Prayer & Liturgy

Liturgy at Saint Ambrose Barlow provides opportunities for pupils and staff to come together to worship God. It is rooted in the example and teachings of Jesus Christ whilst taking into account the religious and educational needs of all who share in it. “Worship is concerned with reverence or veneration paid to a divine being or power.” (Circular 1/94)

Liturgy is an educational experience or a reflection to which all can contribute and from which all can gain.

• 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

The Aims of Liturgy

Through our Worship together we aim to:

To reflect on spiritual and moral issues

To reflect on personal beliefs and help strengthen their individual faith. To guide the children on their faith journey.

To develop community spirit

To respond to and celebrate life To reinforce positive attitudes

To contemplate something of the mystery of God To enable and encourage a sense of belonging To encourage a common ethos and shared values To build a firm foundation for liturgy

To enrich the religious experience of children and staff To mark as special

To give worth to

To wonder at To take time to

To come to terms with…

Who should be involved in Liturgy?

Pupils – they must have the opportunity to take part in daily liturgy. Chaplaincy/Worship Team – they will plan and lead Key Stage Liturgy. Teachers – they plan and enable liturgy to take place each day

All staff – they are invited to participate in all acts of Liturgy

Parents – they too are invited to participate in acts of Liturgy during class assemblies, meetings for Sacramental preparation, etc.

Where should Liturgy take place?

• In the classrooms
• In the hall
• In church
• In the open if appropriate

When should Liturgy take place?

Liturgy need not occur at the beginning of the day but rather at the time that is most appropriate for us as a school to ensure that it is a meaningful and prayerful opportunity for all participants.

How should Liturgy be delivered?

Liturgy can take many forms:

• Can be led by pupils, staff or visitors
• Can be offered for a class, a phase or whole school
• Should use a balance of quiet reflection, silence, prayers, responses, music, songs, dance, drama, slides, video or short address
• Should provide a focus using artefacts, candles, symbols and lighting
• Ensures the theme, focus, delivery, length and resources are appropriate to the interests, age range, backgrounds and abilities of the pupils
• Respect the freedom of pupils and staff in the invitation to prayer and worship
• Set an appropriate atmosphere with a sense of order and occasion, including entry and exit
• Ensure the possibility of conscious, active participation of all present

How should Liturgy be planned, recorded and evaluated?

Planned

• Through/with reference to the church’s seasons, significant dates and the Come and See curriculum
• With the flexibility to respond to changing situations with the school and the wider community

Recorded

• Through displays, prayers, photographs,
• Through planning to keep note of themes, leaders, pupil groupings

Evaluated

• By staff and pupils on a regular basis

Opportunities provided for Liturgy

Foundation Stage

Monday            –    Whole school Liturgy/Classroom Based

Tuesday            –    Classroom Based

Wednesday        –   Key Stage Liturgy/Classroom Based

Thursday           –    Classroom Based

Friday               –    Whole School Liturgy/Classroom Based

Key Stage One

Monday            –    Whole school Liturgy/Classroom Based

Tuesday            –    Classroom Based

Wednesday        –   Key Stage Liturgy

Thursday           –    Classroom Based

Friday               –    Whole School Liturgy/Classroom Based

Key Stage Two

Monday            –    Whole school Liturgy/Within classroom

Tuesday            –    Classroom Based

Wednesday        –   Classroom Based

Thursday           –    Key Stage Liturgy

Friday               –    Whole School Liturgy

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from daily collective worship

Class Worship

There will be a series of whole class Liturgies throughout the year which parents will be invited.

Whole School

Throughout the year pupils participate in Mass, and deliver seasonal services for parents and members of the community

E.g. Advent, Carol Services, Ash Wednesday, Easter Service, Corpus Christi, etc.

Leavers

A special Mass is celebrated at the end of the academic year, which recalls the children’s journey through our school and points towards their future lives in Secondary School.

Liturgy Information 2024-25

For more prayer ideas from the Archdiocese of Liverpool please follow the link below:

https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/family-prayer-ideas