Feast of All Souls – Whole-School Mass
Monday, 3rd November 2025
Today, our school community gathered in the sports hall to celebrate the Feast of All Souls with a special whole-school Mass. This important feast day in the Catholic calendar invites us to honour and pray for those who have died, particularly the souls in purgatory who are on their journey to heaven. As Catholics, we believe in spiritual solidarity — that through our prayers, sacrifices, and the offering of the Mass, we can support the faithful departed in reaching eternal life with God.
During the Mass, we prayed especially for the souls of all past pupils, staff, and members of our school community who have gone before us. It was a moment of reflection, remembrance, and hope.
We were especially honoured to welcome back Fr. Joe O’Connor to celebrate the Mass with us. This year marks a very special milestone for Fr. Joe as he celebrates his Golden Jubilee — 50 years of priestly ministry. Fr. Joe served as parish priest at Our Lady of the Annunciation, Addiscombe, from 2003 until his retirement in 2017, and he currently serves as the Episcopal Vicar for Retired Priests in the Archdiocese of Southwark.
In his homily, Fr. Joe echoed Pope Francis’ reminder that this Jubilee Year invites us to be Pilgrims of Hope. As pilgrims, Fr. Joe encouraged us to see our lives as a continual journey toward sainthood—striving to live with virtue, loving our neighbours, and offering forgiveness generously. He also reflected on our school’s House Saints, reminding us how each of them lived lives of holiness and faith. Fr. Joe spoke particularly about his attachment to St Peter, reminding us that even those chosen by Jesus experienced human weakness, yet through faith and perseverance found their way to holiness.
We are grateful to Fr. Joe for celebrating with us and helping make this Feast of the Holy Souls a meaningful and faith-filled occasion for our school community.
All Souls - Whole-School Mass - November 2025
