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 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

Form Time

Pupils share an act of collective worship with their form tutor, or an assembly, at the start of each day.  These are led by 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.

View Form Time Prayer Resources

Liturgical Assemblies

The liturgical calendar and lectionary inform the planning of our liturgical assemblies.  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.

View examples of our Liturgical

Pastoral Assemblies

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 Triumph of the Cross with mass for all the school.

Youth Mass

Each term we celebrate a youth mass at St Gregory’s Chorley at 6.30 Sunday evening. Dates will be shared in the school bulletin and on the parish newsletter. All are welcome.

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 in the school bulletin and in the 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

Music

“To sing is to pray twice” St Augustine

Music is central to Catholic liturgy and mass, providing a powerful way to express faith, praise God, and deepen spiritual understanding.  Singing and music help our pupils connect with God on a deeper level, going beyond intellectual understanding to engage with emotions and souls.  We believe that participating in music can nurture a love for God and foster a mature spiritual life, making pupils more aware of their faith.