Our Chaplaincy

Welcome to Chaplaincy.

Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it’

1 Corinthians 12:27

Who we are

We are blessed to have a whole Chaplaincy team here at Corpus Christi:

Our Priest Chaplain is Fr Stephen Talbutt

Our Lay Chaplains, Joe and Ruth White, and Immy Horton, come from Metanoia Project – a Catholic Charity for the New Evangelisation, proclaiming the Word and serving the poor in Preston and beyond.

The team are passionate about sharing the Catholic Faith and helping others explore their own personal beliefs. We bring together a wealth of experience having worked with young people in a wide variety of settings. We have a deep desire to see young people recognise that they are loved and that God has a definite purpose for their lives, taking up their place as members of His body.

Christ is very much at the heart of this school, and, as a result, it provides a welcoming learning environment in which children are encouraged to flourish, and benefit from the unstinting care that they receive 

Denominational Inspection Report (Section 48) 2022

Facilities

Our brand new and purpose-built Chaplaincy area enables us to carry out a richly diverse ministry. The focal point is a stunning chapel, complete with beautiful stained glass windows, state-of-the-art sound system and, most importantly, the Blessed Sacrament. Pupils and staff are always welcome to spend a few quiet moments here in the busyness of the day, as well as joining us for our arranged liturgies and prayer times. Our chaplaincy room is a more active space where we work with larger groups. This space is also used by other faith groups within school for their own prayer times. As well as these larger spaces we have a Sacristy to prepare for the holy sacrifice of the Mass and our chaplaincy office where we are always available.

What we do

Walking Alongside

Chaplaincy plays a role in pastoral support in school with the chaplaincy team providing a safe space where pupils and staff can come and talk about anything. Making ourselves available in Il Cenacolo during break and lunchtimes to chat and spend time with pupils informally is also an important part of building relationships with all in school.

Prayer and liturgy is given the highest priority and is explicitly developed under the guidance of skilled school chaplains and senior staff….(It) is wellplanned and intended to make a real impact on pupils of faith (Catholic and other faiths) and those of no faith…. This strategic process, very much led by the chaplains, engages pupils and staff in the process of understanding scripture in the context of living today.

Denominational Inspection Report (Section 48) 2022

Prayer times throughout the day

• Morning prayer in form time
• Grace before Meals
• Afternoon prayer at the end of the day

Pupils and staff are involved with creating these prayer resources for the whole school to use. Various prayer-based activities happen at lunchtime throughout the year too to mark feasts and seasons or to respond to a particular need, such as the Rosary during October and May.

A permanent lunchtime fixture is Presence, our fortnightly opportunity for both Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the offer of Reconciliation, or a conversation with Fr Stephen for non-Catholics, to unburden ourselves of the weights we carry around.

Prayer and liturgy is given the highest priority and is explicitly developed under the guidance of skilled school chaplains and senior staff….(It) is well planned and intended to make a real impact on pupils of faith (Catholic and other faiths) and those of no faith…. This strategic process, very much led by the chaplains, engages pupils and staff in the process of understanding scripture in the context of living today.

Denominational Inspection Report (Section 48) 2022

Liturgy and Sacraments

We gather for Mass in the Chapel once a week, which everyone is very welcome to attend. Throughout the year, we have larger celebrations of Mass:

• Christmas, Easter and end of year whole school Masses
• Year 7 Welcome Mass
• Year 11 Leavers’ Mass
• Voluntary Mass on Holy Days of Obligation, including: All Saints, Ash Wednesday, Ascension, Ss Peter and Paul.

Pupils are involved in every celebration of Mass, in proclaiming the Word, singing in the choir and altar serving.

Other services throughout the year

During the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent, we have year group services to prepare our hearts and minds for the upcoming feasts of Christmas and Easter. For the Feast of Corpus Christi, our School feast, we have a Eucharistic procession during which the Blessed Sacrament is taken into every classroom to bless our school site, our pupils and our staff. A sweet treat is also made available free of charge to every pupil so we can truly feast together.

Sacramental preparation

For those who have yet to receive all of their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion) or who have yet to make their first confession (a Sacrament of healing: Reconciliation), we offer Sacramental preparation in school and encourage reception of Sacraments at each individuals’ home Parish or introduce them to St Clare’s as their Parish. 

Community Action

These groups are for pupils who have been identified by their Head of Year to be struggling with engagement in school. We aim to provide positive relationships and support for those who may not easily turn to adults for help. So far, these pupils have worked incredibly hard to revive the school’s garden and to grow vegetables that they could take home.

Extra-Curricular Clubs and Groups

• Chaplaincy Club for Year 8 and upwards
• Chaplaincy Club for Year 7
• Bronze Faith in Action Award
• Sacramental preparation

Retreats

Twice in their school career, pupils have the chance to come away on retreat to the Lancaster Diocesan retreat centre, Castlerigg Manor, in the Lake District. Year 8 go for three days at the beginning of the spring term and Year 10 go for five days in the middle of the summer term. These retreats enable us to strengthen staff relationships with the pupils and allows them time and space away from their busy lives to reflect on some of the bigger questions in life.

Enrichment

We make the most of every opportunity to spend time working with pupils through Extended Learning Days and supplementary RE Lessons with content around Marriage and relationships, Vocations and Hearing God’s voice, the Eucharist, the Mass, dignity and worth, among many others. At the start of their time at Corpus Christi, each Year 7 form spends a whole ‘Welcome Day’ in Chaplaincy, centred on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Fundraising

During Advent and Lent, we raise money for charity in two big house competitions. To find out more, please see the Fundraising page.