Schoolchildren fill St Mark's Newtownards at start of Lent
On Shrove Tuesday, over 500 pupils, drawn from senior classes, representing six primary schools in the parish of Newtownards met in St Mark's Church for a service of preparation for Lent. The pupils, who participated fully in the service, attend four controlled primary schools - Londonderry Model, Victoria, West Winds – a maintained school – St.Finnians – and Regent House Preparatory Dept.
The theme, 'Give it up – give it over’ was the ‘brain child’ of the parish Youth Coordinator, Stephen Doherty.
Amongst those who attended was the Chief Executive of the South Eastern Education & Library Board, Mr.Stanton Sloan. The lively forty minute service concluded with the blessing pronounced by the Rector, the Parish Priest and local Methodist Minister.
The service has been a feature of the parish and schools calendar for the past three years. It is the custom for it to take place in St.Mark’s on a week day close to St.Mark’s Day, in April. This year, that date coincides with the Easter festival.
The presence of principals, teachers and pupils from all schools in the parish is a recognition of the contribution church and school can make together to the spiritual development of children in their final years at primary level.