Education in Faith

ST CATHERINE'S LALOR WEST

Embracing Our Catholic Identity at St Catherine’s

At St Catherine’s, we are called to live out our Catholic identity in an ever-changing world through a deep and personal encounter with Christ. We honour the sacred dignity of every individual, recognising that each person in our school community is uniquely loved by God.

Religious Education is an essential part of our curriculum and is formally taught at every year level. We encourage students to engage in dialogue, think critically, and grow in faith.

The Religious Education curriculum is made up of the following three areas, seeking to encourage our students to see and respond to God their lives:

Knowledge and Understanding
Reasoning and Responding
Personal and Communal Engagement

We strive to live as Jesus taught us as we pass on our Catholic tradition.

A Sacred Space for Gathering - Fr Andrew Hub

Our school is blessed with a dedicated Sacred Space, a central place where we gather as a faith community to pray, reflect, and celebrate the life we share together in Christ. This space supports spiritual development and fosters a shared sense of reverence and belonging.

QUIET IN SPIRIT

Christian Meditation

Christian Meditation in Primary Schools: Beginning the Day in Stillness and Prayer

At the start of a school day, Christian meditation offers our students a beautiful opportunity to pause, be still, and become aware of God’s presence. As part of our morning prayer, this quiet, reflective practice helps set a calm and focused tone for the day ahead.

Christian meditation is introduced in an age appropriate way across all year levels. The practice is simple:

We gather quietly as a class
Students are invited to sit comfortably, close their eyes, and focus on their breath or a sacred word repeated silently.
Silence is held for a few minutes, gradually increasing with age.
A gentle sound signals the end, followed by a short prayer or reflection.

This regular practice helps children learn the value of inner peace, attentiveness, and spiritual connection offering a moment to encounter God not in noise, but in silence.

Starting the day with Christian meditation does more than create a peaceful classroom atmosphere; it supports students' overall wellbeing.

THE POWER OF SHARED PRAYER

Fellowship

Fellowship Through Prayer: Coming Together as a Faith Community

At St Catherine’s, we value the power of fellowship and shared prayer. Every fortnight, our school community gathers together to be led in prayer by one of our year levels. These gatherings take place at 8:45am in our sacred gathering space, creating a meaningful start to the day rooted in faith and connection.

Each prayer session reflects the creativity and spirituality of our students, who prepare reflections, readings, songs, and prayers based on themes from Scripture, liturgical seasons, or key gospel values. It is a time where we pause from our busy routines to pray, reflect, and sing together as one.

Families and friends are warmly invited to join us, and their presence adds to the sense of community and shared belief that we cherish at St Catherine’s. These special moments of fellowship strengthen the bond between home, school, and parish.

Christian Meditation

Fellowship

SACRAMENTAL LIFE

Sacraments

As a vibrant Catholic learning and celebrating community, we support and prepare our students to receive the Sacraments within the Catholic tradition. These sacred milestones are moments of grace, community, and deep spiritual formation. Our Sacramental program includes:

The Sacrament of Penance – A Rite of Healing
The Sacrament of the Eucharist – First Holy Communion
The Sacrament of Confirmation – A Rite of Commitment to the Catholic Faith

Through these Sacraments, we nurture the spiritual journey of our students, strengthening their relationship with God and the Church.

ST CATHERINE'S LALOR WEST