Catholic Life

Miss. L Cole - Religious Education Lead and RSE Co-ordinator

Mrs. R Bailey - Catholic Life Governor

At St Gregory's, our vision is to support our children to attain a deeper knowledge and spiritual understanding of their Catholic faith. We guide, support and prepare children to be ambassadors of Christ within their daily lives through the teachings of Jesus, worship, prayer and creating enjoyment in meaningful spiritual encounters with Christ. 

The teaching of Religious Education is at the heart of everything we do at St Gregory's, and helps us to fulfil our motto to love, learn and grow with Jesus. As a Catholic school we aim to educate the whole child, and our ethos is inseparable from the curriculum. Religious Education is taught through lessons using our Birmingham Diocesan programme 'Learning and Growing as the People of God' and also through celebrations, prayer and everyday experiences in school, in addition to exploring our mission in all curricular subjects.

Our School Mission Statement

Called as God's family, we build our lives in the image of Christ, together. As faithful stewards of St. Gregory, we love, learn and grow with Jesus.

School Motto

As faithful stewards of St. Gregory, we love, learn and grow with Jesus.

Mass

The children attend Mass with the parish a minimum of half termly in year groups. Additionally, we celebrate together at the beginning of each term and on feast days throughout the year. Parents and parishioners are invited to join all our Masses. 

Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Reconciliation

Children begin their preparation for First Holy Communion and Confession when they begin Year Three. We begin with a unique experience to St Gregory's called 'The Service of Light' where each child receives Jesus' light to strengthen them in their preparation to receive the sacraments. Children will make their First Reconciliation in Lent and their First Holy Communion on The Feast of Corpus Christ. 

Prayers

Prayer is a special part of our day. Children pray at various times during the school day including before and after lunch, and morning and end of day prayers. In addition to this, children experience different prayers and ways to pray in weekly class prayer and whole school assemblies. Each of our classes, are introduced and learn a set of prayers as they begin each year group, to widen their knowledge. We love that our children take a role in leading prayer and acts of Collective Worship right from Reception.

Our staff all begin staff meetings with a focus on prayer, and are involved in termly spiritual experiences delivered by One Life Music. 

Relationship Sex Education

Relationship Sex Education OverviewRSE Parent GuideRSE Ten Ten Parent Booklet

Religious Education Long Term Plans

Religious Education at St Gregory'sWhole School Long Term Plan 2023 - 2024 (Including RE and RSE)

Faith-filled in their beliefs and hopeful for the future. By passing on the living and faith-filled tradition of Jesus Christ; by having persevering faith in the pupils, and by encouraging them, in turn, to have faith and hope in others.

Learned, finding God in all things; and wise in the ways they use their learning for the common good. By the breadth and depth of the curriculum; by excellence of teaching, and the creation of opportunities to become more learned and wise.

Eloquent and truthful in what they say of themselves, the relations between people, and the world. By developing an eloquent language which pupils can use to understand and articulate their emotions, beliefs, and questions, encouraged by the example of their teachers to be truthful in the way they represent themselves and speak about the world.

Curious about everything; and active in their engagement with the world, changing what they can for the better. By leading pupils to be curious about the universe and all human activity, and to take increasing responsibility for their own learning, and by providing opportunities for them to be active in the life of the school, the Church, and the wider community.

Intentional in the way they live and use the resources of the earth, guided by conscience; and prophetic in the example they set to others. By being a school community which is intentional in its way of proceeding to build-up quality of life; and which is prophetic in the way it offers an alternative vision of education and the human person rooted in the gospel.

Attentive to their experience and to their vocation; and discerning about the choices they make and the effects of those choices. By promoting the practice of attentive reflection and discerning decision making: in teaching, in the examen, prayer and retreats; and through the practice and example of school leaders and staff.

Compassionate towards others, near and far, especially the less fortunate; and loving by their just actions and forgiving words. By being compassionate and loving in the way pupils are treated, especially when a pupil is in trouble; and by opening pupils’ eyes to those who suffer poverty, injustice or violence.

Grateful for their own gifts, for the gift of other people, and for the blessings of each day; and generous with their gifts, becoming men and women for others. By encouraging them to know and be grateful for all their gifts, developing them to the full so that they can be generous in the service of others.

Taken from the Jesuit Pupil Profile.

Catholic Pupil Profile IntentJesuit Pupil Profile BookletAll you need to know about the Pupil Profile (Jesuit)

Our Gospel Value Journals

At St Gregory's, each of our classes has a Gospel Virtues and Values Journal where they record their spiritual encounters, and respond activities as part of weekly Collective Worship. We are extremely proud of the journals, and are always showing our visitors the deep and spiritual reflections created by the children within them.

Fundamental British Values

Solidarity and the Common Good

Speaking clearly and showing respect to our neighbours in the community who are in need.

Saint: St. Therese of Lisieux

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

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.

Saint: St. Joseph the Worker

Rights and Responsibilities

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

Saint: St Vincent de Paul

Stewardship of God’s Creation

Being wise in how we share the world and work together to promote how we can use resources wisely.

Be learned in what our role is to help ‘Our Common Home’.

Saint: St. Francis of Assisi

Option for the poor and vulnerable

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

Saint: Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Dignity of the Human Person

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

Saint: St Maximilian Kolbe

Family and Community

Encourage our pupils to think beyond the family to the local, national and global communities of which we are a part and what it means to be a neighbour.  

Know what it means to be members of the Church community.

Saint: The Holy Family

What are the Catholic Social Teachings?St Gregory's Catholic Social Teaching Plan

'Praise the Saints'

At St Gregory's, we value the importance and beauty in learning about our Beloved Saints to help all our staff, parents and children to learn from their sacred missions and model. Each of our classes have a Class Saint, who they pray to and learn about each year. In addition, we have a whole school 'Focus Saint of the Year'. To help encourage all children to learn about Saints, and the meaning of Vocation, we hold an annual Saints Museum, also known as 'Praise The Saints Day'. The children's prayer projects completed as homework are all displayed in the school hall, and each class spends time in the museum to learn from our Saints, and take their actions out into the world. Our parents are invited to celebrate and learn about the role model of the Saints. 

Saint Prayer Project (Year 6 Example)Saints Museum Special Invitation

Praise the Saints Day 2021

Our Saints Museum 2020

Year 6 celebrating Pope John Paul II Feast Day

Deacon Owen visited St Gregory's to deliver a Whole School Vocations Assembly, and delivered a workshop for our Year Six before their transition to Key Stage Three.

Children begin their preparation for First Holy Communion and Confession when they begin Year Three. We begin with a unique experience to St Gregory's called 'The Service of Light' where each child receives Jesus' light to strengthen them in their preparation to receive the sacraments. Children will make their First Reconciliation in Lent and their First Holy Communion on The Feast of Corpus Christ.                                              

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This is the Sacrament of forgiveness, of God’s loving mercy and of conversion. As with the other sacraments it was instituted by Jesus Christ himself. It was on Easter Sunday when Christ first appeared to the Apostles after his Resurrection. Breathing on them, he said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained”.

We are all sinners and struggle in the pursuit of holiness. God gave us all free will to make our own choices and we often fail to follow his teachings or even to recognise our own sinfulness. Each time we sin, we deprive ourselves of God’s grace and distance ourselves from his love, but we can be reconciled to him by being truly sorry and asking for his forgiveness. We do this by confessing our sins to a priest who is, in this sacrament, “in persona Christi” (in the person of Christ). Jesus throughout his ministry welcomed sinners who were truly penitent. It is God, through the priest, who will forgive us and in so doing grace will be restored to our souls and we can once again try to resist sin.

Catholics as a minimum should go to confession once a year, especially during Lent as part of their spiritual preparation for Easter. The Church, however, recommends that they should receive the sacrament regularly and willingly to embrace it as a gift from a loving God. The more often a sinner examines his own conscience, the more discerning he becomes and the more likely, with the grace of the sacrament and the advice from the priest, he will be able to conquer the roots or habit of sin.

It is perfectly normal not to find it easy to confess sins. To make a good confession time needs to be taken to make a thorough examination of conscience beforehand, maybe at home or in the quiet of the church. Don’t hold anything back – sometimes this is for fear of what the priest may think. A priest either through his own experience in the confessional or during his seminary training will be able to handle pretty much anything and will have heard most things many times before. A priest wants nothing more than to be able to heal the breach between a penitent and God.

Sacrament of First Holy Communion

The Parish of St Gregory and St Gregory’s Primary School enjoy a close working partnership which ensures children are able to grow steadily in their faith. Masses for each school year are held on a regular basis in St Gregory’s church. In the Archdiocese of Birmingham preparation for First Holy Communion is undertaken in School within the RE curriculum. In year 3 children are prepared for both the sacrament of Reconciliation and for the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Children will be taught about their relationship with God, with the Church and with the wider faith community.

It is important, therefore, that there is a family commitment to this programme and regularly attending Sunday Mass will be a vital part of the child’s journey. Preparation for these sacraments will be a special time in their spiritual development.

Children will make their First Holy Communion at either Our Lady of Peace or St Gregory’s Church. The children will have learnt that Catholics believe that the Holy Eucharist is Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament ( the consecrated host and wine). It is the source and summit of our Faith; there is no more precious gift than to receive Jesus himself in the Holy Eucharist.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Sacrament of Confirmation confers special graces of the Holy Spirit upon the person being confirmed, just as such graces were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost. Like Baptism, therefore, it can only be performed once, and Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:

• it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation [as sons of God] which makes us cry, “Abba! Father!”;
• it unites us more firmly to Christ;
• it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
• it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
• it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

Parish Programme

The parish programme is run bi-annually for candidates at Year 10 level or older. Anyone interested should complete an application form and return to the parish office together with a letter addressed to the parish priest on why he/she wants to be confirmed.

It is expected that candidates, their families and sponsors attend the Youlbury weekend camp. There will also be a Day of Recollection prior to Confirmation.

The sessions are run in relaxed style, inter-active, lively and enjoyable. Together the candidates explore the deeper meaning of what it is to be a Christian in today’s world, discover the richness and treasures of the Church and most importantly, develop a closer and more personal relationship with God.

As with other sacraments, faithful weekend Mass attendance is an integral and important part of this preparation.

For more information please contact the parish office by email:stgregorysua@btconnect.com

 or telephone:

01789 292439

All you need to know about BaptismAll you need to know about ReconciliationAll you need to know about Confirmation

St. Gregory's Church

The site for the church was bought on 5th April 1850. The building was completed on 30th July 1866 and the church was opened and dedicated to St. Gregory the Great on 23rd October 1866.

In the 1950’s Catholic population of Stratford upon Avon was increasing to such an extent that in 1956 it was suggested that a site for a new church on the west side of town should be found. This was blessed in 1962 and the church was opened on 22nd May 1973. It was dedicated to Our Lady of Peace.

For more information on the History of the Parish please visit: St Gregory The Great Parish

Mass Times

St Gregory’s

• Saturday: 5.30pm
• Sunday: 11.15am
• Monday: 9.30am
• Tuesday: 9.30am
• Wednesday: 9.30am
• Thursday: 9.30am
• Friday: 9.30am

Our Lady of Peace

• Sunday: 9.30am

Confession

• Saturday: 9.30 - 10am at St. Gregory's Church

Contact Information

 stgregorytg.sua@rcaob.org.uk

01789 292439

Address:

St. Gregory’s Church
Warwick Road,
Stratford-upon-Avon,
CV37 6UJ

Our Lady of Peace RC Church,
Church Lane,
Shottery,
Stratford-upon-Avon,
CV37 9HQ​

St Gregory The Great Church WebsiteArchdiocese of Birmingham Education ServiceArchdiocese of Birmingham

Throughout your child's journey at St Gregory's, they learn, enjoy and reflect on a range of prayers. Each year group will reflect on a set of year group prayers, as listed below. 

Reception

• The Sign of the Cross
• Grace Before Meals
• Grace After Meals
• Morning Prayer
• Prayer at the End of the Day
• Our Father
• Hail Mary

Year One

• Act of Faith, Hope and Love
• Glory Be
• Prayer to the Guardian Angel

Year Two

• Act of Faith
• Act of Hope 
• Eternal Rest
• Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
• The Joyful Mysteries

Year Three

• Act of Love
• Act of Sorrow
• The Angelus
• The Luminous Mysteries 

Year Four

• Prayer to the Guardian Angel
• Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester
• The Memorare
• The Sorrowful Mysteries

Year Five

• Regina Caeli
• The Magnificat
• The Glorious Mysteries
• Diocesan Prayer for Vocations

Year Six

• Hail Holy Queen
• Prayer to the Holy Spirit
• The Rosary 
• Stations of the Cross