Prayer and Liturgy through the year
Here is a snap shot of some of the prayer and liturgy that the children have participated in this year, including information from class, key stage or whole school Celebrations of the Word as well as celebrating Mass in school, St Bart’s (our local church) or further afield.
September
To learn, to love, to live
As we started the new year, we used our Celebration of the Word assemblies to reflect on our school Mission Statement and the Mercy values that we share with Sr Catherine McAuley, whose sisters set up our school in 1960. We looked at the school badge that we all wear so proudly on our jumpers and had lots of ideas for how we can live out the message of Truth, Peace and Justice in our day to day lives.
Saint Carlo Acutis
Canonised by Pope Leo on 7th September 2026, much of September was spent learning about the inspirational life of Saint Carlo Acutis. We reflected on the message Saint Carlo gave, when he was just seven years old, the same age as our Year 3 pupils: “To always be united with Jesus, this is my life plan”. Saint Carlo spent so much of his life standing up for the rights of his classmates and helped many people who were in need. We thought about how his life can influence ours and prayed to God to help us to follow in his path.
“What will truly make us beautiful in the eyes of God will be only the way we have loved Him and how we have loved our brothers.”
We watched this video to find out more about the amazing Saint Carlo Acutis.
Mercy Mass
Every September, we celebrate Mercy Day on September 24th with a Mercy Mass. This year was no exception and we were very pleased that our local priest, Father Michael was able to preside over this mass with us. The Mass marks the start of a new academic year and also honours the Sisters of Mercy, focusing on compassion, service to the poor, and the spirit of mercy and hope. The room was filled with many parents and carers as well as the rousing sound of singing as the children love to sing the Circle of Mercy Song as well as our school song ‘We are children of St. Adrian’s’
The Mass was a perfect opportunity for the Year Six Caritas Ambassadors to receive their new pins and ties and be blessed in their new role. They were ready to begin their mission of Caritas in our school which is putting love into action!
October
Praying the Rosary
Caritas Ambassadors visited each of the classrooms to teach the children about the rosary and how it can be used for prayer. The children reflected on their use of a rosary and the Year 6 children helped them to pray a decade of the rosary.
Year 6 Sharing Assembly
It was great to welcome so many of our families into school to share Year 6’s class assembly. We travelled back in time to learn about the life of Catherine McAuley. We also learnt about the beginnings of the Sisters of Mercy, who founded our school. The children shared the Mercy values of Dignity, Excellence, Justice, Service and Stewardship and reflected how we continue to live these everyday through our golden rules. The children did a fantastic job: working together to act out the stories and share their message. They should be proud of what they have achieved together.
All Saints and All Souls
To mark this important time of the year, we learned about special and important saints. We thought about how we can be a saint and follow in their footsteps. We thought about souls who have passed and prayed for any people we know who had died. When this Holy Day of Obligation falls on a school day, we join the rest of the parish by going to Mass at St Bart’s.
Black History Month
To mark Black History Month, class, key stage and whole school assemblies focus on black saints and other significant people of colour who went out of their way to champion their faith or stand up for what they believed was right. We learn about the life and work of Saint Josephine Bakhita and Sister Thea Bowman, as well as other inspiring black role models.
Harvest Festival
The Caritas Ambassadors led the prayer and reflection during our whole school harvest Celebration of the Word, during which each class praised the Lord through poetry and song. There was a huge display of donations for the food bank at Feed and this was a great way to show that we are living out the Catholic Social Teaching theme of Preferential Option for the Poor.
November
Remembrance
11th November marks Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of WW1, a day when the soldiers who fought and died in wars, recent or long ago, are in our prayers. In classes, pupils marked Armistice Day with their own personal prayer.
During a whole school Celebration of the Word, the Caritas Ambassadors helped us to reflect on Remembrance Day and why we wear poppies. The children read beautifully and reverently and the whole school reflected on the soldiers who lost their lives to war. We also thought about any of our relatives who have passed away, prayed for peace in our world and sang a beautiful rendition of ‘ Fields of Poppies’, as well as ‘I Wish for Peace’. Well done to our Caritas Ambassadors who helped mark this special, solemn occasion.
We raised lots of money for the British Legion.
Anti-bullying Week
The Wellbeing Champions planned and led an anti-bullying celebration of the Word based on Jesus’s commandment to ‘Love one another as I have loved you’ John 13: 34-35
We thought about our Mercy School values which are to:
SHOW MERCY
SPEAK THE TRUTH
PRAY FOR PEACE
WORK FOR JUSTICE
We reflected on how we can all use these values to stand up against bullying.
Dressing of the Tree and Advent Celebration of the Word
Our Dressing of the Tree service marks the start of Advent and is a great way to begin our journey. The children listen to the stories of creation and the Nativity. Children from the Chaplaincy Team help representatives from each class dress the tree ready to begin the season of Advent. We reflect on our Advent promises, think about how we can spiritually prepare for Christmas and what actions we can do to reflect the light of Christ to others that we meet.
During December, we travel on our Advent journey
Candles on the Advent wreath
Every class has an Advent wreath and the candles are lit each day during December. The first candle symbolizes hope and is called the “Prophet’s Candle.” The prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival. The purple color symbolizes royalty, repentance, and fasting.
The second candle represents faith and is called “Bethlehem’s Candle.” Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, which is also the birthplace of King David. The second candle is also purple to symbolize preparation for the coming king.
During the third week of Advent, we light the pink candle. We think about the joy that Mary had. The third candle symbolizes joy and is called the “Shepherd’s Candle.” To the shepherd’s great joy, the angels announced that Jesus came for humble, unimportant people like them, too. This candle is coloured pink to represent joyfulness and rejoicing.
Our last week in school before Christmas marks the fourth week of Advent. The final purple candle represents love and peace, and is known as the “Angel’s Candle.” It reminds us of the love God demonstrated by sending his son, Jesus, and the peaceful, loving messages delivered by the angels at Christ’s birth.
We have a wonderful Advent hymn that we all love to sing as the candles are lit and we pray for the day ahead.
Christmas Carols at Westminster Cathedral
The Year Six Caritas Ambassadors journeyed to Westminster Cathedral to join children from across the diocese to hear again the Christmas story, performed through drama, song and a number of live animals!
Advent Ambassadors
The Year 5 children led each class brilliantly in a Celebration of the Word that focussed on Advent and the meaning of this important season. The children planned and prepared this celebration and were very proud of themselves.
Key Stage Two Carol Service
During this thoughtful service, the Key Stage Two children shared the Christmas story with their friends and family. The children we fantastic, acting out their roles, narrating the story and singing angelically.
Key Stage 1 Christmas play
Years 1 and 2 sang with gusto as they performed Little Angel gets her Wings, in which the novice angel’s acts of kindness through the story meant that she finally earned her wings. The wings were delivered to her at the stable, by the Angel Gabriel. All paths lead to the Nativity!
FS Nativity
Our youngest children took part in Mary’s Knitting, which beautifully told the story of Jesus’s birth. Everyone had great fun and said their lines beautifully, dressed as shepherds, angels, innkeepers, wisemen, donkeys and sheep as well as Mary and Joseph.
January
Jubilee Year of Hope
The Prayer Leaders led a Celebration of the Word to launch Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year. They introduced the jubilee prayer, gave out prayer cards and also displayed a huge banner to let everyone know that we really are Pilgrims of Hope. Later in the year, we developed our jubilee pledge that ‘God is everywhere, so pray anywhere’.
Epiphany Mass
Children from Year 3-6 visited St Bartholomew’s Church and we joined the congregation in the Feast of the Epiphany. EYFS and KS1 had their own special service in school.
The Feast of St Adrian of Canterbury, our school saint
We reflected on our school saint St Adrian and thought about his work as a teacher. We thought about all the saints and what they do and how they set and example to us. We prayed that their example can help us in the way that we live our life.
The Feast of the Baptism of Christ
In this Celebration of the Word, we reflected on the special job that John the Baptist had as a prophet leading the way for Jesus. We listened to the story of Christ’s baptism and reflected on his role in Jesus’ mission.
Year 4 Sharing assembly
In their class assembly, Year 4 shared all their wonderful learning about the Romans and St Alban, thinking about the sacrifice that he made. The children finished their assembly with a fantastic rendition of ‘Sing From Your Heart, a song that is all about being strong and being part of a community.
February
Racial Justice Sunday
Racial Justice Sunday falls on the second Sunday of February every year. It is a day on which we listen to stories from the bible that emphasise love and equality and reflect on the importance of everyone’s dignity, regardless of their race or background. We give thanks for human diversity and commit to racial justice and ending racism and discrimination.
This year, the Chaplaincy Team led our assembly thinking about what it means to be fair and just and how we should treat everyone with kindness. We talked about us all being part of the human race and we are all united! We also sang a lovely song called ‘ Children United.’ Find out more by taking a look at this Celebration of the Word powerpoint.
Racial-Justice-Sunday-primary.pptxDownload
Year Two Sharing Assembly: Children’s Mental Health Week
The Year Two children reflected on readings from the bible that link to the theme of mental health and thought about how we can show the Fruits of the Spirit in our own lives.
We asked God to help us to take time out from the day and do activities that will help improve our mental health, such as praying outside, spending time with each other and helping someone in need.
March
Ash Wednesday Mass
It was wonderful to celebrate Ash Wednesday with Fr John and the parishioners of St Barts this year. The Caritas Ambassadors read well and everyone sang so beautifully. Our altar servers, Bella, Aila and Pauric also did a great job. We all took time to reflect and think about our Lenten promises as we begin this season of preparation for Easter.
Once we returned to school, Mrs Porter spoke with Nursery, Reception and Year 1 children to explain why Ash Wednesday is so special and we thought about how we could stay close to God during this season of Lent. The younger children listened and behaved very respectfully as they received their ashes. Well done to all.
Lent
The Caritas Ambassadors led us in our preparation for Lent as we thought about how we could keep our Lenten Promises and what we can do this Lent to help others. Click on the powerpoint to find out more about what the Caritas children shared with their school mates.
Lent-Liturgical-Prayer-Slides-Wk1-1
Mothering Sunday
Our Celebration of the Word to celebrate our mother church and our own mothers is always a very popular event and this year was no different. The hall was packed with children and their families and filled with the wonderful sound of song and prayer in praise of mums!
World Day of Prayer
To mark the World Day of Prayer, the prayer leaders were inspired by the children of the Cook Islands to prepare and lead a whole school Celebration of the Word.
The prayer leaders taught everyone how to greet each other with Kia orana, a traditional greeting from the Cook Islands, which means ‘Live a long and wonderful life’ and they led the prayers beautifully.
The prayer leaders helped us to reflect on the bible passage ‘I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139) before ending the celebration with the Jubilee Prayer. They should be very proud of themselves” Kia orana!
Year Five Class Mass
Year 5 celebrated their class Mass with Father. John and focused on the theme of commitment. Throughout the mass the children read beautifully, praying for strength to be faithful friends and followers of Jesus, and reflecting on God’s love.
After the Mass, the class took some time to reflect on what they had learnt:
“We are all lights shining in God’s heart” – Savannah
“We should be a light to everyone around us” – Alessia
“We are all special lights like Jesus and when we are not shining other people find it harder to” – Teddy
“We are salt to season the world” – Mia
April
Sacrament of Reconciliation
As part of our Easter preparation, we held a reconciliation service in school for children in Years 1 to 6. Fr Michael and Fr John led the service and explained to the pupils about the Sacrament of Reconciliation and that through our confessions, we mend our friendship with God. Through their responses, the children showed thoughtful reflection and active participation.
Easter reflection
Our Caritas Ambassadors led us in a very solemn and reflective service where they re-enacted the Stations of the Cross and Christ’s passion before his death. The children were very thoughtful as they watched the drama unfold and a number of Year 2 children took part in a dance linked to the hymns. Many parents and carers came to share in this special reflection and the Caritas Ambassadors did a great job of reminding up of the importance of Easter.
Pope Francis
To mark the death of Pope Francis, a special prayer area was set up for the children to use at breaktimes. This became a quiet place to reflect on the life and lasting legacy of Pope Francis and the children wrote their own prayers to add to the display.
Pope Francis was a true example of following in Jesus’ footsteps as a humble servant. Please click on the link below where you can see examples of each class’s response in prayer at this sad time.
Remembering Pope Francis 1936-2025
May is the month of Mary
The Crowning of Mary
The Caritas Ambassadors led us during our May Day Celebration of the Word in which we gave thanks for Mary, the mother of Jesus. We listened to the scripture reading of the
Annunciation, thought about Mary’s life and the important part she played in raising Jesus. We then said a decade of the rosary together.
Each class created a thoughtful poster that celebrated Mary’s role as Queen and these were used as a prayer focus where the children can come to pray during their breaktimes. Donations of beautiful plants and flowers are planted around the school as part of our new prayer gardens.
Year Four Mass
Father Michael came to celebrate a Mass in honour of Mary with the Year 4 children. The
children sang and read beautifully. They prayed very reverently and listened to the Father Michaels’s homily about the special role that Mary played and why she is so important.
VE Day Celebration of the Word
We commemorated the 80th Anniversary of VE day with a Celebration of the Word, attended by families and friends. We began the assembly by singing a ‘Song of Hope’ as this year marks a year of us being pilgrims of hope. We thought about the hope that people had for the war to end. We then watch archived video footage of VE day. Finally, our prayer leaders led us in prayer as we prayed to Mary, Our Queen of Peace, asking for peace throughout the world today.
Year Five Sharing Assembly
Year 5 shared an interesting assembly all about dignity. They performed a contemporary version of their English story called ‘Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady’. We were treated to some wonderful acting and singing. The story had a theme of not judging a book by its cover and we learnt that we should treat each other with dignity. This is true of our Catholic Social Teaching principle this half term. The children also taught us about the beatitudes and Jesus’ teaching about how we stay close to God.
Weekly Gospel Celebration of the Word
All through the year, our Monday assembly helps us to reflect on the previous Sunday’s gospel reading and the message that it has for us. For example, one week, we reflected on the story of the Ten lepers. We learnt about how Jesus purposely helped those who are in need, such as the outcasts of society. We thought about why only one leper returned and prayed that we can be like that leper and always be truly thankful for what we have.
June
Caritas Celebration at Westminster Cathedral
The Caritas Ambassadors travelled to Westminster Cathedral to take part in the Caritas Celebration. Our school was chosen out of 20 schools attending to speak about the Easter bingo project that they organised for elderly people in our local area. Well done to our Head boy and Head girl, Darragh and Seren who spoke so confidently about the project in front of the whole cathedral congregation. The children were true ambassadors for the school.
Mass to celebrate the Feast of Ss Peter and Paul
It is always very interesting to find out more about Ss Peter and Paul. When this feast falls in term time, we are able to celebrate the Mass at St. Bart’s along with our local priest, family members and other people from the parish. Children are able to act as servers, readers and lead the intercessions.
Jubilee Year
The prayer leaders had a wonderful day in June, when they visited Westminster Cathedral to celebrate the Festival of Hope with pupils from schools all over the diocese. It was a great occasion and the children enjoyed all the prayerful activities that they were able to do in workshops before the service.
July
Prayer Garden Blessing
Our wonderful prayer gardens and new sculptures and mosaics that can be used as a focus for our prayers outside were blessed by Father John in a wonderful outdoor service that parents and friends of the school were invited to.
Leavers’ Mass
There are always mixed feelings as the Year Six children prepare their Mass to signal the end of their time here at St. Adrian’s. The children show that they can reflect on all their achievements over the last eight years, but they are well prepared and ready to fly the nest as they move onto new schools, armed with their Catholic values and St Adrian’s ethos. This year was no different as the children read from the bible, wrote the bidding prayers and sang the hymns beautifully. One more step along the world, they go …
August
Wednesday Word
Through the summer holidays, families are encouraged to continue with prayer and liturgy, at home or in church. Families are provided with a link to the Wednesday Word and every Wednesday a ‘word’, inspired by the coming Sunday’s Gospel, is suggested for families to talk about in the home.
Centred around the Sunday Gospel reading, the Wednesday Word is an invaluable opportunity for families to learn more about their faith together through prayer and talking about the meaning behind the gospel reading.
Follow the link to find this week’s Wednesday Word