CTG Weekly Reflections
Friday, 11th September 2026
Seventy Times Seven
This Sunday, 13 September, we celebrate Education Sunday, giving thanks for everyone who contributes to Catholic education.
This year’s Gospel reminds us of Jesus’ call to forgive not simply seven times, but “seventy times seven.”
Schools are places where second chances happen every day: another explanation, another attempt, a disagreement resolved, a mistake learned from, or simply the opportunity to start again tomorrow.
As the new academic year begins, we give thanks for the teachers, leaders, support staff, chaplains, governors, families and pupils who make our Catholic school communities what they are.
May this year be one in which we continue to show one another patience, compassion and forgiveness, and never underestimate the difference that another chance can make.
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There is something special about the beginning of a new school year. Classrooms are prepared, corridors fill again and familiar routines slowly return. For some, September brings excitement and enthusiasm; for others, it can bring uncertainty about what lies ahead.
In our Catholic schools, the beginning of a new year gives us an opportunity to think again about the communities we want to create.
A warm welcome can seem like a small thing, but it matters. The pupil arriving at a new school, the member of staff joining a new team or the colleague returning after a difficult summer may all be carrying worries that we cannot see. A smile, a conversation or a simple offer of help can make someone feel that they belong.
St Paul reminds us:
“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you.”
Romans 15:7
As we begin this academic year, perhaps our challenge is simply to carry that spirit of welcome into the everyday life of our schools. Amid the timetables, meetings, lessons and deadlines, may we continue to notice one another and make time for kindness.
We do not know what this school year will bring, but we begin it together. May God bless our pupils, staff and families, guide us through the challenges ahead and help our schools remain places of faith, hope and welcome.
As another school year comes to an end, it's easy to focus on what still needs doing. Yet before rushing into the holidays, take a moment to look back. Think of the pupils you've encouraged, the colleagues you've supported, and the countless small moments that have made a difference. Much of what we do as educators bears fruit long after the school gates close.
Wherever this summer takes you, may it be a time of peace, gratitude and renewal. May you enjoy precious moments with family and friends, appreciate the beauty of God's creation, and find space to reflect on the blessings of the year that has passed.
Thank you for all that you do. Wishing you a restful, joyful and blessed summer holiday.
Tomorrow evening, people across the country will gather in homes, gardens and community spaces as England take on Norway in the World Cup quarter-final. For a short time, millions of people will share the same hopes, experience the same nervous moments and celebrate together.
Sport has a remarkable ability to bring people together. People who may have little else in common can suddenly find themselves talking, laughing and cheering alongside one another. It reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.
St Paul uses the image of a body to describe what a true community should be:
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:27
A successful football team needs more than talented individuals. Each player has a different role, but every role matters. Some score the goals, some prevent them, while others create opportunities or encourage their teammates. Even those who are not on the pitch contribute through their preparation, support and belief in one another.
Our school communities are much the same. Every pupil, teacher, support member of staff and family brings different gifts, experiences and personalities. Some people are confident and easily noticed, while others make a quieter contribution. Some lead from the front, while others offer encouragement, patience or kindness behind the scenes.
Whatever tomorrow’s result, the sense of shared hope surrounding the match can remind us of the power of community. May we continue to build schools where every person knows that they belong, where every gift is valued and where people work together for the good of all.
St Thomas is one of the most relatable figures in the Gospel. Often labelled as "Doubting Thomas", he is remembered for wanting proof before believing that Jesus had risen from the dead. Yet his story is not really about doubt - it is about the journey from uncertainty to deep faith.
When Jesus invited Thomas to see His wounds, He did not criticise him for asking questions. Instead, He met Thomas where he was. That encounter transformed Thomas, leading him to declare, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). Tradition tells us that Thomas went on to travel great distances, sharing the Gospel with courage and conviction.
Schools are places where questions are welcomed every day. Pupils explore ideas, challenge assumptions and seek understanding. As Catholic educators, we know that faith and reason belong together. Honest questions should never be feared; they are often the beginning of deeper learning and a stronger relationship with God.
St Thomas reminds us that faith is not about having every answer. It is about trusting God, even when life feels uncertain, and remaining open to encountering Christ in unexpected ways. His example encourages us to accompany our pupils patiently, recognising that everyone is on their own journey of faith.
As we celebrate his feast day, let us pray for the confidence to ask good questions, the wisdom to seek the truth, and the courage to live out our faith with conviction in our classrooms, our communities and our daily lives.
"My Lord and my God!"
John 20:28