The chaplaincy at the Academy of Saint Francis of Assisi is central to the Christian heart of the school. It is from here that our Christian distinctiveness flows in living out the words of Christ, “Love one another as I have loved you”. The values of love and respect for all are lived out throughout our diverse academy. Pupils are encouraged through our collective worship programme to reflect and pray about their own value and their conduct towards others. They are given opportunities to live out these values practically and serve the wider world through acts of charity facilitated by the chaplaincy.
Pupils and staff access the chapel throughout the school day. During break and lunch times pupils can reflect, read scripture, listen to worship music and develop relationally by communing with one another. Our chaplain operates an open-door policy, with the chapel always available for spiritual and pastoral guidance for pupils and staff in the midst of relational conflict or suffering.
The Chaplaincy runs workshops throughout the school year aimed at building the spiritual and moral character of our pupils and meeting the needs of pupils who may be struggling. We also have extracurricular activities which include a boxing club aimed at teaching our learners the importance of self-control and respect, a Christian union where learners can deepen their understanding of the Christian faith through prayer and Bible study, and a school choir which offers opportunities for our learners to engage in worship through music.
“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4
As we make our way through the season of Lent, we consider Christ’s time in the wilderness. This was a time when Jesus stood firm against the temptations of Satan by depending upon his Heavenly Father in prayer and using scripture as his defence. Often in life we go through our own times in the wilderness, times of suffering and uncertainty, times of discontentment. We sometimes turn to material things to comfort us or distract us from our problems. Yet in the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, we see that we need more, we need the word of God. It is the word of God which can be our guide and comfort in our tough times.
Our needs are not just material, they are spiritual. We need spiritual sustenance and that comes through the incarnate word of God, Christ Jesus.