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Prayer and Liturgy

At Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School & Nursery school, prayer, worship and liturgical celebrations are central to the life of our school and our Catholic nature. These allow our pupils and staff to come together to worship God. Whilst we respect the diversity of belief in the world and are committed to the teaching of other faiths, we are dedicated to creating a school which is Christ-centred in character. We encourage the children to experience worship and liturgical celebrations in a relevant and meaningful manner. Our Prayer and liturgy takes account of the religious and educational needs of all who share it.

‘The celebration of Catholic liturgies and prayers as an integral part of the learning and teaching should enable the school community to become reflective, experience the presence of God and should develop a mature spiritual life.’

(Marcus Stock (2012), Christ at the Centre, Catholic Truth Society, 23.)

Our principles are:

  • Give glory and honour to God. 
  • Be a quality activity, fundamental to the life of the school and its Catholic character. 
  • Enable pupils to develop skills so that they can prepare, organise and lead worship. 
  • Give pupils positive liturgical experiences, appropriate to their age, aptitude and family backgrounds to prepare them for the Liturgical Life of the Church. Celebrations will be appropriate to the age and groupings of the children. 

 

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  

(The sign of the cross is both an action and a statement of faith. A physical reminder of our redemption in the cross and an expression of faith in the Trinity.)

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

(The Lord’s Prayer ‘is truly the summary of the whole of the Gospel’. (CCC 2761.)

Hail Mary

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

(The first part of the Hail Mary is biblical, drawn from Gabriel’s greeting to Mary at the Annunciation and Elizabeth’s greeting at the Visitation. The second part of the prayer has its origins in 15th-century Italy.)

School Prayer

This is our school

Let love be here with us

Love of God

Love of one another

Love of our world

And love of learning.

Let peace dwell here

Let our school be filled

With happiness.

Let us remember that

As so many hands

Build a house

So many loving hearts

Build our school.

Amen

  1. May 2025 Prayer Liturgy Policy

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