St. Joseph’s has three chaplains on staff. Sister Maggie is part-time Catholic chaplain and a member of La Sainte Union, a religious order. Ms. Woodward, formerly the head of the art department, is 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, and prayer during health days and staff inset days. The most important thing they offer, however, is their presence; if a pupil 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 pupils to support them in their spiritual and mental well-being. Every day at break time the chapel is open for pupils to visit with a chaplain, pray, or de-stress.
The chaplaincy team offers services and activities during the first part of lunchtime (12:30-12:55). They are as follows:
Monday: Noonday Prayer [Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins summer term]
Tuesday: Justice & Peace
Wednesday: Creative Prayer and Calligraphy
Thursday: Fiction & Flicks
Friday: Taizé Prayer
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 don’t hesitate to get in touch with the chaplains if you are struggling; they are here for you.
