Our Journey in Faith
Our Catholic Life – Our Journey in Faith
The Catholic life of St. Cuthbert's is rich in opportunities for children to encounter God and to deepen their relationship with Him as a loving, compassionate Father. Below we aim to share with you many of the elements which make St. Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School so special.
Our Parish
At St. Cuthbert's we have strong links with our Parish community. We are so lucky to have the church next to our school grounds. Father Paul is a regular visitor in school and each class in turn enjoys joining the Parish for weekday Mass.
We are also very lucky to be supported by the Cor et Lumen Christi Community who help support whole school activities based around the liturgical year.
First Holy Communion and Reconciliation preparation
Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation and Holy Communion usually takes place when the children are in Year 3 and is led by the catechists in the parish.
Mini Vinnies
What are the Mini Vinnies?
‘Mini Vinnies’ is the name for a St Vincent de Paul Group for primary aged children. We get together to organise, and talk about, helping others in need within our school community of Wigton and our wider community.
May Procession
What a wonderful way in which to show our devotion to Our Lady. Each May we join with the Parish in unity to process from the school to the church grounds to crown the statue of Mary.
Remembrance Day
The children attend a church service dedicated to Remembrance. The older children plant their crosses around the statue of Our Lady. We also lay a wreath on behalf of our school at the Cenotaph as we remember those who have served and those who continue to serve our country especially the people of Wigton.
Harvest
In October, the school deliver a Liturgy to celebrate Harvest. The families of St. Cuthbert's support our collection for the Food Bank. As Catholics it is important for us to be like Jesus and help those who are less fortunate. It is wonderful to see our school come together as a community and be Good Samaritans. We now have a permanent food collection point in school. Thank you for all your donations so far.
Stations Of the Cross
Every year, during Lent we walk with Jesus on the road to Calvary. We attend church and all classes are involved in the service, and as a school we work together to remember Jesus' journey in a number of different ways such as our own journey of the different stations or a joint piece of art work.
The Posada
The Posada is a custom brought to us from Latin America, where the crib figures of Mary and Joseph, journeying to Bethlehem, spend each night of Advent in a different home across the parish.
Children are invited to take part in this beautiful custom as a way of truly putting Christ at the heart of Christmas.
Carol Singing in the Community.
Each year the children visit both Love Day House and Inglewood Care Home to sing carols. Visiting the sick is a Corporal Work of Mercy and we are very proud of the children for entertaining the older members of our community.
Christingle Service
The celebration is named after the Christingles that are lit during the service. Christingles are made from an orange decorated with red ribbon, sweets and a candle.
Each element of a Christingle has a special meaning and helps to tell the Christian story:
- The orange represents the world
- The red ribbon (or tape) symbolises the love and blood of Christ
- The sweets and dried fruit represent all of God’s creations
- The lit candle represents Jesus’s light in the world, bringing hope to people living in darkness.
Feast of St. Cuthbert
On the 18th March we will celebrate the Feast Day of St. Cuthbert's. We have a whole school Mass in school and welcome family members and the parish. And yes... there is cake!
Other World Religions
Each term we come together as a school to learn about another world religion. We celebrate the differences and similarities between Christianity and this other world religion and often have different guests into school or visits to special places of worship.
Laudato Si Club
After hearing Pope Francis had written a letter addressed to every person on the planet, asking us all to protect the earth, a group of pupils asked if they could set up a Laudato Si club. They meet every fortnight to discuss ways in which they can help protect God's beautiful world.
'Give a Day!' (Seven Corporal Acts of Mercy)
In the Spring term, each class demonstrates one of the Seven Corporal Acts of Mercy. Giving time to our local and wider community is an important part of life at St. Cuthbert's. Some examples of this are, setting up a clothes swap, sending cards and letters, a soup kitchen and making lemonade to raise money to send to the Tongan 'fresh water' appeal.
The Atrium
We are very lucky to have an atrium in school. In Atrium the children explore and experience the Word of God in a prayerful environment.
All Saints' Day
All Saints' Day is a Catholic feast day on November 1st that honors all saints. The children at St. Cuthbert's dress as a favourite saint and we celebrate all that is good and holy with a big party!