Diocesan inspection report said:
Pupils’ response to the present school prayer opportunities is outstanding, in terms of willingness to participate and a real sense of engagement in the life of the Spirit.’
Our Mission at St. Mary’s
Learning to live out our calling with compassion and love.
‘Christ has no body on earth but ours; ours are the hands through which He heals; ours are His eyes, His feet, His lips; ours are the hearts through which He loves.’
As part of our calling to carry out God’s work on earth, we seek to draw our inspiration from periods of worship and reflection. These spiritual moments are essential to build the strength needed to carry out our vocation in today’s world.
Collective Worship refers not only to whole school gatherings but to those acts of worship which take place in a number of different settings and groupings of people in and around the school:
Assembly
An assembly is a gathering of people. Strictly speaking, it is not a religious activity and is a means of communicating information to a group of people.
We take part in weekly assemblies where we reflect on the Sunday Gospel. We each write a mission task to show how we are going to live out our calling in relation to the Gospel reading.
Prayer and Liturgy
Liturgy is the worship lived and practiced by the Church. Liturgy encompasses all of the seasonal elements of the Church’s year (The Liturgical Year), the structure of daily prayer, specific rites such as the Funeral Mass and the celebration of the Sacraments. For schools, Liturgy is worship which incorporates elements of the rites and rituals, signs and symbols of the Church.
We conduct weekly worships in each classroom, with themes selected and planned by the children. Look at some examples of these below…
Prayer and Liturgy Gallery
We follow the four part structure of:
Mass
For Catholics, the Mass is central to practice of the faith. At Mass, the Last Supper is remembered but also recreated. Bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ. This belief (transubstantiation) is what distinguishes us from many other Christians. This sacrament is above all others because as members of the Church, “We receive the Body of Christ and are increasingly being transformed into the Body of Christ.”
Prayer
Deepen a personal relationship with God, prayer will help the pupils to become aware of God’s presence in their lives and of His love for them, by leading them to respond to Him.
Prayer Bags
We recently launched our wonderful prayer bags for children to take home each week and share in meaningful prayer and liturgies with their families. We ask that families try to link their prayer session to either something close to their hearts or the Liturgical Seasons.
Prayer and Liturgy Guidance
Amazing Examples of Home Liturgies
Year 1
Somdolma and Dougie
Year 2
Florence and Jack
Year 3
Jathusa and Sydney
Year 4
Elizabeth and Mason
Year 5
Janetta and Jeevan
Year 6
Kezia and Gab
Year 1 invited their parents to take part in their class liturgy session. It was a lovely spiritual time for everyone to reflect on how they can show love and compassion to others. We were so grateful to the families who came to share this special time. #year1stm #prayerandliturgystm … See MoreSee Less
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So special
Thank you to all of the parents that attended St. Stephen’s prayer and liturgy this afternoon. It was lovely to see you all. #catholilifestm #prayerandliturgystm … See MoreSee Less
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👏👏👏
A huge thank you to all the parents and carers who came along to our Year 6 child-led liturgy today. 🙏✨ The children did a fantastic job leading us in prayer and reflection as we explored the meaning of the Year of Jubilee – a time for hope, renewal and celebration. 🎉⛪💫
We’re so proud of their confidence, teamwork and the joy they shared. 💛 Your support means the world – thank you for being part of this special moment!
#year6stm #prayerandliturgystm🕊️📖🎶 … See MoreSee Less
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🕊️ Happy Pentecost from St. Mary's! 🕊️
This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, filling them with courage, wisdom and a deep sense of mission. It marks the birth of the Church and reminds us that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in our world today—guiding, inspiring and helping us live out the message of Jesus.
In school this week, our children have taken part in beautiful liturgies, reflecting on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit. They thought about how the Spirit helps us grow in love, joy, kindness, patience and peace—qualities that help us shine God's light in the world.
We join together now in prayer:
🙏 Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with Your presence.
Help us to use Your gifts with love and share Your fruits with others.
Guide us to be people of peace, joy, and faith, today and always.
Amen.
#prayerandliturgySTM #catholiclifeSTM … See MoreSee Less
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A reminder for our May Crowning tomorrow morning at 9:15am 🙏🌸 May Crowning Celebration – All Are Welcome 🌸
We are delighted to invite our school community to this year’s May Crowning, which will take place on Wednesday 21st May at 9:15am. This special celebration will be led by some of our wonderful Year 5 pupils.
The tradition of May Crowning is a cherished part of the Catholic faith, honouring Mary, the Mother of Jesus, during the month of May – a time traditionally dedicated to her. In this ceremony, we crown a statue of Mary with flowers, acknowledging her as Queen of Heaven and asking for her intercession and loving guidance.
👪 Parents, families and parishioners are warmly invited to join us for this prayerful occasion. Please arrive at the Stanier Street entrance, where a member of staff will be there to greet you.
Let us come together in faith and community to honour Mary, our school’s patron saint and ask for her blessings over all our children and families.
🙏 Prayer to Mary, Our Patron Saint
O Mary, Mother of God and our gentle Queen,
watch over our school and guide us each day.
Help us to follow your example of love, faith, and kindness.
Pray for us, protect us, and lead us closer to your Son, Jesus.
Amen.
We look forward to seeing you there! 💐
#prayerandliturgystm #catholiclifestm … See MoreSee Less
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