Prayer and Worship
Prayer
We pray together, work together and have lots of fun whilst discovering more about our faith. Daily prayer provides us with an opportunity to communicate and talk to God. Prayer forms an integral part of all Collective Worship and liturgical celebrations when there are moments of quiet reflection or guided meditation. Prayer is also an important part of Religious Education lesson. Children are encouraged to compose their own prayers for Masses and Collective Worship. Prayer is a central part to all our lives. Staff and Governors pray together before every meeting.
Prayer
Daily Prayers
Daily Prayers
Prayer Bags
To support children's spiritual journey and ensure prayer becomes an integral part of the children's daily lives, we have prayer bags which go home to different familes regularly. The bag contains all you would need to sit, reflect and prayer together. Children are encouraged to compose their own prayers and create a class book of prayers.
Worship
We are a worshiping community. Through our worshipping and celebrating together we recognise, are united by and rejoice in God's greatness and love for each one of us. We follow the liturgical year and celebrate important events in the church's calendar.
We worship together daily and follow a timetable:
Monday - Singing Worship
Tuesday - Gospel Worship. The Gospel from the previous Sunday is shared Value Worship.
Wednesday - Value Worship. We focus on one key Gospel Value per term
Thursday - Class Worship led by Class Teachers and the childrenSinging Worship
Friday - Achievement and reflection Worship
Chaplaincy
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
Matthew 18:20
At St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, chaplaincy is at the heart of our mission and is a shared responsibility across the school community. Our Senior Leadership Team, led by the Headteacher and Assistant Headteacher, sees itself as a chaplaincy team, providing spiritual leadership and modelling the faith-filled values that underpin school life.
Through their daily witness, leadership of prayer and worship, and commitment to nurturing the spiritual development of all members of the community, school leaders actively fulfil a chaplaincy role. They work alongside staff, pupils, governors, parents, and the parish to ensure that the Catholic life and mission of the school remain central to all that we do.
Our Spiritual Council also embraces a chaplaincy role within the school. As pupil chaplains, these children lead and support prayer opportunities, help to plan and deliver liturgies, promote the Church's liturgical seasons and feast days, and encourage acts of service and outreach. They act as role models for their peers and help to foster a culture where faith is lived, celebrated, and shared.
Together, the Senior Leadership Team, our parish Priest Fr Míċeál Beatty. and Spiritual Council provide chaplaincy leadership through prayer, worship, service, and witness, ensuring that every member of our school community has opportunities to grow in faith and encounter Christ in their daily lives.
Spiritual Council
Our Spiritual Council plays an active and important role in shaping the spiritual life of St Mary Star of the Sea. The children meet regularly to share ideas, listen to the views of their peers and help lead initiatives that strengthen prayer, worship and faith throughout our school community.
Over the past few years, the Spiritual Council has:
- Helped to develop and enhance prayer areas across the school, creating inviting spaces for reflection and prayer.
- Suggested and supported the creation of an additional prayer area that is more easily accessible to pupils during lunchtimes, allowing more children opportunities for quiet prayer and reflection.
- This area is still under development this year
- Established and led a Spiritual Council Art Club, encouraging children to express their faith through creativity.
- Organised and promoted art competitions linked to Catholic themes and the liturgical year.
- Worked with staff and pupils to introduce our new school song during the 2025-2026 academic year, helping to strengthen our sense of identity and community.
Through their enthusiasm, leadership and commitment, our Spiritual Council members actively contribute to the Catholic life of our school. They are valued role models who help ensure that the voices of our pupils are heard and that faith remains at the heart of all that we do.
Worship Timetable
The timetable below outlines our planned programme of Masses, liturgies, prayer celebrations and key events throughout the academic year.
Whilst we make every effort to follow this schedule, school and parish commitments can occasionally mean that dates or arrangements need to change. We therefore encourage families to check our weekly newsletter regularly, as this will always contain the most up-to-date information regarding worship events and diary dates.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact the school office, who will be happy to help.
