out in The Gambia the rest of us back here in Hartlepool will be starting each day with a prayer matching that which will be said by the team in Africa. This is just one way in which each and every one of us in our school community can contribute to what will hopefully be another amazing experience for all involved. Look out on the blog for some special updates on this throughout the week.