This week in our school community: 3 July 2026

"Soccer reminds us of something very important: that life is not a race to be lived in isolation; it is something played as a team, and we must learn to run together. Someone who may be a star player, but never passes the ball, keeps others from joining the game. And he will probably lose."

(Pope Leo XIV)

 

World Cup & Communion

Ever since I was a child football was the most exciting part of life for me. I still recall the moment free tickets were handed out in my primary school for a Preston North End game. It was actually a reserve game against Everton. Reserve games were somewhat hollow in atmosphere, with such low attendances and lacking the pace of a first team game. This game finished 1-0 to Everton, but I was hooked. A week later I was sat in the stands for a first team game with its immense atmosphere and tangible sense of excitement. From then on Saturday afternoon and Tuesday evenings became the markers that punctuated my week. Everything about a matchday brought the experience together: the football, the smell of coffee mixed with stale beer and pies, the taste of a meat and potato pie drizzled in gravy and with a dollop of mushy peas in the centre, wearing my replica shirt over a jumper with no coat, as well as the result. Whether win, lose or draw I always loved live football at Deepdale, it was my real home. Why? Because of one special thing – the unity and communion.

At home and in school I was the epitome of an introvert, when I went to watch my beloved Preston North End I was able to express every emotion alongside people I felt knew how I was feeling.  Coming together for big England matches in the pubs I grew up in was filled with camaraderie, pride and  togetherness.  You see, sport creates community, it unites people in common goals, it unites belief and knowledge, it has the power to bring together people of all ages, sex and race as one body.  As we look around the country at the moment I wonder, is this World Cup having the same unifying effect as previous big tournaments?  There are a distinct lack of St George’s flags flying proud, but is this a by-product of the continued discussion of nationalism and patriotism?  Maybe the pessimism of a nation used to being second best and never actually bringing it home has taken its toll? But on our screens we can see so much unity and communion from players, in the stands and as one for hydration breaks!  At the end of many of these World Cup matches there have been examples of home culture being shared with the world in the most positive ways – Norway and their rowing celebration with drums, Curacao and Cape Verde dancing with fans, renditions of popular music such as tens of thousands of England fans singing Wonderwall and Hey Jude to the players and making them emotional. 

The recent Pope, now St John Paul II, was a huge advocate of sport as a uniting force for good. He was an incredibly forward thinking Pope who found ways to connect with the marginalised, other faith communities and with young people. In an address in the year 2000 at a Jubilee of Sports gathering he spoke the following words:

“Playing sports has become important today, since it can encourage young people to develop important values such as loyalty, perseverance, friendship, sharing and solidarity…Sports have spread to every corner of the world, transcending difference between cultures and nations. The educational and spiritual potential of sport must make believers and people of good will united and determined in challenging every distorted aspect that can intrude, recognising it as a phenomenon opposed to the full development of the individual and to his enjoyment of life. Every care must be taken to protect the human body from any attack on its integrity, from any exploitation and from any idolatry” (St John Paul II)

He then continued with this next passage:

“Sport…is an opportunity to find new creative and motivating zeal, so that sport, without losing its true nature, can answer the needs of our time: sport that protects the weak and excludes no one, that frees young people from the snares of apathy and indifference, and arouses a healthy sense of competition in them; sport that is a factor of emancipation for poorer countries to the love of life, teaches sacrifice, respect and responsibility, leading to the full development of every human person.”

We don’t have to be the most successful at sport to see its ability to bring fellowship and unity, both playing and watching.  This coming week we have sports day, with the final always being a great moment to witness.  Students are seated on the field in their houses and cheer on each competitor with a level of respect that transcends year groups and friendship groups – it’s a spirit of discipleship and being that family of St Gregory’s –sport bringing out the best in our young people.

Mr Robinson

Lay Chaplain