We are Pilgrims of Hope - We are Pilgrims of Hope - We are Pilgrims of Hope -
Catholic Life Blog
10 March 2026 - Triduum
In his Celebration of the Word this morning, Mr McGoldrick told us about The Triduum, the three special days during Holy Week when we remember the last days of Jesus' life.
We listened to the Gospel reading from John 12:14-15 where Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, an act that is mirrored during the Maundy Thursday Mass when the priest washes the feet of 12 parishioners to show that he, like Jesus is there to serve his parishioners.
Our mission this week is to follow Jesus example in all we do - help without being asked, show kindness if someone is struggling and to say thankyou to someone who serves.
09 March 2026 - Healing
This morning we listened to the Gospel reading about Jesus healing the blind man (John 9:!-38) and thought about the people hat He sends to help us when we are ill or hurt.
Our mission is to help others if they are hurt by telling an adult, and to pray for someone who is poorly.
08 March 2026 - Let your light shine.
We had some wonderful RE work last week, where we thought about Lent and Holy Week.
08 March 2026 - Celebration of the Word. The Triduum.
This morning, Mr McGoldrick talked to us about The Triduum, the three special days during Holy Week. We listened to the Gospel reading from John 13:14-15 where Jesus washed His disciples feet, an act mirrored by the priest during the Maundy Thursday Mass where he will wash the feet of 12 parishioners to show that he, like Jesus, is there to serve his parishioners.
Our mission is to follow Jesus' example in all we do - help without being asked, show kindness if someone is struggling and say thankyou to someone who serves others.
06 March 2026 - Young Prayer Leaders.
At break time today, our Young Prayer Leaders led a very prayerful session based on the theme of Reconciliation. They invited the younger children to think about a time they had hurt or upset someone and then they led them in an Act of Contrition, a prayer to say they are sorry to God and asking for His forgiveness
05 March 2026 - Forgiveness Celebration of the Word
In his Celebration of the Word today, Mr McGoldrick read the story of the Prodigal Son to us (Luke 15:11-32) and explained to us that just like the father forgave the son in the story, God will always forgive us because He loves us so much.
Our mission is to say sorry when we make a mistake, to forgive someone who upsets us and to pray for someone we find difficult.
Forgiveness is a powerful way to show love.
03 March 2026 - God's Love
This morning we listened to the Gospel reading where Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well and asked her for a drink. The woman was shocked that Jesus spoke to her because Jews and Samaritans were not friends.
In those days, the women in the villages would have been the ones to walk to the well to collect water and would all have gone together early in the morning, but this woman had gone on her own, later in the day when it was hotter. We thought about how the water in the morning would have been muddy and churned up because lots of people were using it, but that it would have been clearer and less muddy later on when she was the only one there.
Our lives can be like this sometimes - muddy and unclear because people interfere. If we listen to God and trust in His love, our lives will be less muddy. Our mission this week is to pray to God and trust in Him to make our lives less messy.
27 February 2026 - Young Prayer Leaders
In the final week of February, in our Holy Family Novena we have been praying for the female members of our families and thinking about Mary and the important job she had.
Our Young Prayer leaders led a beautiful session at break today for the younger children, inviting them to think of a special lady in their life.
26 February 2026 - Catholic Schools Inspection
Following our inspection before half term, we are delighted to say that we were judged to be outstanding in all nine areas. We are so proud of all our children, staff and governors for their dedication to the school.
The full inspection report can be read here https://www.st-piusx.cumbria.sch.uk/information/important-links-2
26 February 2026 - Year 6 Child-led Celebration of the Word
This group of Year 6 children led a beautiful Celebration of the Word this morning, The read the Gospel reading Matthew 17:1-5 where Peter, James and John witnessed the Transfiguration.
The class reflected on how the disciple must have felt and how much trust they had in Jesus to follow Him up the mountain.
25 February 2026 - Lent Celebration of the Word
This morning, Mrs Roberts talked about the season of Lent. We listened to the reading about Jesus fasting in the desert (Matthew 4:1-3) and thought about what we could do to follow Him during Lent and how easy it is to be tempted to do the the wrong thing.
Our mission is to remember that the right choice isn't always the easy one, bur we should always try to make the right choice.
24 February 2026 - Year 6 Mass
This morning, Year 6 joined with St Columba Year 4 for Mass at St Mary's. We listened to the Gospel reading from Matthew (6:7-15) where Jesus taught His disciples how to pray and gave them the Our Father prayer which we pray during Mass every time we go.
24 February 2026 - Sacred
Our word for this week is Sacred. We thought about what the word Sacred means, and looked at some of the sacred items we have in the prayer room. Our Gospel reading this morning was from Matthew 17:1-9, the story of the Transfiguration.
We try very hard to keep our silences and spaces sacred at certain times of the day - in the hall during Celebration of the Word on Monday and Wednesday, and in our classrooms on Tuesday and Thursday. It helps to get us into the right frame of mind to listen for God's voice talking to us.
Our mission is to keep our sacred silences, and to remind our friends to do the same if they forget.
23 February 2026 - Prayer Room session
At break today, some Year 3 children joined in the Holy Family Novena. We thought about the important job Mary said Yes to, and then prayed for a special lady in our own lives, to say thank you for all the things she does for us.
23 February 2026 - Lenten Journey
Each of our classes have a Lenten journey which they can colour in to help them follow the journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
18 February 2026 - Ash Wednesday
Today we begin Lent - 40 days before Easter.
We are invited to go to Mass to receive ashes on our forehead, an outward sign of our love for God.
13 February 2026 - Alleluia
At the end of the day, we put our Alleluia away in its box of Lent.
During Lent we don't sing Alleluia during Mass, as we wait patiently and prayerfully for the Easter Triduum when Jesus dies and resurrects.
At Easter we will bring Alleluia back out of its box, ready to sing with joy. Until then, it will stay on the altar in the prayer room.
13 February 2026 - Young Prayer leaders.
This month our prayer room devotion is The Holy Family. In week 2 our prayer leaders invited some KS1 children to think about the male role models in our lives and to pray for them.
10 February 2026 - Teacher
Our word for this week is Teacher. Jesus came to teach us in a way we can understand, just as our teachers in school teach us to our level of learning.
We listened to the Gospel reading Matthew 5:17-37 and our mission is to follow God's law, walk in His footsteps and live like Christ.
09 February 2026 - Let your light shine
More lovely work from our children in RE
09 February 2026 - Celebration of the Word (Ash Wednesday)
This morning, Mrs Roberts talked to us about Ash Wednesday which this year falls in half term. She explained that every year the church burns palms from last years Palm Sunday to make the ashes which the priest mixes with oils and then puts on our forehead in the shape of a cross as an outward sign of our love for Jesus.
We listened to the Gospel of Matthew (6:5-8) - "When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your father who is unseen."
We sang Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison, which is Greek for Lord Have Mercy, Christ Have Mercy, Lord Have Mercy, to remember that Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, a time to ask for God's forgiveness, knowing that we will receive it.
Our mission this week is to do something kind for someone without telling them, or to pray quietly on our own because God will always know, even if other people don't.
05 February 2026 - Live in the light
This morning, we had an extra Celebration of the Word for the week of Candlemas.
Mr McGoldrick read to us from the Gospel of John (3:19-21) "the light has come into the world" and set us the mission of living in the light - making good choices and spreading the light of Christ,
Our hall was filled with light from our candles - and even the piano has musical note lights!
04 February 2026 - Corporal Acts of Mercy. (Feed the hungry)
Reverse Advent
During Lent we invited pupils and staff to donate items to the food bank. We had 53 items donated and recently Barrow Foodbank came to collect them. Thank you to everyone who donated.
03 February 2026 - Rotakids
Our Rotakids continue to contribute to our community. Yesterday, Mr McGoldrick received this letter of thanks from our local Rotary Club. The Rotakids meet every week to plan and carry out charitable acts over the year.
Good morning Kevin
I write to offer my thanks to you, and perhaps more importantly, to the children of the St. Pius X Rotakids Club, for the contribution to our District Foundation Seminar last night (Your introduction was read out in full).
The children’s comments align closely with Rotary ideals and indeed with the UN Convention of Rights of a Child and I know the video had a huge impact on our members – ‘out of the mouths of babes’ as one said.
Please say a special thanks to all the Rotakids for their hard work developing the video which I know had a huge impact on our members. As I mentioned before, the whole seminar will in due course be put up on our website.
On behalf of the District Governor John Edwards, the District Foundation team and myself, I again offer our sincere thanks to you and all the Rotakids for your support and the wonderful contribution last night.
Best regards
John
PP John J McGill MPHF
D1190 District Foundation Team Leader
Furness Peninsula Rotary
03 February 2026 - Goodness
This morning, we thought about all the people around who show their Goodness every day. We listened to the Gospel reading Matthew 5:13-16 and thought about all the people who let their light shine, spreading the Good News every day,
Our mission is to be the reason someone smiles this week.
02 February 2026 - Let your light shine
Every week our children make us proud with their work. Their pride at their work shows in their books and in their faces.
02 February 2026 - Presentation of the Lord/Candlemas
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple for the first time. They met Simeon and Anne there. Simeon had been told that he would not die until he had seen the Christ.
Mr McGoldrick read the Gospel from Luke 2-25-32.
Today is also known as Candlemas when traditionally candles which are to be used in churches for the next year are lit.
Our mission for this week is to be the Light of Christ to everyone we meet.
30 January 2026 - Young Prayer Leaders
Some Year 2 children were led in a prayer session today by two of our Young Prayer Leaders. They listened to the Gospel story about The Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19) and then were invited to think about how they would feel if the had been on of the people who were cured (happy, amazed, joyful) and how they would feel if they had done something for someone who had not said thankyou to them afterwards (sad, angry)
They prayed for people they knew who were poorly, that God would look after them and make them well again.
29 January 2026 - Whole school Mass in school.
This afternoon, Canon Manny came to celebrate Mass for us. He talked to us about showing our light to others and not hiding it under a basket - complete with science experiment! All our children, from Reception to Year 6 joined us and they prayed and sang beautifully, giving us a lovely ending to the day.
29 January 2026 - Child-led Celebration of the Word. Year 6
This morning, the children chose a reading from the Gospel according to Mark (1:21-22) where Jesus preached in the temple. Those who were listening were astonished because He taught as "one with authority, not as one of the scribes"
Their mission for the class is one we can all follow- Show respect.
29 January 2026 - Child-led Celebration of the Word (Year 2)
Our KS1 children are also beginning to make choices about their Celebration of the Word on Thursday mornings. This morning they chose the correct colour cloth, and put their crucifix, bible, candle and singing bowl on the prayer table.
As the children move through the school they will gradually have more and more input and by the time they are in Years 5 and 6 they will be planning it with very little help from staff.
29 January 2026 - Child-led Celebration of the Word (Year 5)
This morning, four children from Year 5 led a Celebration of the Word for their class, which they had planned, based around Creation. They chose a reading from the Book of Psalms "Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice!" (Psalm 96:11-13) and wrote a prayer.
Heavenly Father, help us to care for the creatures and the earth and be thankful for God's creation. Amen.
The mission the gave their class was to care for the animals and the people in their own area.
27 January 2026 - Happiness
This morning we listened to the Gospel Reading Matthew 5:1-12) also known as The Beatitudes.
Jesus tells us that the people who know they need God, who are gentle and show mercy to others, whose hearts are pure and who make peace, will all be called Children of God and be happy n the Kingdom of Heaven.
Our mission for the week is to try to do one thing to make someone else happy.
26 January 2026 - Let your light shine
Our children let their lights shine their wonderful RE work.
26 January 2026 - Gospel Value of Love
In his Celebration of the Word this morning, Mr McGoldrick talked about the Gospel Value of Love which will be our focus in February.
He read the Gospel reading John 13: 34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another just as I have loved you"
We looked at an image of the Last Supper, the night before Jesus performed the ultimate sacrifice of Love by dying for us on the cross.
Our mission this week is to show love through our actions.
23 January 2026 - Young Prayer Leaders
At break today, two of our Young Prayer Leaders led a short prayer session for a group of Year 2 children. They used the reading Luke 5:4-7 (Jesus telling the fishermen to cast their nets out one more time even though they had not caught any fish all night), and asked the children to think about they would have felt if they had been there when Jesus performed the miracle.
They decided they would be shocked (and hungry at first!) and would have found it very hard to explain it to people.
Well done to our two Young Prayer Leaders who planned the session by choosing the reading and writing their own prayer.
22 January 2026 - Child-led Celebration of the Word (Year 6)
Some Year 6 children led a very prayerful Celebration of the Word this morning, centered around the Gospel reading Mark 1:16-18, where Jesus called Andrew and Simon to follow Him.
Their mission for their class is to follow Jesus' light because you never know where it might lead you.
20 January 2026 - Community
We listened to the Gospel reading Matthew 4:12-23 where Jesus called Peter and his brother Andrew to follow him We heard how Jesus was beginning to form a community of His own and thought about the communities we are a part of - our families, our school and clubs that we belong to.
Our mission is be the best part of our community that we can be, and to try to grow God's community by showing love and kindness to people we meet.
19 January 2026 - Let your light shine
Our RE superstars this week have done some beautiful work. Don't they look proud of themselves?
19 January 2026 - Family within our Community
This morning, Mr McGoldrick reminded us of the second part of our misison statement (https://www.st-piusx.cumbria.sch.uk/our-school-1/ethos-values-2)
We listened to the Gospel reading Luke 10:33-37 about the Good Samaritan. He reminded us that our neighbours are not just the people who live next door to us but everyone we meet.
Our mission is to be like the Good Samaritan and show kindness with our words, actions and choices.
15 January 2026 - Child-led Celebration of the Word
Our top KS2 classes are working really hard at planning and running their child-led Celebration of the Word sessions.
13 January 2026 - Witness
Today we listened to the Gospel reading about John talking about Jesus (John 1:29-34)
We thought about how we could be Witnesses to God's Good News and remembered that our first school rule is Live like Jesus. Our mission is to follow the first rule and spread the Good News through our words and actions., spreading joy, compassion and peace to everyone we meet.
12 January 2026 - Gospel Value of Justice
This morning we listened to the Gospel reading Matthew 7:12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them"
We thought about how we should treat everyone the same, and thought especially about people who don't have access to fresh water and good food, and those who don't have adequate shelter or the right clothing to keep them warm.
Our mission for this week is to look out for anyone being treated unfairly and speak up.
07 January 2026 - Epiphany Day
As we weren't in school yesterday for the Epiphany, we held a whole school Epiphany Day on our first day back at school after Christmas.
Each of the classes were turned into peaceful prayer stations and our children visited each one where the teachers led the sessions.; During the prayer stations, we thought about the Journey of the Magi, the gifts they presented to the baby Jesus and how we can share our own gifts with each other. We also thought about how we can be a guiding light for others.
It was a lovely way to start the New Year.
06 January 2026 - The Epiphany
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, when we remember the visit of the Three Wise Men and the gifts they brought to Jesus - gold, frankincense and myrrh
- Feed the hungry: Providing food to those who lack it.
- Give drink to the thirsty: Offering water or other sustenance to the parched.
- Clothe the naked: Supplying clothing to those in need.
- Shelter the homeless: Providing a place to stay for the unhoused (also phrased as "harbour the harbourless").
- Visit the sick: Comforting and caring for those who are ill.
- Visit the imprisoned: Visiting and supporting those in prison.
- Bury the dead: Giving proper burial rites to the deceased.
Below are some examples from the last term where we have been helping others and reflecting the Corporal Works of Mercy here at St Pius X.
25 December 2025 - Happy Christmas!
Rejoice for the Christ child is born!
We would like to wish all our families, staff and friends of the school a very Happy Christmas.
At Mass today, we light the final candle on the Advent Wreath, the white, Christ candle, reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the World.
Mrs Cotgreave also took a Posada set to Mass this morning to complete the long journey which Mary, Joseph and the donkey took.
21 December 2025 - Fourth Week of Advent.
Today at Mass, we light the fourth candle on the Advent Wreath.
This candle is also known as the Peace Candle and it reminds us of the Angels message
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace"
18 December 2025 - Week 3 Posada's
Our final week of Posada photos are lovely - on Christmas Day, we will take a set to Mass to complete their journey.
17 December 2025 - The Spirit of Christmas
Year 6 joined with other school in our Parish to perform in The Spirit of Christmas. They have all worked really hard to learn the songs and the two St Pius readers read with so much confidence and so clearly - we are very proud of the whole class.
15 December 2025 - O Come O Come Emmanuel
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel" (Matthew 1:23)
Our Gospel reading was very short in our Celebration of the Word this morning, but they message was very important.
We listened to our choir singing Immanuel and thought about the wonderful gift we were given in the birth of Jesus. We are using Advent to ready our hearts for Him.
14 December 2025 - Third Week of Advent
Today we light the third candle on our Advent Wreath. This candle is pink and is known as the Joy candle. It reminds us of the joy the shepherds felt when the angels announced the birth of Jesus to them and reflects our own joy at Christ,mas.
13 December 2025 - Week 2 Posada's
We are loving seeing the photos of the Posada sets travelling to our homes.
10 December 2025 - KS1 and EYFS Nativity. Little Blue
Little Lambs
Our KS1 and EYFS Nativity would not be complete without our Little Lambs joining us. Don't they look amazing? They sang two songs for us and stole the show with their entrance!
10 December 2025 - KS1 and EYFS Nativity. Little Blue Star
Year 2
Our Year 2 readers have put so much work into their readings - they even knew their lines off by heart! They read very clearly and with great confidence, telling our audiences the story of Little Blue Star and her search for some friends.
10 December 2025 - KS1 and EYFS Nativity. Little Blue Star
Year 1 Photos
What a lot of lovely singers we have in Year 1. They brought lots of joy to the Nativity, Little Blue Star, with their enthusiastic singing!
10 December 2025 - KS1 and EYFS Nativity. Little Blue Star
Reception Photos
Our Reception class did an excellent job playing all the roles of the Nativity play, Little Blue Star. Even though they are small in number and stature, they were large on the stage! Well done to all of them, we are very proud.
10 December 2025 - Jubilee Pledge
This morning we received our certificate to say that we had made our Year of Jubilee pledge, committing to building a better world.
08 December - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
The next fortnight in school promises to be extremely hectic, with performance, parties and treats.
This morning we took a quiet moment during our Celebration of the Word to reflect on Mary on this Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Mr McGoldrick told us that God had a plan for Mary even before she was born - to be the Mother His son, Jesus and so Mary was born without sin.
We thought about what a huge thing Mary's "Yes" was and how afraid she must have been.. Our mission this week is to be like Mary and say "Yes" to
helping someone without being asked
including someone alone in the plauground in our games
speaking kindly to each other, even when it is hard.
07 December - 2nd Sunday of Advent
Today we light the 2nd candle on our Advent wreath and the candle represents Peace. This reminds us that Advent should be a time of prayer, peace and preparation for the birth of Christ.
December 2025 - First week of Posada's
Our Posada sets are travelling through the school to our pupils homes. Look at all the lovely photos we've had so far.
01 December - Advent and the Gospel Value of Family
This morning, Mr McGoldrick talked to us about Advent and Family.
We lit the first candle on our Advent Wreath and sang our Wreath song. Then we listened to the Gospel reading about Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem as a family and the long journey they had to make, (Luke 2:4-7)
29 November - 1st Sunday of Advent
Today we begin the season of Advent - our time of preparation for the birth of Christ.
We light the first candle on our Advent Wreath, the candle which represents Hope.
27 November 2025 - Advent Messy Church
We had a lot of fun this evening with our friends from the other schools in Barrow.
Fr Manny led a short Celebration of the Word and then we tried lots of different (and in some cases, messy and glittery!) craft activities.
Afterwards, we shared a meal and enjoyed chatting with people.
27 November 2025 - Prayer room art.
Mrs Cotgreave was delighted to receive some lovely artwork from two children. One of our Year 3 children has made a beautiful and colourful Bible, while a Year 6 child has drawn an Advent wreath which Mrs Cotgreave is looking forward to displaying for the whole of Advent on the Prayer Room altar.
We are so lucky to have such talented and thoughtful children in our school.
27 November 2025 - Year 6 Child-led Celebration of the Word
This morning, two children from Year 6 led their class in their Celebration of the Word. It was a very prayerful and thoughtful session.
26 November 2025 - Choir visit
This afternoon some of our choir visited Abbey Meadow Residential home to give them a small concert of Christmas songs. It was such a lovely afternoon and the residents seemed to really love being entertained.
26 November 2025 - Year 5 RE
Today two of our Year 5 pupils shared the Psalms they had written, inspired by Psalm 23 - The Lord is my Shepherd.
Their words were heartful, thoughtful and truly exceptional. Mrs Roberts was so proud of them,
25 November 2025 - Advent
On Sunday, we will begin Advent, the time of year when we wait patiently for the birth of Jesus.
This morning we listened to the Gospel reading Matthew 24:37-44. "Stay awake for you do not know the day when your Master is coming"
We thought about the things we can do during Advent to make ourselves ready for Christmas and looked at and Advent Wreath. We learnt that the candles each represent something - hope, faith, joy, peace and on Christmas Day the white candle represents Christ as the Light of the World.
24 November 2025 - Christ the King
This morning Mr McGoldrick told us about the Feast of Christ the King which we celebrated in church yesterday. This feast day narks the end of the Church's liturgical year,
We listened to the reading from John where Pilate asks Jesus if He is the King of the Jews. Jesus tells him that His kingdom is not of this earth. (John 18:33-37)
Our mission fort his week is to build Jesus' kingdom everywhere we go.
21 November 2025 - Year 6 Child-led Celebration of the Word
This afternoon Year 6 were busy planning their Celebration of the Word for the rest of this term. As you can see from our photos they all got involved and have produced some wonderful work.
20 November 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope Prayer Station
We created prayer stations linked to the Gospel to help us reflect on journeying with Jesus, caring for each other and shining His hope in our school.
KS1 explored; walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24), serving others as Jesus did when He washed His disciples feet (John 13), trusting God's care for creation (Matthew 6) and being a light of hope in our community (Matthew 5)
In KS1 they enjoyed; knowing Jesus walks with them (Mark 10), keeping hope in their hearts as Mary did (Luke 1) and shining with kindness and love (Matthew 5)
Our staff worked very hard to put on lovely prayer stations and the children responded to them beautifully.
18 November 2025 - Year 4 Mass
This morning Year 4 went to church for Mass. Two of our children read the bidding prayers and we were very proud of them.
We were joined by some children from St Columba who we will be sharing our Masses with now. We are looking forward to lots of Masses with them.
18th November 2025 - Mercy
In the Gospel reading this morning, we listened to the story of Jesus on the cross. One of the criminals He was crucified with tells Him to save Himself, and them too, if He is indeed the King of the Jews.
The other criminal tells him that they deserve their punishment, but that Jesus has done nothing wrong. Jesus tells him the he will be with Him in Heaven.
If we are truly sorry, God's forgiveness is infinite - we should try to show mercy and compassion to those around us too.
Our mission this week is to be merciful and to forgive our friends if they hurt us.
17 November 2025 - Feast of St Cecilia
On Saturday we will celebrate the feast of St Cecilia in church. St Cecilia is the patron saint of music, musicians and singers so our choir treated us to a lovely rendition of Be Still for the Presence of the Lord.
First we heard from the Gospel Luke 1:46-49 when the Angel Gabriel visited Mary and Mary's song of 'Yes' rang out. Magnificat!
14 November 2025 - Prayer Room
Children and staff are invited to come to the prayer room to light a candle, colour a flame for our window of remembrance and say the Eternal Rest prayer this month.
We have already had lots of children and some staff join the break time prayer session.
It has been lovely to sit in our prayer room with our music playing and the candles lit.
11 November 2025 - Remembrance Day
This morning we came together as a school to remember those who have given their lives for us in war, fighting for peace.
We listened to the Gospel reading John 15:12-13 where Jesus tells us that the most important thing is to love one another.
At 11am we held a minute silence to remember those who have died for us.
Although Year 2 were unable to be with us in school, they did made their own poppy display and then took part in a minute silence at the library.
11 November 2025 - Faithfulness
Our word this morning was Faithfulness.
We listened to the Gospel from Luke (21:5-19) when the people are marvelling over the Temple and how lovely it is Jesus tells them that the time will come when the Temple is not there at all and they ask when and how that would happen,
He tells them there will be signs on the earth and in the heavens but we are not to worry because our Faithfulness will save us.
Our mission this week is to be a faithful friend, one who others can rely on to keep our promises, just as God promises to look after us.
04 November 2025 - Year 6 Mass
This morning Year 6 went to church for Mass,
Our readers read clearly and reverently and with great confidence. Three of our children served and did so prayerfully if a little nervous!
We had some lovely comments from parishioners about the children's behaviour, reading and singing.
04 November 2025 - Enthusiasm
Today we heard about a rare time when Jesus got cross (Luke 2:13-22). He went to the temple and found money changers and people selling animals had taken it over and nobody was praying.
Jesus was so cross because He wanted people to be able to pray properly and not use the Temple as a place for selling and being noisy.
We thought about how it would make us feel if we went to Mass and found our church over run with animals for sale and decided it would make us sad.
Our mission for the week is to be enthusiastic in our praying - but we have to remember that enthusiastic does not necessarily mean loud and so we don't need to shout our prayers!
03 November 2025 - Celebration of the Word
All Saints Day
In church yesterday, we celebrated the Feast of All Saints. Today, Mr McGoldrick read from the Gospel Matthew 5:1-10, where we hear The Beatitudes - a passage which is also written around the walls of our school hall.
Mr McGoldrick told us that not even the saints were perfect all the time, and that if we try to live our lives as God wants us to, even if the rest of the world doesn't recognise us as saints, God will.
24 October 2025 Rosary Challenge 2025 - The Glorious Mysteries
Year 3 completed our Rosary Challenge this week by praying the Glorious Mysteries this week - one Decade of the Rosary every day.
For the Glorious Mysteries, we listened to stories about the wonderful times in Mary and Jesus life after the Resurrection
23 October 2025 - Rosary Challenge 2025
This morning, KS1 came together to pray a Decade of the Rosary as part of the Rosary Challenge. We thought about Mary and how much she loved Jesus and asked her to pray to Him for us.
21 October 2025 - Humble
The Gospel reading this morning was from Luke (18:9-14) and was the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector who were praying in the temple.
The Pharisee thought he was better than the tax collector and prayed to God to say thank you for making him superior. The tax collector merely prayed to ask God for mercy because he knew he was a sinner.
We talk,ed about which man was more pleasing to God and decided that the tax collector was humble and would be more pleasing than the boastful Pharisee.
Our mission this week is to do something kind for someone without expecting thanks or praise for it.
20 October 2025 - Celebration of the Word
Our Parish and its people.
We have recently had a big change in our Parish.
Two of our churches, St Columba and Sacred Heart have had to close and we are left with only two churches (St Mary's and Holy Family) and the chapel at St St Bernard's.
Canon Manny is now our only priest and with the help of Deacon Steve, he serves the whole parish, the five Catholic schools, the hospital and our churches.
We are very sad that St Columba school and Sacred Heart school no long have their own churches, although we are looking forward to lots of shared Masses and celebrations with all five schools.
18 October 2025 - Diocese of Lancaster Centenary Mass of Celebration
Today, Mrs Cotgreave and Miss Brennan travelled to Lancaster Cathedral for the Centenary Mass of Celebration. It was a beautiful Mass with many familiar faces within the clergy and the congregation.
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Paul, with his brother Bishops from around the country and the clergy from our Diocese.
Also in attendance was the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, the Pope's representative in the UK
17 October 2025 Rosary Challenge 2025 - Luminous Mysteries
Year 4 prayed a Decade of the Rosary every day this week as part of the 2025 Rosary Challenge. Their mysteries were the Luminous Mysteries - times in Mary and Jesus' life where Jesus teaches us how much God loves us.
16 October 2025 - Child-led Celebration of the Word
Year 5 led a beautiful Celebration of the Word today, with the theme of asking God to help others. They chose a reading from the Book of Psalms (Psalms 53:1-2) and wrote a prayer asking God to look after homeless people.
15 October 2025- Year Five planning their pupil led Celebration of the Word.
14 October - Prayer
In Luke 18:1-8, we hear the story of the widow and the unkind judge. Eventually the judge gives in to her pleading just to keep her quiet.
God will always listen to us, even if we ask him the same thing every day. Prayer is just like having a conversation with a friend and God is the most special friend we could have.
This week, our mission is to find a quiet time to say a prayer. We can pray anywhere, any time.
13 October 2025 - Celebration of the Word
School Mission 1 - Christ at the Centre
In his Celebration of the Word this morning, Mr McGoldrick read us the Gospel reading about Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38=42).
Martha was busy making sure that Jesus had food and drink, that she didn't make time to just sit quietly and be with Jesus.
He reminded us that part of our Mission Statement is 'Christ at the Centre' and told us that means that we should keep Christ central to everything we do - not just in RE lessons or Mass or during Celebrations of the Word, but in every lesson and all the time.
He told us that our best opportunity to be Christ-like is during playtime when we can look after our friends.
10 October 2025 Rosary Challenge 2025 - The Sorrowful Mysteries
Year 5 prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries this week, one Decade every day of the week - times in Mary's life when she was sad.
We talked about how the Sorrowful Mysteries, though sad, show us how much Jesus loves us because He was willing to sacrifice so much for us.
09 October 2025 - Family Rosary
This morning we welcomed some families into school to pray a decade of the Rosary with us.
Although we were only few, it was a wonderful way to begin our day. "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there" (Matthew 18:20)
07 October - Thankfulness
This morning's Gospel reading was from Luke 17:11-19. We heard the story of the six lepers who Jesus cured. Only one of them came back to say thank you.
We thought about things in our life that we are thankful for. We also thought about the type of prayers we say and remembered that though we pray to God to ask Him for things, or to say sorry, it is just as important to pray to thank God for things too.
Our mission this week is to say thank you to someone.
06 October 2025 - Month of the Holy Rosary
This morning, in his Celebration of the Word, Mr McGoldrick talked to us about October as the Month of the Holy Rosary.
We listened to the story of the Annunciation when Mary said "Yes"
Mr McGoldrick gave us the mission to pray a decade of the Rosary either in school or at home.
October 2025 - Rosary Challenge
The Mark 10 Mission invited schools to join them in their 2025 Rosary challenge (https://www.themark10mission.co.uk/rosary-challenge)
We decided to take up the challenge with each of our KS2 classes praying a Decade of the Rosary every day for a week.
Year 6 prayed the Joyful Mysteries for our first week - times in Mary's life when she was happy.
30 September - Faith
In the Gospel reading we listened to today, Jesus tells us that Faith can do amazing things - even uproot a mulberry tree and plant it in the sea! (Luke 17:5-10)
We thought about people who had shown great faith in their lives and especially those who go on pilgrimages every year. We looked at a photo of Lourdes in 1937 which showed the crutches that people had left there when they been cured and we heard that Mr McGoldrick had even met a lady who had been cured there.
29 September - 03 October - Rosary Challenge 2025
The Joyful Mysteries
We are taking part in the Rosary Challenge 2025 and saying a decade of the Rosary every day in October in school.
We started two days early so that each KS2 class would be able to have a full week to pray the whole of a mystery.
Year 6 were our first class to pray a decade every day with Mrs Cotgreave, and we started with the Joyful Mysteries, stories about happy times in Mary's life - The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity, The Presentation in the Temple, and Finding Jesus in the Temple.
For the final Mystery, our Young Prayer Leaders helped to lead.
29 September 2025 - St Francis of Assisi
On Saturday it will be the feast of St Francis of Assisi.
This morning we listened to the Gospel reading Matthew 6:25-26, where Jesus tells us not to worry about basic things because God, who cares even for the smallest bird, cares even more for us.
St Francis lived a simple life, even though his family were wealthy and he loved all of God's creatures.
Our Laudato Sii club is based around his teachings.
Our mission this week is to care for God's creation by looking after His creatures and the planet.
26 September 2025 - Father Nithin
We were very sorry to hear the news that Father Nithin is leaving Barrow to become Parish Priest at St Kentigern's in Blackpool.
This afternoon he surprised us with a visit to school. He went to see all the children in their classrooms and the children shared how sad they were that he is leaving.
Year 6 were in the middle of their RE lesson and Fr Nithin gave them an analogy which we hope will stay with them - to breathe, we need two lungs. God and science. Evolution was part of God's plan for us.
Although he is unable to celebrate Mass with us before he leaves, a child in Year 4 asked if he would pray with them one last time and so he led them in spontaneous prayer.
We will you very much Father Nithin and hope that you will come to visit us if you are ever in Barrow. May God guide you.
24 September 2025 - Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham
Today, Mrs Cotgreave and Donna (one of our governors) took some Year 6 pupils to St Mary's in Cleator to join other schools in our Diocese at a Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham, and also to celebrate a regional Mass for the Jubilee Year. We travelled with the other Catholic schools in Barrow; Sacred Heart, St Columba, Holy Family and St Bernards for a lovely day and beautiful Mass.
We ate our packed lunch in the church grounds, surrounded by statues of the saints, the Stations of the Cross and a beautiful grotto.
23 September - Sharing
Sometimes it's hard to share our things with others. In today's Gospel reading we listened to the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man wouldn't even share the scraps from his table with poor Lazarus. When they died, it was Lazarus who was "carried away by the angels to Abraham" (Luke 16:19-31)
We promised to try to share our toys and games with our friends, and also to share our time with others and God.
22 September 2025 - St Padre Pio
Our Celebration of the Word this morning was all about St Padre Pio.
Mrs Roberts told us that St Padre Pio was marked with stigmata, the wounds of Christ, and that his faith was very strong. He could even speak languages that he hadn't learned which help;ed him to communicate with people all over the world.
His motto was "Pray, hope and don't worry"
20 September 2025 - St Pius X's Seven Golden Rules
Our school rules help us to follow in God's footsteps.
16 September - Trustworthy
In todays Gospel reading (Luke 16:10-13), Jesus tells us that we need to be able to be trusted with big things and small things. We thought about people in our lives that we could trust and whether we were trustworthy - if we say we will do something, do we always do it?
Our mission for the week is to let people know how trustworthy we can be by our actions. n
15 September 2025 - Celebration of the Word
Gospel Value of Faith
In his Celebration of the Word this morning, Mr McGoldrick read the Gospel story John 13:3-9, where Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to show that He had come as their servant.
Mr McGoldrick gave us the mission of serving God by serving each other.
14 September 2025 - Education Sunday
As well as celebrating Pope Leo's birthday, we also celebrate Education Sunday.
We pray that all our staff will continue to be the best models for our pupils.
14 September 2025 - Happy Birthday Pope Leo
We wish our Pope a very happy 70th birthday
11 September 2025 - Altar Servers
We are so proud of this group who have taken on the ministry of Altar Serving. They were equal parts nervous and excited to take on the role but with Fr Manny's help, they did a wonderful job.
11 September 2025 - Start of term Mass
This morning, Father Manny came to celebrate Mass for us in school. Our children, as always, did us proud and we were delighted to be joined by some parents and parishioners.
10 September 2025 - Hymn Practice
This morning, Mrs Cotgreave led hymn practice. We practiced the hymns we would be singing in our start of term Mass tomorrow, and we also refreshed our memory for all the Mass responses.
The singing and the responses from the children were both wonderful!
09 September 2025 - Self-Giving
We listened to the Gospel reading where Jesus speaks to Nicodemus (John 3:13-17) He tells him that God sent His only son so that we all might have eternal life. We thought about how selfless God was to send Jesus to us and about how we could follow God's Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do to you"
08 September 2025 - Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
To celebrate this Feast, our Mary altar is decorated with flowers and a candle
08 September 2025 - Adoration
As part of our St Pius X day, Deacon Steve came into school.
Small groups of children from KS2 went into the prayer room for Adoration. Deacon Steve talked to them about friends and told that that even when their best friend on earth can't be with them, Jesus is always there as their best friend, ready to listen.
it was a beautiful and peaceful use of our prayer room and the children entered the real presence of the Lord with great reverence, blessing themselves with holy water and genuflecting before the Blessed Sacrament.
08 September 2025 - St Pius Day. Following in Jesus Footsteps
Today we welcomed Mrs Wright from the Diocese to school.
She led a Godly Play workshop for all our year groups, focusing on the story of Jesus calling His first followers. The children also learned more about our patron saint, St Pius X, who remains a powerful example for us all.
08 September 2025 - Celebration of the Word
Restore all things in Christ
Today we are having a St Pius X Day. This morning, Mr McGoldrick reminded us that the motto of St Pius X was "Restore all things in Christ" and that this means that we should all try to live as Christ did.
03 September 2025 - Welcome back to school
This morning Mr McGoldrick led our first Celebration of the Word for the school year.
He read us a short passage from the Gospel of Luke (6:31) "Do unto others as you would have them do to you"
He told us that this was also known as The Golden Rule. We looked at our own school rules and we saw that they follow the Golden Rule too.
03 September 2025 -Salvation History artwork
In a piece that moves through time, from left to right, the Lancaster RC Diocese centenary artwork by Olivia Holden, portrays the whole of Salvation History.
Starting from the Creation moving through the history contained in the Bible and the history of the Church, narrowing finally to the Diocese of Lancaster today.
The piece of art is above the doors leading to our hall.
01 September 2025
In preparation for the children coming back to school, staff met today for an inset day.
We began the day with a Celebration of the Word, during which we reflected on the theme 'Christ our Light in times of darkness'
We held in prayer our whole school community and all children and families around the world who suffer because of violence, including those affected by the tragic school shooting in America.
Each member of staff placed a lit candle on the prayer table.