Coloma Prayer Garden
At Coloma, we believe that nurturing the spirit is just as important as nurturing the mind. Our Prayer Garden is a beautiful expression of this belief: a peaceful and sacred space where students and staff can pause, reflect, pray and find moments of quiet amidst the busyness of school life.
On Wednesday 19 June 2024, we were honoured to welcome His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, to Coloma for the official opening and blessing of our PrayerGarden. His visit was a truly special occasion, bringing together our faith, heritageand the close-knit spirit of our school community.
During his visit, Archbishop Maury Buendía spent time meeting students and staff, exploring our school and learning more about the charism and values that shape life at Coloma. A particularly moving moment was the blessing of the Prayer Garden, a space dedicated to prayer, reflection, hope and remembrance.
As part of the ceremony, a special tree was planted in loving memory of Erin O'Donnell, a much-loved member of our school community who sadly passed away. The tree stands as a lasting tribute to Erin, symbolising love, remembrance and the enduring connections that bind our community together. It is our hope that the garden will remain a place where her memory is cherished for generations to come.
The ceremony also included the blessing of a beautiful icon of St Michael the Archangel, lovingly hand-painted for Coloma by Sister Annette Lawrence DMJ, a former Coloma teacher and Governor and gifted iconographer.Although Sister Annette was unable to join us, we were delighted to welcome Sister Sheila Moloney DMJ, a former Coloma Headteacher, who attended on behalf of the Daughters of Mary and Joseph. Their presence reminded us of the enduring relationship we treasure with the Sisters who founded our school.
The garden blessing was made all the more special by the beautiful singing of our school choir, alongside the presence of the O'Donnell family and our local parish priests.
The visit was also an opportunity for our students to engage in meaningful conversation with His Excellency. Students from A-Level Politics and Religious Studies, together with our Model United Nations and Leadership students, took part in an engaging question-and-answer session exploring the relationship between faith, diplomacy and contemporary global affairs. Archbishop Maury Buendía shared insights from his extensive diplomatic ministry, including his experiences serving in countries across Africa,Europe and Central America. His reflections offered our students a fascinating glimpse into the wider world and the many ways in which faith can inspire service and understanding.
A further highlight was the first-ever performance of our school song by students in Years 10 and 11. Written and composed by the students themselves, the song beautifully expresses the spirit, values and charism of Coloma, making its debut a particularly proud moment for our community.
We look back on this special day with immense gratitude. The blessing of our Prayer Garden represents more than the opening of a beautiful new space; it is a lasting reminder of the importance of faith, friendship, hope and remembrance in our lives.
May our Prayer Garden continue to be a place where hearts find peace, faith takes root, memories are treasured and hope flourishes.