Catholic Life

Daily life in a Catholic College

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
(Matthew 18:20)

As a Catholic College we take our responsibility to support parents in the spiritual development and faith formation of their children very seriously. We believe that every child is entitled to opportunities for prayer, worship, and reflection and all are encouraged through this to develop their own personal relationship with God. 

We come together throughout the year to celebrate important events in the Church’s calendar, such as Lent and Advent, Holy Days of Obligation, and our patronal feast days. Through regular prayer and worship, including Mass, the rhythm of the Church’s year becomes a normal part of College life and each students’ life.​ 

Collective Worship offers our College community the chance to explore and understand the values and virtues at the heart of our ethos, providing students with time and space and time to reflect.​ 

Collective Worship provides use with a shared language of virtues and prayer to build a close-knit, cohesive community. Whether in times of crisis or celebration, the time set aside in the College day for reflection provides everyone with the opportunity to gather and support one another as a community. Our College Prayer, said daily during Morning Prayer, reminds our students of the importance of upholding the dignity of all, of recognising Christ in every person, of reaching out to those in need and of respecting one another as valuable members of God’s Creation. We conclude each day with our End of Day Prayer, a prayer for Holy Rest by St. John Henry Newman.  

Mass - The central act of worship of the Roman Catholic Church, which culminates in celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion). God is present with us during the Mass. ​ 

Collective Worship - Worship (‘prayer’ and ‘liturgy’) in a Catholic College is concerned with giving glory, honour, praise and thanks to God. It is an integral part of the life of the Catholic College, putting Christ at the centre of education, helping to create and sustain the Catholic ethos, making it tangible.​ 

Liturgy - An act of public worship performed by a group; it represents a communal response to and participation in the sacred through activity reflecting praise, thanksgiving, petition, or repentance.​ 

Retreat - Definite time (hours/days) spent away from one's normal life for the purpose of reconnecting, usually in prayer, with God and oneself. ​ 

Our Sacred Spaces

The Upper Room

Located on the Ignis site, this space began life as a classroom but through the efforts of the Chaplaincy team and to mark the centenary year of St Joseph’s College, 2008 saw its dedication as a chapel. It features a bespoke stained-glass window representing key passages from the Gospels.

Our Lady’s Hall

Located on the Ignis site, is the original chapel of St Joseph’s College. It features a large glass backed sanctuary which floods the chapel with light each morning. The chapel is located in the heart of the College and is used not only for Mass but for community gatherings such as Collective Worship.

Bede Chapel

Located on the Ardor site, it was dedicated as part of the new school buildings of St Bede’s in 1937. It houses many important memorabilia including the presidential chair of the first Headteacher, Fr Arthur Hinsley, later Cardinal Hinsley. The Sanctuary has increased in size having undergone a reordering in the early 2000s. This Chapel is also used for Mass as well as for Collective Worship.