Pupils welcome special guest

Pupils at a Greenhills Primary School welcomed a special guest who is a leader in Christian meditation recently.

St Vincent’s Primary was delighted to welcome Fr Laurence Freeman OSB to a special assembly to mark the close of Catholic Education week.

Fr Laurence is worldrenowned for his work in promoting Christian meditation with people of all faiths and none throughout the world and also for his work with the Dalai Lama.

This visit was organised to coincide with Fr Laurence’s visit to Glasgow and was fitting recognition for the school’s commitment to promoting Christian meditation as a regular practice in all classes throughout the school over the past five years.

During his visit to the school Fr Laurence visited classes and meditated with children before joining head teachers from the St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School learning community, representatives of South Lanarkshire Council and parents and friends of the school.

Head teacher Eileen Tompkins said: “The school community was honoured to welcome Fr Laurence and his visit left us all encouraged and inspired.

“He spoke of the value of Christian meditation as a discipline which promotes peace, kindness and goodness, enabling us to be people who make the world a better place for all.

“He encouraged the children to continue to meditate and spoke about how mediation calms the mind, reduces anxiety and puts our attention on God.”

Emily McManus, a P7 pupil, said: “I was touched by Fr Laurence’s kindness and interested to hear him speak about his meetings with the Dalai Lama.”