Liturgy

Liturgy plays an important role at St Mary’s as it is an opportunity to stop, reflect and come together as a Catholic community. 

Liturgies are also celebrated together at key moments throughout the school year including the Feast Days of our House Saints and Ash Wednesday.  At the end of each term we reflect upon Advent/Christmas, Lent/Easter and at the end of the academic year we give thanks for the opportunities that have been presented to us.  Form group liturgies are another occasion when students actively take part in the planning and delivery of liturgies whilst at St Mary’s.

Mass

Students are able to attend Mass on a regular basis through retreats, year group masses and House Saint masses.  A Welcome Mass is held at the start of the academic year to welcome the new Year 7 and, at the opposite end of their school career, students from Years 11 and 13 come together to celebrate their achievements.

We support our local parish with students regularly attending Mass at St Joseph’s and the English Martyrs Church where we also hold our annual Carol Service.

Sacraments

Throughout Lent and Advent, priests visit the school to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Each term, our school gathers to celebrate liturgies that align with the liturgical year, and we also provide chapel liturgies to give students meaningful opportunities to access the chapel during significant moments of the year.

Prayer

We aim to ensure students experience the rich and varied traditions of prayer in the Catholic Church, with the prayer life of the school allowing the students to have moments of reflection throughout the day.

Form time

Students are invited to pray for each other in form time and write half termly prayer intentions which are used to structure their prayer.  Every month we pray for the intention of the Holy Father and use House Saints create a sense of belonging and fellowship in the tutor groups.

House Saints

Every member of the school community, staff and student, is attached to a House Saint.  These are inspirational individuals who provide examples of virtue and faith for us to follow.  Students learn and journey with their saint throughout their time as St. Mary’s, asking for their intercession each day and celebrating feast days.  Their House Saint also provides the students with the opportunity to take part in friendly competition throughout the year.

Click here to learn more about the House Saints.

We hope that through prayer, reflection and listening to the word of God, our students can Love like Jesus, Respect others in our community, and Flourish on their faith journey.