Our Catholic Life

Our Catholic Life

Catholic Life at St. Joseph’s

At St. Joseph’s, Christ is at the centre of all we do. Our school is a community rooted in faith, love, and service, where every child is nurtured to grow spiritually, academically, and personally. Guided by the teachings of Jesus, we strive to live out the Gospel values in our daily lives, fostering a deep sense of compassion, respect, and kindness.

Through prayer, worship, and acts of service, we create an environment where faith flourishes. Our Catholic ethos is woven into every aspect of school life, from our curriculum to our relationships with one another. Together, as a school family, we walk in Christ’s footsteps, growing in faith and love each day.

The Jubilee Icon Visit

We were incredibly fortunate to have the Jubilee Icon visit our school as part of its tour around England and Wales. Commissioned by CAFOD  for the Jubilee Year, this beautiful icon was created by Ethiopian artist Mulugeta Araya. The painting is rich in symbolism, reflecting themes of mercy, hope, and justice.

The icon interprets Jesus’ teaching of healing and liberation in the synagogue, as described in Luke 4:16-21, which refers to Isaiah 61:1-2. This passage is particularly relevant to the Jubilee, given its emphasis on bringing good news to those who are poor and liberty to those who are captive or oppressed. In this passage, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
(Luke 4:18-19)

Following an insightful assembly on Monday morning, led by Mr. Ross, who explained the meaning behind various elements of the icon, each year group had the opportunity to spend time in quiet reflection and prayer with the artwork. This was a truly special experience, allowing our students to engage with the icon in a meaningful and spiritual way.

After leaving us, the Jubilee Icon will continue its journey, culminating in a visit to the FLAME Conference at Wembley Stadium. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Mr. O’Driscoll and CAFOD for providing us with this fantastic opportunity.