Celebration of the Word

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them”
Matthew 18:20

Christ at the Centre

Prayer and Liturgy are integral to ensuring that Christ remains at the centre of all that we are and all that we do here at Holy Cross.

Prayer and Liturgy takes on many forms in our school such as classroom prayer, assemblies, devotions, meditation, special services, celebrations of mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Prayer

Prayer helps us to stay close to God. When we pray, we are opening up our hearts and minds to him. This means that it involves our whole person – our head, as well as our heart. We invite God into our lives and ask for guidance. At Holy Cross it is something we do every single day.

School Prayer

Lord

May our school be full of welcoming
Let our rooms be full of happiness
Let learning fill our day
Teach us to respect ourselves
Give us the strength to do our best
Give us the skill to use our talents wisely
Lord, make this school your home

Amen

Governors’ Prayer

Spirit of God

Guide us with your wisdom
As we seek to take responsibility
For the education of our young people
May each of us
Give generously of our talents
Growing to know one another
Show us how to build a community
Sharing a deep concern and common purpose
May we find together
The inspiration which is, and always will be
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Prayer and Liturgy

Pupils share an act of collective worship with their form tutor, or an assembly, at the start of each day. These are led by our Senior Leadership Team, chaplain, form tutors and pupils. Starting each day with prayer ensures that the fast, rigorous way of school life is punctuated by moments of calm reflection. It allows us all to recognise prayer and worship is at the heart of our school life.

The Liturgical Year – a practical guide

The liturgical calendar and lectionary inform the planning of our assemblies. All our assemblies are a celebration of the word. All these assemblies are focused on scripture. Reflective prayer and reference to Catholic Social Teaching are also key aspects. Pupils and whole tutor groups participate in the preparation and delivery of assemblies. Our Assistant Headteacher, school chaplain, Heads of Year and form tutors work together to achieve this.

Pastoral assemblies are strategically planned through the academic year. They are varied and wide ranging and often linked to personal development and rewards for outstanding behaviour and effort. Whilst different in content to the liturgical assemblies, scripture and prayer remain an integral part of the planning and delivery of them, thus reflecting our Catholic identity.

Mass in school

Parish priests support us in celebrating mass in school at various times of the year marking key Liturgical dates. In addition, we also celebrate our Year 7 welcome mass and our Year 11 leavers mass. Staff also celebrate mass at the beginning and end of each term.

Holy Cross Feast Day

On the 14 September we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross with mass for all the school.

Youth Mass

Each term, we join with the parishioners at St Gregory’s for a celebration of Mass with our young people, who serve as greeters, readers, Ministers of the Eucharist, musicians and singers. The first Youth Mass of the academic year takes place during Creation time and is a celebration of the world and all that is within it. Youth Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King, brings the opportunity to celebrate the role of our young people in building the Kingdom of God. In the Spring term, our Youth Mass takes place during Lent. Our final celebration is a Mass of thanksgiving at the end of the school year.

On Wednesday mornings during term time, our pupils attend Mass at St Gregory’s, to serve as readers and as Eucharistic Ministers. The pupils enjoy this opportunity to experience a much quieter, more reflective celebration of Mass and to develop their confidence in their ministry. Eucharistic Ministry training is open to all confirmed Catholic pupils in Years 10 and 11. Pupils from all year groups can volunteer to become Proclaimers of the Word and to undertake reading ministry.

Events in the Parish

As a school we support various events in the local parishes such as the Pilgrim Mass at St Mary’s, the Jubilee Celebration at Sacred Heart and the hand-crafted Bible exhibition at St Joseph’s. Details of upcoming events are advertised on the school bulletin and in parish newsletters.

Non-Sacramental Liturgies

Pupils’ faith and relationship with Christ is further developed through the celebration of non-sacramental liturgies including Lenten Services, Christmas Services, Reconciliation Services, and the distribution of ashes.

View our Prayer and Liturgy Policy

Annual Plan of Provision 2026-2027

“To sing is to pray twice” St Augustine