Archbishop Cushley has commissioned a group of Lay Ministers to help spread the good news of Jesus Christ at high schools in the Archdiocese.

The volunteers will work with school chaplains to support the faith journey of students and staff.

A Mass was celebrated last night at St Margaret's Chapel, at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh, where Archbishop Cushley told them: “We don’t know what seeds we are sowing by being at schools as living witnesses, but we know the living Lord wants to be close to these young people.

"With the Lord’s blessing and your commitment this evening, wonderful things can come from these humble beginnings.

“So be assured of our gratitude for what you are doing and for setting an example to encourage young people to get curious about their faith and to get to know the living Lord.”

Lay Ministers will begin their part-time role in the following schools in February:

  • St Andrew's, Kirkcaldy
  • St Columba's, Dunfermline
  • St David's, Dalkeith
  • St Kentigern's Academy, Blackburn
  • Sinclair Academy, Winchburgh
  • St Margaret's Academy, Livingston
  • St Modan's, Stirling
  • St Thomas of Aquin's, Edinburgh

Margaret Russell (right) a retired head teacher, said: “I'm looking forward to working with the children at Sinclair Academy in Winchburgh and trying to bring the joy of knowing Jesus Christ to them, and in some ways to try and see if there’s anything we can do to encourage more parents to return to Mass."

Tasks for lay ministers will include planning and leading prayer services and retreats, being responsible for the upkeep of the school Oratory, and supporting the school community in times of bereavement.

They will also be available when students are on their breaks – the ministry of presence.

Christopher Santini, head teacher of St Thomas of Aquin’s in Edinburgh, said: "We have a very strong chaplain experience at our school, but having three lay chaplains supporting our work making sure we are educating the spiritual growth of all our children is great news for us.

"We also have the use of Sacred Heart Church from our school chaplain Fr Adrian Porter, so we are standing here blessed and I'm really looking forward to the next couple of years."

Main image: Lay Ministers following their commissioning at St Margaret's Chapel at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh on Tuesday 28 January 2025. Also pictured (from left) are Fr Jamie Boyle (St Mary's, Stirling), Archbishop Cushley, Fr John Deighan (St John Cantius & St Nicholas, Broxburn, and Vicar Episcopal for Catholic Education) and Fr Peter Owolabi, Our Lady of Lourdes, Blackburn.