Thousands of children across the trust have answered the call of Pope Francis to pray for Ukraine, while also providing vital funds and practical assistance.
Children attending the 27 schools in Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust have continued to remember the people of Ukraine in their daily prayers throughout Lent after stopping their lessons to pray for peace on Ash Wednesday.
NPCAT schools and its head office stopped at 11am for prayer and reflection. As well as watching a moving video recorded by a Ukrainian woman living in the UK, they also prayed and listened to music that was specially written for the occasion.
NPCAT’s Catholic standards officer, Mark Ryan, said: “The message was deeply moving and so important, and we were pleased to be able to share it with our communities.
“We all need to spread love and kindness in our own communities and not wait for something terrible to happen to change our lives.”
Pupils at St Thérèse of Lisieux Catholic Primary School in Ingleby Barwick praying for peace in Ukraine
Mr Ryan said that like all of us, children will be struggling to process what they are seeing on the news and hearing about from their friends.
“For very young ones, we have to be very sensitive because they will have very little understanding of what’s going on, so we focus on peace,” he said.
“Older children, who are more aware of what’s going on in the world, will have questions and thoughts and feelings.
“We have to be prepared to respond to those in a peaceful way. That’s what the Pope asks us to do, not to be people of war but to be people of peace.”
On Friday, Pope Francis will pronounce the Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Bishop Terry will pray the consecration prayer during midday Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, an act that bishops throughout the world will also carry out.
Children from St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School in Nunthorpe praying for peace
The NPCAT family join the Pope in prayer on this special day and every day for peace in Ukraine. Our schools have also been showing their usual generosity for those in need.
NPCAT was asked to help fill a container of vital supplies that is being driven overland to Ukraine.
Within five days, our secondary schools had collected a huge range of aid including clean bottled drinking water, dried non-perishable food, warm winter coats, blankets, sleeping bags, first aid kits, hot water bottles, flasks, baby food, nappies, toiletries and sanitary products.
Our primary schools have all been doing everything they can to help.
St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School in Ormesby have created a prayer wall on the fence outside of school, while children from St Pius X Catholic Primary School in Park End recorded a song to show their solidarity with Ukraine.
And St Margaret Clitherow’s Catholic Primary School in South Bank collected three carloads of aid, as well as donating money.
We will continue to pray and play our part in the relief effort for as long as the crisis lasts.
