Worship: Celebration of the Word

"I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer."

Psalm 17:6 

Prayer at St John the Baptist RC Primary school is child led and all children participate. We encourage children to respect and respond to the Word of God, in a way that is comfortable for them. Our duty is to enable all children to develop spiritually, no matter which faith they follow. This inclusive and respectful approach ensures all children are welcome and a part of every encounter with God. We place our hands in our 'prayer positions' and children are able to join in in their own way. 

Children here, in our Catholic school, are wonderful role models to society, and we are very proud of our strong Catholic ethos which is a lived and daily experience that permeates through everything that we do. 

Celebration of the Word begins in Nursery, where the children learn to gather, say prayers, listen and reflect on the Word of God:

In May we celebrate and honour Mary, mother of God:

In November, we think about remembrance and reflect on those who are with God:

Sundays and holy days of obligation are days on which the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass [… and to] abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body(Code of Canon Law, Canon 1247).

Holy days mark days in the liturgical year of special importance or that merit special celebration. Worldwide, there is some variation in the dates of celebration of holy days as local Church authorities acknowledge patron saints or allow the celebration of holy days that occur during the week on the nearest Sunday. In England and Wales, according to a 1984 decision of the Bishops’ Conference, holy days which fall on Saturday or Monday are in general transferred to the Sunday.

From the first Sunday of Advent 2006 the feasts of The Epiphany of the Lord, The Ascension of the Lord and the Body and Blood of Christ have also routinely been transferred to the neighbouring Sunday.

In school we mark Holy days by going to Mass or through worship in school.