A Group of RE Students Visit the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin
Friday, 13th December 2024
On Wednesday, 11th December, a group of our RE students visited the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin to gain a deeper understanding of Christian sacraments and the wider aspects of living a Christian life.
During the trip, the group explored key sacraments, including baptism, marriage, and the Eucharist, and they were fascinated by the live demonstration of how these sacraments take place. Students had the opportunity to ask the priest and Mrs Holmes-Patel many questions relating to the sacraments and other parts of their course, which will undoubtedly strengthen their knowledge of the sacraments and living the Christian life as they progress in their studies.
A standout moment of the day was seeing Mrs Holmes-Patel wearing an alb, a traditional liturgical garment, while students took time for personal reflection. Many wrote heartfelt prayers, hung them on the church's prayer tree, and lit candles—a moving and memorable part of the visit for all.
Another highlight was the demonstration of the Eucharist. Students were intrigued to discover that the communion bread is actually a wafer embossed with a cross rather than a traditional loaf of bread!
Overall, the visit was an enriching and inspiring experience for students and staff. We look forward to returning to St Mary the Virgin with our next cohort of RE students. A special thank you to Rev Carole Barnett and Mrs Holmes-Patel from all of us at the RE department and Harper Green School.