Liturgy

Throughout the year, children have regular opportunities to lead, participate in and attend Mass at St Thomas' Church. On other occasions, liturgies and special services are held in the school hall. 

Welcome Mass

We celebrate the start of the new school year with a Welcome Mass - a time of reflection, hope and community. During this mass we also announce our Pupil Leadership Team for the year, a team ready to serve with courage, kindness and joy. 

Harvest Mass

In October, we celebrated Harvest Mass at St Thomas Church, led by Fr James, our Head Boy and Girl and the Pupil Chaplaincy Team. The Mass this year reminds us of the recent document released by Pope Leo; ‘Dilexi Te’. Translated as ‘I have loved you’, this letter tells us that to love and care for our neighbour and those who are poor and marginalised is a fundamental part of our faith.

This is a key theme of Catholic Social Teaching. During our Mass, we reflected upon our call to stand in solidarity with those in need and to work together to build a brighter and fairer world for all. 

Remembrance Mass

Every November, we gather together as a school community at St Thomas' Church to remember those who have died in service as well as our loved ones. Fr James blesses all those in our school Remembrance book. We also think about the saints who look after us and show us how we can live our life as saints as we keep Jesus at the heart of everything we think, do and say.  

Epiphany

We joined St Thomas' parishioners to celebrate the feast of Epiphany. It was lovely to celebrate as a St Thomas' community, including former and current school families. 

We celebrated this day in school by chalking our doors with '20+C+M+B+26'. Fr. James explained that this tradition of chalking homes is a centuries old custom connected with Epiphany. During Mass he blessed the chalk for us to write the Epiphany house blessing on our classroom doors, inviting Christ’s blessing and protection for the new year!

Ash Wednesday

We begin the season of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Liturgy led by Fr James and the Pupil Chaplaincy Team. Ashes are sprinkled on our forehead in line with the tradition of the Catholic church, symbolising our invitation to, 'repent and believe in the Gospel.'

Year 6 Leavers' Mass

We celebrate our Year 6 pupils' time at St Thomas' with a special Mass filled with prayer and reflection. With hearts full of memories and hope, we bless their next chapter - knowing that they walk forward with courage, kindness and the light of Christ.