Catholic Life

Catholic Life

Our Church

Everyone is welcome to our church, Saint Mary’s the Mount Catholic Church.

Contact Information

St Mary’s The Mount Roman Catholic Church

Glebe Street

Walsall, WS1 3NX 


Parish Priest: Father Jobin Kollapallil SDV

Phone: 01922 622633

Mass Times

Please see church website for further information: http://www.stmarysthemount.co.uk/.

Please refer to the parish website for information about baptisms, weddings and funerals.

What visitors say about our school:

"The children were so spiritual - it was a very moving experience."

"The singing and signing was wonderful during Mass."

"The children confidently led the service - it was beautiful"

Sacraments

At St. Mary’s the Mount Catholic Primary School we are able to receive three Sacraments:

The programme for Sacramental preparation begins in Autumn 1.  The children in Year 3 and Year 6 participate in a 'Mass of Commitment' at St. Mary’s the Mount Church.  This enables the children and their families to make a clear symbol of commitment and dedication to the programme.

 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is received by baptised Catholic children in Year 3.

All children in Year 3 are included in the celebration of the sacrament and our inclusive ethos ensures that those children who are not baptised Catholics are enabled to participate as fully as possible in supporting their classmates during the programme.

Year 3 take another step along their Faith Journey by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a chance to say sorry to God for the things they have done that have hurt God, others and themselves.  When God created man, in his image and likeness, he knew we would make wrong choices so he gave us the gift of Reconciliation so that we have the opportunity to put our wrongs, right and grow closer, to God; following in his ways.

Holy Communion

Children in Year 3 receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

The children prepare thoroughly for this Sacrament.  The preparation takes place during RE lessons.  The School and Parish Catechists also prepare the children at meetings on Monday evenings at St. Mary’s the Mount Church where they complete their ‘Spreading the Word of God.’  Parents are also invited to meetings with Father Jobin throughout the year.

A great emphasis is placed on the child and their family receiving the Sacrament together. The rest of the school and parish community support them by preparing and taking part in the special Masses.

Confirmation

During their final year at St. Mary’s, the children in Year 6 are prepared for and receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The preparation takes place during their RE lessons and they participate in three weekend retreat days at St. Mary’s Church throughout the year.  Year 6 also spend a day on retreat with Dan Callow prior to making their Confirmation.  

They are encouraged to select the name of a saint who has inspired them in some way.  A sponsor is also chosen and has the role of supporting the child in their spiritual life.

The children are able to spend time with the Bishop, ensuring they are fully prepared and ready to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  The evening itself is a very moving service but one of great celebration with children, parents, clergy, staff and members of the parish.

Year 6 children who are not making their Confirmation are encouraged to attend the service and sing as part of a choir.

If you are not Catholic but are interested in Baptising your child or would like to know more about the Catholic Faith please contact Fr Jobin.

Liturgy Group and Prayer

Liturgy group

Our Liturgy group is made up of a small group of volunteers from year 6.  Their role is invaluable to the Catholic life of the school.  Throughout the year, they undertake learning walks to support staff with changing the altar cloths on the class prayer focus tables to keep in line with the Liturgical year.  They set up for Mass ensuring everything is ready for when our Priest arrives including collecting numbers for people receiving communion.  The children show great commitment with organising and leading Friday lunchtime prayer group.  They organise a rota and support small groups from KS2 to plan and lead liturgy.

Prayer bags 

Every class has a prayer bag and the children have the opportunity to take it home for one week throughout the year.

Each prayer bag has a focus.  The children and families are encouraged to set up a small prayer focus area and pray together using the prompts and ideas in the bag.

The focus for each year group is:

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING


HUMAN DIGNITY

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.

Jeremiah 1:5

 

Understanding that every person’s life, including ourselves, should be respected and supported to ensure that we can flourish in all aspects of life, as children of God.

We recognise the human dignity of others by:


PEACE

Peace… is an order that is founded in truth, nurtured and animated by charity, and brought into effect under the auspices of freedom.

Pacem in Terris, 1963, #167

 

We show we are people of peace by:


RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship.

 1 Samuel 10:25

Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs

 

We need to understand what our responsibilities and rights are, and knowing how we can promote and live these out as ambassadors of Christ.

We acknowledge our rights and responsibilities by:


SOLIDARITY & THE COMMON GOOD

In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers [or sisters] of mine, you did it to me.

Matthew 25:40

 

We will show respect to our neighbours in the community and our global family who are in need. Christ is like a single body, which has many parts; it is still one body, even though it is made up of different parts. There is no division in the body, if one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness. 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 (abridged) God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.

We show solidarity by:


STEWARDSHIP - CARE FOR CREATION

Who turned the wonderworld of the seas into underwater cemeteries bereft of colour and life?

Catholic Bishops of the Philippines, 1988

 

We need to be wise in how we share the world and work together to promote using resources wisely and we need to learn in what our role is to help our common home.

 

We show we care for creation by:

 


THE DIGNITY OF WORK & PARTICIPATION

A small number of very rich men have been able to lay upon the teeming masses of the labouring poor a yoke little better than that of slavery itself.

Rerum Novarum, 1891

Through our work, we help others to learn and grow closer to God. We know that we are all ‘Co-Workers’ and we work to contribute. We will try and work hard at school to become productive adults in the future. 

We show we care for The Dignity of Work and Participation by:


THE OPTION FOR THE POOR & VULNERABLE

The spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the afflicted. He has sent me… to let the oppressed go free.

Luke 4:18

 

We believe that all resources on earth should be shared with all. We find ways to work together to support the poor and vulnerable.

We show a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable by: