Faith at Home
Parent Information
We promote our faith at home through various practices and activities. Here are some common ways:
1. Prayer: Pupils take home a prayer bag to share with their family. In addition, we encourage pupils to share and engage in regular family prayer, such as saying grace before meals, praying the Rosary together, or having bedtime prayers. This helps children develop a habit of prayer and fosters a sense of spirituality within the family.
Family Prayer Time
Family prayer time is a dedicated period when family members come together to pray as a group. It is a time for families to connect with each other and with God to seek guidance, express gratitude and share their hopes and concerns.
During family prayer time, family members can take turns leading the prayer or participate together using our Prayer at Home resource. It provides an opportunity for family members to strengthen their spiritual bond, deepen their faith, and support one another in their spiritual journey.
Family prayer time can also serve as a moment of reflection and introspection, allowing family members to express their individual thoughts and feelings and seek comfort and solace in a shared spiritual practice. It fosters a sense of unity, love, and support within the family, as well as provides a space for open communication and the sharing of values and beliefs.
Overall, family prayer time is a meaningful practice that allows families to come together, connect spiritually, and nurture their relationships with each other and with God.
December Pray At Home Advent Week 1
December Pray At home Advent Week 2
December Pray At Home Advent Week 3
December Pray At home Advent Week 4
Prayers in School
Pupils are taught different prayers in each year group as seen below.
- Attending Mass: We encourage our children to attend Mass regularly. Our church is St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Oxhey Drive, South Oxhey, Watford, Herts, WD19 7SW. Father John Warnaby is the parish priest.
St Joseph’s Mass times are as follows:
| Day | Times |
| Tuesday | 7.00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9.15 a.m. |
| Thursday | 9.15 a.m. |
| Friday | 9.15 a.m. |
| Saturday | 6. p.m. |
| Sunday | 8.30 a.m. & 10.30 a.m. |
- Religious Education: The children will receive weekly homework about the teachings, traditions, and values of the Catholic Church.4. Scripture Reading: Reading and discussing Bible stories and passages is another way to promote faith at home. Therefore, the children will regularly read the scriptures as part of the children’s homework. Parents can help explain the lessons and moral values in the Bible, helping children understand and apply them.5. Sacraments: Catholic families prepare their children for receiving sacraments like Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. This process involves teaching the significance of each sacrament and its role in their faith journey.6. Service and Charity: Pupils learn about the importance of serving others and charity. Engaging in volunteer work, participating in community service projects, or supporting charitable organisations helps children understand the values of compassion, empathy, and social justice. The pupils support and organise a number of charities across the year, as seen below:
| Local Charity | National Charity | Global Charity | |
| Autumn | South Oxhey Food Bank
St Luke’s Hospice Michael Sobell Hospice |
Macmillan
Breast Cancer Appeal Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Shoebox Appeal |
Pupil Choice Charity |
| Spring | South Oxhey Food Bank
South Oxhey Food Bank |
Catholic Children’s Society
Catholic Children’s Society |
Cafod
Cafod |
| Summer | St Luke’s Hospice
Pupil Choice Charity |
Pupil Choice Charity | Pupil Choice Charity |
7. Role Modelling: Parents play a crucial role in promoting faith at home by being role models of Catholic values and teachings. Living out the faith through actions, kindness, forgiveness, and love helps children see the practical application of their beliefs. Pupils take home a prayer bag and prayer book.
Wednesday Word
The Wednesday Word is a gift to our families. It is an excellent resource that can be used at home to reflect on the weekly Gospel’s reading..