St. Bede's Catholic Junior School
Collective Worship
COLLECTIVE WORSHIP IN ST. BEDE’S CATHOLIC JUNIOR SCHOOL
‘Where two or three are gathered in my name – I am there among them’
(Matthew 18:20)
Collective Worship in St. Bede’s has its foundation in the Gospels and endeavours to cater for the religious, spiritual and educational needs of all who play a part in the community. Therefore worship addresses the needs of all individuals and is sensitive to:
- Those who form part of the worshipping community in church
- Those for whom School may be their first and only experience of church
- Those from other Christian traditions
- Those from other faith backgrounds.
Collective Worship is central to Catholic Education and forms an essential part of the School’s overall provision for prayer and worship. The Act of Worship at St. Bede’s is in accordance with rites, practices and beliefs of the Catholic Church.
THE AIM OF COLLECTIVE WORSHIP IN ST. BEDE’S
The aim of Collective Worship in St. Bede’s is to help the children to appreciate that:
'Worship is concerned with the Glory of God’.
Thus, we strive to:
- Provide opportunities for pupils to worship God and reflect upon Gospel values
- Encourage participation and response whether through active involvement, listening to and reflecting upon the worship or though stillness and thoughtful silence
- Develop community spirit
- Promote a common ethos and shared values
- Reinforce positive attitudes
- Respect the diversity of belief and commitment
- Reflect the tradition of the Catholic Church and have Christ at its heart.
To fulfil the aims St. Bede’s provides opportunities for the celebrating community to:
- Celebrate life and learning
- Give worth to
- Wonder at the world and God’s creation
- Contemplate something of the mystery of God
- Take time to think
- Reflect upon issues
- Pray together
- Sing together
- Remember important events and people
- Take part in worship through drama and song
- Follow in the footsteps of Christ keeping the Gospel values at the heart of everything
- Explore the child’s own experiences helping them to deepen their faith with regard to all acts of collective worship.
As our School Community engage in acts of worship we believe that:
'We journey together so that we may have life, life in all its fullness'
John 10:10 - Mission Statement
This is at the heart of our shared ethos and permeates all aspects of life in St. Bede’s.
