Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness,
       a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.    
 - St. John Chrysostom

Prayer is "a vital and personal relationship with the living and true God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church)  Because prayer is the cornerstone of our relationship with God, we encourage the students of Saint Denis-Saint Columba School to value prayer.  

Each morning we gather as a school community to begin our day.  We place ourselves in the presence of God, listen to the Word of God, pray for both ourselves and those in need, and receive a blessing from one of the parish priests. Throughout the day, the students have many other opportunities to pray, including before and after lunch and between classes. At the end of each day, we again gather as a school community to reflect on the choices made throughout the day, to ask forgiveness and to give thanks for the blessings of the day.

By attending a Catholic school our students have the freedom to pray openly both alone and with others. They are encouraged to take advantage of this most precious opportunity of building their relationship with God through prayer.

If you would like a simple way to help teach your child to pray, consider Pope Francis' "Five Finger Prayer."  It's beautiful in its simplicity and is a wonderful guide for reflection.