We were delighted to welcome Bishop Thomas McMahon, former Bishop of Brentwood and a former pupil of the College, to celebrate a Mass for donors to its Bursary Fund.
The bishop, who retired in 2014, spoke in his homily of eucharist, hospitality and ethos being at the heart of a community like St Bede’s. The Mass was concelebrated with Father Anthony Dearman, College priest and former teacher of mathematics, who is a near contemporary of Bishop McMahon. Members of the Sixth Form read while Prep 3 pupils gave a marvellous rendition of the Hail Mary complete with sign language. Sixth Form pupil Martha played violin after communion.
After Mass the congregation moved to the College entrance where the magnificent new board in recognition of major donors was blessed. In the congregation were College staff and pupils as well as benefactors to the College from the Dunn, Stockton and d’Arcy families. Mr Maurice Taylor was also present along with representatives of MBL Seminars. Mrs Judith Dennerly, Mr James Flynn, Mr John Gollaglee and Mr Paul Heaps, Trustees of the Bursary Fund were also in attendance. The College is immensely grateful for the generosity of these friends of the College who do so much to help us maintain the social mix which has always been a hallmark of St Bede’s.