“Prudence” – Whole School Prayer Resources

We are in the 26th week of Ordinary Time and the Word of the week is “Prudence”!

Prudence is the virtue of sound judgment, making wise decisions based on reason and faith. It’s about taking the time to think before we act, considering the consequences of our choices, and seeking guidance from God and wise counsel. Prudence helps us navigate life’s complexities, discern God’s will, and make choices that align with our values and beliefs. It’s a key virtue for living a life of integrity and purpose.

This week we are praying for…

• Our Year 7s who are going to Walesby!
• All churches and schools in the Nottingham Diocese as we celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Diocese on Monday!
• All students and staff in Teresa House who will be celebrating their patron saint feast day on Wednesday!
• All who work for CAFOD and all who are hungry who are in desperate need of help as we take part in CAFOD’s family Fast Day on Friday.
  

Collective Worship and Catholic Life Rota

Monday – Y8 Hall

Tuesday – Year 9 Chapel and Year 10 Hall

Wednesday – Year 12 and13 in the Hall

Period 1 and Becket Reads – Teresa House Mass – after form time, students in Teresa House will come down to the hall to line up and be roll called before entering the chapel for Mass. Mass is voluntary for 6th form students and they should let their teaching staff know if they intend on joining Mass. Mass parts for each T form have been emailed to Teresa forms, please make sure you have completed them and sent to Ruth before Wednesday’s celebration!

Thursday – Year 11 Chapel

Friday – CAFOD’s Family Fast day

Chaplaincy Team

Monday – There will be no meeting at lunch on Monday as Joe and Ruth are on trips to Walesby/ the cathedral

Wednesday – Justice and Peace team – please come to the chapel at 12:30pm for a meeting!

The chapel will be closed during Monday lunch as Joe and Ruth are on trips to Walesby/ the cathedral

Win a shirt signed by Lioness Alex Greenwood!

In July we won the women’s Euros wooo! As we continue to celebrate our wonderful win, you can be in with the chance of winning a signed shirt by Lioness – Alex Greenwood! Come to the chapel, look out for our helpers selling tickets or you can buy raffle tickets on Arbor!

We are celebrating the Season of Creation!
Get creative and win some points and prizes!

It’s the final couple of days to enter our season of creation competition! You can find the poster outside the chapel, Mrs Conlon’s room or on the Becket school and Becket chaplaincy instagram. We would love to have as many entries as possible to show case at our St Francis of Assisi Hub Mass with our feeder primaries on Friday!

Gather

Every prayer time begins with us gathering together.
To help us focus, you might dim the lights, turn on an electric candle if you have one, or move a cross or religious object to the front. As students are entering the room this morning, you might like to play this instrumental music to help create a calm atmosphere.

Thank you to 10E for creating this week’s resources!

PHOTO COMING SOON…

Let us begin this time of prayer together, we invite you to join in making the sign of our faith:
All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The word of the week is Prudence!

Prudence is one of the four main Cardinal Virtues, which are like the main building blocks of a good life.

Instead of just doing the first thing that pops into your head, prudence helps you STOP and think before you GO:

1. STOP (Think and Plan): When faced with a decision (like doing homework, choosing friends, or using social media), prudence makes you pause. You gather all the facts and remember what’s right and what’s wrong. You ask yourself: What is the smart thing to do here?
   
2. GO (Act Correctly): After you’ve thought things through, prudence helps you choose the right action and carry it out bravely. It’s not enough to know the right choice; prudence gives you the wisdom to actually do it.

Prudence helps all the other good habits, like being fair or being brave, because it makes sure they are used in the right way, at the right time. It’s the key to making choices that lead you closer to God and help you be the best person you can be.

The wonderful 10E would like to show you a few examples of how we can practice prudence each day – enjoy!

Let us pray…

Let us end our time of prayer together:

Loving God,
You are all-wise, and you know the best path for me.
Please give me the gift of prudence.
Help me to STOP and think before I act.
Give me the wisdom to know what is good and right, and the courage to choose the best way to do it.
May my choices today lead me closer to you and help me be a good friend and student.

Amen.

We finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross.
All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Gather

Every prayer time begins with us gathering together.
To help us focus, you might dim the lights, turn on an electric candle if you have one, or move a cross or religious object to the front. As students are entering the room this morning, you might like to play this instrumental music to help create a calm atmosphere.

Let us begin this time of prayer together, we invite you to join in making the sign of our faith:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

On September 27^th it was the Feast of Stella Maris, “Star of the Sea.” This is one of the oldest titles for Our Lady, Mary, the Mother of Jesus. For centuries, sailors and travellers have called on Mary, asking her to guide them safely through the storms of the sea. Just as a star leads and gives direction in the night sky, Mary guides us towards her Son, Jesus.

In our school, our yearr 12’s will soon begin the Stella Maris Award. This award is named after this title of Mary. Like a guiding star, the award celebrates students who show leadership, courage, and care for others — guiding their community just as Mary guides us. Here are some photos of our new stella maris prayer station and display on B floor in the 6th form block!

Today’s theme is prudence — one of the cardinal virtues. Prudence is about listening carefully, making wise choices, and not being rushed into unwise decisions.

We are going to listen to the sounds of the sea. Your teacher is going to play the video and lead you through the reflection below:

Close your eyes for a moment. Imagine you are standing by the sea. Hear the gentle sound of the waves washing on the shore.

Now imagine the waves grow rough, the storm begins, and the wind howls.

Life can feel like this sometimes — calm at times, stormy at others.

In those storms, we are not alone.

Mary, Stella Maris, is like a star guiding us across the waters. She reminds us to turn our ears to God’s voice, to listen before we act, and to walk wisely — this is the virtue of prudence.

Ask yourself:

• What voices do I listen to the most — friends, family, social media, or God?
• Do I pause and hear what is right before I act?
• How can I be a “guiding star” for others who are struggling?

Let’s take 2 minutes in silence now. Hear the sound of the ocean, and ask Mary to help you listen with prudence and guide you through the storms of life.

Let’s listen to the Word of God: 

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Everyone: Glory to you O Lord

“Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” (Matthew 8:24–26)

The Gospel of the Lord

Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ

The scripture reminds us that even when life feels like a storm, Jesus is with us. Mary, Stella Maris, is a brilliant role model who leads us to Him, teaching us to listen wisely and trust that calm will come.

Let us end in prayer together.

Mary, Star of the Sea, guide us through life’s storms. Teach us prudence — to hear God’s voice, to pause before we act, and to make choices that bring peace and hope. Help us to be guiding stars for others, so that together we journey safely towards Jesus, the Light of the World. Amen

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Gather

Every prayer time begins with us gathering together.
To help us focus, you might dim the lights, turn on an electric candle if you have one, or move a cross or religious object to the front. As students are entering the room this morning, you might like to play this instrumental music to help create a calm atmosphere.

Let us begin this time of prayer together, we invite you to join in making the sign of our faith:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Imagine your future self the wisest, most thoughtful you is writing a note back to the you of today. Your future self knows all the times you’ve messed up because you rushed or acted without thinking, and they know the choices that led to the best outcomes.

They are writing you one special rule to stick in your prayer journal. This rule should remind you how to STOP and think before you act.

Take some time and listen to the music whilst you write in your prayer journals.

Let us pray together…

Dear God, thank you for giving me the power to choose well. Please help me remember to use my Prudence and follow this rule today, so I can make choices that honour you. Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.