Prayer and liturgy are at the heart of our identity and daily life. As a Catholic community, we believe that gathering to pray helps our pupils and staff grow closer to God and to one another. The Church teaches that the liturgy, especially the celebration of Mass, is where we come together to share in the life of Christ and to be strengthened as His people (Sacrosanctum Concilium §§7–14). Through regular opportunities such as classroom prayer, assemblies, liturgical celebrations, and school Masses, our pupils learn to listen to God’s Word, to reflect on their experiences, and to develop a sense of gratitude and compassion. The Catechism reminds us that prayer is a living and personal relationship with God that supports us in every moment of life (CCC §§2558–2565), while Dei Verbum encourages us to let Scripture guide and shape our prayer (§25). By nurturing these habits in school, we help children discover God’s presence in their everyday lives and encourage them to become thoughtful, hopeful, and caring young people who share God’s love with the world.
Liturgical Calendar and Liturgical Life: The Catechism states that ‘In the liturgical year the various aspects of the one Paschal mystery unfold (1171)’, therefore, we follow the Church's liturgical calendar closely. Mass is offered on Holy Days of Obligation such as the feast of St Peter and St Paul, throughout November, pupils have the opportunity to sign the school's book of remembrance and feast days are celebrated regularly in staff briefing and then with pupils- particularly those of the House Saints (Aidan, Bede, Hild and Oswald). Boys in Year 7 are taught how to pray the Rosary in October and the Paschal Candle is lit at the start of every assembly, Mass, and liturgy during Eastertide.
The following events take place during Advent: Daily Advent Alms collections (House competition), weekly House assemblies on Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, daily Advent act of kindness, carol service at St Mary’s Cathedral, carol singing in the Chapel, parish visit- carol service, Year 7 Jesse Tree, Year 12 General RE ‘I, Daniel Blake’ workshops and Sixth Form West End Foodbank Collection.
The following events take place during Lent: Ash Wednesday, whole-school distribution of ashes, Stations of the Cross, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Lenten Alms collected daily, covering of statues, Year 8 Hunger Cloth competition, and staff reflections- ‘Looking Deeper into Holy Week’.
“Prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that God and man may talk together.”
— Dei Verbum 25