Pupils at St Ambrose College, Altrincham, have prayed to a specially commissioned image of the Virgin Mary on a tour of churches and schools across the Shrewsbury diocese. In accordance with the wishes of Pope John Paul II, Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury has asked the faithful of his diocese to keep a Marian Year. The two-metre high banner is therefore touring churches and Catholic schools across the county for children and parishioners to pray in front of it. Matthew O’Neill, the college’s new head of religious education and theology, has returned to Catholic education after spending a decade helping children with dyslexia for Staffordshire support services. Mr O’Neill said: “It is a privilege to once again be working in mainstream Catholic education and to be part of the team evangelising the eight essentials of Christian Brothers education and be spreading the joy of the message of Christ.”