Prayer Garden

Apostolic Nuncio Visit to Coloma Convent Girls’ School

We are overjoyed to share the heart-warming news of a remarkable event at Coloma Convent Girls' School. On Wednesday, 19th June 2024, we had the profound honour of welcoming the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía. His Excellency graced us with his presence, embarking on a comprehensive tour of our school. He interacted warmly with staff and students, taking a keen interest in our educational environment and the charism of our school community.

The highlight of his visit was the official opening and blessing of our new prayer garden. This serene space is designed to be a place of reflection and peace for our students and staff. The Apostolic Nuncio's blessing imbued the garden with a special significance, reinforcing its purpose as a spiritual haven within our school grounds. In a deeply moving ceremony, he also oversaw the planting of a special tree dedicated to the memory of Erin O'Donnell, a beloved student who recently passed away. This tribute serves as a lasting memorial to Erin, ensuring her presence remains a part of our school community.

In addition to the blessing of the garden, His Excellency blessed a new icon of St Michael the Archangel. Sister Annette Lawrence DMJ, one of our Governors, is an iconographer who hand-painted the beautiful icon of St Michael for Coloma, to commemorate the Apostolic Nuncio’s visit.

At Coloma, we are very proud that our school was founded by the Daughters of Mary and Joseph and that we continue to have such a strong connection to the Sisters. Sister Annette was unable to be with us on this day but we were delighted that Sister Sheila Moloney DMJ, former Coloma teacher & Headteacher, attended on behalf of all the Sisters.

The Apostolic Nuncio also took the time to engage with our A-Level Politics and Religious Studies students, as well as our Model United Nations (MUN) students. His insightful talk provided a unique opportunity for our students to gain a deeper understanding of global and religious issues, inspiring them with his knowledge and experience.

Adding to the day's emotional and celebratory tone, our Year 10 and 11 students performed our new school song for the very first time. This song, written and composed by the students themselves, beautifully captures the essence of our school's values and charism. Their performance was a testament to their talent and dedication, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

The Apostolic Nuncio's visit was a significant event that not only honoured our school's heritage but also celebrated our collective resilience and unity. This memorable day will be cherished by all who were part of it, marking a milestone in our school's history.

Isabelle Nolan, a Sixth Form student and Deputy Headgirl, has written her own reflections on the day's events. Her personal insights provide a poignant perspective on what the visit meant to our students and the broader school community.

Coloma was privileged to have received a visit from Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía this term, whom Pope Francis named as Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain in April 2023. It was a delight for students who had the special opportunity to offer him a tour of the school, including our chapel. It was an exciting morning particularly for the Religious Studies, Politics, MUN and Leadership students, who were able to take part in a Q&A panel, asking questions on how current affairs align with Catholicism in the present day. They also heard about the vocational travels around the world that the Apostolic Nuncio has had during his ministry so far. In particular, His Excellency spoke about his experience during his studies at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, as well as his time serving in diplomatic missions in several countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Morocco, Nicaragua, Egypt, Slovenia and Ireland. His Excellency was able to hear the first ever rendition of the new school song, performed by the highly musically and talented students from Years 10 and 11. Finally, His Excellency blessed the newly established Prayer Garden, where a memorial tree was planted for Erin O’Donnell. It was a beautiful service with the choir singing, and where the icon, painted by Sister Annette Lawrence DMJ, was blessed. It was a delight to welcome Sister Sheila Moloney DMJ, as well as our local parish priests and the O’Donnell family, for this occasion. It was a wonderful day, memorable for both students and staff.