Year 13 had their leavers service today

We started with Zac leading us in prayers for the times we have let ourselves down.

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Mr Garrido shared his relection on the year group, telling them they were always welcome back here in the future and that they are now part of St Joseph’s.  Then came Head Student Sanyog with a very humorous and at times cheeky reflection on the year group’s time together.  There was much laughter and a few personal jibes, taken in the manner in which they were meant

 

Jason read from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.  This was followed by Felix playing ‘the Girl with Flaxen Hair by Debussey.   After this Aamina led is in a short time of reflection, followed by the Lord’s Prayer.

Deputy Head Student Eoin read us an Excerpt from A Little Te Deum of the Commonplace by John Oxenham: –

For all life’s beauties, and their beauteous growth;
For Nature’s laws and Thy rich providence;
For all Thy perfect processes of life;
For the minute perfection of Thy work,
Seen and unseen, in each remotest part;

For faith, and works, and gentle charity;
For all that makes for quiet in the world;
For all that lifts man from his common rut;
For all that knits the silken bond of peace;
For all that lifts the fringes of the night,
And lights the darkened corners of the earth;
For Kinship, friendship, brotherhood and sisterhood      Of all mankind in one great family

We thank Thee, Lord!

After which Year 13 were then invited to do the sign of peace, not just with those around them, but with all those who they might have had cross words in the past two years.

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Mr Cook’s words for the future were inspirational.  He also reminded the year group how they had looked after and supported each other through tough times, as they had done for him.

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Head Girl Student Leah smiled her way through her thanks for all those who had helped the year group in the past two years, in particular Mr Cook, Miss Tweedale and the faculty tutors.

Changing things at the last minute, instead of reading from St Paul to the Romans Deacon Tony read the Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M Keith.

After the service the students gathered in the quad for their farewell photographs.