Holocaust Memorial day is commemorated on 27th January every year and here at St Mary's we believe it is important to mark this day with age appropriate stories and information from the past.

Today we came together to think about the theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, ‘For a Better Future, and we thought about what actions we could take now to make this happen.  We talked about showing respect and love to others regardless of their faith or race and we thought about our school values of love and courage – in particular having the courage to stand and speak up against what we know is wrong.

27 January 2025 marks the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.  In Act of Worship today, we lit 80 candles to mark this special year.

To end our Act of Worship we joined together to say the Diocese Holocaust Memorial Day prayer, along with other adults and children around the diocese.

 

Dear God

We thank you that we live in a safe country where we can be ourselves without being hurt by others.

Today we especially remember people who suffered in the Holocaust, or have been hurt by others just because they are hated for being themselves.

We pray that they may feel brave because you love and care for them.

Please give us the courage to stand together when we know things are wrong.

We pray that people who are filled with hatred, especially against Jewish people, may have a change of heart and show kindness in the world instead.

We ask all this in Jesus’ name.

Amen