Vision

The Church has always been aware of the importance of a good Catholic education. This stage in the life of our children is vital in helping to build the foundations for a committed and stable adult Christian life.

“Together with, and in connection with the family, the school provides Catechesis with possibilities that are not to be neglected.” (Pope John Paul 11, Catechesis in our Time n69)

Ceili Community accords Primary School Missions a high priority in the work we do. To complement all that the family and the school community are doing in fostering religious education, our Missions are “directed towards the giving of witness in the faith” (Catechesis in our Time, n37)

Our Missions are designed to reach the whole school community – children, staff, parents and the wider Church in the local parish, by presenting the person of Jesus in a way that is relevant.

The Mission is led by a highly trained Team of 3 or 4 members, who are experienced in teaching and Mission work in schools. During the week long Mission we minister in a variety of ways through music, drama, mime, dance, instruction and prayer – giving the children and staff a joyful experience of ‘our own worth’, ‘the Father’s love’, ‘the Gospel message’ and what it means to be a catholic.



The goodwill and openness of all members of the school staff is essential to ensure the Mission’s success. All are invited to the Mission activities as well as to Morning Prayer, led by the Team each day before class begins.

Before the Mission

When a request comes for a Parish Mission the Pre-Mission Co-ordinator visits the Parish and offers the Primary School Mission in conjunction with the Preached Mission. He/she visits the schools, usually with the local priest and briefs the Principal and Staff on what is entailed.



Details are passed to the Leader of the Primary School Mission Team. About three/six months in advance of the Mission, the Team Leader visits the schools to meet with the Principal and Staff to give further information of how we proceed, and to get details of class numbers, facilities and the general ethos of the school.

A Primary School Mission may also be booked independently of the Parish Mission, in which case the Leader of the Primary School Team will visit the school and initiate proceedings.

About one month before the commencement of the Mission detailed Timetables are forwarded to the schools and to the Chaplains. The schools are requested to inform the parents by letter of the impending Mission and procedures, so that all concerned will be familiar with what will be taking place. Parents are invited to prayer each morning, to the Children’s Presentation at the end of the week and to a weekend Children’s Mass in the local church.

Programme

Setting Up
On arrival in the school the Team set up equipment and decoratively prepare the room or hall to ensure a welcoming environment for the Assemblies on the first morning.

Daily Routine
The Team begins the day with the Prayer of the Church – The Divine Office – to implore God’s blessings on their lives and work, the children in the school, the staff, the parents and the whole parish.

An introduction and prayer time with the staff follows and afterwards parents gather for a prayer time with the Team.

The Team then leads two or three Assemblies – depending on the size of the school. These consist of lively movement songs, sketches, puppet shows, instruction and prayer. Themes include ‘Creation’, ‘self worth’, God’s love, ‘forgiveness’, ‘Story of Salvation’, and ‘trust in God’.

After the Assemblies the Team members visit the classrooms for workshops in which the pupils are trained in presenting parts of the Gospel message and other Christian messages using mime, drama, dance, songs and sign language.

Each day, time is set aside for the children to experience ways of praying together in the classroom situation according to their various ages. These vary from linking in with the themes of the day, to praying for special intentions – families, needs of the church and the world etc. Usually senior classes are given an experience of quiet Prayer Meditation and praying from the Scriptures.

Evening Presentation

Evening Presentations towards the end of the week provide the children with the opportunity of ministering to their parents and extended family members, performing the lessons they have learned during the week – a spiritual concert. Every child in the school participates, making for an enjoyable (and sometimes quite unpredictable) but delightful evening.
The Team also combine with the children to present the Gospel message in a lively, relevant and dynamic way.



School Mass in the Parish Church

Towards the end of the week the children are given instruction on various parts of the Mass and are assigned Readings, Prayers of the Faithful and other ministries for the weekend Mass. Lively hymns together with sung parts of the Mass are taught and parents and parishioners are invited to attend the local Church on Saturday night or Sunday. We see this as the highlight of our special week together.

Céilí Community CD’s (professionally produced) of the songs used during the Mission are on sale after the Presentation.

Evaluation

Assessment forms are forwarded to schools. The results of these give us an indication of highlights and weaknesses and help us to keep up to date with school expectations and to prepare and adapt to changing circumstances and needs.

Available Follow up
The Mission Team is available for Confirmation/ End of Term and First Communion Days for pupils or for Evenings with parents.
We plan further outreach as we grow in membership.

What are staff saying after they've had a mission?

What are pupils saying about their school missions?

Bookings

To make an enquiry about booking a mission you need to fill out the booking form available here.

Please feel free to call or email us regarding any query you may have. Details are on the contact page.

Printable Form

To download the form CLICK HERE



Thank you!