Collective Worship & Prayer

Liturgy, prayer and collective worship are central to everyday life at Holy Family. We gather to listen and respond to the word of God in our classrooms, school hall, prayer gardens or in church. Our collective worship is very important to us and we enjoy gathering together.

Liturgy can be prepared and led by teachers or children. Our liturgy leaders do a lot of work in leading our prayer life and they are often seen around school looking after the prayer corners, practising liturgical dance or rehearsing readings or poems. Our liturgy leaders all wear a special golden crucifix on their uniform. These were blessed by Pope Francis in Rome on Wednesday 1st June 2016 so they are worn with real pride.

Our daily collective worship programme is shown below:

Monday - Class liturgy (led by liturgy leaders)

Tuesday - Gospel assembly led by Mr Tindall

Wednesday & Thursday - Key stage assemblies led by teachers & liturgy leaders

Friday - Whole school celebration assembly led by Mr Tindall & liturgy leaders

In our classrooms we have a beautiful prayer corner which changes colour and focus in line with the liturgical calendar. Liturgy leaders are responsibile for ensuring the prayer corners and tables remain tidy and relevant. We enjoy finding a quiet moment in our prayer corners to sit and talk to God. We also have a prayer garden in the school hall and an outdoor prayer garden (when the weather is fair).

Throughout the year we hold special prayer, reflection and meditation sessions for staff, parents and children. Many of these take place in The Space, our interactive multi-sensory room. We gather to pray the rosary during October, to remember the dead during November, during Lent to prepare for Easter and during May to pray to Our Lady. During Advent we gather each morning in the church with Father Richard to help prepare for the birth of Jesus.