Archbishop John inspires schools to find hope in Jesus
Students and staff from schools across the Archdiocese filled St George's Cathedral for a special Mass celebrating the start of the new school year
Archbishop John Wilson celebrated a special Mass at St George's Cathedral to mark the start of the school year, welcoming children and young people from schools across the Archdiocese.
In his homily, Archbishop John challenged pupils to reflect on the true meaning of hope. He explained that there is a "difference between hoping for something" and "Christian hope".
While "you may hope that you get an extra holiday from school," that, he said, "is not Christian hope". Instead, Christian hope, the Archbishop explained, "is to know nothing can separate us from God’s love".
Explaining the source of our hope, Archbishop John said:
"Our hope is because in Jesus, God is with us... so let’s be people of real hope who know Jesus is with us".
The Archbishop brought students up to the front during his homily, asking them what it means to be a person of hope who loves Jesus. The children's answers were beautiful and insightful. One student shared that hope is "trusting in Jesus’ plan for us always," while another added that it means "knowing that Jesus will be with us always, even if do something that might not be the right thing to do".
Drawing on the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham, Archbishop John presented the Blessed Virgin Mary as a perfect example of Christian hope. When asked why Mary is a person of hope for us, one student replied that even at the foot of the Cross, "Mary still hoped in God”.
The Archbishop said the "most important thing Mary teaches us is those words we hear" in the Gospel of Luke: "do not be afraid". He added, "that's what it means to have Christian hope”. He concluded, "for those who love God and love His Son Jesus and stay close to Our Lady, God always brings good. And in the end, God will triumph through his love”.
The Mass also included a renewal of commitment from Head Teachers, Chair of Governors, Chaplains, and staff, who promised to carry out the Church’s mission and be signs of Christ's presence in schools.
At the steps of the Sanctuary, Chief Executives of the Catholic Education Trusts in the Archdiocese made a promise of fidelity, committing to ensure all schools and colleges are places that demonstrate the distinctive nature of Catholic education.
The event was an inspiring start to the new academic year. Congratulation to the Education Service and St George's Cathedral.
Please join us in praying for the children and young people in our schools, as well as the staff, volunteers, and parents.
