The feast of St Jeanne de Lestonnac, the foundress of the Company of Mary Our Lady, is celebrated each year on 15 May. As our Year 11 and Year 13 students will by that time have begun their study leave and public examinations we decided to bring forward our feast day celebrations and celebrate today, while all of our students are still in school.
Fr Stephen celebrated Mass in the Sports Hall for all of our pupils and students from Reception to Year 13. It was lovely that for our celebration of Mass we were joined by Sister Anne, Sister Faith, Sister Maria and Sister Patricia, as well as the Director of Education for the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, and the General Secretary of the Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference.
The music at Mass was led by the combined teachers and choirs of the Prep School and Senior School, with the staff choir and the Senior Caccini Ensemble. In addition to music, many pupils and students undertook different ministries within the Mass: welcoming, reading, altar serving, ushering and taking part in the offertory procession. Our Mass was an uplifting and joyful occasion, giving thanks for the blessings God gave to St Jeanne, and for her charism which lives on in all we do at Notre Dame today.
After Mass the pupils, students and staff enjoyed a wonderful BBQ outside on the field, in the sunshine, courtesy of Mandy and her catering team. It was a very special experience, seeing our youngest Prep School pupils and our oldest Senior School students, and all those in between, enjoying the BBQ and enjoying the company of one another in a relaxed and celebratory atmosphere.
All of the photos and videos can be seen on Firefly by clicking on the link below:
