“Sacred Spaces must foster a culture of encounter” – Pope Francis
At St. Joseph’s we believe that every student and staff member must have access to and ownership over sacred spaces. As a result, every form class is required to have a sacred space or prayer display that is created and updated by the students. Tutor groups upload prayers, reflections or spirited artwork such as El Salvadoran crosses on key saints studied in their Thursday Prayer Curriculum.
Our school chapel is used weekly for Tuesday’s silent adoration, Friday’s Funky Friday Fellowship and for class Celebration of the Words. In the spirit of stewardship we have acquired new pews, a tabernacle and a crucifix from other churches in the diocese that were closing down to create a space where students can reflect, have some spiritual peace and grow in their relationship with Jesus.
We have also established a multi-faith prayer room so that students from other faith traditions can use that for their own prayer needs. Pope Leo XIV called us to ‘build bridges’ and we believe that all students and staff from all faith traditions deserve a place where they can pray. The word Catholic means ‘universal’ and to be a truly Catholic school we must cater for the faith needs of students and staff from all traditions. This is especially used during Ramadan for students to be able to pray at break and lunch time and to support them in their fasting.