Prayer and Liturgy at St. Joseph's

At St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, school prayer, worship and liturgical celebrations are central to the life of our school and our Catholic nature. These allow our pupils and staff to come together to worship God. Whilst we respect the diversity of belief in the world and are committed to the teaching of other faiths; we are dedicated to creating a school which is Christ-centred in character. We encourage the children to experience worship and liturgical celebrations in a relevant and meaningful manner.

Our Prayer and liturgy takes account of the religious and educational needs of all who share it, regardless of their starting point in faith or their varying relationships with the Catholic Church. Where applicable, we aim to be the strongest first contact with Catholicism for the people of Stanford Le Hope.

This academic year we have promoted the power of prayer and liturgy via:

• Engaging children with the Gospel during Monday morning Gospel assemblies hosted by our headteacher.
• Stay and Pray morning liturgies that welcome parents into our school.
• Regular whole school attendance at our local parish church, Our Lady and St. Joseph, on Holy days of obligation.
• Weekly attendance at mass for one or two classes.
• Strengthened our prayer routines around our school.
• Welcoming parents and parishoners into mass in school.
• Welcoming parents and parishoners to our Nativity and Stations of the Cross performances.
• Having weekly hymn practice. After all, singing is praying twice!

The Prayer and Liturgy Directory - To Love You More Dearly.

At St. Joseph's we are compliant with the Prayer and Liturgy directory, which is published by the Catholic Education Service.