Bishop Alan in Conversation

Last night (18/12/14), Fr Dominic Howarth hosted an evening of discussion with Bishop Alan Williams. The talk focused on Bishop Alan's discernment and journey of faith. 

It was prayerful, entertaining, inspiring and interesting in equal amounts. Fr James Mackay both 'live tweeted' the event and we have recorded our story here:

https://storify.com/iTeachRE/bishop-alan-in-conversation 

The evening finished with informal conversation over fish and chips. Bishop Alan told me that he has taught both physics and RE before. He said "Physics was easy, it's very straight forward... RE that the hard stuff!"

He is very much looking forward to visiting Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School as soon as his diary allows... and he admitted that he lets someone else look after that as it is so busy!

Fr James has also blogged: http://jamesm79.com/2014/12/19/an-evening-with-bishop-alan/ 

A full video of the evening is found here: http://brentwoodvocations.org/conversation/bishop-alan/

SHoM Christmas Charity: Scotty's Little Soldiers

This year the Chaplaincy team have chose Scotty's Little Soldiers as their Christmas charity. There will be a non-uniform day on Thursday 18th June and fundraising will also take place in the RE Department. Please give as generously as you can, perhaps instead of sending Christmas cards to your friends at school or by purchasing smaller gifts?

Watch this video to find out what the charity does: 

The Christmas Video Collection

Elf is no doubt one of my favourite Christmas films, but these are some of my favourite short videos to watch at Christmas:

• The Unexpected Nativity [Cute kids from New Zealand]
• The Nativity via Social Media
• Mary and Joe [A Modern Retelling]

All of these feature in an article I have written for UKEdMag, read it <here>

Christmas Music

Image courtesy of RavePad

Christmas always sees a collection of Christmas albums released. There has been a resurgence in this over the last few years, possibly to cash in on this highly profitable time. However there is a great tradition of the Christmas album with many of the stars of yesteryear producing annual Christmas albums.

My favorite Christmas album for some time has been Bob Dylan's Christmas in the Heart (Must Be Santa is simply brilliant! See <here>) and, of course, I love Bruce Springsteen's Santa Clause is Coming to Town (See <here>). However this years sees the release of Pentatonix's album which includes some very special songs. There are a 5-piece a capella vocal group from the USA and this is their amazing version of Silent Night:

What is your favorite Christmas song? How do you feel when musicians use hymns to make profitable albums? Who would you like to see releasing a Christmas album?

The Bible: TL; DR

Image courtesy of Ryk Neethling

So is the Bible too long to read all of it? One uknownFacebook user has decided to produce a "TL; DR" overview... that's "Too Long; Didn't Read".

Here it is (click on image on mobile device):

Do you think it is fair to say the Bible is 'too long'? Do you think the writer of this has summed up the different parts well? What do you think 'the things' are?

The Story of Our Students

"Everyone who uses what they have will get more. They will have much more than they need." The Parable of the Talents - Matthew 25:14-30

In order to inspire the current students of Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School, we are looking to build a picture of students' destinations. We would like to hear what you have done since leaving the school including:

• Voluntary work and gap years
• University study and other qualifications
• Employment, jobs and careers
• Family life
• Anything else interesting!

We will only use your information within the school, but we may get in touch to find out more! Everyone has a story to tell and we would love to hear from as many former students as possible. Please forward this link (or this short version: http://tiny.cc/shomstory) with as many people as you can and feel free to share on social media.

<Contact Form>

Please visit our new school website to find out all the latest school news: www.sacredheartofmary.net

Flame 2

It's back! 

What is Flame 2?

Flame2 is the largest National Catholic Youth event of 2015, taking place in the SSE Wembley Arena on Saturday 7th March 2015.

Doors open at 11, and Flame2 starts at 12, finishing at 5.30pm.

The SSE Wembley Arena will be filled with 10,000 young people from across the country, receiving faith-filled inspiration from world class speakers. Confirmed speakers include Cardinal Luis Tagle from Manila, Philippines; Baroness Sheila Hollins; Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP; and David Wells.

Throughout the day speakers will give bursts of input, interspersed with world class music and drama, in an atmosphere full of joy. Music will be provided by double grammy award winning Matt Redman and his band. The day ends with a time of Adoration led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols.

Flame2 is open to anyone in school year ten and above, up to young adult (i.e. aged approx. 14-21).

Find out more info <here>