St Gabriel’s Faith and Parish Community
Church Links
We have strong links with our Church which is situated next door to us. Every fortnight the whole school worships together in the Church. The children prepare and deliver Family Masses one Sunday each month and throughout the academic year; individual classes prepare and celebrate liturgies which parents are invited to share in.
We are fortunate that members of the church work at the school on a voluntary basis, helping the children and parents prepare for First Holy Communion as well as well as our Baptismal Programme.
The Sisters of Mercy join St Gabriel’s Chaplaincy Team in school each Friday lunchtime during the special month of October and May to pray a decade of the Rosary.
The Chaplaincy Team
The Chaplaincy team play a vital role in the Spiritual life of the school. They perform many duties throughout the year including, holding collective worships and liturgies, leading prayer and assisting in school masses.
All pupils from Reception to Year 6 are welcome to join in.
The Liturgy Council
The Liturgy Council make sure that each holy table reflects the liturgical year. They recently visited the parish to share lenten soup for CAFOD. They are currently running a competition to help create a core value display.
Mini Vinnies
‘Mini Vinnies’ is a St Vincent de Paul Group in a Primary School. It is a group of young people aged 7-11 who get together, organise and talk about helping others in need within their school community and beyond. What makes Mini Vinnies such a valuable experience for the children who are part of it, is the change it makes in school communities.
In the run up to the Middlesbrough Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, the Mini Vinnie’s make prayer cards for the sick pilgrims. These cards will be left in the hospital each day to encourage and support the sick pilgrims. Miss Gallagher takes the school prayer journal which she will take to the Grotto and offer as a petition.
Please click on the link below to find out more information.
http://www.minivinnies.org.uk/index.php
Sacred Space
Each class has a Sacred Space, a special place where the children can go to pray or just sit and think quietly. The display and the items around the table have been chosen to help the children feel closer to God.
The School Chapel
The School Chapel is the centre of Collective Worship for the school. Year 6
Prayer Leaders use the Chapel to lead Liturgies at break time.
Litugies
The Senior Leadership Team and all teachers lead Key Stage One/EYFS and Key Stage Two Liturgies each Monday. Each class has their own Liturgy which is progressively lead by the children.
A Celebration Assembly takes place each Friday led once each half term by a particular class.