Catholic Life

 

About Mini Vinnies

Mini Vinnies are a worldwide group for primary school children, developed by the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP).  Mini Vinnies are encouraged to see Christ in themselves and others through prayer, discussion and looking at social issues. 

Mini Vinnies at St Patrick’s are a group of children who meet regularly to learn more about prayer and the importance of putting their faith into action.  The children are supported by Mrs Williams and Mrs Railton.

Each meeting starts with a prayer, a scripture reading and a discussion/reflection on the readings.  The Mini Vinnies discuss how they can help others, family, friends, the local community and people in need, particularly our neighbours in developing countries. 

As Mini Vinnies, the children have their own ‘treasured’ Prayer, Pledge and Badge, a dedicated website and a range of bright and colourful documents which guide them in their formative steps – helping and enabling them to become in every sense, young Vincentians – or ‘Mini Vinnies’.

For further information please visit the ‘Mini Vinnies’ website.

The Work Of The Mini Vinnies

On 30^th September we supported the annual World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. It was wonderful to see so many of our families popping in to buy some cakes or staying to enjoy a cup of tea and a cake in the school hall. Thank you for all your donations which ensured that this event was a huge success. Thanks to our Mini Vinnies for doing such a great job serving up the tea and cakes in the hall.

Our Mini Vinnies helped to organise our Harvest donations to be sent to the local food bank and community shop. We received many generous donations, many thanks to all who supported this cause.

Reverse Advent Calendar

Our Mini Vinnies at St Patrick’s are encouraging families to take part in the Reverse Advent Calendar appeal.  The idea is based on the traditional Advent Calendar, but instead of taking things out, things are put into a decorated box. With the help of the local SVP, these will then be donated in time for Christmas.  

Book Sale

Our Mini Vinnies will be turning concern into action this Advent as they aim to raise money to buy presents for children who may be in a local hospital during the Christmas period. They will be holding a book sale to raise funds and would be very grateful for any donations of books. Thank you for your continued support.

 

Christmas Jumper Swap

Christmas Jumper Swap - 29th November 2023

Reduce waste and save money this year with our Christmas jumper swap.

Our Mini Vinnies have been putting their faith into action one again and have been considering how we can live out the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. 

 

Each class at St. Patrick’s has their own patron saint. Children learn about their saint, celebrate their feast day together and enjoy telling others about their class saint during school worship and liturgies.

Class	Class Saint	Saint's Day
Nursery	Saint Theresa	15th October
Reception	Saint Philip Neri	26th May
Reception/ Year 1	Saint Angela Merici	27th January
Year 1/2	Saint Theresa of Avila	15th October
Year 3	Saint Benedict	11th July
Year 3/4	Saint Vincent de Paul	27th September
Year 4/5	Saint Sebastian	20th January
Year 5	Saint Jude	28th October
Year 6- Mr Reid	Saint Maximilian Kolbe	14th August

Catholic Social Teaching is: 

The underlying insight is that everyone has the right and responsibility to live in our world constructively, not destructively, and to ensure that we leave it in a better state than when we entered it.

At the core of Catholic Social Teaching are a number of key concepts and principles. Chief among these are:

justice, human dignity, the common good, the principles of participation, solidarity, and subsidiarity, the universal destination of the world’s goods, and the option for the poor.
At St Patrick’s, we focus on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching as part of our RE curriculum and through projects that involve supporting charities and taking action.

Catholic Social Teaching in 3 minutes | CAFOD

Catholic Social Teaching in 3 minutes is a fast-paced animation from CAFOD introducing CST for young people.

 

 

At St Patrick’s, Catholic Social Teaching is incorporated into our curriculum. Children are asked to put their faith into action and reflect on how their learning enables them to do so.

Catholic Social Teaching underpins the essence of our daily school life. As members of the Catholic Church, we are all called upon to preserve the dignity of all human beings, to care for creation, and to reach out to our sisters and brothers in need. Pope Francis emphasises that it is our duty to work together to bring about a more just and peaceful world: to put love into action. It is vital that our children can articulate the connection between Jesus' teaching and doing good deeds. We use the CAFOD Catholic Social Teaching resources and the animal mascots to support the children’s understanding of principles.

The animal mascots are used with EYFS, KS1 and Lower KS2. The keys are introduced in the resources for Upper Key Stage 2.

We are called to uphold the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

 

 

 

Human Dignity – Everyone is Special

God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.“  Genesis 1:26

At St Patrick’s we recognise the human dignity of others by:

• being respectful
• treating people equally
• raising awareness of our rights
• celebrating our unique talents

 

The Common Good– Taking Part in our Communities

“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would... distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.” Acts 2:44-45

At St Patrick’s we show we are part of a community by:

• working together
• working for the common good
• participating and engaging
• being active members of our community
• fundraising for CAFOD
• foodbank donations

 

Participation – The dignity of Work

“Each of us has a part to play, a gift to share, a service to offer, for building up the Body of Christ in love.” Pope Francis.

At St Patrick’s we recognise the dignity of work by:

• respecting everyone
• contributing to society
• making responsible choices
• Parish links
• carrying out roles and responsibilities within school
• sharing our talents with others

Subsidiarity– All people Should have a Say

“...together we want to give voice to all those who suffer, to all those who have no voice and are not heard.” Pope Francis.

At St Patrick’s we acknowledge our rights and responsibilities by:

• recognising our duties as members of a community
• standing up for what is right
• following our school rules
• our School Council

 

Stewardship – Caring for God’s Creation and Gifts

“...the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ 159

At St Patrick’s we show we care for creation by:

• taking responsibility for our environment
• caring for our school garden
• picking up litter
• making environmentally responsible choices
• having awe and wonder for the natural world
• showing respect for God’s creation

 

 

Solidarity – We are One Big Family

“... all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

At St Patrick’s we show solidarity by:

• raising awareness of social justice
• the work of our Mini Vinnies
• charity work
• praying for others
• making links with our local community and Parish
• pupil leadership
• making socially responsible choices

 

Option for the poor – Some People need Extra Help

‘For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35-40

At St Patrick’s we show a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable by:

• fundraising for charitable causes
• The work of our Mini Vinnies
• raising awareness
• treating others with dignity and respect
• thinking of the needs of others

 

Distributive Justice – Being Fair

‘...we are agreed today that the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.’ Pope Francis, Laudato Si’

At St Patrick’s we recognise the need to share the worlds resources fairly by:

• celebrating Fair Trade Fortnight
• raising awareness of fairtrade products
• charity work
• by sharing our belongs

 

Promoting Peace – We can be God’s instruments of Peace

“...those who promote peace have joy.” Proverbs 12:20

At St Patrick’s we show we are people of peace by:

• treating each other with kindness
• turning away from conflict
• treating each other with respect
• playground buddies
• learning about other faiths
• creating bonds between people

Spring 2024

 

Holy Week

We were very busy during Holy Week in school!  

 

Our stations of the cross have been set up around school and children have spent some time reflecting on the events that led up to Jesus' death. 

Alongside this, children have had an opportunity to explore the Easter mystery and their own thoughts and feelings around Holy Week, through our Lenten Prayer Stations.

 

Today, we gathered as a school family to reflect on the profound significance of the Eucharist, where Jesus offered himself for our salvation.  

Supported by Deacon Wood, our Mini Chaplains planned and led a beautiful celebration of the Word.  Children were then offered an opportunity to spend some time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

 

 

Big Lent Walk

On Monday 25th March, we completed the Big Lent Walk to raise money for CAFOD. The bad weather didn't put us off and we still had lots of fun walking together to help raise vital funds to help communities around the world.  So far, we have raised over £1000!  Thank you so much for your support and generosity.

More Than Dance

On the 19th March,  we were lucky enough to receive a visit from More than Dance who helped the children to learn about and reflect upon the Easter story. The children loved learning their liturgical dance and it was wonderful to see them perform in our whole school celebration.

Family Fast Day

On Friday 23rd February, we held a Non-Uniform Day to raise money for CAFOD Family Fast Day. All the money we raised was donated to CAFOD.

Year of Prayer

In preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year, 2024 has been designated as a Year of Prayer by Pope Francis.

On the week beginning 4th March, we launched the Year of Prayer in school. We invited parents into school for a time of quiet prayer and reflection. The school hall was open from 8:45 each morning to give parents an opportunity to explore a range of prayer stations and engage in quiet prayer and reflection.

 

The Youth Village

On 26th February until the 28th, our Year 6 children attended the Youth Village in Consett. The theme for the retreat was Lost and Found. The children delved deeper into parables such as The Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin. The children thoroughly enjoyed their time and said they would love to go back!

 

Stations of the Cross

Thank you to our Mini Vinnies and Pin Award pupils who led the stations of the cross so beautifully in Church on 16th March, and to all the parishioners who joined us in prayer and reflection.

 

Visit to the Farooq E Azam Mosque

On Tuesday, our Lower Junior Children enjoyed a visit to the Farooq E Azam Mosque in Stockton. They learnt about the 5 pillars of Islam, the importance of prayer and about the different parts of the Mosque. The children behaved brilliantly and asked some very thoughtful questions during the visit. Thank you for having us and we look forward to visiting again soon.

 

St Patrick's Day

We had a lovely Day celebrating the life of St Patrick. We began by going to Mass as a whole school community.  We then spent the day learning about St Patrick, completing some fun St Patrick’s Day activities and we finished with a treat of crisps and a drink.   We would like to thank the parishioners who joined us in school after our St Patricks Day Mass and to the Mini Vinnies for serving refreshments.

 

Travelling Cross

Thank you to everyone who took the time to write a message in the travelling cross books, we hope you enjoyed sharing the Easter story with your family.  Here are some of your lovely comments:

“At 6 o’clock we lit the candle and set up the cross.  We started with the Easter prayer.  We all took a little time to say a prayer to reflect about Jesus.  It was lovely saying prayers about school.”

“We lit the Easter candle and read the story as a family.  We all really enjoyed listening and had lots of questions, so we discussed these.  We then finished by saying the Easter prayer.  God bless.”

 

Catholic Social Teaching

In school we have been learning about the Catholic Social Teaching principle of Stewardship. Stewardship is all about caring for the many gifts that God has given to us, including our environment. Year 1 and year 4 have been helping to care for our school environment by planting some beautiful flowers. Our Year 4 children will be helping our younger children to care for the flowers.

 

First Holy Communion

This term our Year 4 children made their first confession.  They are working hard, and they are very excited, as they prepare to make their First Holy Communion.  We keep all these children in our thoughts and prayers over the coming months.

Parish Priest

Canon John Cooper

St. Patrick’s Fairfield

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 7PL

Telephone (01642) 580171

Fax (01642) 580171

Glimpses of God – Celebrating the Catholic life of our school Autumn

On 30^th September we supported the annual World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.  It was wonderful to see so many of our families popping in to buy some cakes or staying to enjoy a cup of tea and a cake in the school hall after mass. Thank you for all your donations which ensured that this event was a huge success.  Thanks to our Mini Vinnies for doing such a great job serving up the tea and cakes in the hall and on the playground.

St Patrick’s Remembers

‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.’

 

On Friday November 10^th we gathered together as a school family to learn about and appreciate the significance of Remembrance Day.  At 11am we fell silent in prayer as an act of remembrance.  Each pupil painted a pebble which we put altogether to make made a poppy.

 

 

Soup Kitchen

Last week, Year One lived out the Catholic Social Teaching Principle of Participation and ran a soup kitchen for our church and school community. We picked our own vegetables, made the soup and served it to the community. We sold the soup for a small donation which we are using to buy books for Christmas for the children in North Tees Hospital to help our wider community.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came and took part in this very special day.

 

Christ Lives in Our Trust

Well done, to two of our Year 6 pupils who took part in the ‘Christ Lives In Our Trust’ event this morning. We joined other schools in our Trust, to welcome Bishop Stephen to the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust. It was wonderful to see all the children come together to perform, whilst celebrating their God-given gifts and talents.

 

 

Harvest Festival

This year, we collected donations for the Billingham and Stockton Foodbank.

 

CAFOD Workshop

On Thursday our KS2 children took part in Catholic Social Teaching workshops led by Steve Dent from CAFOD. They learnt more about the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, listened to the letters of Pope Francis and talked about how we are all global neighbours working for the common good. The children all made a pledge linked to a Catholic Social Teaching principle of their choice, which they were excited to share with families at home. If you would like to more about the principles of Catholic Social Teaching follow the link below.

https://cafod.org.uk/pray/catholic-social-teaching

 

St. Patrick, the beloved patron of Ireland, is renowned as the bishop who brought Christianity to Ireland, who used the three-leaflet shamrock to teach about the Trinity and who wrote the often-recited prayer that begins, Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me.

 

Patrick was born in Britain, the son of a Roman official. Patrick was kidnapped by Irish pirates as a youth and spent six years enslaved, tending sheep in the Irish wilderness. During this time of isolation and deprivation, Patrick often prayed hundreds of times a day, asking for God’s protection and guidance. Eventually, he escaped and traveled 200 miles to board a ship sailing for Britain. After a difficult journey, he finally returned home.

 

Patrick visited parts of Ireland where no missionaries had traveled. Although he was often threatened and even imprisoned, he boldly preached to the most powerful Irish kings. Despite this resistance, Patrick traversed the island for 40 years — humbly grateful to God the Father and joyfully inspired by the Holy Spirit — to preach about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

 

Before his death around 460, Patrick’s compassionate enthusiasm had effectively converted thousands to Christianity. The priests and religious formed in the many monasteries and convents he established spread Christianity into Northern Europe to inspire more missionaries, and Irish emigrants have spread love for him around the world.

 

Our parish family is of great importance to us. We look to our priest, Cannon Cooper and Deacon Wood, for spiritual guidance as they help us to find our own pathway to God. 

To read the latest news from our Parish, please visit the Parish website below.

www.parishfamilystockton.org.uk

Rainbows

At St. Patrick's we feel that supporting pupil’s mental health and wellbeing is paramount. We offer support sessions for any pupils struggling with loss or bereavement of any kind through the Rainbows Bereavement Support programme.

Rainbows is a well-respected national charity having a proven, positive impact on the lives of children, young people and adults grieving a significant and often devastating loss in their lives.

Rainbows: has three different levels and is suitable for children in Key Stage Two. Using journals, story books, games and activities, children learn to talk about their feelings in a safe secure environment with trained caring facilitators.

Quotes from children who have participated in the programme within the diocese:
“It helped me by letting all my feelings out”. Year 5 pupil
“I did not know I was not the only one”. Year 3 pupil

 

Please contact the school office if you feel your child would benefit from Rainbows Support.

For further information please feel free to visit the rainbow website: https://rainbowsgb.org/

To read the latest news from the Diocese, please visit the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese website below.

www.rcdhn.org.uk

To read the latest news from our Parish, please visit the Parish website below.

www.parishfamilystockton.org.uk

5th Sunday of Easter

Palm Sunday

5th Sunday of Lent

3rd Sunday of Lent

6th Sunday of the Year

St Patrick's Bulletin- 5th Sunday

3rd Sunday of the Year 2024

Church Bullentin

 

To celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade in the UK, we held a Fairtrade Day on Monday 29th April. We learnt about the importance of Fairtrade and how we can help to support the farmers and workers in developing countries, who grow lots of our food and drinks.

To support the work of the Fairtrade Foundation, we held a Tuck Shop, where children were able to buy various Fairtrade food products. 

 

 

In light of this day, year 5 and 6 have been creating some beautiful liturgical dances. Well done everyone for creating a meaningful story through your movements.

 

Please see some picture from our Stay and Pray sessions which started on Friday 19th April.

 

This week the KS1 CAFOD club have been hard at work promoting peace and looking after the common good of the infant yard by being buddies. Well done CAFOD club you have done a fabulous job.