St Joseph's CatholicMission & Ethos
Together in God's family we love, grow and learn
All that happens in St Joseph’s Primary School is formed by our faith. Our aims and relationships, our curriculum, pastoral care and discipline all have the potential to speak of God’s loving care for each individual.
The children’s spiritual development is seen as fundamental and is the foundation of our school. Religious Education is not just a subject but part of everyday life. The assemblies and school Masses are important occasions where the children learn the necessity and wonder of the worship of God and they prepare for these occasions with enthusiasm. Children throughout school also experience religious retreats, including a 2 day residential retreat in the upper school.
We have an excellent Chaplaincy team who lead other children in exploring their faith more deeply, and take responsibility for many whole school events.
The Parish helps our children to prepare fully for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Each Sacrament is seen as important in its own right and Baptised Catholic children are prepared over two years. Generally, in Year 3 the children receive instruction to prepare them to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion). In Year 4 preparation is given to enable them to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).
We try to make it a living faith for the children, as we live and share our belief in a variety of ways. “Each of us hears, celebrates and lives our Catholic faith in the experiences of our daily lives, not in a vacuum.”
Interactive Liturgical Calendar
Click on the different sections to find out about our liturgical year.
"Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction." Pope Benedict
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