Scottish Catholic Observer

Senior pupils at St Leonard’s Primary School, East Kilbride, celebrated the end of their primary school days by being challenged            to become the saints of the 21st century.

The youngsters’ final year at the school had been enhanced by the visit to Scotland by Pope Benedict XVI and St Leonard’s headteacher, Des Timmons, felt it fitting to end their school journey with a reflection on the words of the Holy Father during his September visit to the United Kingdom.

He invited James McVittie, head of the Catholic Education Commission and former headteacher of St Ninian’s High School, Giffnock, to speak to the children on this theme at their leavers dinner, their final school event, at the Knights of St Columba Club, Blantyre on Monday June 20.

Mr McVittie offered words of encouragement to the pupils as they begin their journey on to secondary school and told them to be inspired by the message of Pope Benedict to Catholic young people and that they should, indeed, strive to—in the words of the Holy Father—become the saints of the 21st century.

“It was a great honour for the children to listen to the head of the Catholic Education Commission,” Mr Timmons said.

“He was inspirational in repeating the call of his Holiness the Pope to the young people of Scotland in asking them to become saints of the 21st century.”

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