Castletown term begins with prayers for Pope Leo XIV

The final term at Castletown Pastoral Centre coincided with the election of a new Pope and all have offered prayers that Pope Leo XIV will guide the Church to be a beacon of hope for all.

We have had the privilege of welcoming 3rd years, TY and Confirmation students to us as well as providing online Confirmation retreats to schools. The engagement of students, whether in-person or virtually is very encouraging and provides beacons of light to us as a team.

We also welcomed a 6th Class group to us for a Celebration Day. Some of those students had participated in an online Confirmation retreat with us  but this Celebration Day involved all of the class, (Confirmandees and non-Confirmandees) and it was an occasion for inclusiveness, reflection, fun and celebration. It provided an opportunity to the students to celebrate their years together in Primary school and to discuss their hopes and concerns about moving onto Secondary school. 

 We have also been facilitating leadership training to students who will be mentoring new 1st year students in their schools next September. During the training  we cover good qualities of leadership, effective communication, team building skills and how to connect with younger students, as well as offering a space for contemplation and prayer. The mentors we worked with were enthusiastic and inspiring and no doubt they will welcoming guides to the new 1st years in their respective schools and be beacons of hope.

As we continue our retreat work, we think of those students preparing for exams and we pray that their endeavours will be rewarded. May they be guided by beacons of hope and light.

-          Castletown Pastoral Team