Hundreds of students shine at Christmas carol service

More than 300 young people from across Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT) came together on Tuesday [16 December] for an evening of festive celebration. 

The ‘Joy to the World’ Christmas carol service was held at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. It brought together all nine HFCMAT schools for an evening of joyful song and prayer. It showcased the talents of both primary pupils and secondary students.

The 1,000 attendees comprised families, staff and parish communities. Throughout the service, pupils treated the congregation to renditions of traditional Christmas carols including ‘We Three Kings’ and ‘Gaudete’. They also performed modern Christmas songs such as Lauren Dingle’s ‘Noel’.

Pupils from St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, Runcorn, performed ‘Let Your Light Shine This Christmas’, a song written especially for the occasion. The young people from Our Lady of Pity R.C. Primary School, Greasby, wowed the audience by using sign language in their performance of ‘What Can I Bring?’ 

The congregation also came together to sing ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, ‘While Shepherd’s Watched’, and the uplifting ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’. The service finished with all 300 HFCMAT pupils involved taking to the stage to perform a rousing rendition of ‘Joy To The World’. 

Year 13 student at St John Plessington Catholic College in Bebington, Harriet Wootten, said:

“The carol service was such a wonderful opportunity to perform in the Metropolitan Cathedral. As one of the oldest students, it was especially lovely to perform alongside some of the younger children in the Trust. I was really proud of our school choir, and it is a night I will remember for a long time.”

The service also included scripture readings by headteachers of all HFCMAT schools. They provided the congregation with moments of reflection to honour the birth of Jesus Christ. Canon Niall Mullaly, parish priest at St Philip Neri, gave a blessing at the end of the service. He also noted what a joyful evening it had been. 

HFCMAT’s director of music, Laurie Smith, said:

“Our carol service is always a highlight of the year. To see our children, staff and families come together in one sacred space to celebrate the miracle of Jesus’ birth is truly moving. It reminds us of what Christmas is really about; love, light and the importance of community.” 

CEO of HFCMAT, Andy Moor, added:

“Tuesday night’s ‘Joy to the World’ carol service perfectly reflected the strength and unity of our Trust family. I would like to thank all our pupils and staff for putting on a fantastic evening that celebrated the spirit of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust. Their hard work, creativity and talent shone through, making it a memorable and uplifting service for everyone who attended.”