CHAPLAINCY
At St. Gregory’s we have a well established Chaplaincy and a beautiful chapel that provides an intimate space within our school community for prayer, Eucharist, small group work and a variety of forms of ministry. The school chaplain walks alongside pupils and staff encouraging, supporting and helping to create a deeply spiritual environment to study and work in. Our hope is that all who come here will find our school a welcoming, vibrant and dynamic Catholic community.
The chaplaincy is open throughout the school day and pupils and staff are welcome to come at any time to spend time quietly in prayer or to ask for prayerful support. A number of staff gather 4 days a week for morning prayer and to intercede for the school community. Mass is celebrated once a week during a lunchtime and we have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament before morning prayer and during a Monday lunchtime. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated particularly during Advent and Lent and other devotional prayer times include the Rosary. We are also visited by priests from the Brent Deanery and for this we are most thankful and very blessed.
The Maranatha group, a worship choir and band, meets weekly to prepare for the major seasons within the liturgical calendar. Special services and assemblies are held throughout the school year including Advent and Lent celebrations for parents, students and staff. The sixth form has its own prayer meeting and is very involved in the work of the chaplaincy.
A retreat programme is run throughout the year allowing each form in years 7,8,9 and 10 with its tutor to take part in a retreat. These days create a wonderful opportunity to build deeper relationships with God and each other. There are also residential retreats offered to students each year. Year 12 begins with a two day induction retreat and the Bright Lights Festival is well supported by the students. This year we will celebrate a whole school Mission with the Sion Catholic Community for Evangelism. This very gifted community is the leading provider of school and parish missions within the Catholic Church in England.
The Chaplaincy supports and encourages the many fund raising events that take place throughout the school year to raise funds for the charitable organisations we support. The soup and bread fasts and the Giant Picnic are run by the Sixth Form and very much enjoyed by the students and staff.
Most of all, the Chaplain is available to provide a safe and welcome space where together we can discover what it means to walk with Jesus and allow him to become our way, our truth and our life.
Michael Coughlan
