Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy at Loreto College, St Albans, works within the “Vision, Values and Philosophy” statement of Loreto Education in England. Its role is defined in this document as: “Helping students to strengthen their relationship with God through prayer, liturgy and action and (in) helping them reflect on their hopes and fears, dreams and gifts.”
Chaplaincy at Loreto, St Albans, is a team effort led by Mr Roberts. He works closely with the CJ Sisters, the clergy at St Alban and St Stephen and the Step team to ensure that the chaplaincy team’s remit is wide ranging and centred in light of the principles and ethos described above. At the heart of the chaplaincy team are the Sixth Form RE and liturgy prefects who nurture the gift of discernment both in themselves and those to whom they minister. The chaplaincy team are involved in the telling of Mary Ward’s story and in deepening staff and students’ understanding of the relevance of our core values to the day-to-day life of our school, leading and supporting preparation for liturgical events such as our Year 7 Welcome Mass, Year 13 Leavers’ Mass, weekly Mass, whole school Masses and Advent and Lent services. There are opportunities for one-to-one and small group spiritual development, prayer and reflection and we respond to major events in the life of the school and our students and staff. In response to the demand for confessions, we have (with the help of the Clergy at St Alban and St Stephen) increased the opportunities for the school community to participate in this sacrament.
The chaplaincy team works closely with the Senior Leadership Team, pastoral tutors and the RE department. Years 7-13 experience an annual retreat so as to emphasise the importance of reflection, both individually and as a community. Eucharistic ministers’ training is offered to confirmed students from Year 12 upwards and staff and students can train to become catechists going out to local schools to teach the younger children. Links are made between school, feeder primary schools and parishes. A vital part of the chaplaincy is our thriving JPIC group.
At Loreto St Albans there is a special emphasis on the Ignatian spirituality in which Mary Ward was steeped. Consequently, our approach to students and staff is rooted in a belief that God can be found in all things and that our own experience of day-to-day living is where God speaks to us. Each week, both staff and students are invited to pause and follow the Examen recording, which is prepared by students during PM Formation with the Liturgical Coordinator. This is then distributed to forms on Fridays, inviting them to pause towards the end of their week.
As part of our rich Ignatian heritage, we also invite our school community to participate in moments of reflection, encouraging the use of a variety of spiritualities and methods to pray. This is particularly encouraged with our formation programme. The Liturgical Coordinator meets with a form each morning, inviting them in moments of prayer and self-reflection. There are also moments of learning, for example, learning about the Loreto Crest, as well as the various signs and symbols within the school. PM formation invites Liturgy Monitors from a particular form to meet with the Liturgical Coordinator, planning prayers in which form prayers will be invited to pray the following week. Students are invited to participate in this act of leadership with confidence and support from the Liturgical Coordinator. We further encourage leadership through the awarding of Teresa Ball Merits to all those who participate on a daily basis, from their time in form, to their formation programme.
Students are also invited to participate in Adoration, each Tuesday lunchtime. The Liturgical Coordinator exposes the Blessed Sacrament and invites the school community to spend a short amount of time in prayer, reflection, or stillness. Students can take the Ignatian Spirituality and the variety of methods they experience within the formation programme to guide them through these moments of encounter.
We appreciate the various journeys our students may be on. At Loreto we offer the opportunity for Year 7 students to engage with an Alpha Course, a programme which invites students to share about their faith, regardless of background. We then ensure that students starting Year 12 can be encouraged and developed in their faith and leadership skills through the use of our Catechetical programme, training them to be leaders within the school community and beyond.
At the heart of the work of chaplaincy is care for the person. Our starting point is the belief that all our students and staff are created in the image and likeness of God, and all are offered the fullness of life. All those who lead within the liturgical experience, serve the needs of all students and staff,providing a setting where all are welcome and where lives and experiences can be shared in a safe and affirming atmosphere.