MOUNT
Carmel pupils attended an annual youth concert at Wembley Arena.
The youngsters were among 10,000 students at the event, called Flame, which was organised by the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation.
The theme for 2017 was ‘10,000 reasons’ and young people came from across the UK, plus some from as far away as Norway.
Lay chaplain Alana Murphy and deputy headteacher Stephen Marston-Yim.
They travelled to London by coach with other pupil representatives from Salford Diocese - from Thornleigh College Bolton, St John’s Horwich, St Cecilia’s Longridge, Stonyhurst College and St Cuthbert’s Rochdale.
During the Flame event, speakers, activities, singers, drama performances, a liturgy and a celebration took place.
Cardinal Charles Bo spoke about his country, Myanmar (also known as Burma), and young volunteers from CAFOD described their experiences of visiting Lebanon and helping refugees there.
Drama company RISE Theatre performed a short play called Moving People about four people who had been forced out of their homes, and a play which portrayed God as a photographer.
Other speakers included Sarah Teather from Jesuit Refugee Service UK, Fr Augusto Zampini Davies, a CAFOD priest who spoke about social justice and bringing change to the world, and David Wells who explained 10,000 reasons to build a wall and 10,000 reasons why God breaks it down.
Activities included an opportunity to generate electricity through pedal power and a drama workshop.
A liturgy was led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols. He read a letter from Pope Francis and led a procession into the arena.
To end the event, a celebration took place which included singing and a giant conga dance in the aisles.
Alana Murphy said: “Mount Carmel pupils were really inspired by the day and it was great to see them actively involved in the prayer and worship elements of the event.”