(Pictured: One of the hymns in full swing (Fr Charles centre))

Fr Pat Sherlock SDB, Chaplain at Salesian College Farnborough, describes their recent Lourdes Mass, at which the principal celebrant was a recently-ordained former pupil, Fr Charles Randall CSsR.

While our athletics team was competing in the inter-Salesian sports, superbly hosted by Chertsey on Friday 12th May, the College was celebrating a lively Mass which brought something of the spirit of the HCPT pilgrimage to those who were not able to be there this year.

Each form was delighted to be greeted enthusiastically by Year 12 students, wearing their Group 711 hoodies and polo shirts. Before the start of Mass, there was a slide presentation describing the wide range of service performed by the group and introducing our principal celebrant.

Fr Charles Randall CSsR, a former student of the College, was ordained on 8th December 2016. His older brother, William, who was present at the Mass with other members of the family, had visited Lourdes four times with the College, but in his homily Fr Charles admitted that he was perhaps the least likely of his year to become a priest!

From the opening hymn, "Christ be our Light", the congregation joined in heartily with the Mass, encouraged by the Year 12 students in the choir and band. All the teachers and support staff who had accompanied Group 711 at Easter were involved in preparing different elements of the Mass - a real community of faith. In true HCPT style, the final procession was followed by "Sing it in the Valleys", "Rise and Shine", and "Jesus is the Rock". Students from Years 12 and 13 came to the front of the hall to demonstrate the actions. After Mass there was a buffet reception in the Music School for Fr Charles and the invited guests, including some of his former teachers and representatives of other schools in the area. Also present, and given special acknowledgement after the Mass, were Caroline Bennett, retiring Trustee and Pilgrimage Director for HCPT, and Martin Hutchinson, who had prepared the students for their dance and mime during the Trust Mass.

Our Headmaster, Mr Owens, described the occasion as "a truly joyful and prayer filled celebration, which brought the school to God so well'. One of the junior students was even more exuberant, declaring it 'the Glastonbury of Masses!"