Prayer and Liturgy
Prayer Life
Prayer is at the centre of everything we do at St. Mary's.
Children pray together at different times throughout the day. Our children also learn to pray in different ways and are encouraged to talk with God at anytime. Parents are also invited to join with us in prayer at our school Masses and liturgical celebrations. St. Mary's has a prayer group for parents that meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 2.30 pm. All parents are very welcome to come and join us.
Prayer Life begins in the Early Years
Children begin to pray from when they enter the Early Years. Children start by learning to bless themselves and to say simple prayers. From an early age, children learn to pray in different ways and use music as part of their prayer life. The children in Early Years attend school assemblies, Mass and Liturgical celebrations.
This early foundation of building on the prayer life of the children and starting their faith journey is very important at St. Mary's.
Below we have attached formal prayers. Parents can start to teach their children and these can develop as they get older.
Even the youngest children learn to pray in silence and talk to God. The staff introduce many different ways of praying to the children.
Children from Early Years learn to lead liturgy and this develops as they move through school.
This early foundation of building on the prayer life of the children and starting their faith journey is very important at St. Mary's.
On our website under Prayer and Liturgy we have formal prayers. Parents can start to teach their children and these can develop as they get older.
Even the youngest children learn to pray in silence and talk to God. The staff introduce many different ways of praying with the children.
Children from Early Years learn to lead liturgy and this develops as they move through school.
Fr Nicholas visits the children in class from Early Years through to Year six and takes time to speak and pray with the children.
Mass and Liturgical Celebrations
Mass
Each term we have Mass in the school or our local parish church. The whole school attends Mass, and we also invite our parents to join us at Mass.
The school has Mass at the start and end of each term. We also have mass during Holy Days of Obligation and throughout the year.
Children also attend Mass in our Parish Church. Older children walk over to the church with the younger children for class masses in our parish church.
Children help with Mass setting up the altar and doing the readings for Mass.
We would like to welcome all parents to come and join us for Masses.
Dates and times will be in the newsletter and sent reminders will also be sent to parents by text message.
Liturgical Celebrations
Each year we have different liturgical celebrations throughout the year, including a penitential service during Advent and Ash Wednesday.
Fr Nicholas comes to school and hears the sacrament of reconciliation for the children during advent and lent.
Fr Nicholas on his weekly visits will meet with the children and support the staff.
A big event for the year is our Eucharistic Procession, which we hold in the summer term and many of our parents join us.
Mass and liturgical celebrations are a very important part of our school life. Even during Lock down Fr. Nicholas said Mass celebrated mass and liturgical celebrations online for the children and families at home.
Our parish continues to have a You Tube channel with Masses and everyone is welcome to attend.
Please read our parish newsletter that is sent home each week. The newsletter has all the information relating to parish Masses, liturgical celebrations and preparation for First Holy Communion.
Eucharistic Procession and Crowning of Our Lady
The school Eucharistic procession is a very special event in the school calendar. During the procession, we celebrate all the children who have made their first communion, and we have an exposition of the blessed sacrament.
The whole school and parents join the procession around the play ground joining together in prayer and singing hymns.
It is a time for prayer and thanksgiving for our school and our children who have made their First Holy Communion.
As our school is called St. Mary's during this celebration we come together to crown our lady and sing hymns to Mary.
The youngest and the oldest child in the school crown the statue of our lady.
St. Mary's school is a family together and coming together in prayer and celebration is very important for the school community.
We have the statue of Our Lady in the school entrance and children can come and have a quiet place for prayer and reflection.
St. Mary's also has a prayer group for parents which is held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2.30pm.
Ten Ten Prayer Resources
To support prayer life we use Ten Ten - Collective Worship Programme in school which provides us with prayer, liturgy and worship resources for assemblies, classrooms, teachers and parents. Through the rich media-rich resources, the programme helps the school community to grow in faith, love, understanding and compassion.
There is an online parent platform so that you, as parent and carers, can engage as a family developing your child’s prayer life. To access the online parent platform please visit: www.tentenresources.co.uk/parent-portal
School Username: st-mary-ub8
School Password: jesus-mum
The resources include videos, information and music to help develop prayer life and liturgy.
The Collective Worship Programme can be used to further develop, support and enrich the partnership between home, school and church so that your child is fully supported in developing their prayer life and liturgy.
Enjoy using the resources at home with your family. Please do not hesitate to contact Miss Shevlin if you have any questions.
Praying With Children at Home
The children learn to pray in many different ways in school. We have formal prayer books for each year group to pray and use at home. We have also attached some links to websites that you can use at home to pray with your family. There is also a lot of quiet, peaceful music online that we sometimes use in school when praying with the children.
https://missiontogether.org.uk/prayer-resources/
https://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer/
https://cafod.org.uk/education/primary-teaching-resources/children-s-prayers
Child Led Liturgy
Each week, a group of children in each class lead a collective worship session with their peers. Children reflect on Gospel stories as well as lead prayers, songs and other chosen activities. The children select the Bible reading that they want their session to be focused upon. They may choose a text related to the liturgical calendar or a theme they would like their class to reflect upon, e.g. friendship, honesty or forgiveness. Children start helping in Early Years and as the get older become more independent in leading the liturgy.
The liturgy led by the children has four parts:
Gather - children gather together for prayer
Word - children chose a Bible reading linked to their prayer theme
Response - Children choose a way to respond to the reading and theme.
Mission - Children choose a way to go forth, sharing the Good News and following God's mission in their everyday lives.