St Gregory the Great Catholic School

Catholic Life

Our Chapel

Our Chapel is situated in the centre of the site, a constant visual reminder to us that Christ is at the centre of our school community and activity.

Our unusual shaped circular chapel seats around ninety people and is a place of peace and refuge from our busy life for the whole community. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in our Chapel and its doors are open before school, break time and lunchtime for prayer.

St Gregory the Great School Prayer

God our Father,

we ask you to bless us and our school.

Send your Holy Spirit to guide us on our journey and

help us to walk in your ways,

where together

we live,

love,

learn and celebrate.

Through Jesus Christ your Son.

Amen.

Brother Martin Mikuskiewicz – Priest Chaplain

I moved into Greyfriars, Oxford on the 9th November 2020 after a 10 year absence after I finished my studies here. I am the new parish priest at St. Edmund & St. Frideswide and the Guardian of our Capuchin fraternity. I was born in Poland many, many years ago and came to the UK in 1995, joining my local Catholic Secondary School in Year 10 in East London.

I felt called to the Capuchin way of life since I was 17, whilst doing my A' levels. Having studied theology at university I joined the Capuchin friars in 2003. After my perpetual profession I did Franciscan Studies in Canterbury. I was ordained a priest on the 25th January 2014, and since that time have studied at the Institute of St. Anselm (Margate) where I was involved in human psycho-spiritual development and I gave lectures in counselling skills. At the same time I assisted in the Human Formation field at St. John's Seminary in Wonersh for a few years.

In a nutshell, it seems I've never stopped learning and that is what makes the life of a friar so exciting for me. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all a bit better and being a part of the family at St. Gregory's.

Br. Martin Mikuskiewicz OFM Cap

Religious Life

“Provision for catholic life is extensive and comprehensive… there is an innovative and extensive approach which is much appreciated by students and impacts on their lives”

(RE & Catholic Life Inspection, Section 48 Report)

Central to a catholic school is its masses and liturgies:

“There is careful planning of Masses and evidence that they are becoming focus points in school life”

(RE & Catholic Life Inspection, Section 48 Report)

Since the Mass is the source and summit of our faith, great importance is placed on these times of collective worship where all are included.

Mass and Liturgies

Secondary school students receive:

One tutor group Mass a year in the Chapel.
Year group Masses on Holy days of Obligation and special feast days such as All Saint’s Day, Ascension Day and the Feast of St Peter and St Paul.
Whole school Masses twice a year in the Sports Hall for our School Feast Day in September and our End of Year Celebration.

There are many special liturgies to mark important feast days of the Church’s liturgical year, including:

Remembrance Day, Advent and Lent Reconciliation, Ash Wednesday, and Foot Washing for example. All of these services are, in part, prepared and lead by students.

Assemblies

Each week students receive year group Assemblies based on the theme of the Gospel for the following Sundays from a senior member of staff or a member of the Chaplaincy team. As well as receiving whole year information form their Head of Year, students receive an understanding of Gospel Values and Virtues and how these can be lived out in their daily life.

“Students from early years to KS5 develop and awareness of the importance of prayer. Throughout the school there is respect for the quiet moments.”

(RE & Catholic Life Inspection, Section 48 Report)

Retreats

Retreats provide regular opportunities for students to stop, take a step back and ask life’s big questions. Throughout the year all students have the opportunity to go on a day or residential retreat.

The following retreats are offered:

Year 7 Day Retreats (September)
Year 7 and Year 8 Alton Castle Residential Retreat (November)
Year 9 Soli House Residential Retreat (April)
Year 10 St Cassians Kintbury Residential Retreat (June)
Year 11 St Cassians Kintbury Residential Retreat (January)
Sixth Form St Cassians Kintbury Residential Retreat (October)
Sixth Form Taize Pilgrimage, France Residential (July)

“Students grow in an understanding of the role of religion in their lives, and an awareness of their role within the community of the School.”

(RE & Catholic Life Inspection, Section 48 Report)