'Education is integral to the mission of the Church to proclaim the Good News. First and foremost every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth’
(Benedict XVI, 2008)
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Chaplaincy
Carmel College is a community rooted in Gospel values. Prayer punctuates our day and students and staff are encouraged to put their faith into action.
We offer an inclusive environment where all members of our College community are enabled to grow in faith and understanding.
Within Carmel College, our Catholic faith is expressed through weekly celebrations of Holy Mass, Liturgy, prayer, pilgrimage, almsgiving, but most explicitly in our relationships with one another.
"You cannot speak of Catholic education without speaking about humanity, because the Catholic identity is precisely that God became man.” Pope Francis
Chaplaincy at Carmel seeks to bring all members of the community together, regardless of where each person is on their own journey of faith.
A lay chaplain staffs the chaplaincy.
Mr Gardner is our Lay Chaplain and also a Teacher of RE. He also provides support and guidance on matters of spirituality and chaplaincy to the other schools that make up Carmel Education Trust. Spirituality is at the forefront of our College’s mission and therefore all members of staff have shared responsibility for the development of Liturgy and ethos, each brings their own talents and skills to build up the Kingdom of God.
The Chapel is at the heart of the College, a place of reflection and peace. Everyone is welcome to spend time in quiet prayer throughout the day or to engage with the varied spiritual programme that takes place each week. We have reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, allowing all members of our community to spend time with Jesus each day.
Mass is celebrated by our deanery priests each Wednesday and student led liturgies take place throughout the week. Each Friday morning we have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Mr Gardner’s office is within the Chapel, which acts as a confidential room for chats and counselling as well as for meetings and resources.
Mr Gardner is assisted by the local parish priests and many members of the College Community. The Chaplaincy Support Group consists of the Head of R.E. and all members of the department, the Head of Music, a media designer and members of different departments throughout the College complete the team.
We have a very active Youth SVP Group working in KS3 and a Spiritual Depth group in the sixth form.
Retreats
Every student has the opportunity to take part in a residential retreat at the Emmaus Village. Students value this opportunity to ‘retreat’ from the business of everyday life and to focus on their relationship with God and each other. These retreats are always very well attended.
Students in the sixth form have the opportunity to join the HCPT annual Easter pilgrimage to Lourdes to assist with children with a range of disabilities. This really allows the students to put their faith into practice.
“The person of Christ must be at the centre of our Catholic schools. The vision of education that inspires a Catholic school is always centred on the person. In a Catholic school, the true development of the person, pupils and staff, takes precedence over all other things” – Cardinal Vincent Nichols
The ministry of the chaplaincy is threefold: affirming, strengthening and healing, offering pastoral care to staff and pupils alike. Mr Gardner is ready to listen to and advise, if necessary, those pupils or staff who need a sympathetic ear.
Mr Gardner strives to improve the self esteem and self worth of pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties by offering a constructive, confidence-building environment where pupils can share their frustrations and problems and come to terms with the reasons for their difficulties. These pupils may be referred to the chaplain by a pastoral learning manager, tutor or special educational needs personnel.
