RE at St. Mary's in 2018 - 2019

Catholic Life at St. Mary's

The Catholic life of St. Mary's is rich in opportunities for children to encounter God and to deepen their relationship with Him as a loving, compassionate Father. Below, we aim to share with you and celebrate many of the elements which make our Catholic school so special. Here you will find information and hat we have been up to as we work together with our families, the Parish and the school work together in supporting the development of our children’s faith. Above you can select from one of the star options to find more about what else we have been doing in curriculum RE and Prayer and Liturgy.

Leon, in Year 6, made his Frist Holy Communion on Sunday 23rd June. He joined school in the middle of Year 5 after relocating. With his mum, Leon began attending St. Mary's Church and even joined the choir. Leon hadn't made his First Holy Communion and was encouraged by school and the parish. Children from his class, along with staff went along to the special mass as a surprise and celebrate with Leon in the next step in his faith. 

Today, all of the staff and children at St. Mary's joined a group of children from St. Wulstan's and St. Edmund's and Cardinal Allen to celebrate mass at St. Mary's for Corpus Christi. This is a special feast day to celebrate the body of Christ and which always happens on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. With this year being The Year of the Eucharist, this mass was extra special and as catholic schools in Fleetwood, we wanted to celebrate together. We used the icon of the Year of the Eucharist to led our procession together to and from church. 

 

After Mass the students from Cardinal Allen led an act of worship to Year 6 children about Corpus Christi: the important of Jesus in our lives and him being the Eucharist. The Year 6 children had planned and delivered their own worship on the same theme, the day before, across school to the younger classes in preparation of going us celebrating mass.

Creating our own 'Stations of the Cross' is part of our Lenten tradition at St. Mary's. Each class create two stations each, representing that part of the story of Good Friday in their own way. These are pictures from the Year 6 children engaging with the story and having time to make their own personal reflection in the reflection books or with stations that were interactive. The children's reverence and respect was evident throughout their time in the hall and children spent time in silence and in prayer together. As our Year 6 have been visiting church every Thursday for 'The Way of the Cross' service, we invited parishioners to join us for the service using our stations. They joined for soup afterwards and even left us some lovely comments about what have thought of school's efforts during Lent. 

During Lent, seven of our Year 6 children have been attending The Way of the Cross, a special service each Thursday held at church by Father Michael, which is open to parishioners. Our children have participated in children from the child's point of view during the service. At the end, the children, along with Mrs Halloran have been joining the parishioners from some lunch and conversation.

On Wednesday 6th March, as a school, we went to Mass at church to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass. We received ashes and Holy Communion or a blessing from Father Michael. Ash Wednesday signifies the start of Lent where we repent our sins and turn to God. Each child has made their Lenten promise, which is display in their worship area in the classroom.

Year 6 children made Christmas cards for the residents at Alexandra Care Home and our Headboy, Headgirl, their deputies and some Year 5 children went to wish the residents a Merry Christmas, give out our cards and sing a song from our KS2 Carol Service. 

On Monday 17th December, KS2 performed their Carol Service - following the light at church for their parents and the community. The children did an excellent job at sharing the story of the birth of Jesus and reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas. Well done to all of the children - our actors, singers and readers. 

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children put together their Nativity - Whoops a Daisy Angel, which they shared with the rest of the children in the school and completed two performances for parents - a great job done by everyone!

Year 2/3 (Hokusai/Michelangelo) children have listened attentively to a French version of the Nativity story. (La Nativité).  They showed understanding by joining in and responding.  They made a greetings card to celebrate Joyeux Noël.

Rosalina, Sky, Keiyara, Wyatt, Leon and Joseph supported Cardinal Allen at their Advent Service for the Deanery with singing and doing readings.

Reception class were very excited to see the Monstrance in our school and understand what the bread is and why we have it, however our next step is to learn key words such as 'Eucharist' and 'Monstrance'. The children went back to class after worship where we were introduced to the Monstrance and watched a video to see who Bishop Paul is. We also said a prayer to end of session. 

Bishop Paul Swarbrick has called for us to have a Year of the Eucharist, he wants us to know the importance of Mass, going to Holy Communion and calls everyone in the school community to holiness in this particular year which began on the Feast of Christ the King (25.11.18). As a school, we had a Holy Hour, where each class participated in worship as we adored the Blessed Sacrament in the Monstrance.

To support the Samaritan's Purse charity with their work of Operation Christmas Child, Year 6 made and compiled 26 boxes for sharing love and joy in the form of a simple shoebox gift. 

Cassatt class have been learning about the story of Mary visiting her cousin, Elizabeth.They completed a role play to help understand the story and the character's feelings.

Each Year 6 family were given a red candle to light in their home; by doing something peaceful and positive to highlight the suffering of so many Christians and others today, which goes largely unnoticed by the world.

St. Mary's supported Fleetwood Christmas Lights for the annual Light switch on, on Saturday 17th November.

Remembrance Sunday saw Ben, Leon, Keiyara, Sky and Molly come along to the memorial park to participate and represent St. Mary's at the Remembrance Sunday Service. The children laid our wreath on behalf of our school as we remember those who have serviced and continue to serve our country, especially this year in 2018, which commemorates 100 years since the end of the first world war.

Prayer Requests

 

Amazing things can happen when people come into agreement.

Matthew 18:19 says

“I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”

 

The children and staff will be delighted to pray for you or a loved one this week.

 

As soon as we receive your request, the children and staff will keep your request in our hearts and minds as we pray throughout the day and week.

 

Our children have prayer and liturgy within their classrooms and as a whole school. Look at the prayer and liturgy star and see the acts of worship the children are involved in, as well as actually planning and delivering themselves to their peers. 

On Wednesday 17th October, the whole school went to mass to celebrate Harvest. The families of St. Mary's supported our collection for Fleetwood Food Bank and after mass, Mrs Kowalska, the headboy and headgirl and their deputies went to donate our collection. As Catholics it is important for us to be like Jesus and help those who are less fortunate. It is wonderful to see our school come together as a community and be Good Samaritans. Here is a picture to show how thoughtful and caring you have all been to our wider community. 

The Year of the Eucharist

 

Cardinal calls us to the presence of Christ - Adoremus 2018

Adoremus - the Eucharistic Congress and Pilgrimage took place in Liverpool 7th - 9th September 2018

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp7E0tjXitI

 

Following the National Eucharist Congress to be held in Liverpool, schools of the Diocese of Lancaster are invited by Bishop Paul to observe a ‘Year of the Eucharist’. The aim of this year is to develop a deeper understanding of the Eucharist as the ‘source and summit’ of the Christian life and to encourage and foster regular devotion to the Blessed Sacrament within our schools. Rather than organising central events, the Diocese of Lancaster Education Service will work with schools, deans and local clergy to encourage Eucharist Adoration at a local and deanery level.

 

This is an opportunity to enhance our devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and share the Cardinal’s hope for a 'rejuvenation' of love for the Eucharist in our school. It is important to remind ourselves that Christ is at the heart of our schools and learning and that 'We grow, learn and achieve by following Christ.' 

 

 

 

RE at St. Mary's in 2017 - 2018

Check out Einstein Class' Lenten Liturgy on being patient:

 

https://st-marys-catholic.primarysite.media/media/lentern-liturgy 

Seven of our Year 6s during Lent have been volunteering their lunch every Thursday to participate in the service 'The Way of the Cross'. After they've taken part in the readings from the service in church, alongside Fr Michael and parishioners at St. Mary's, the children have enjoyed joining the rest of the congregation at the service for soup and cake.

On Friday 9th March, Aristotle class led us in a special Mother's Day assembly. The assembly had the children sing a song, share a story and  received a flower made by their child. 

Some of our children visited Emmanuel at The Mount Church this week.  They participated in an R.E. workshop, learning about the disciple Luke.  Each child was given a book to take home and made a matchbox size story which features in some of our pictures.

Class Masses for Spring Term:

17th Jan - Year 3 

31st - Year 4

7th Feb - Year 5

 

21st Feb - Year 3

28th Feb - Year 4

7th March - Year 5

14th March - Year 6

 

On Tuesday 27th, our Stations of the Cross will be on display in the school hall which will have been made by the children. More information to follow after half term.

During the season of Advent, the KS2 classes took their Posada box home to take their class Mary and Joseph figurines home with a candle, advent prayers and the book to write in. parents took a picture of their child at home, saying one of the advent prayers, with the candle lit and Mary and Joseph on display in their home as they give them a place to stay during Advent, whilst on their journey to Bethlehem. Above are some of the photographs from our parents. A display has been made of all KS2 photographs and our class Posada boxes, outside the hall for Spring I.

In Year 6 this week, their Collective Worship group, independently decided and created a beautiful worship in memory of our Deacon Bill Wright who sadly passed away on Tuesday 12th December. The children had an image of Deacon Bill on the board, whilst they asked the children to share people they would like us to remember who have passed away; read the story of Noak's ark because they said; it was about how God will always kept his promise that everything would always be alright and we are safe with him. This was followed by a prayer before we said an eternal rest together.

On the the 18th December, KS2 performed their Carol Service in Church to their family and friends. We celebrated the Nativity story through readings and our carol singing.

On Wednesday 11th October, as a school we celebrated Harvest by going to Mass at Church and having a collection supported by the parents. After we celebrated Mass, Mrs Kowalska along with our Headboy, Headgirl and their deputies went to Fleetwood Food Bank to drop off our school donation. 

Mass Dates

 

Key Stage 2 Class Masses

 

Year 3 - Wednesday 13th September

Year 5 - Wednesday 20th September

Year 4 - Wednesday 27th September

Year 6 - Wednesday 4th October

 

 

Whole School Harvest Mass - Wednesday 11th October

 

Key Stage 2 Class Masses

 

Year 3 - Wednesday 8th November

Year 4 - Wednesday 15th November

Year 5 - Wednesday 22nd November

Year 6 - Wednesday 29th November

 

KS2 Christmas Carol Service Monday 18th December 6pm at St. Mary's Church 

RE at St. Mary's in 2016 - 2017

Ethan, Declan, Lamiha, Amelia and Thomas on Wednesday did a fabulous job at representing St. Mary's at the Deanery Mass hosted by Cardinal Allen for the parishes. The children read beautifully and were complimented on their attendance and how well they read by staff, the priests and parishioners. 

KS2 Class Mass Dates for the Summer Term - all masses at 10am:

 

Descartes - Wednesday 3rd May

Euler - Wednesday 10th May

Fibonacci - Wednesday 24th May

 

Summer Term II

 

Descartes - Wednesday 7th June

Euler - Wednesday 14th June 

Fibonacci - Wednesday 21st June

 

End of Year/Leavers' Mass - Tuesday 18th July at 10 am

Upcoming Masses for Autumn II and Spring I for Key Stage Two classes have been arrange with Fr Michael.

Autumn II

Descartes - Wednesday 23rd November 10am

Euler - Wednesday 30th November 10am

Fibonacci - Wednesday 7th December 10am

 

KS1 Nativity - Tuesday 6th December and Wednesday 7th December

KS2 Carol Service - Tuesday 20th December 6pm at St. Mary's Church

 

Spring I

Euler - Wednesday 18th January 10am

Descartes - Wednesday 25th January 10am

Fibonacci - Wednesday 1st February 10am

 

 

On Wednesday 19th October, Year 2 - Year 6 celebrate Harvest Mass at church with Fr Michael. During mass we offered some of our harvest collection with the offertory. After mass, the collection gathered together from our school's families and staff members was taken to Fleetwood Food Bank to give back to our community. Our Headboy (Ethan), Headgirl (Mellissa), Deputy headboy (Robbie) and Deputy headgirl (Georgia) went along with Mrs Kowalska to give 5 boxes full of donations. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our collection.

The education department at Lancaster Cathedral, have invited all the catholic schools in the Lancaster diocese to participate in a pilgrimage during the Year of Mercy. On Monday 10th October, Fibonacci Class travelled to Lancaster and joined 7 other catholic primary schools in a walk through Lancaster to St. Peter's Cathedral for a prayer service. It was a lovely day; the children represented our school superbly. Our children's singing, their good behaviour and smart uniforms were commented on by volunteers and other schools.