Prayer and Celebrations of the Word
At Blessed Thomas Holford, our whole school family are invited to celebrate the Catholic faith through a range of collective worship; from times of reflective prayer and devotion to services built around the scriptures. Within an individual day, week and half term, our school family experience the richness and diversity of the Church’s prayer and liturgy.
Below are examples of how our school family regularly access opportunities for spiritual growth and experience of the Catholic tradition each week.
CELEBRATION OF THE WORD
A weekly gathering celebrating the word. A celebration which focusses on God speaking to us through the scriptures and which creates space and form for our response.
We GATHER together to establish who we are as a faith community and to recognise that it is God who has called us together.
Through scripture, we open ourselves to LISTEN and RESPOND to God's word.
Then we consider our MISSION transformed by what they have heard so that they can play a part in the Church's mission to the world.
Prayer in Together For Good, Meetings and Assemblies
Students and staff open each college day and staff meetings with an act of prayer. These are led by Heads of Year, form tutors, students and those involved in the staff meetings. Starting each day and meeting this way ensures key moment are punctuated by a moment of calm reflection and allows us all to recognise prayer and worship is at the heart of our college life.
Grace Before Meals and Sunset Prayers
All members of the College have two additional opportunities for prayer; with a Grace Before Meals daily before lunch, and a Prayer to finish the college day. Both prayers allow for continuous recognition of the college’s core Catholic values, provide further opportunities for calm reflection.
Wednesday Word
All students and staff are invited to plan and lead Wednesday Word. These acts of reflection are based around Sunday’s Gospel and are delivered by anyone who volunteers to lead that week’s session to any staff or students who want to attend. This act of prayer emphasises the community and equality preached by Jesus Christ, with students teaching staff about their lived faith experience and vice versa, allowing each member of the community to have a platform to enrich each other’s school faith journey.
Walk By Faith
As part of the 'Together for Good' rota, each week students engage with 'Walk by faith'. This is an extended session planned by the Chaplains to help students explore and reflect upon scripture, holy days, liturgical seasons and consider what it means for them in their own lives and how they can put what they have learnt into practice in their own communities.
Saints’ Feast Days
At the culmination of each Saints’ Weeks of Action, students from the saints’ forms will be invited to celebrate the Feast Day of their saint. The Saints’ Feast Day Celebration will take place on a day during their feast week, and will provide an opportunity for students to feel more connected to their form Saint by understanding their life and mission. These celebrations are led by the Chaplaincy Team.