St Mary's Hall pupil receives medal from Cardinal

The rededication of the Sodality Chapel at Stonyhurst College this week (click on link at top of page) was an unforgettable occasion for nine-year-old Conor de Blank from Brixton, who boards at St Mary's Hall, the college's prep school.

At the end of the service, Cardinal O'Brien presented Conor with the St Stephen's Guild medal for altar serving at Corpus Christi Church, Brixton Hill, London.  Conor, who lives in Brixton, is one of some 40 young parishioners who serve Sunday Masses at Corpus Christi.  He carried a torch at the Midnight Mass at Christmas 2005 and the Easter Vigil in 2006.  He carried the boat at the Christmas Vigil Mass last year.  He also served Mass during the Christian Life Community international family holiday at Barmouth, West Wales.

The Headmaster of St Mary's Hall, Lawrence Crouch, said: 'Involving young people in the liturgy is important to the future of the Church and the communities it serves. The Cardinal's presentation of the medal to a boy whose home parish is Brixton underlines our Ignatian commitment to work with all those in the Church who seek to build strong communities.'