Newman’s Feeling Festive

It has been a busy few weeks here at Cardinal Newman, with huge array of festive activities taking place throughout the month of December. We started off in style, with our annual Advent Vigil on Tuesday 3^rd December in our beautiful Chapel. The service is an opportunity to reflect and we were led in song beautifully by our student and staff choir.

We then followed this up with our traditional Modern Foreign Languages Carol Concert, where our language students join together with the rest of the College community to sing traditional carols in French German and Spanish. We are also treated to readings by language students, in their language of study. It is a fabulous occasion which allows us all to get into the Christmas spirit, whilst learning a little about the traditions and the languages of other countries.

On Thursday 12^th December we were delighted to host our locally renowned Christmas party for the elderly. We welcomed approximately 60 local elderly residents for an afternoon of fun and festivities, starting with some live Christmas music, followed by a delicious Christmas lunch and a little glass of sherry. The residents were even treated to a visit from The Archbishop of Lancaster, who began the proceedings by saying grace at the start of the meal. After lunch, there were games and more music and each guest left with a hand-packed hamper, full of goodies donated by our staff and students.

Friday 13^th December was a very busy day of festivities, as we joined in with the nationwide Christmas Jumper Day as well as taking part in our now annual Santa Stroll! We didn’t let the bad weather put us off as hundreds of staff and students made their donations to Breast Cancer Research and donned their Santa hats for a walk en masse through Avenham Park. Also, throughout the day, we had stalls selling Festive treats, including Elf Pillows and Reindeer hot chocolates in aid of the Young Minds charity, and vegan bake sale for CAFOD.

On Sunday 15^th December the College community joined together again up at St Wilfrid’s Church, for the annual Christmas Carol Service, featuring the College Choir and the Staff Choir. It was a beautiful way to start off the final week of term.

Throughout the month of December, we have also had a variety of initiatives ongoing, with donations of new toys, games and books being collected for Rock FM’s Cash for Kids Mission Christmas Appeal. It is a sad fact that Thousands of Children living in poverty will wake up to no presents this Christmas, so we have been collecting presents suitable for children up to the age of 18 so that their Christmas morning can be a little brighter.

We have also been collecting teddies and soft toys for Secret Santa Ltd, who work with Children’s Services in Blackburn with Darwen and are hoping to put together 1,000 sacks of presents this year. These presents will then be donated to the most under-privileged children in the area, helping to spread a little Christmas joy to some of the most in need children this Christmas time.