St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church
Our academy is the link primary school for St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church, located on Ashby Road, and serving the Catholic community of the southern half of Scunthorpe. The parish website can be accessed by clicking on the link below:
https://www.stbernadettesashby.org/
At St. Bernadette’s we recognise the importance of the links between the academy and our Parish Priest, Canon Matthew Jakes, and with our local parish community. We believe in the importance of working very closely with Canon Matthew and the parish to provide an education for our pupils based on the unchangeable values of the Gospel.
We continually work to create, maintain, and develop links with our parish in a number of ways:
Academy Masses
Throughout the year numerous Masses take place within the academy, as well as at church, and these are always advertised in the parish bulletin. A good number of parishioners attend our academy Masses and it is wonderful to worship together and for our pupils to know that they are part of a wider parish family.
Sacramental Formation
Each year, through a carefully planned programme of formation, academy staff support the parish in preparing a group of children to receive the sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist. The pupils also attend numerous parish Masses and practices at church as part of their preparation for these most special of events. At the conclusion of their formation, pupils go on to make their First Confession and First Holy Communion in the parish church in celebration with their own families and the wider parish family.
Parish Prayer Partners’ Scheme
This year, a member of the Chaplaincy Team, acting as an Academy Ambassador, helped to launch our new Parish Prayer Partners’ Scheme at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church – an initiative which was very strongly supported by the Parish Priest. Pupils at the academy and members of the parish signed up to the scheme and were presented with their prayer cards. Throughout the year, pupils and parishioners have committed to pray for one another, and this is another beautiful way of enriching our links with the parish and one which we believe will bring many blessings.
Academy Events
Important academy events, such as our Christmas Fayre, Christmas Concerts, and our Strawberry Tea are all advertised in the parish bulletin. Members of the parish are very welcome to join us for these events.
Parish Events
Our pupils also represent the academy at a variety of important parish events throughout the year. In recent times, for example, our pupils took part in a special day of celebrations when the holy relics of St. Bernadette of Lourdes visited our parish church. Our pupils were given the great honour of carrying the relics of our patron saint into church, of leading the recitation of the Holy Rosary, and were also involved in various readings during the Mass.
Communication
In an effort to further enhance communication between the academy and the parish, we now have our own dedicated noticeboard within the foyer of St. Bernadette’s Church. The academy’s Mission Statement is displayed, as well as current newsletters, and upcoming academy events.
Governors
A number of governors at the academy are also active members of the parish community. Their dedicated work and expertise within the parish also benefits the academy in numerous ways, and serves to strengthen further the bonds between our academy and the parish.
Charitable Fundraising
Our pupils work hard throughout the year to raise money for a variety of good causes, particularly supporting the poor, the disadvantaged, and those less fortunate than themselves. Every year, for example, through our Harvest Festival activities we fundraise for the local branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society which is run by members of the parish.
In the months and years ahead we will continue to work closely with Canon Matthew and the parish for the continued benefit of our pupils, families, and parish community, united in love and fellowship as one body in Christ.
