Catholic Life at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School
At St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School, our Catholic faith is not just something we teach — it is something we live. Rooted in Gospel values and inspired by the example of our patron saint, we are a faith-filled community where prayer, service, love and learning come together each day.
Our mission, “Serve with Love and Strive for Excellence,” guides every decision we make and every relationship we nurture. Through daily worship, meaningful relationships, rich learning experiences and a strong sense of community, we strive to form children who are spiritually alive, morally responsible and joyfully confident.
✨ Living Our Faith Every Day
Catholic Life is at the heart of everything we do:
- Daily prayer, lunchtime grace, and pupil-led worship in every classroom
- Weekly collective worship based on the Mark 10 Mission and the liturgical calendar
- Celebration worship assemblies that recognise children living out Gospel values
- Prayer areas in every classroom and throughout the school
- A strong relationship with our parish priest, Father Moses, who regularly celebrates Mass and Adoration with our children
- Deep engagement with the Church’s seasons — Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Pentecost are brought to life through art, music, prayer and reflection
- Staff formation and leadership in the development of prayer and liturgy, supported by the new RED curriculum
✨ Pilgrims of Hope – Jubilee Year 2025
This year, inspired by Pope Francis’ Jubilee theme, we have journeyed as Pilgrims of Hope.
- Each class created their own ‘Door of Hope’ — a visual expression of what it means to bring hope to others
- We launched the Jubilee year with prayer and reflection across school using Mission Together resources
- Special projects such as the Slinks Hope Project, family Masses, and charity work for Tanzania have brought the message of hope to life in our community
- Our children have embraced their call to fan the flame of hope wherever they go
✨ Prayer and Worship
Our school is a community of prayer:
- Daily collective worship and stillness
- Special liturgies and assemblies throughout the liturgical year
- Eucharistic Adoration and quiet reflection in the presence of Jesus
- Celebrations of Mass including our Dedication Mass to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Thoughtfully prepared Ash Wednesday, Remembrance, and Advent liturgies
- Joyful singing through the Singing Schools project with the Cathedral — music as prayer
✨ Sacramental Life
Working closely with our parish and families, we support our children on their sacramental journey:
- Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion through the With You Always programme
- Family catechesis and school-led sessions
- Retreats and visits, including to the Carlo Acutis Eucharistic Miracles exhibition and pilgrimage days
- Sacramental celebrations marked with reverence, joy and school-wide support
✨ Service and Social Action
Children are taught that faith must be lived through action. Catholic Social Teaching underpins our outreach:
- Weekly food hampers for families in need through Fareshare and donations
- Fundraising for CAFOD, NSPCC, Children in Need, The Samaritans and more
- Support for refugees and environmental justice through workshops, performances and the Chester Zoo Palm Oil Project
- A strong focus on Laudato Si’ and care for creation, led by the Mini Vinnies, who maintain our allotment, pond and Forest School
- Final submission of our Live Simply Award, recognising our commitment to living simply, sustainably, and in solidarity
✨ A Joyful, Inclusive, Catholic School
Our Catholic Life also includes:
- Celebration of diverse faiths and cultures, including Eid, Chinese New Year and St Patrick’s Day
- Support for children’s mental health and wellbeing through Children’s Mental Health Week, kindness challenges, and creative workshops
- Participation in national events such as Anti-Bullying Week, World Mental Health Day, and UK Parliament Week
- Gospel Values trees and art displays that celebrate the values that guide us: Love, Hope, Wisdom, Respect, Fairness, Courage, Fellowship, Service
✨ A Living Mission
At St Vincent de Paul, Catholic Life is more than events — it’s a living, breathing part of who we are.
From the smallest act of kindness to whole-school celebrations, our children are nurtured to live out their faith with confidence, compassion and courage.
Together with our parish, families and governors, we remain committed to building a loving Catholic community where all children are known, valued, and encouraged to grow into the people God calls them to be.
“Serving with Love and Striving for Excellence.”
Loving God,
Thank You for the gift of our school family.
Help us to serve with love, speak with kindness, and act with courage.
May we follow the example of Jesus each day,
sharing hope with those who need it most,
caring for our world, and living as true children of light.
Guide our hands, our hearts and our voices
as we strive for excellence and grow in faith.
May our words bring peace, our actions bring joy,
and our lives reflect Your love in the world.
Amen.