16th January 2012
Father Simon Ellis has taken on the new role of Director of Chaplaincy at the Jesuit Day and Boarding School in Derbyshire, Mount St Mary’s College.
Fr Simon, originally from Cambridgeshire, has taken up residence and now lives on site in the grounds of Mount St Mary’s, in Spinkhill.
He said: “I feel honoured and privileged to have taken on this new role. Although I have only been in post for a short time, I have already seen and experienced just how special life at Barlborough Hall and Mount St Mary’s is. The two schools offer a unique educational experience.
“As Director of Chaplaincy, my role is to support and offer advice on a range of matters to all involved with the two schools, overseeing worship and to have a significant involvement in pastoral care.”
“It’s important that every pupil who attends both schools know they have someone there for them, no matter what faith background they come from.”
Fr Simon was formerly a Church of England Parish Priest in Long Eaton, near Nottingham, and previously ministered in Parish life in Bristol, before being received into the Catholic Church and ordained as a Catholic priest in the Summer of 2011.
As well as his school role, Father Simon also arranges pilgrimages and works with vulnerable people in the local communities.
He added: “I find the Catholic unity very inspiring. It’s a very universal church and all Catholics are made to feel part of one big family.”
Religious and spiritual life is at the heart of Mount St Mary's and Barlborough Hall. The schools’ chaplaincy team is very active, organising retreats, helping pupils to prepare for class masses and running a range of charity events.
Laurence McKell, headmaster at Mount St Mary’s College, said: “We are delighted and blessed to welcome Fr Simon to our community. He adds to the schools’ strong Jesuit ethos, and has a clear vision of how this motivates the pursuit of excellence in all areas of College life.”
“The Catholic spiritual life of both schools is vibrant and exciting, which is what makes them alive and welcoming to so many pupils and families.”
www.msmcollege.co.uk
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