Collective Worship
As a Catholic primary school collective worship plays a fundamental part of daily school life and enables us all to join together as one in prayer and worship.
Growing Closer to God
In its simplest form, prayer is defined as “talking to God.” It is a personal time of opening our hearts to our Heavenly Father and bringing everything in our hearts to Him. Through the Apostle Paul, God asked us to pray. Prayer can be a powerful force for change in our lives, and the importance of doing it on a daily basis should be instilled in our children.
Communication is the foundation for success in any relationship. When we communicate openly and freely with each other, we learn to know each other as individuals. This principle also applies to our relationship with God. By talking to God, we can learn more about who He is and what plan He has for us.
Prayer Has a Purpose
It is important that our children understand that there is a purpose to prayer. Jesus frequently prayed during His life on Earth. He had a reason for doing so. Our prayers are something that God deeply desires. But our prayers are not for His benefit; as a perfect Divine Being, God is complete in His power and knowledge. Our prayers are for our benefit, and this is what we need to teach our children.
Daily Prayer
We pray three times daily:
Beginning of the day.
Each day starts with time for some reflection, and then praying our school morning prayer together:
Morning Prayer
O my God I give you today,
All that I think and do and say,
And I offer it up for all that was done,
By Jesus Christ your Holy Son,
St Clement, help us to grow together in love and learning.
Amen
Before lunch we thank God for the food that we are about to eat, and all those who have helped prepare the food:
Grace before Meals
Bless us, O God, as we sit together,
Bless the food we eat today,
Bless the hands that make the food.
And bless us, O Lord.
Amen.
At the end of the day we come together to thank God for all of His blessings that day and ask that He will continue to keep us safe. We say our Night Prayer:
Night Prayer
God our Father, I come to say
Thank you for your love today.
Thank you for my family,
And all the friends you give to me.
Guard me in the dark of night,
And in the morning send your light.
Amen.
Classroom Worship
Each day worship takes places in the school:
Hymn Practice
On Tuesdays each Key Stage gathers together to sing songs of praise to God and practise hymns and songs that we use for our collective worship and for Mass.
Assemblies
Every Monday, the whole school gathers together for collective worship linked to the liturgical season, Sunday’s Gospel, or other religious themes such as Saints. On Wednesday, the children gather together in Key Stages to take part in a Values assembly.
Teacher Led Liturgy
Teachers plan a weekly worship for their class to allow time for reflection and prayer based on a religious theme or the value.
Celebration Collective Worship
Every other Friday the whole school community comes together for a time of collective worship. We celebrate the achievements of the school, awards are presented and one child in each class is chosen to receive the Values Cross. We end the week together by praying the Night Prayer and thanking God for all He has helped us to achieve that week.
Mass
Throughout the year we have the joy of celebrating the Sacrament of the Eucharist in school. Our local Parish Priest comes into school and celebrates Mass throughout the year. Children help to prepare and lead the Mass through Altar Serving, reading and bringing up the gifts during Mass. On different occasions parents and guardians are invited to join us for Mass in school.
Liturgies
Throughout the year, to mark important events in the Church’s liturgical year, we hold special Liturgies.
Carol Service
Each year Key Stage Two children lead the school in a Carol Service. The story of the Nativity is retold through scripture and carols. Parents and guardians are invited to join us for this special time of worship.
Easter Service
Every Lent, the children in Key Stage 2 re-enact the Passion and Resurrection of Christ through drama, scripture and music. We are joined every year by parents and guardians for this special occasion in preparation for Easter.