Catholic Life
“CHRIST AT THE CENTRE”
(Ephesians 3:17)
Bishop Marcus Stock, the tenth Bishop of Leeds, wrote these words in his publication “Christ at the Centre” (2005, revised 2012):
“In the midst of legitimate diversity, all Catholic schools share something in common:
they are rooted in Christ, who is to be the centre of their life…
Unless a school has Christ at the very heart of all that it is and does, it cannot be a Catholic school”.
OUR MISSION
Our Mission:
Inspired by Catholic teaching, we learn how to serve and love each other as disciples of our world with the same
faithful joy which we see in Jesus, our saviour and our Lord.
TO LOVE AND SERVE WITH JOY
How We Celebrate Our Catholic Life
Advent
- The blessing of our Advent wreaths
- Prayer tables and Advent displays in school
- Preparing together for the coming of Jesus
Easter Liturgy
- Journeying through Holy Week
- Whole-school Easter liturgies
- Celebrating the Risen Christ
Epiphany Workshops
- Whole-school Epiphany workshops
- Craft and creative activities
- Sharing the story of the Wise Men
Altar Servers
- Pupils serve at Mass in our parish church
- Supporting the liturgy throughout the year
The Sacraments
- Reconciliation
- Holy Communion
- Confirmation
Mini Vinnies
- Meeting regularly in school
- Raising awareness and funds for the SVP and other charities
- Turning concern into action
Cultural Diversity Day
- Celebrating the cultures of our school family
- Sharing dress, flags, food and traditions
Our Parish
About Us
The Parish of St Joseph came into existence by decree in 2008 being made up of 5 former independent parishes that were served by 6 priests. The parish covers a large area and borders on Sherburn in Elmet, Selby, Hemsworth, Normanton, Castleford and the Diocese of Hallam.
We have two primary schools:
• St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Pontefract,
• Holy Family and St Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Chequerfield.
In North Featherstone:
• St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School and Sixth Form College.
Courses for First Sacraments, Baptism and Marriage and The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) are organised at appropriate times throughout the year.
There are a number of volunteer groups including
• SVP,
• CAFOD,
• Pax Christi
• UCM
which will always welcome new members
Sacraments
There are seven Sacraments in Catholic Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony.
In the Diocese of Leeds, the Sacraments of Initiation (Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation) are celebrated for children during their years of primary education:
• Reconciliation in Year 3 (Ages seven and eight)
• Holy Communion in Year 4 (Ages eight and nine)
• Confirmation in the first part of Year 6 (Ages ten and eleven).
The Diocese produced a Confirmation resource (Empowered by the Spirit: The Gift of Confirmation). The school currently uses these, as well as the First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion resources.
This year the preparation for Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation has continued to take place in school.
Working with catechists and the Parish priest, the school provide opportunities for children to attend sessions at school.
Resources from the Diocese continue to be used.
The autumn term will focus on Confirmation, with the spring term being a focus for Reconciliation and in the summer term, Holy Communion will be the final focus of the Sacramental journey.
Minnie Vinnies
Our Minnie Vinnies have been working in school for over four years now and continue to meet regularly and raise awareness and funds for the SVP and other charities.
