Prayer and Liturgy
At St Mary and St John Catholic Primary School, we are deeply committed to nurturing the spiritual development of every child through a rich and diverse programme of prayer and liturgical celebration. Our provision is guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church and our mission to grow together as a family that pray and learn.
Stay and Pray
Each term, we invite our parents and families into school to join us for a Stay and Pray session. During these special gatherings, the children share prayers, readings, and reflections they have been learning in class. It is a wonderful opportunity for families to celebrate faith together, see the children’s progress, and feel part of the school’s prayer and worship life.
Class Celebration of the Word
At St Mary and St John Catholic Primary School, Class Celebrations of the Word are at the heart of our Catholic life and mission. They provide pupils with regular opportunities to gather in prayer, listen to God's Word, reflect on its meaning and respond through prayer, action and worship. Planned and often led by the children themselves, these special moments help to deepen faith, strengthen our sense of community and encourage everyone to live out the Gospel values in their daily lives. Through Class Celebrations of the Word, our pupils grow as prayerful, compassionate and active disciples of Christ, living out our mission: 'In the Light of Jesus, we learn to shine.'
Whole-school Celebration of the Word
Each week, our whole-school Celebration of the Word is led by our dedicated School Chaplains, bringing our community together in prayer, reflection and worship. Rooted in the Gospel from the previous Sunday, these celebrations help pupils deepen their understanding of God's Word and encourage them to live out the teachings of Jesus in their daily lives. Through scripture, prayer, music and moments of reflection, our Celebrations of the Word strengthen the Catholic life of our school, nurturing faith, inspiring compassionate action and reinforcing our mission to shine as disciples of Christ within our school, parish and wider community.
Weekly hymn practice
Each week, the children at our Catholic school come together for hymn practice; a joyful and uplifting time dedicated to worship through music. This special gathering allows students to express their faith, give thanks to God, and strengthen their sense of community through shared songs of praise. Guided by our school’s Catholic values, singing helps nurture the children’s spiritual growth while fostering a deeper connection to God and one another..
Prayer Stations
Each class has a dedicated prayer station, thoughtfully arranged to create a calm and reflective space within the classroom. These special areas encourage children to take a quiet moment for spontaneous prayer, share their thoughts and intentions, or simply sit in stillness. In addition, we have prayer stations in public areas throughout the school — both indoors and outdoors — ensuring that everyone in our community has regular opportunities for reflection and prayer.
Sacramental Programme
The Sacramental Programme is delivered by our catechists and they lead the children and parent meetings. Baptised children in Year 4 are welcomed to take part in this amazing journey with God. Children on the Sacramental Programme receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. First Holy Communion is a precious time for our children and their families which is celebrated by the school, the wider community and the parish.
