“Welcome” – Whole School Prayer Resources
Notices
Thursday
Friday
Notices
Welcome back everyone! The Word of the week is “Welcome”!
We hope you had a lovely summer break and that you are feeling refreshed and ready to take on a new academic year! We give a particularly big welcome to our new staff, new year 7 students and those students that are new in sixth form!
We are in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time
This week we are praying for…
- Everyone in our school community as we return for a new academic year
- All who are new starters to our community – year 7s, year 12s, students and staff – we pray you will feel welcome!
Please keep them in your prayers this week and don’t forget to add any suggestions for prayer intentions to the comments box below!
Collective Worship and Catholic Life Rota
Monday and Tuesday – Inset Days
Wednesday – Year 7 in the Chapel
Thursday – Year 12 in the Chapel and Hall
Friday – Year 8 – Hall, Year 9 – Chapel, Year 10 – Hall, Year 11 – Chapel
Friday Period 2 – Virtues 1
Chaplaincy Team
WC Mon 8th September (Next Week) – New Chaplaincy Team Application forms can be collected from the chapel.
Year 7 can collect application forms during their chapel induction in RE.
Chaplaincy Mission Team meetings will return WC 15th September!
Thursday
Gather
Every prayer time begins with us gathering together.
To help us focus, you might dim the lights, light a 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.
The word of the week is Welcome! We are all called to welcome others into our communities – to open our doors and bring people in, especially those who may feel left out or on the margins.
When we are welcoming others, we help others to feel loved, supported, and included and at the same time, we are showing love to God and His creation.
Now we’re going to hear a short welcome message from one of our chaplains, Joe.
As Joe said, today is an opportunity to welcome one another and to catch up after the summer to help everyone feel at ease.
In your form groups, spend a few minutes answering these questions together:
- What is a favourite memory you have from your summer holiday?
- What was the best food you ate over the summer break?
- What are you most looking forward to this school year?
- If you’re new today, what’s one thing that has made you feel welcome so far?
- How can we make sure everyone in our form feels included this year?
Let us finish in prayer together…
Loving God,
We thank you for bringing us safely to the start of this new school year.
Bless our friendships, our learning, and our community.
Help us to welcome one another with kindness,
especially those who are new among us.
May we remember that in Christ we are one body,
and everyone has an important part to play.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We 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.
Friday
Gather
Every prayer time begins with us gathering together.
To help us focus, you might dim the lights, light a 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.
This Sunday, on the 7th September, something amazing and very exciting is happening in the Catholic Church! Two young people who died – Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati – will be canonised in Rome by Pope Leo XIV. That means they will officially be named saints!
Carlo is especially relatable and inspiring to young people of today. He loved football, video games, and hanging out with friends – but he always put God and others first.
You might have seen this video but it’s a great resource, so if you have time, watch this short animation about the life of Blessed (soon Saint!) Carlo Acutis…
Prayer Journal Activity
Please take out your prayer journals. If this is your first time using it this year, please write your name and form neatly on the front.
Carlo once said:
“All people are born as originals, but many die as photocopies.”
Carlo used his gifts with computers to create websites that shared his faith. He is known today as the patron of the internet, because he showed how technology and social media can be used for good.
In your prayer journals, we invite you to answer and doodle to the questions below…
- Write or draw some of the gifts and talents God has given you.
- “My gifts and talents are…”
- “My gifts and talents are…”
- Think about how you use the internet and social media. How could you use it in a positive way, like Carlo did, to inspire or support others?
- “I will use the internet/social media for good by…”
- “I will use the internet/social media for good by…”
- List 1-3 ways you can use your gifts and talents to serve others and serve God.
- Choose one and make a small plan for this week and the next.
- “I will use my gifts and talents to welcome and serve others by…”
Closing Prayer
Let us pray together…
O God our Father,
We thank you for the gift of Carlo and Pier Giorgio,
two young people who showed us how to live with joy and faith.
Help us to use our gifts and talents,
and even the internet and social media,
to bring your love to others.
May their example inspire us to welcome everyone and serve you each day.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. 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.