Prayer and Worship
At Our Lady of Peace Catholic Primary and Nursery School, prayer and worship are at the heart of our daily life. As a Catholic school, we are committed to nurturing the spiritual growth and development of every pupil, living out our mission: "With Christ in our hearts, together we grow." Our approach to prayer and worship reflects the Gospel Values we cherish and guides our community in faith and unity.
The Role of Prayer and Worship in Our School Community
Prayer and worship are central to our school day, providing pupils with regular opportunities to connect with their faith and reflect on their personal and communal journey. We offer a variety of forms of prayer and worship, ensuring that every child feels included and inspired.
- Daily Prayers: Our pupils engage in daily prayers at key moments throughout the school day — in the morning, before lunch, after lunch, and at home time. These moments allow children to pause, give thanks, and prepare their hearts for learning and reflection.
- Spontaneous Prayer: We encourage pupils to express their own prayers spontaneously, fostering a personal and meaningful relationship with God. This practice supports spiritual growth and helps pupils develop confidence in sharing their faith.
- The Rosary: With Mary as the patroness of our school, praying the Rosary is very special to us. The Rosary is a special set of prayers using beads. Each bead helps us remember to pray certain prayers, like the "Hail Mary" and "Our Father", and to think about the important times in Jesus' and Mary's lives.
- Visio Devina: In this prayer, we look at a picture, a painting, or something beautiful that reminds us of God. We spend time looking at it and thinking about how it makes us feel closer to God.
- Lectio Devina: This is a special way of praying with the Bible. We read a Bible story or passage slowly, think about it, and talk to God about it. It helps us understand what God is saying through the Bible.
- Meditation: We experience meditation regularly in our Monday Gospel Assemblies. This helps us to sit quietly and think about God. We can spend quality quiet time with Him and allow our hearts to listen to what he might want to say to us.
- Classroom Prayer Tables: Each classroom features a dedicated prayer table that is carefully linked to the liturgical year. This table serves as a visual and spiritual focus for prayer, helping pupils to connect with the Church’s seasons and celebrations throughout the year.
Our prayer and worship life is designed not only to nurture individual spirituality but also to strengthen the sense of community and shared purpose within our school. This reflects our belief that, with Christ in our hearts, we grow together as a supportive and caring family.
Living Our Vision and Values Through Prayer and Worship
Our school’s prayer and worship practises embody our commitment to Gospel Values such as love, respect, and compassion. By coming together in prayer, pupils learn to appreciate the importance of kindness, forgiveness, and service to others — values that permeate every aspect of school life.
The spiritual foundation we build through worship supports pupils’ personal development and well-being, helping them to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. It also fosters an inclusive environment where every pupil, including those with diverse backgrounds and needs, feels valued and connected.
