STMS Prayer Book

I used to believe that prayer changes
things, but now I know that prayer
changes us, and we change things.

- Mother Teresa -

If there is one thing I could give you, it would be the
gift of faith. It makes the good times better and gives
you strength in the sad times.

Life is better and more beautiful with faith.

Praying is about having conversations with God. You
don’t need to say particular prayers, you can make up
your own. In fact, sometimes you don’t even need to
use words – just sitting and thinking about God can be
enough. However, we give you this prayer book so that
you can use it when you can’t think of your own words.
Learn the prayers and they can help you in times of
need, times of thanksgiving and times of joy.

Mr Sendall

Prayer is the opening of our heart to letting God be our friend
and guide.

Prayer and faith are such a blessing to have. They can bring
peace and guidance in all moments of life - the good times and the
bad. Prayer is something so special to each and every individual
and something we can all join together with. Prayer unites us,
guides us and helps us to change and grow.

If we can leave you with one footprint on your heart, let it be to
know that you are never alone. Prayer offers us guidance and a
never-failing friend to talk to, to be with, to celebrate with and
confide in.

We hope this prayer book helps you on your journey and
throughout your life. Know that God loves you and knows each of
you by name, and that prayer is available to everyone.

Mrs Takacs

School Values Prayer

Almighty Father,
Let me show dedication in all I do.
Help me to be forgiving to others,
showing empathy in all the ways I can.
Let me be generous in my actions

and with my heart,
just as you have taught us

and call us to be.

School Vision Prayer

Loving Jesus,
Guide us all so that we can help others to achieve

more than they ever thought possible
and help us all to make a difference to the world

by serving God by helping others.
Amen

School Stewardship Prayer

My school is made up of people like me.
I help to make it what it is.

If I am friendly, it will be a friendly school.
Great work can be done, if I work.

Much good will be done if I do good deeds.

It can be a school with much happiness,
if I care for everyone.

If I choose to live my life caring for
everyone I meet,

I truly have the power to make this school
an even happier place.

Therefore, with the help of God, I shall
dedicate myself to the task of being all the

things that I want my school to be.

Saint Thomas More’s Prayer

Almighty Jesus, my sweet Saviour Christ,
With your own almighty hands, you washed
the feet of your twelve disciples, not only

of the good, but of the traitor too.

Help me never have such pride enter into
my heart, as to think myself above the task
of washing the feet of either friend or foe.

Help me to serve you by serving others, and
to always be the king’s good servant, but
yours first.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come,
and Thy Will be done,

on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

House Patrons’ Prayer

Loving Father,
Help us to be dedicated to doing what is
right, like Colvin,
Empathetic to the needs of others,
like Romero,
Show forgiveness, like Gandhi,
And helps us to act generously towards
others, like Therese.
Amen

KS1 Morning Prayer

Father in heaven,
you love me.

You’re with me night and day.
I want to love you always, Lord,

In all I do and say.
I’ll try to please you Father,

Help me through the day.

Amen

KS2 Morning Prayer

To you, Lord Jesus,
I offer this day,

all my work and all my play,
all I think and all I say.

Please watch and guide me,
night and day,
keep me safe

and help me stay close to you
in every way.

Amen

Grace: Prayers before meals

Bless us, O God,
as we sit together.
Bless the food we eat today.
Bless the hands that make the food.

Bless us, O God.
Amen.



Thank you for our food,
and thank you for our friends.
Thank you for the blessings, that your Spirit sends.
Bless us all, dear Lord, as round this table share, and
make us truly thankful as we offer you this prayer.

Amen.



Bless us, O Lord,
and these thy gifts
which we are about to receive
from your goodness,
through Christ, our Lord,

Amen



Thank you, God, for food and prayer.
Teach us how to love and share.
Amen

Christ has no body on Earth now but ours

Lord Jesus Christ,
You have no body on Earth now but ours;
No hands but ours,
No feet but ours.

Ours are the eyes through which your compassion
must look out on the world.

Ours are the feet by which you may still go about
doing good.

Ours are the hands with which you help people
now.

Bless our minds and bodies,
That we may be a blessing to others.
Amen

Adapted from St. Teresa of Ávila’s Prayer



Pope Francis’ Five Finger prayer

Use Pope Francis’ Five Finger Prayer to help you
remember who to pray for.

When someone dies

It is sad when someone dies, but it can help to
remember that the person we have lost is now
with God in Heaven. There is a special prayer
which we can say for them.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace.
Amen

KS1 End of day prayer

God, our Father,
I come to say,

thank you for your love today.
Thank you for my family

and all the friends you give to me.
Guard me in the dark of night

and in the morning send your light.

Amen.

KS2 End of day prayer

Lord,
As this day comes to an end
Thank you for all the blessings you

send.
Thank you for keeping me close to you
And thank you for guiding all that I do.

Lord, please stay with me throughout
this night,

Your flame of love, keep burning bright.
And if today I strayed from you,

tomorrow our friendship, please renew

Amen

Bedtime prayer

As I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May angels watch me through the night
And keep me safe till morning light.

Amen.

The Liturgical Year

The Liturgical Year is divided into times of waiting and celebration, linked to the
life of Jesus.

Ordinary time does not actually mean ‘ordinary’ in the way we normally think of
the word. It comes from the Latin word ordinalis, meaning ‘numbered’. An easy
way to think of this time is as a time of counting down towards the next
important season in the Church’s year.

Prayers & Responses from The Mass

Confiteor Nicene Creed
I confess to almighty God I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
and to you, my brothers and of all things visible and invisible.
sisters,
that I have greatly sinned, I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God,
in my thoughts and in my words, born of the Father before all ages.
in what I have done and in what
I have failed to do, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
through my fault, through my begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
fault, through my most grievous through him all things were made.
fault; For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
therefore, I ask blessed Mary and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
ever-Virgin, and became man.
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
sisters, he suffered death and was buried,
to pray for me to the Lord our and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
God.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the
Gloria Father.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of He will come again in glory to judge the living
good will. and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
We praise you, we bless you, we
adore you, we glorify you, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
we give you thanks for your who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
great glory. who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
Lord God, heavenly King, O God,
almighty Father. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
Begotten Son, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of and the life of the world to come.
the Father, Amen.
you take away the sins of the
world, have mercy on us; Sanctus
you take away the sins of the Holy, Holy, Holy
world, receive our prayer; Lord God of hosts.
you are seated at the right Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
hand of the Father, Hosanna in the highest.
have mercy on us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord, Lamb of God
you alone are the Most High, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy have mercy on us.
Spirit, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
in the glory of God the Father. have mercy on us.
Amen. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.

Use the reflections
on the next few

pages to take time
to think about
things

Stop and think

Stop and think about how amazing the world is.

Stop and think about how diverse life is.

Stop and think about how unique you are.

Stop and think about how fortunate you are.

Stop and think about the kindness you’ve shown
and been shown.

Stop and think about how many times you’ve
been blessed.

Stop and think about how often you’ve forgiven
and been forgiven.

Stop and think about how strong you are.

Stop and think about how loved you are.

Stop and think…

Reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

• Do I think about God every day?
• Do I say my prayers?
• Do I respect God’s name?

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

• Am I kind to others?
• Do I do what Jesus wants me to do?
• Do I share with others?
• Am I helpful to my family?
• Do I show respect to others?

Give us this day our daily bread

• Do I remember to say thank you?
• Do I appreciate the good things I have in my life?
• Do I think of ways to help those who have no food?
• Do I take things that don't belong to me?

Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

• Do I say I’m sorry when I have been wrong?
• Do I forgive and forget when someone does something bad to me?
• Do I help solve problems between my friends or do I cause more trouble?
• Do I say bad things about people who have hurt me?

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

• Do I play fairly in sports and games?
• Do I cheat in school?
• Do I tell the truth?
• Do I set a good example by my kindness?
• Do I let other people tempt me to do things I know I shouldn't do?

Amen
‘Amen’ means “It is”. How do I show that I believe the words I pray?

Making a Difference

Sometimes it can feel that we can’t make much of a difference in a
world, so what is the point in trying…?

One day a man was walking along the
beach. It was low tide, and the sand was
littered with thousands of stranded
starfish that the water had carried in and
then left behind.

The man began walking very carefully so as
not to step on any of the beautiful
creatures. Since the animals still seemed
to be alive, he considered picking some of
them up and putting them back in the
water, where they would be safe. The man
knew the starfish would die if left on the
beach's dry sand but he reasoned that he
could not possibly help them all, so he
chose to do nothing and continued walking.

Soon afterward, the man came upon a child It mattered to that one…
on the beach who was frantically throwing
one starfish after another back into the
sea. The man stopped and asked the child,
"What are you doing?"
"I'm saving the starfish," the child
replied.
"Why waste your time? There are so many
that you can't save them all so what does
it matter?" argued the man.
Without hesitation, the child picked up
another starfish and tossed the starfish
back into the water and said…
"It mattered to that one."

The Cracked Pot

There was once an elderly Chinese woman who had two large pots, each hanging on the ends of a
pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it and leaked water while
the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long
walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two whole years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of
water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot
was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had
been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the
stream: “I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the
way back to your house.”

The old woman smiled, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of
the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known
about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every
day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to
pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just
the way you are, there would not be this beauty.”

Footprints

One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord, across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and hardest times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed you the most, you would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you;
never, ever, during your trials and difficult times.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."

Preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation

dWhen we reconcile we rebuil our relationships; we make things better between

ourselves and other people. When we do things wrong, we also need to reconcile our
relationship with God, and we do this through the sacrament of reconciliation.

Before we meet God in the sacrament, we need to reflect on how we have been living our
lives. What have we been doing wrong? How can we change?
Asking ourselves questions about this can help. We call this an examination of conscience.
Pope Francis knows how important it is to rebuild our relationship with God, and so he has
suggested some questions which we should think about before we make our confession.
Take the time now to ask yourself these questions.

Do I only turn to God when I’m in need?
Do I take attend Mass on Sundays?
Do I begin and end the day with prayer?
Do I get angry too easily?
Am I honest and fair with everyone?
Do I honour and respect my parents?
Do I respect the environment?
Do I overdo it with how much I use electronics?
How do I use my time? Am I lazy?
Do I want to serve or to be served?
Do I dream of revenge and hold grudges?
Am I a builder of peace?

Now think about how you can change in order to show that you are sorry.

Quality Time with God

REFLECT
Think of prayer as quality time. People often say they like to spend quality time with their
families and friends. A lot of the time, the phrase is used by people complaining that
there simply isn’t enough of it!

We all need to take time to reflect and think by ourselves, and we all need to spend time
with those we love. We need to talk to them, we need to listen to them, and we need to
be open to growing and learning from the encounter. This is at the heart of friendship
and love.

It can be helpful to see prayer in the same way. Prayer is quality time with God. Prayer
is our chance to be with somebody who knows us better and loves us more than anybody
else ever can. Prayer is our chance to listen to God and to share whatever we want with
Him in whatever way we want.

There are a lot of different ways to pray. One of the most effective though, is just
simply to talk to God, chatting like He is your friend.

But how often do we really take the time to pray? How often do we make a priority of
setting aside time, shutting out distractions and talking to God?

PRAY
Loving Father,
I know you are always there for me and I know you are always
listening, always caring, always loving, and always encouraging.
May I always turn to you in prayer and share with you where I
am in life and what’s on my mind. May I always be prepared to
listen to your response and to let the experience change me.
Amen.

DO
Your challenge is to set aside ten minutes for God.
Go somewhere by yourself, shut out any noise, any distractions, and just talk to God in
your heart. Use your own words and be as honest as you can. Then spent a bit of time in
silence and listen to God – in other words, see if you feel like there is something God is
wanting you to know in your heart.

A Reflection on Peace

REFLECT
One thing that is talked about a lot is peace. Jesus talked about it, Jesus left us peace,
the Church talks about it, we talk about it in school, nations talk about it and there are
huge organisations – in the Church and elsewhere – devoted to trying to build it.

The idea of peace asks a few questions of us…

Do we make space for peace in our own lives so that we can pray and think?
Do we try to build peace with our friends and families?
Do we lead lives that heal and love… or do our lives make thing less peaceful?

PRAY DO
Loving Father, Your challenge is to spend a few
I thank you for the peace you bring me minutes thinking about peace…
and for the peace you bring to our world.
Be with all those people who need peace How can you be a peacemaker?
and be with me as I go through my life. At school?
May I always be an instrument of your At home?
peace, wherever I go. In life?
Amen.

St Francis’ Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.