DLS Basildon enjoy wonderful experience at Flame
There were many reasons for the school community at De La Salle School Basildon to come together in recent weeks, with a number of events taking place.
One of the highlights of the year saw representatives of the school travel to Flame at Wembley for the largest Catholic youth event in England and Wales, filled with inspiring speakers, incredible live music, prayer, and adoration.
Saturday 15th March saw more than 10,400 young people from every part of England and Wales, including 32 young people and four staff along with Chaplain Doug Mongan from De La Salle, Basildon. Also in attendance was a group from Gibraltar and the Ukrainian national Chaplaincy, joining chaplains, teachers, priests, bishops, and youth leaders, in selling out the OVO Arena Wembley in a huge explosion of faith and hope.
We were part of the Lasallian family and our thanks go Emma, Heather and Sara from district office who organised our passes/tickets and T-shirts. My thanks also to Mr Norris, Miss Reynolds, Mrs Quinnell and Mr Purcell who helped Doug organise the trip from De La Salle, Basildon.
“You guys are unstoppable!" Mr Grills said.
Flame's theme of "Unstoppable: Fan the flame of hope" echoed what Pope Francis calls us to be in this year of Jubilee: "Pilgrims of Hope."
Our young people thoroughly enjoyed the experienced and have vowed to go again in 2017.
Flame 2025 concluded with a moving moment of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, capping a day of spiritual renewal, encouraging young people to return to their parishes and schools as ambassadors of hope.
“Let your faith shine brightly in the world, and know that you are not alone on this journey.”
The busy month of March began with Chaplaincy cleaning its cupboards and from the chaplaincy shed engaged in giving free pancakes to our young people feasting on the last day before Lent.
The following day, Ash Wednesday was marked by the four services led by two of our local priests. Periods 4 and 5 saw a service of blessing the Ashes and distributing them to staff and students.
The activities continued on Thursday March 6th when Chaplaincy welcomed Mrs Susie Barnett, a holocaust Survivor who presented to our Year 9 Students her testimony of what happened during the Holocaust.
During this season of Lent, KS3 students are being exposed to walking and reflections on the Way of the Cross.
De La Salle School, Basildon has also taken part in CAfOD’s big Lenten Walk. The route organised by the PE Dept saw all years walk twice around the school in aid of sponsorship for communities less fortunate than ourselves.
