St. Joseph’s has two chaplains on staff. Ms. Woodward, formerly the head of the art department, is the part-time Catholic lay chaplain. Reverend Lara is the full-time Anglican (Church in Wales) chaplain.
The chaplains help create and lead liturgies, form prayer, assemblies, chapel services, staff prayer, whole school Eucharists, and prayer during health days and staff inset days. The most important thing they offer, however, is their presence; if a student or member of staff is struggling with something, the chaplains are available to sit with, listen, and pray with them.
Throughout the week the chapel is used by students to support them in their spiritual and mental well-being. Every day at break time the chapel is open for students to visit with a chaplain, pray, or de-stress.
The chaplaincy team offers services and activities during the first part of lunchtime (12:30-12:45). They are as follows:
Monday: Taizé Prayer
Tuesday: Check-in with the Chaplains
Wednesday: Fiction & Flicks
Thursday: Check-in with the Chaplains
Friday: Noonday Prayer
On Mondays Reverend Lara offers an after-school Bible Study Club where students have time to go deeper with their faith and have the freedom to ask questions about anything in the Bible. Topics in the past have included life issues and what the Bible says about them, sin and forgiveness, and an exploration of the psalms, among others. If you are curious and want to explore your faith, the Bible Study Club meets every Monday from 3:30-4:30pm in the library and would love to have you join their discussion.
All pupils and staff are very welcome to participate in the activities and services offered in the chapel; it is your chapel, after all! Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the chaplains if you are struggling; they are here for you.
