Ritualising Everyday Life
No theological principle or focus is more characteristic of Catholicism or more central to its identity than the principle of sacramentality. This principle reflects the central Catholic conviction that God mediates Godself to us and we encounter God’s presence and grace coming to meet us through the ordinary of life - through our minds and bodies, through our works and efforts, in the depth of our own being and through our relationships with others, through the events and experiences that come our way, through all forms of human art and creativity, through nature and the whole created order, through everything and anything of life (Groome, 1996, p.112).
As well as the celebration of formal liturgies and prayer, school communities celebrate prayer rituals to mark the everyday patterns of life, rites of passage and moments of grief and loss, joy and celebration. These prayer rituals have a recognisable structure and may use elements and symbols similar to those of the prayer and liturgy of the Catholic tradition. However, they provide opportunities for increased freedom and flexibility in their design and celebration; they can be led by community members; draw on themes and experiences identified by students and the community; and incorporate secular elements. Catholic and ecumenical schools draw on their religious character and liturgies to inform and enhance rituals and celebrations that have a predominantly secular character.
As well as the celebration of formal liturgies and prayer, school communities celebrate prayer rituals to mark the everyday patterns of life, rites of passage and moments of grief and loss, joy and celebration. These prayer rituals have a recognisable structure and may use elements and symbols similar to those of the prayer and liturgy of the Catholic tradition. However, they provide opportunities for increased freedom and flexibility in their design and celebration; they can be led by community members; draw on themes and experiences identified by students and the community; and incorporate secular elements. Catholic and ecumenical schools draw on their religious character and liturgies to inform and enhance rituals and celebrations that have a predominantly secular character.
God's Presence and Grace through St Benedict's School Community
- Induction of school leaders witnessed by the school community.
- Graduation Mass- a celebration of seven years of bearing witness to the Benedictine Charisms within our school community.
- Outreach to those in need- Caritas, St Vinnies, Socktober and local charities.
- Pastoral Care Co-ordinator and pastoral care parent representatives who respond to the needs of those in our St Benedict's Community.
- Classroom and staff prayer opportunities.
- Daily midday PAX meditative prayer opportunities for all members of the community.
- Weekly class led prayer assemblies, linked around the charisms of St Benedict and the celebration of everyday events including cultural, sporting and personal.
- Staff Prayer