St. Anthony’s Girls Catholic Academy, part of the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, had the great honour of welcoming Bishop Stephen to their school today (26.9.24) to officially open the newly completed Mercy Garden and mark the start of their 120th Anniversary celebrations.
During his visit, Bishop Stephen met with members of the school’s staff, engaging in discussions about the academy’s community, mission, and vision for the future. He then joined Year 11 students for an insightful “Ask the Bishop” activity, where students asked thought-provoking questions about his role as Bishop, the Catholic Church’s stance on stewardship, and how the Church might respond to ethical dilemmas such as the famous trolley problem.
A highlight of the day was the blessing and official opening of the school’s new Mercy Garden. The garden, dedicated to the memory of former staff and students who have passed away, symbolises the school’s strong commitment to Mercy.
Marie Lanaghan, Headteacher of St. Anthony’s, expressed her gratitude, saying, “It was a great honour to have Bishop Stephen visit St Anthony’s and to have him officially open our Mercy Garden. As we celebrate our 120th year, his visit marked the start of our celebrations, as we reflect on our rich history and look forward to the future.”
ENDS
Press release issued by Liam Milne, St. Anthony’s Girls Catholic Academy Sunderland lmilne@staga.co.uk