Comical Games??? Hazel Fort, from the Chaplaincy at Savio Salesian College Bootle near Liverpool, explains all about this day of fun for the younger members of the Bosco Group - students who volunteer to be directly involved in Don Bosco's mission at school.

May 24th, 2018 dawned fair but cloudy. As it progressed, the day matched other days that week and spawned a heatwave. Thus many prayers were answered by God and Mary Help of Christians, whose feast day it was: we could hold our Comical Games.

'What are Comical Games?' asked the Junior Boscos somewhat dubiously.

'It's like the Olympic games with all the serious bits taken out!' I answered.

We were at the end of a long, dark year in which the Junior Boscos had worked their socks off. Every dinner break, they had been involved in Charity Fund Raising, Liturgical Art, Drama to animate the weekly Gospel, or planning their Peer Chaplaincies – all leading up to submitting their work for their Faith in Action qualification. They had spent a fortnight polishing up their reports or seeking out photographs for evidence. It was time for fun.

I instituted a games tournament in which they had teams and played three card games, three board games, three games of air hockey and three games of Pool. BUT the culmination was to be the Comical Games played outside on our Sports Field.

Two of our Senior Boscos volunteered to help: Aleisha and Kieron (Year Ten) had become pretty used to organising the youngsters and had a good rapport with the Year 7 & 8 students. Solemnly, they instructed them on the wearing of sun cream, hats and appropriate shoes and clothing. They marked out three lanes on the field in which the students would be competing.

Come the day, I cast a doubtful look at the sky and said a quick prayer to Mary. She must have had sympathy with me - or she, too, was interested to see what would happen. Our excited but suspicious students changed into their games kit.

'My knee's very sore. I don't think I can compete. I can't run.' One of them told me dismally. (Really, Kelsey? Who said anything about running?)

'I don't think I can come. I've got football practice. But I could come at the end. Can I still join in?' (Certainly, Keira)

I gave instructions. 'Each race has to take place three times to get a fair result.' (Liar, Hazel! You just wanted to make sure of the photographs!)

First race up: the Obstacle Race. Sets of clothes were laid out along the course and had to be put on to win. A bride and a gangster and a prom girl - we had some beautiful brides, truly we did!

Then it was time for snacks and a drink. Brother Mirek, who came along to help, doubled as a paramedic and official photographer. He also made sure everyone had something to eat and drink. Comical games are very thirsty work- you laugh very hard and long. We owe him many thanks for all his support this year.

Next, came the Reverse Race. To complete the course, students had to run backwards. Much laughter was involved and India gave up even though Aleisha kindly offered to run with her. Mia won. She was a real trooper entering every race with boundless energy and enthusiasm.

Surprise, I turned to one of the breathless competitors: 'Kelsey, I thought you had a sore knee?' to be answered with a huge grin.

Snacks and a drink.

Our third 'race' involved putting a balloon between their knees and running. Keira's football practice ended and she joined in. Instead of staying in their lanes, there was much chasing after balloons with our supportive stewards running round the field as the light breeze took hold of the balloons and made off with them. We're not too sure who won that game: Kieron, I think. He had the most balloons at the end.

We approached the next race with some trepidation - the Egg and Spoon Race. Much hilarity ensued as Edward dropped his egg and it smashed even before Starter's Orders.

Then they were off. Kieron kept a close eye on everybody's hands as they tried to shield their eggs so they would not drop. I think either Kelsey or Edward won that race. Who cares?

As India said gravely, 'It isn't the winning that counts. It's the taking part.' That girl will go far, mark my words.

Then, Aleisha had her "Oops!" moment. The Games were almost at an end. Joyfully, our Senior Bosco lady threw an egg high into the air and caught …. Well, fragments of it. She'd forgotten we were using raw eggs! Oops!

We reached the final challenge: I have a feisty cat so - could you pull a face and scare her? Look at our pictures. Brother Mirek won that, I'd say. Wouldn't you? We came to the end of a very tiring but very enjoyable hour.

Dividing the prizes between us, we gorged on chocolate. Beautiful!

The students cleared away the things we'd used and then went home. They were last seen walking along laughing at some of the memories of the games. This was their reward for working hard at 'doing something beautiful for God.'

Don Bosco would have just loved it!

Hazel Fort