On Wednesday June 20th, the Memorial of St. Alban, a selection of Year 7 pupils from Salesian School Chertsey attended the annual Good Shepherd Celebration at Worth Abbey, West Sussex. Salesian School Chertsey has a proud tradition of being in the position to represent Catholic secondary schools in this increasingly popular diocesan event.

The Benedictine monastic community at Worth Abbey are the usual hosts for this event, with the Liturgical Celebration at the heart of the day. Bishop Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton presided at the Liturgy. A huge number of primary schools were represented with many pupils taking part in the choir or participating as readers, altar servers, musicians and liturgical dancers. The turnout was the highest that I have seen in the many years that I have been attending this gathering.

After a lovely picnic lunch on the extensive lawn outside the Abbey church, pupils returned home. Particular thanks go to Mrs. K Hibbins-Durkin (2nd in RE) and Br. M Papierz SDB (Chaplaincy) without whom this trip would not have been possible.

Fr. M Villani SDB (Chaplain)