On Thursday 5th July students from across the diocese gathered for the Catholic Children’s Society (CCS) annual Good Samaritan and Good Shepherd Masses at Westminster Cathedral. The Good Shepherd Mass for primary school pupils was celebrated by Bishop Paul McAleenan in the morning followed by Bishop John Wilson celebrating the Good Samaritan Mass for secondary school students in the afternoon.

Bishop John gave an inspiring homily on the theme of ‘who is my neighbour?’, giving special emphasis to how we treat the homeless, leaving three invaluable pieces of advice: ‘don’t judge the homeless, or assume their situation or the least, ignore them. Bishop Paul preached the words from Psalm 23: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I’ll not want’.

At the beginning of Mass, the students processed in with colourful banners. During the Offertory, pupils from each school brought forward the funds they had raised for the work of CCS through the year by engaging in fundraising activities.