Chaplaincy at Holy Cross
At Holy Cross, chaplaincy is at the heart of school life. Rooted in our mission statement:
“In the LIGHT of JESUS we LOVE, LISTEN and GROW”
We are a community where every child is nurtured spiritually, encouraged to live out Gospel values, and supported in their journey of faith.
Our chaplaincy provision helps children to:
- Grow in their relationship with God
- Develop a deeper understanding of prayer and worship
- Live out love, compassion, and service in everyday life
- Reflect on their actions and make positive choices
Our Chaplaincy Team
Our Chaplaincy Team is made up of dedicated pupils who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the Catholic Life and Mission of the school. They take ownership of their role and work in close partnership with the Lay Chaplain and staff to actively support and enhance the spiritual life of the whole school community.
Pupil chaplains are confident, reflective leaders who have a clear impact on the prayer life and mission of the school. Through their example and actions, they inspire others and contribute to a strong, lived-out Catholic ethos across the school.
The team:
- Plan, prepare and lead in Mass and Celebrations of the Word with confidence, enabling the school community to engage in meaningful prayer and reflection
- Actively support and promote prayer and our sacred spaces across the school, helping to ensure it is well embedded in daily practice
- Encourage and model how to live out the school mission, “In the LIGHT of JESUS we LOVE, LISTEN and GROW,” influencing others through their words and actions
- Contribute significantly to the ongoing development and enrichment of the Catholic Life and Mission of the school through their ideas, leadership and example
Through their leadership, pupil chaplains have a clear and positive impact on the faith life of others, helping to nurture a community where Gospel values are understood, lived, and celebrated.
Pupil chaplains are role models who help others to love, listen and grow in the light of Jesus.
“Being a chaplain helps me to grow closer to God and to help others pray.”
“I like leading times of prayer because it helps everyone to stop, reflect and think about what really matters.”
“We try to show our mission by loving others, listening carefully and helping everyone feel included.”
“As chaplains, we try and help younger children to pray and understand that God is always with them.”
“I feel proud to be a chaplain because I can make a difference in our school.”
Prayer and Liturgy
Prayer is central to daily life at Holy Cross. Children experience a wide range of prayer opportunities, including:
- Daily class prayer
- Mass, Celebrations of the Word
- Time to retreat and spend time with God
- Lectio and Visio Divina
- Celebration of key feasts and seasons in the Church’s liturgical year
- Opportunities for quiet reflection and personal prayer
We encourage children to take increasing ownership of prayer as they move through the school, becoming confident in planning and leading prayer and liturgy together.
Our School Prayer
Dear Lord,
Give us the strength to spread your light across our school community.
Fill our hearts with joy as we love, listen and grow together every day.
Inspire us to serve you and each other in all we say and do.
Lead us with your guiding light to help each other to do what’s right.
Amen
This prayer, written by our pupils, reflects the spirit of our school and our shared mission.
Living Our Faith
We value our strong links with families, the parish, and the wider community. Together, we support our children in growing as people of faith, hope and love.
At Holy Cross, faith is lived out through action and experience. We provide opportunities for children to:
- Take part in charitable activities and outreach
- Support local and global causes
- Work alongside others in our wider community
- Develop as young leaders of faith
Inspired by the Jubilee Year of Hope, each year, during the Pentecost term, our pupils take part in a special pilgrimage to Mount St Bernard Abbey. We are incredibly blessed to have this place of prayer and peace so close to our school community.
This pilgrimage offers children a meaningful opportunity to:
- Experience silence, reflection, and prayer in a sacred space
- Deepen their understanding of God’s presence in the world
- Walk together as a community of faith
Through experiences like this, children come to understand that faith is not only something we believe, but something we live each day.
