Liturgy and Prayer at St Bernadette’s School

 

“The first task in life is this: prayer. But not the prayer of words, like a parrot; but prayer of the heart; gazing on the Lord, hearing the Lord, asking the Lord.” Pope Francis.

 

 

   

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As a Catholic primary school, collective worship is a vitally important part of life at St Bernadette’s. In worship we acknowledge God’s presence in our lives and we respond to this through prayer. 

 

Growing Closer to God

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In its simplest form, prayer is defined as “talking to God.” It is a personal time of opening our hearts to our Heavenly Father and bringing everything in our hearts to Him. Prayer can be a powerful force for change in our lives, and the importance of doing it on a daily basis is instilled in our children.

Communication is the foundation for success in any relationship. When we communicate openly and freely with each other, we learn to know each other as individuals. This principle also applies to our relationship with God. By talking to God, we can learn more about who He is and what plan He has for us.

 

Prayer Has a Purpose

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It is important that our children and our staff understand that there is a purpose to prayer. Jesus frequently prayed during His life on Earth. He had a reason for doing so. Our prayers are something that God deeply desires. But our prayers are not for His benefit; as a perfect Divine Being, God is complete in His power and knowledge. 

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Catholic Meditation

Meditation is a valuable skill for children, helping them find stillness and peace in today’s busy world. Catholic meditation encourages children to pause, listen, and reflect, allowing them to grow closer to God. This practice is more than just calming the mind; it’s a way for children to focus their thoughts, feelings, and imagination to connect with God’s presence within them.

At our school, children will have the opportunity to participate in Catholic meditation as part of their class prayer services. These sessions will help children become familiar with meditation, starting with a shared prayer:

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Dear Lord,

Help us to meet you in the silence.

Holy Spirit, teach us to be still and know that you are God.

Jesus, may our meditations and reflections lead us closer to you.

Amen

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After this prayer, we’ll play gentle music or a guided meditation video. During this time, children may be invited to draw or write their thoughts, connecting to the prayer service theme. At the end, they can share their reflections if they choose.

We hope this experience will help our children find peace, deepen their faith and listen to God speaking within their hearts.

 

Pupil Prayer

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Children will pray four times daily in school. They are expected to learn a variety of traditional prayers as they move through school, but they are also expected to write their own prayers and have an understanding that prayers fall into five main categories: praise, adoration, thanksgiving, intercession and prayers of petition. Children will have the opportunity to take the class prayer bag home each week, to encourage families to pray together. The expectations for each year band can be seen below.