On November 18th we celebrate the memory of St Philippine Duchesne, our first missionary and second saint, whom you can read more about here.

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May Philippine pray for and obtain for us her indomitable courage and perseverance in these times of trial and uncertainty.

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On the 21st we celebrate our 222nd birthday! This is the anniversary of the date in 1800 when St Madeleine Sophie and her first companions made their vows, in a clandestine Mass in an attic in Paris; an event which gave birth to the Society of the Sacred Heart. Two centuries later, may we all continue to be inspired by the spirit, courage and vision of Sophie, Philippine and the many generous, prayerful and brave women who have gone before us. 

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In October a group of 20 educators from across our European Network gathered at the family home of St Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society, in Joigny.

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It was a very special time together: the chance to hear Sophie’s story in her own home and to reflect together on how her experiences have strong resonances for educators today. They heard from Sr Hyo Seong RSCJ, from South Korea, and Sr Rachel Guillien, RSCJ from France, who shared insights on Sophie’s vision for education that can inspire us today.

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Time was spent visiting the town and the neighbouring vineyards, where the group was led in a powerful reflection, which touched them deeply.  There was also a chance for each to share information and special features of their own schools.

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With delegates from Spain, France, Ireland, England and Italy, this was a real celebration of our Sacred Heart Network. All were very appreciative of all who organised, contributed to and facilitated the gathering. Many thanks to our two translators, Javier and Julie.

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At the end of a wet week in September, 60 pupils from across our Schools gathered at the Youth Village, County Durham for HeartFest 5. Focusing on the theme of Cor Unum, our young people took part in a wide range of creative workshops and prayer experiences led by the retreat team at the Youth Village including nature walks, dance and a Biblical themed escape room!

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Our time away concluded with a very moving liturgy hosted by Sacred Heart High School in Fenham and we were delighted to be joined by Sacred Heart Sisters, and Governors and Senior staff from the schools.

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The pupils themselves captured the essence of these wonderful days when asked, “What did you learn at HeartFest?”

“How all of our schools are alike, and we are all part of a big community”

“What Cor Unum means and how Sacred Heart is a special community”

“No matter what you do, God will be there for you.”

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"We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again."

Queen Elizabeth II has just died, at the age of 96. At the heart of such a long life, lived very publicly, and with a great sense of duty and service, lay a beloved mother, grandmother and aunt, and so our prayer and condolences are for the Royal Family, and all who mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth.

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Two years ago, during lockdown, the Queen broadcast this special address to the UK and the Commonwealth. May she now rest in peace, united with her husband, Prince Philip. The Queen’s broadcast to the UK and Commonwealth.

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Margaret Wilson RSCJ and Ann Gregory, Network Goals Coordinator for ENW, led a session on Living the Charism as part of the Setting Hearts on Fire conference for all staff at Sacred Heart High School Hammersmith on 2nd September. This took place at the Chapel at Digby Stuart college.

The staff reflected on how Sophie’s vision informs the vision of education at Hammersmith and the importance of relationships. Great plans were made to embrace the Goal of Community in the school, English and international networks and the local community.

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On September 1st, 2022, members of the Province had the privilege of accompanying Doreen Bell RSCJ to Newcastle Civic Centre to the Lord Mayor's Chamber.

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She had been invited to be presented with an Award for long service to the local community through her work with the Fenham Association of Residents where she has been involved for 46 years. 

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It was a lovely occasion where the Mayor spoke highly of the work Doreen has instigated, supported and been involved in. Doreen responded with a spontaneous speech of thanks and tea and cake rounded it all off.

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A great achievement at 90. Congratulations Doreen.

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One of our sisters, Teresa Ryden RSCJ, lives in the Pondok Sophie Community, Jakarta, Indonesia, working as the District Treasurer, Secretary and Archivist. There are currently 26 members of the Society in Indonesia, most of whom are in initial formation.

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Being in a Muslim-majority country, the work of interfaith dialogue is particularly important and the District has an active engagement with the Muslim community. This is carried out through a programme of seminars, talks and meetings that bring together Muslim, Christian and Catholic young people to share their own faith and to learn more about each other’s faith in an atmosphere of mutual respect and friendship, with the aim of equipping them to become peace-builders within their own circles of friends and communities. The programme has been running since 2017 and has an active presence on social media, including on YouTube and Instagram.

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The District also expresses the Society’s educational mission through the work of ‘Pondok Bocah’a kindergarten in Jakarta for children living near our community. This informal pre-school was begun in 2003 by Sr. Lulud, the first Indonesian RSCJ and has continued since then to provide an opportunity for some of the poorest children of the neighbourhood to prepare for their primary years schooling. Many of our newer members have their ministry experience in this kindergarten.

As the numbers of RSCJ in Indonesia increase, we are currently in the process of setting up a new community in Bandung and of purchasing a property in Bogor to replace one of our first communities in Jakarta. In the last year, the Society has been recognised as a legal body in Indonesia which is a significant help to developing our presence and ministry within the country. Like elsewhere in the world, the Covid19 pandemic has had a severe effect on the people and economy of the country and its effects are ongoing. Most schools and universities have been shut for months and classes conducted online.

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On Thursday 7th July - a momentous day in politics - Silvana Dallanegra RSCJ and Margaret Wilson RSCJ attended the Celebrating Young People Awards, run by Million Minutes, in the House of Commons. The event was joyous and inspiring, giving everyone plenty of reasons to have hope for the future. During the evening Silvana was highly commended in the Rutilio Grande Award for religious and clergy, for her Caritas work in schools. 

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Silvana says: 

I was both pleased and astonished by my nomination, let alone being highly commended! Our Constitutions say Conscious that what we do, we do together... And I remain very conscious that I have not done or won any of this alone: I'm part of a multi-talented and supportive team at Caritas; but even more fundamentally and primordially, of a generously supportive, multi-talented RSCJ community called to make Love known through the service of education. Flowing into my work, and my nomination are my sisters' prayers, and interest in what I do, some sound advice around primary school assemblies, donations for the school food banks I support, and a good deal more. 

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I'm sure, though, that I wasn't alone in being surprised at my nomination - none of us in that room do what we do in order to win awards or medals. Instead, we all heard stories of so many incredible, dedicated young people, all motivated by compassion, concern and a desire for fairness and justice; each one engaged, in their own way, in building a better world; each one living their Faith, and their love in action." 

You can read a fuller reflection on the evening in Silvana's blog.

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On Thursday 30th June some of us attended a service marking the retirement of Marian Doyle after 25 years of service in the Sacred Heart High School Hammersmith.

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It was a simple and very meaningful service prepared by some of the Staff. It was good to see so many past staff who had come to wish Marian well.

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Cath thanked Marian on behalf of the Society and at the end anointed her invited us to join her in the blessing.

The readings and music echoed Marian's Irish heritage. There was a beautiful solo of Ag Criost An Siol and the final hymn was sung to the tune of ‘Danny Boy’.

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                                                                                              What Grace is Mine.

                                                Chorus: So I will go wherever He is calling me

                                                                              And use my life to find my life in Him

                                                                     I give my all to gain the hope that never dies ......

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There were many votes of thanks at the end including Marian herself and she gave a very moving account of how the spirituality of the Society really changed her understanding of leadership.  

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After the service food and drink was on offer in the Garth and there was plenty of time to catch up with old friends and colleagues and to meet Marian’s family who were present.

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On June 22022, 20 RSCJ from our Province gathered together at the Kairos Centre, Roehampton for our Provincial Assembly. It was the first time we had met as a group face to face for three years. So there was much reconnecting and catching up there was an air of excitement as the first session began. We were working during these days with an image and a song: Wood Hath Hope. The focus for these days was to pray together, reflect on our future together as well as just spending time together and socialising.

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After a welcome and a setting of the scene from Cath, we began with a reflective session led by Lorraine which included a beautiful liturgy enabling us to take on a contemplative stance and root us in a discerning space.

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We worked in reflection groups on the second day, sharing our prepared responses to the question: ‘What might God be asking of us as a Province, both now and into the future?’ The open plenary enabled us to listen to the fruits of each group and shared silences helped us to go deeper in our reflections. Another group task was to work together on questions around vulnerability and resilience. Again, the sharing was rich and it was good to be back together face to face. A lot of energy and excitement was generated as we continued a reflection on future community models and housing.  

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Different people prepared Morning Prayer each day offering a variety of gifts and starting off our working day in a reflective way.

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Over coffee breaks, meals and in the evenings we enjoyed each other’s company and took time to enjoy the environment of the Kairos Centre.

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We were joined for our Closing Mass on the third day by Fr Martin Poulsom SDB who celebrated a lovely Mass which included the marking of the ending of the Provincial Team’s first mandate and thanking Chris Edwards for her service as well as welcoming Marianne on to the new Team for the next three years. Cath, Margaret and Sheila continue. The Team members were thanked and blessed and the liturgy finished with Cath blessing each member of the Province as we continue our mission wherever and however we are.

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An important gathering enjoyed by all.

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Someone recently asked me for the date of the Feast of the Sacred Heart. I began to explain that it's a moveable feast, coming at the end of a whole series of moveable feasts, which begin with Pentecost... no, with Easter... no, Lent... Ash Wednesday... And as I heard myself describe this liturgical continuum, something within me broke into a gleeful little dance. Wow, I thought... Wow... from Ash Wednesday to the Sacred Heart, in one unbroken movement!

From the day when we turn to God with all our hearts, seeking grace and forgiveness and mercy... through Lent, when we yearn and learn to love, and Easter, that greatest of all feasts of Christ's love... and then Pentecost, the love of the Trinity, and of Corpus Christi... to the day when we celebrate the Heart of God, the fathomless source of all that tender, overflowing, compassionate and merciful love.

In a pastoral letter for Ash Wednesday, Cardinal Vincent Nichols once wrote that Ash Wednesday is the doorway into this season of renewal. And so it is... And it's also a doorway into God's wide-open Heart, a sure companion on our journey. And this is the hope and the assurance which strengthen me as I enter this time of growth and renewal, and this Lent which is, as always, filled with a promise which holds as much blessing as it does challenge.

Have a happy, grace-filled Lent, everyone!

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Adapted from a reflection by Silvana Dallanegra RSCJ, which first appeared in All this Life and Heaven Too

On Saturday 2nd August Sisters Mon McGreal RSCJ and Steph Romaine RSCJ quietly celebrated their Golden Jubilees of perpetual profession of vows, made in 1975.

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Here, Steph, who is part of our community in Fenham, Newcastle, shares how she spent the day...

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I began my Jubilee Day with Mass in the Cathedral, and to my surprise the first reading from Leviticus (25:1, 8-17) reminds us of the origin and meaning of Jubilee. God owns the land and for a whole year it was to remain uncultivated, unworked on, so that the land itself had a holiday! So, after coffee and a scone at the Oak and Iron Heritage Centre I went for a walk at nearby Gibside.

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The first thing that showed itself to me was the beginning of a new leaf on a twig - it told me that this is the beginning of a new stage of my life. As I walked on it felt as though I was walking back through my life again, through the woods of my life:

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Babies in buggies, young children playing….older children making dens. I remembered the woods of my childhood on Putney Heath; the woods at Woldingham when I was a novice – the Dark Night where I had an illegitimate cigarette or two; and the woods at the top of St Michael’s Mount when I was teaching in the school at Woldingham, taking a walk on a day off from the boarding school. On I walked in the Hollies near Leeds and Roundhay Park, on a Saturday with Vivien Bowman. On and on, until surrounded by woods and mountains at Llannerchwen. A few sedate walks around Bolam Lake and Wallington here in the North East, until today the woods at Gibside. I’ll come again now I’ve found the bus route!

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Woods hold so much, speak with so much symbolism of my 80 years of life and now 50 years of Final Profession: so much variety, so much contrast, so many beginnings and endings, and handing’s over; so much darkness and light and dappled light and deep shade. There was deadness, dead leaves, dead trees, dead ends; and yet fresh greenness, new buds, new leaves, and fresh fruit, hollows and vistas... and always stillness with rustling leaves and silence, silence broken only by birdsong; clear paths and brambles with no way through and yet always The Way.

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So much to be grateful for, so many companions on the way, and through it all, invisible and everlasting arms holding and guiding, picking up, comforting, never letting go and always loving:

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‘The Good news of the Kingdom’ (my Probation Name)*

And my devise (motto)

‘I praise you, Father, because you have revealed these things to little ones
and hidden them from the wise and prudent.
You have put all these things in my hands.’
Lk:10:21

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We send our congratulations and prayer to Steph and Mon, and to the other RSCJ around the world for whom this is a Jubilee year.

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* 'Probation' is our preparation for final vows, a process done in an international group, lasting almost five months. At the end of this time, as per a long Society tradition, the Superior General will give the group a name and devise which give them a communal and individual new identity and call as professed RSCJ.

On a very hot day at the beginning of July, the Head Girl teams from Sacred Heart in Fenham and Hammersmith joined their fellow students leaders from Woldingham School for two days of student leadership training. The conference, titled “ Leading from the Heart” gave them the opportunity to consider their leadership styles, their role within a team as well as important skills such as effective communication and using your initiative.

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It was a delight to see how quickly the students bonded and enjoyed sharing their experiences of leading in a Sacred Heart school. In the evening, a poignant moment was had in Woldingham’s new vineyard as we learned more about the symbolism of the different parts of the vine and the importance of the vines to St Madeleine Sophie Barat.

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The Society of the Sacred Heart around the world celebrated 100 years of St Madeleine Sophie Barat on May 24th. The schools and college in our province marked this very special occasion with liturgies and special assemblies, heart-shaped lollies and prayer cards. Students and staff also came together to watch a new film made by the Schools Network to tell the story of Sophie's life and share some of her most loved quotations, read by our RSCJ Sisters. You can watch the film here:

75 students and staff from across all of our schools and college gathered at the end of September to celebrate HeartFest 6, our biennial student conference at the Emmaus Youth Village, County Durham.

For three days, students worked collaboratively on a range of tasks linked to all 5 Sacred Heart Goals of education, as we are celebrating this school year, the 50^th birthday of the Goals which launched in the United States in 1975.

Despite the torrential rain, spirits were high as creative skills were used to express each of the Goals in workshops such as friendship bracelet making (for the Goal of Community) and re-imagining our ideal world in art (for the Goal of Social  Awareness)

HeartFest 6 concluded with a moving liturgy at Sacred Heart High School, Fenham where all those in attendance were commissioned as the first Sacred Heart Network Student Team, who will now take an active role in leading Goals based activities in our schools and college.

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UPDATED 29th JULY - We send our prayers and best wishes to the Alumnus of Sacred Heart Schools around the world who are competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris this summer:

(clockwise from top left)

Tierna Davidson from Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, California (Class of 2016) will compete in soccer for the USA

(photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Lanihei Connolly from Baradene College of the Sacred Heart, Auckland, New Zealand (class of 2023) is competing in swimming (100m Breaststroke) for the Cook Islands.

(photo credit:www.birmingham2022.com)

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Gaby Lopez from Collegio Sagrado Corazon, Mexico (class of 2012) will compete in Golf for Mexico

(photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Mary (Daisy) Mazzio-Manson from Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Boston (class of 2016) will compete in Rowing fours for the USA

(photo: LinkedIn)

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Georgia Bell from Sacred Heart High School, Hammersmith (class of 2010) will compete in Athletics (1500m) for Great Britain

(photo: Michael Steele / Getty images)

Isabella Russekoff from Sacred Heart Greenwich, Connecticut (class of 2018) will compete in Equestrian Showjumping for Israel.

(photo credit: @shgreenwich Instagram)

Katie Ledecky from Stone Ridge Sacred Heart, Bethesda, Maryland (class of 2015) will compete in Swimming (400m freestyle, 1500m freestyle, 4 x 200m freestyle relay, 800m freestyle) for the USA.

(photo credit: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

Carlota Ciganda from Sagrado Corazon, Pamplona, Spain (class of 2008) will compete in Golf for Spain

(photo credit: Wikipedia)

Erin Gemmell from Stone Ridge Sacred Heart, Bethesda, Maryland (class of 2023) will complete in Swimming (200m freestyle and 4 x 200m freestyle relay) for the USA

(photo credit: Jack Splitser / Splitser photography)

Phoebe Bacon from Stone Ridge Sacred Heart, Bethesda, Maryland (class of 2020) will complete in Swimming (200m backstroke) for the USA

(photo credit: Wikipedia)

Paige Greco from Sacre Coeur Glen Iris, Victoria (class of 2015) will compete in Paralympic Cycling for Australia

(photo credit: Paul Harris)

Mewen Tomac from Lycée Sacre Coeur, Amiens, France (class of 2020) will compete in Swimming (100m and 200m backstroke) for France

(Photo credit: Faugere / L’Equipe)

Annabelle Smith from Sacre Coeur Glen Iris, Victoria (class of 2010) will compete in Diving (3m synchronised) for Australia

(Photo credit: @annabellesmith Instagram)

Beth Yeagar from Sacred Heart Greenwich, Connecticut (class of 2021) will compete in Field Hockey for the USA

(Photo Credit:www.teamusa.com)

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NEWLY ADDED (centre left)

Marie Simon from La Perverie, Nantes, France (class of 2018) will compete in Field Hockey for France.

(photo credit: www.ffhockey.org)

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NEWLY ADDED (above centre)

Blanca Hervas from Sagrado Corazon, Rosales, Madrid (class of 2021) will compete in Athletics (4 x 400m relay) for Spain.

(photo credit: www.worldathletics.org)

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NEWLY ADDED (centre)

Elizabeth Dekker from Duchesne College, University of Brisbane (class of 2022) competing in Swimming (200m butterfly) for Australia

(photo credit: Delly Carr)

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NEWLY ADDED (centre right)

Noe Jouin from La Perverie, Nantes, France (class of 2020) will compete in Field Hockey for France.

(photo credit:www.ffhockey.org)

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We send our congratulations also to Samantha McGill (former Head Girl from Kilgraston Sacred Heart, Scotland) who joins the Team GB support team for Tennis.

Please let us know if we have missed anyone on our Sacred Heart Team sheet  – and consider following our Schools Network Instagram account for schedule updates and results: heart_filled_year

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As part of our 1842 celebrations and in recognition of the Year of Community, schools across our Network raised a phenomenal £12,374.08 for the building of a new Sacred Heart Primary School in Eldoret, Kenya. Schools took part in a range of creative fundraising activities including sponsored walks, bake sales and singing competitions. Their collective efforts will make a huge difference to this exciting project which will provide an education for young children, many who are orphaned and living in poverty on the outskirts of the city of Eldoret. It is hoped that once the school opens, links can be made with primary schools in our network in order to set up some joint student projects.