Taking on the challenge in Jersey (28 May 2007)

Beaulieu Convent Secondary School, Jersey, have taken up the livesimply challenge.  School chaplain Marta Pugsley reports:

Firstly, during Morning Prayer each student was given a copy of the printed 'livesimply' prayer card for use during Lent, a card which they took away as their own.

On Family Fast day, 2 March we held a 'pot luck' lunch. £1 bought you to a ticket which either entitled you to a lunch of soup, bread and cheese or a lunch of just bread and water.  This event highlighted the fact that we live in a part of the world that has plenty whilst others have nothing. Students and staff who participated said it was a sobering experience eating well in front of those who picked up the 'bread and water only' ticket!  We raised £119 for CAFOD.

During Lent we followed the livesimply countdown calendar and posters were put up around the school reminding us all to switch off lights, turn off the tap when brushing teeth etc. Students were also encouraged during Religious Studies lessons to create their own posters.

We held two services of Reconciliation, one for the lower school and one for the upper school. Using livesimply materials, we reflected on how our use of resources affects others both locally and around the world; we looked at our individual responsibilities as good neighbours reflecting Christ to each other.

Canon Nicholas France, our Catholic Dean, who lead our services asked us to adjust the language to make it more adult friendly and used it for our Island Penitential service.

We have held three 'Days of Reflection' for individual Year groups, Years, 7, 8 and 9, again looking at our individual actions and responses to those less fortunate than ourselves and how simple adjustments to the way we live can make such a difference.

We continue to reflect on how our own actions affect others and how we can all make a difference, no matter how small.