"The School is a Roman Catholic School in which the whole school community, through the general school programme and in its religious instruction and observances exercises the right to live and teach the values of Jesus Christ. These values are as expressed in the Scriptures, and in the practices, worship and doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church as determined from time to time by the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese." 

MORNING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, we thank you at the beginning of this day for the gift of life.

Help us to use our gifts this day to help others and to make life enjoyable for all of us.

Bless each of us in our class community and help us to become the best people we can be.

Amen.

He hōnore, he korōria ki te Atua
He maungārongo ki te whenua
He whakaaro pai ki ngā tāngata katoa

Amene

LUNCH PRAYER

Bless us oh Lord, and these your gifts

Which of your bounty, we are about to receive

Through Christ our Lord,

Amen.

E to matou matua i te rangi,               

whakapainga enei kai 

hei oranga mo matou tinana

Te kaha, me te kororia,

Ake, ake, ake,

Amene.

AFTERNOON PRAYER

At the end of the day we come to you Lord to say thank you.

For the good we have done today, thank you.

For anything we have done that has hurt others, we are sorry.

Bless us as we go home and may we bring your love and peace to our families

Amen.

Ki a tau, ki a tatou katoa,

Te atawhai o to tatou ariki, 

A Ihu Karaiti

Me te aroha o te Atua, 

me te whiwhinga tahitanga

Ki te wairua tapu

Ake, ake, ake,

Amene.

Rationale:

The school is a Roman Catholic School in which the whole school community, through the general school programme and in its religious instruction and observances, exercises and proclaims the right to live and teach the values of Jesus Christ.  These values are expressed in the Scriptures and in the practices, worship and doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, as determined from time to time by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland Diocese.

Purposes:

With the above in mind, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papakura will be a sign and source of faith.

A Sign – it stands as a living sign of a believing community and a witness to the religious convictions of the Catholic Community. To this end, the school grounds and rooms should prominently display Catholic icons.

A Source – it stands as a source of faith for young people and their families, nurturing a community of maturing believers. Through the spiritual life of the school, the school community will grow in love in the spirit of the Beatitudes.

Guidelines:

Prayer is an expected part of community life, especially at the beginning and end of each day, and before commencing school community meetings.

Staff and students are to participate in school, team and class spiritual celebrations especially prayer celebration, Mass, and special Church feast days.  Especially the Feast of the Assumption (The Parish Feast Day), and our four school missionaries - Pompallier, Barbier, Chanel and Xavier.

Teachers are to follow the topics in the religious education programme as prescribed by the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand.

Staff to attend strand meetings and courses for teachers new to Catholic Schools as organised by the Primary School Religious Education Advisors.

Staff are invited and encouraged to attend staff prayer / reflection on a weekly basis.

Welcome and encourage Parents and Parishioners to attend any spiritual celebrations that are organised by the school.

The staff will encourage students to regularly visit the Welsh Chapel in support of their prayer life.

Whānau/families and school community are invited to attend school family Masses at St Mary's Catholic Church, Papakura at least once in each term.