Catholic LifePrayer Life

Prayer Life: Daily Prayer, Assemblies, Tutor Time Liturgies

Prayer is the thread that weaves through every part of the day - shaping our culture, guiding our actions, and grounding us in faith.

Each school day begins with prayer in tutor time, and every lesson opens with a short reflection, inviting students and staff to place their learning in God’s hands. Staff meetings and briefings also begin in prayer, affirming our shared vocation as a spiritual community rooted in service.

During Lent, the school pauses for the Angelus at midday, creating a powerful moment of unity across both sites. Celebration of the Word assemblies, led by students, take place weekly with themes drawn from the Sunday Gospel, helping pupils connect Scripture to daily life.

At the end of each day, students take part in the Ignatian Five-Finger Examen - a quiet moment to pause, give thanks, and reflect on how they have lived their faith that day.

Students are encouraged to nurture their relationship with God through prayer. Their school journal contains prayers that follow the rhythm of the school day and Church year, serving as a reminder of God’s presence in all we do and helping students link their studies with their faith.

The Chapel and Emmaus Room are open to students and staff before school and during most break times for private prayer and reflection.

Our School Prayers

School Aspire Prayer

 Dear God,
 Let us always ASPIRE to be our best selves:
 To use our gifts and talents to achieve our best and be of service to others.
 To participate in the life of the school and the wider community and help make the world better.
 Let us act and think with integrity, not affected by negative influences.
 Let us respect each other even if we do not always agree, so that all of us can find equity in our time at school.
 By living our school values,
 Let us do our best to fulfil St Oscar Romero’s words:
 “Not to have more, but to be more.”
 Amen.

Classroom Prayer

Lord, give me a calm mind, a quiet disposition, and an attentive ear so that I may learn from this lesson and use my knowledge to follow your path.
Amen.

 

The Liturgical Calendar 

The Liturgical Calendar is central to Catholic life at Holy Family. It follows the seasons of the Church year - Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time - marking the key moments in the life of Jesus Christ and the saints.

Each week, assemblies reflect the liturgical season or feast being observed. These are led by a rotation of form groups, year groups, and student leaders, including Liturgy Leaders, the Chaplaincy Team, and Catholic Life Ambassadors.

Our commitment to the liturgical year is reflected in:

  • Weekly Celebration of the Word assemblies that nurture spiritual growth.

  • Student leadership in planning and delivering worship.

  • Links with the PSHCE curriculum, ensuring faith and values are part of everyday life.

  • Special celebrations such as the Christmas Carol Service, Ash Wednesday, Easter liturgies, and Pentecost.

By living the rhythm of the liturgical year, students and staff are reminded of our shared mission to follow Christ and live out the Gospel values of love, justice, dignity, and service.

Celebration of the Word Assembly Schedule

Our Celebration of the Word Assembly Schedule follows the liturgical year and places Scripture at the heart of school life. Each week, students and staff gather to hear and respond to the Sunday Gospel, deepening their understanding of faith and its relevance to daily life.

Assemblies are prayerful, inclusive, and student-led, fostering confidence, reflection, and leadership rooted in Gospel values.

 

Prayer and Worship Across the Church Year

  • Weekly Mass: Each form attends Mass at Our Lady & St George, ensuring all students take part in the Eucharist regularly.

  • October – Month of the Rosary: The Rosary is prayed weekly in the Chapel and Emmaus Room.

  • November – Month of Remembrance: The school community prays for those who have died. Students write the names of loved ones to be presented at the altar, and the names of departed staff, students, priests, and governors are read during a Remembrance Assembly.

  • Advent: Reconciliation is offered to all students. The Advent wreath is lit before assemblies, the Christmas crib is displayed, and students lead a charity collection for Christian Kitchen.

  • Lent: Students take part in the Stations of the Cross, readings of the Passion, and pause together at midday for the Angelus. Reconciliation is again offered to all, encouraging reflection and renewal.

  • May – Month of Mary: The Rosary is prayed weekly in honour of Our Lady.

  • Year 7: In their first term, students are introduced to Lectio Divina, a reflective form of prayer with Scripture.