Prayer and Liturgy

As a Catholic school, Prayer and Liturgy is an important time during which we can share in celebrating God's love and learning more about our Catholic faith through stories, songs, drama, games and prayer. 

The Eucharist is the very core, the very essence of our Catholic life in school and therefore is celebrated with the whole school and the extended community on a regular time-tabled basis when Father Mario is available to celebrate Mass with us. Children participate in a variety of ways: praying, reading, singing, playing musical instruments, preparing a display to emphasise a specific focus of the Prayer and Liturgy, to name but some. In addition to Prayer and Liturgy, our sacramental classes attend: our local church, St Catherine’s, to celebrate Mass with our parishioners; and visit the Sisters of Mercy in Handsworth to further strengthen their faith as they prepare themselves for their Sacraments. Our Y6 children also visit our diocesan Mother church, Saint Chad's Cathedral in the centre of Birmingham. 

Class teachers pray with their children at the start of each day, at lunchtime and at the end each day and are encouraged to employ a variety of styles of prayer. Progressively, children will be helped towards experiencing short periods of reflection and silent prayer.  Acts of worship in the classroom may only be 5-10 minutes in length but might include: music, a focus / image, a candle, scripture, reflection through thought provoking questions and a song or prayer. We also explore the traditions of other religions in order for children to become more understanding of the beliefs of others.

Prayer in the classrooms and in assemblies always includes use of symbols and a focal point for prayer which is appropriate to the liturgical season, for example, Lent, Advent or Easter.  During all these times of prayer, both staff and pupils are involved in leading and participating. Children also are encouraged to say private prayers in the St. Catherine of Siena Prayer Room.

In addition to children's Prayer and Liturgy, St. Catherine of Siena staff gather together at every meeting where either the Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher will lead prayers; so every meeting starts with a prayer focus. 

Father Mario is extremely supportive within the parish and in school regularly helping our children to experience what it means to belong to, or take part in the worshipping community of the Church. The children are fortunate to be able to experience the richness of the liturgical life of the Church in many ways throughout the year such as the celebration of the sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion, and Confirmation.

It is thus our aim at St Catherine of Siena to provide our children with numerous faith opportunities to experience a variety of forms of daily prayer that help each individual  in the school community foster their own relationship with God. As mentioned before, we aim for our pupils to be the best faith-models they can possibly be.

St Catherine's Remembrance Service

Click to see the Wednesday Word

Prayer and Liturgy

As a Catholic school, Prayer and Liturgy is an important time during which we can share in celebrating God's love and learning more about our Catholic faith through stories, songs, drama, games and prayer. 

The Eucharist is the very core, the very essence of our Catholic life in school and therefore is celebrated with the whole school and the extended community on a regular time-tabled basis when Father Mario is available to celebrate Mass with us. Children participate in a variety of ways: praying, reading, singing, playing musical instruments, preparing a display to emphasise a specific focus of the Prayer and Liturgy, to name but some. In addition to Prayer and Liturgy, our sacramental classes attend: our local church, St Catherine’s, to celebrate Mass with our parishioners; and visit the Sisters of Mercy in Handsworth to further strengthen their faith as they prepare themselves for their Sacraments. Our Y6 children also visit our diocesan Mother church, Saint Chad's Cathedral in the centre of Birmingham. 

Class teachers pray with their children at the start of each day, at lunchtime and at the end each day and are encouraged to employ a variety of styles of prayer. Progressively, children will be helped towards experiencing short periods of reflection and silent prayer.  Acts of worship in the classroom may only be 5-10 minutes in length but might include: music, a focus / image, a candle, scripture, reflection through thought provoking questions and a song or prayer. We also explore the traditions of other religions in order for children to become more understanding of the beliefs of others.

Prayer in the classrooms and in assemblies always includes use of symbols and a focal point for prayer which is appropriate to the liturgical season, for example, Lent, Advent or Easter.  During all these times of prayer, both staff and pupils are involved in leading and participating. Children also are encouraged to say private prayers in the St. Catherine of Siena Prayer Room.

In addition to children's Prayer and Liturgy, St. Catherine of Siena staff gather together at every meeting where either the Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher will lead prayers; so every meeting starts with a prayer focus. 

Father Mario is extremely supportive within the parish and in school regularly helping our children to experience what it means to belong to, or take part in the worshipping community of the Church. The children are fortunate to be able to experience the richness of the liturgical life of the Church in many ways throughout the year such as the celebration of the sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion, and Confirmation.

It is thus our aim at St Catherine of Siena to provide our children with numerous faith opportunities to experience a variety of forms of daily prayer that help each individual  in the school community foster their own relationship with God. As mentioned before, we aim for our pupils to be the best faith-models they can possibly be.

St Catherine's Remembrance Service

Click to see the Wednesday Word