The Nature of Prayer and Liturgy

We believe that Christian worship in a Catholic school celebrates God’s presence in our lives.  Prayer and liturgy is concerned with giving glory, honour, and praise and thanks to God in response to the eternal invitation to enter into relationship, made possible through the mission of Jesus Christ and the witness of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer is a fundamental aspect of the educational experience in Catholic schools, it is not merely an act of devotion but a comprehensive expression of the Catholic identity that permeates the entire school environment. The integration of prayer into daily school life is essential for nurturing the spiritual growth of pupils and creating a community that reflects the teachings of Christ.

 

The Place of Prayer and Liturgy in the School

As an integral part of the Catholic school environment, prayer and liturgy considers the needs of all who participate in it.  Worship is inclusive for everyone in our school community.

 

The Aims of Prayer and Liturgy

We believe that prayer and iturgy in our school aims to provide opportunity for all pupils and staff:

  • To come together to worship God
  • To contemplate something of the mystery of God
  • To reflect on spiritual and moral issues
  • To explore their own beliefs
  • To respond to and celebrate life and reinforce positive attitudes
  • To experience a sense of belonging and develop community spirit
  • To develop a common ethos and shared values
  • To enrich religious experience
  • To grow in liturgical understanding and development
  • To reinforce prayers which are part of the Catholic tradition
  • To encourage participation and response, whether through active involvement in the presentation and planning of worship or through listening and joining in the worship offered
  • To take time out ‘to wonder at’, ‘to come to terms with’ and ‘to give worth to’
  • To acknowledge diversity and affirm each person’s self-worth

 

What is Prayer?

At Sacred Heart, we foster and deepen the children’s personal relationship with God our Father daily in prayer. We do this by helping them become aware of God’s Presence in their lives and of His love for them by leading them to respond to Him in a manner suited to their age. This may be in one of the following ways:

  • Listening – being attentive to the voice of God in every moment of life.
  • Speaking – expressing our heart’s deepest longings and desires to the One who knows and understands us better than we know and understand ourselves.
  • Reflecting – thinking about our relationship with God and others.
  • Resting – simply being consciously in the presence of God, knowing that we are loved.

 

What is Liturgy?

Liturgy is a form of collective worship where the children meet God through the scriptures. A liturgy consists of four parts- a gathering, The Word (from the bible), a response to The Word and a sending out with a mission.

 

Community and Shared Faith

Prayer also fosters a sense of community among pupils, teachers, and families. It encourages mutual support and understanding, as individuals come together to pray for one another. The act of praying for teachers and peers is encouraged, creating an atmosphere of care and compassion within the school. This communal aspect of prayer is vital for building a strong school community that reflects the values of the Church.

 

Integration with Curriculum

The integration of prayer into the curriculum is essential for reinforcing the religious education that pupils receive. Pope John Paul II noted that religious education should be considered “the core of the core curriculum,” emphasising that it must encompass both catechesis and the broader religious dimension of school life. This holistic approach ensures that pupils not only learn about their faith but also experience it through prayer and worship.

 

Respect for Diverse Beliefs

While Catholic schools are rooted in the Catholic faith, they also respect the beliefs of pupils from other religious backgrounds. The presence of pupils from various faith traditions is acknowledged, and their right to practice their beliefs is respected. However, the fundamental Catholic identity of the school remains intact, ensuring that prayer and religious education are central to the school’s mission.

 

The Programme of Prayer and Liturgy in the school

 Prayer and liturgy is organised in a variety of ways:

  • The Mass is at the centre of all liturgical worship at Sacred Heart and is celebrated at school on a regular basis. 
  • Prayers are said in the classroom.
  • Pupil participation is most important: children contribute, organising their own collective worship in the classroom, appropriate to their age, regularly.
  • There are many opportunities for children to write and lead prayers in class and school assemblies.
  • Hymns are an important part of the prayer life of the school, and a weekly hymn practice is timetabled for the whole school. 

 

Christ at the Centre

Prayer and Worship in a Catholic school is concerned with giving glory, honour, praise and thanks to God. It is our loving response, in word and action, to God’s invitation to enter into relationship with Him, made possible through the work of Jesus Christ and the witness of the Holy Spirit. It is an integral part of the life of the Catholic school, putting Christ at the centre of education, helping to create and sustain the Catholic ethos, making it tangible.

 

It is a Legal Requirement

The legal requirement (Section 70 of the 1998 Education Act) is that ‘subject to the parental right of exclusion or other special arrangement each pupil in attendance at a school shall on each school day take part in an act of collective worship. This can take place at any time during the school day and can be either a single act of worship for all pupils, or separate acts of worship for pupils in different age groups or in different school groups.

Simply holding an assembly that includes a prayer said either by the teacher or everyone present does not fulfil this requirement. However, in a Catholic school it is more than just a legal requirement. It is an integral part of school life, which contributes to its distinctiveness.