At The Catholic School of St Gregory the Great we regularly celebrate Mass together, travelling to our parish Church of St Gregory the Great to join the morning Mass at 9.30am. Our older children buddy up with our younger children, sitting together and providing support, helping them to understand the different parts of the Mass and to encourage them to be respectful and reverent. 

Classes in Key Stage 2 take turns across the academic year to lead Mass, including reading the Liturgy of the Word and bringing up the gifts of bread and wine. We have many children who serve on the altar too, having received training from a member of our school governing body. The children who help to lead Mass are given support from the Chaplaincy Lead, as well as their class teachers, to ensure they feel fully prepared to fulfil their roles. We extend an invitation to our families and members of the school community to join us in celebrating Mass and we are always well supported, as our large numbers testify. 

The celebration of school Masses follows the Church’s liturgical calendar, including Holy Days of Obligation and feast days. We also attend Mass during the first and final weeks of the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms and throughout these terms, classes in years 4, 5 and 6, celebrate Class Masses in Church. In July every year, our First Holy Communicants and their families join with their friends and teachers, to take part in a special celebratory Mass to commemorate receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist. It is always a special Mass that the whole community can share in!

It is always special to celebrate Mass together as a whole school and to strengthen our links to our parish Church. Everyone, regardless of their faith, learns to listen and engage with the Scriptures, celebrate through song and recognise that Jesus comes to us through the gifts of bread and wine.