HFCMAT hosts special Advent service at iconic Metropolitan Cathedral

Recently, schools across the Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT) community came together for a memorable Advent service.  

The trust-wide service ‘From Darkness to Light’ was held at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and hosted over 1500 attendees from across the trust’s primary and secondary schools and the wider community to celebrate Christmas.   

Canon Phil Moor from Holy Apostles and Martyrs parish led the festive service, with readings from leaders across the trust and school.  

The evening was filled with reflection, music and drama from students from the trust’s primary and secondary schools. Wirral Schools Concert Band also took part in the event, playing a range of pieces by their talented musicians.   

The first performance of the evening came from students at St Mary’s Catholic College, who performed ‘When He Comes Home’, before pupils from St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery delivered a heart-warming performance of ‘Make Way’ by Matthew West.  

St John Plessington then sang the stunning ‘Hope for Resolution’ and ‘Gloria Festiva’, followed by St Bernard’s RC Primary and Nursery School who sang ‘O come O come Emmanuel’ and finally ‘Magnificat’ with St Mary’s Catholic College Choir.   

Pupils from Our Lady of Pity Catholic Primary School then sang ‘Like a Candle Flame’ and ‘Breath of Heaven’ with the penultimate performance coming from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. Pupils delivered a beautiful performance of ‘Share the Light’ and ‘I See the Light’.   

The magical evening also featured performances from St Alban’s Catholic Primary School who sang ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ and Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School who performed ‘Real Love’.  

The service closed with all schools joining together as one massed choir. Star lanterns, made by each of the schools prior to the service were transported around the cathedral and displayed as the children sang, heightening the magical atmosphere.   

Director of music at Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust, Laurie Smith, organised the service. She said: “It has been a delight witnessing the students from across our Trust come together to create an unforgettable Advent service. Music is a huge part of our schools, and the event allowed us to showcase the talents of our young people and their hard work in such an iconic location.”  

CEO of HFCMAT, Andy Moor, commented: “It was incredible to be here in the Metropolitan Cathedral with so many children and parents from across our family of schools. It is so important to come together at this time of advent and share in such a special evening.”  

“We would like to thank everyone for joining us including the wonderful staff and children from St Alban’s Catholic Primary School and Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Primary School.”