Prayer & Liturgy
More than a school. A community of love.
Prayer and the celebration of the liturgy at the heart of our school community.
Our school prayer was composed by our pupils in the 2023–2024 academic year, updated in Spring 2025, and is prayed daily.
The blessing of our tabernacle
Bishop John granted us the privilege of reserving the Blessed Sacrament in a tabernacle in our school chapel, the Croí.
This means that Eucharistic Adoration is a frequent feature of prayer life at Sacred Heart, offering children and adults opportunities to spend time quietly in the presence of Jesus, listening, praying and growing closer to Him.
Prayer and the celebration of the liturgy are central to the rhythm of school life at Sacred Heart. Our Annual Plan of Provision (APoP) sets out the ambition and intent for prayer across the academic year. Our dedicated sacred and prayer spaces allow prayer to be elevated and prioritised.
Prayer and liturgy documents
Formation and chaplaincy
Prayer leading to action
Our 2026 Ordinary Time Pledges mark the Jubilee Year of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, this special year runs from 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027, commemorating the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis’s death. It invites us to follow his example of holiness, love for Christ and commitment to peace.
At Sacred Heart, our pledges help us turn prayer into practical action. Inspired by Saint Francis, we consider how we can live simply, care for creation, stand alongside people in need and bring peace to our relationships.
These commitments connect our prayer with Catholic Social Teaching and our daily invitation to live “…like Jesus.”
Fr Columba Jordan CFR, vocations director for the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, sent us a message after reading our pledges. His encouragement reminds us that our school belongs to the wider Church, sharing in its mission through prayer, service and love.
The role of prayer at Sacred Heart
Prayer is a fundamental aspect of the educational experience in Catholic schools, serving as a vital means of fostering the religious dimension of education. It is not merely an act of devotion but a comprehensive expression of the Catholic identity that permeates the entire school environment.
The integration of prayer into daily school life is essential for nurturing the spiritual growth of pupils and creating a community that reflects the teachings of Christ.
Educational goals and spiritual formation
Catholic schools aim to provide an educational environment where pupils can grow in their love for Christ and the Church. This is supported through a curriculum that reflects Catholic values and incorporates prayer as a central element of school life.
The Congregation for Catholic Education describes prayer as the “fullest and most complete expression of the religious dimension” within the school setting, allowing pupils to connect their academic pursuits with their spiritual lives.
Daily practices of prayer
In practice, prayer in Catholic schools often includes daily morning prayers, grace before meals and specific times set aside for communal prayer. These practices help pupils develop a habit of turning to God in various aspects of their lives.
The importance of prayer is highlighted in the context of the challenges faced by pupils, as it provides them with a source of comfort and guidance.
Greg, from The Mark 10 Mission, responded to our Pledges of Hope in January 2025.
Community and shared faith
Prayer also fosters a sense of community among pupils, teachers, and families. It encourages mutual support and understanding, as individuals come together to pray for one another.
The act of praying for teachers and peers is encouraged, creating an atmosphere of care and compassion within the school. This communal aspect of prayer is vital for building a strong school community that reflects the values of the Church.
Integration with the curriculum
The integration of prayer into the curriculum is essential for reinforcing the religious education that pupils receive. Pope John Paul II noted that religious education should be considered “the core of the core curriculum”, emphasising its central place in Catholic school life.
Classroom religious education and catechesis have distinct but complementary purposes: religious education develops knowledge and understanding, while catechesis nurtures faith. Prayer and worship enrich the broader religious dimension of school life.
This holistic approach ensures that pupils not only learn about their faith but also experience it through prayer and worship.
A message to Year 6
Greg Finn, from The Mark 10 Mission, shared this special message with our Year 6 pupils on 3 July 2025.
Respect for diverse beliefs
While Catholic schools are rooted in the Catholic faith, they also respect the beliefs of pupils from other religious backgrounds and those with no religious faith.
The presence of pupils from various faith traditions is acknowledged, and their right to practise their beliefs is respected.
The fundamental Catholic identity of the school remains intact, ensuring that prayer and religious education are central to the school’s mission.
Growing closer to God together
Prayer at Sacred Heart is a vital component of the educational experience, serving to deepen pupils’ faith, foster community and integrate religious values into daily life.
It is through prayer that pupils are encouraged to develop a personal relationship with God, which is essential for their spiritual and moral development.
The commitment to prayer reflects the broader mission of Catholic education, which seeks to form individuals who are not only academically competent but also spiritually enriched and prepared to serve God and their neighbours.
Explore our prayer and worship
Share in our school song, discover music for prayer and revisit moments of worship led by our pupils.
Our purpose statement school song
Listen to our school song, which expresses our shared purpose and helps us celebrate who we are as a Sacred Heart community.
Listen to our school songPrayer and liturgy video resources
Explore some of the songs and videos we use in Celebrations of the Word, alongside music resources and recordings featuring our own pupils.
Explore our video resourcesCollective Worship 2021–2022
Revisit class worship, fifteen Advent reflections and other recordings shared by our school community during the 2021–2022 academic year.
Visit worship from 2021–2022Collective Worship 2020–2021
Share in recorded class assemblies, pupil leadership contributions and Holy Week reflections from a year when video helped keep our community connected in prayer.
Visit worship from 2020–2021