9 WINTER NEWSLETTER 2025 CHAPLAINCY&RE Welcome and Commissioning Mass On 14th October, Thornleigh Chapel hosted the Welcome and Commissioning Mass for new students, staff and families, during which student leaders for 2025 - 2026 were formally commissioned. Fr Gerry Briody SDB encouraged the leaders to embody the school’s RUAH values - Respect, Understanding, Affection and Humour. Guided by Mr Fitzsimons, Mr Harwood and Mr Whitehead, students received leadership badges and a reflection inspired by St Carlo Acutis. The celebration concluded with a community gathering in the main hall. CAFOD Young Leaders On 16th October, seven Sixth Form students participated in the CAFOD Young Leaders Training Day at Loreto Sixth Form College, Manchester. The programme, led by coordinator Kirstie Hutchinson, brought together students from six colleges for leadership formation, reflection and action planning. The day encouraged participants to respond with compassion to local and global needs, strengthening their commitment to justice, service and solidarity. A New Salesian Saint On 19th October 2025, Sr Maria Troncatti was canonised in Rome by Pope Leo XIV. Born in 1883 in Corteno Golgi, Italy, and professed as a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians in 1908, she served as a Red Cross nurse during World War I before being sent to Ecuador in 1922. There she devoted 44 years to the Shuar people as a nurse, teacher and catechist, becoming known affectionately as Madrecita. Following her death in 1969, she was beatified in 2012. The approval of a second miracle in 2024 paved the way for her canonisation. Her life of faith, service and missionary dedication continues to inspire the Salesian family worldwide. Visit to Thornleigh House Year 7 students recently visited Thornleigh House as part of their introduction to the school’s heritage. Marking 100 years since the arrival of the first Salesians in 1923 and beginning of the school in 1925, the visit offered students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the College’s history and its enduring Salesian identity.
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